Songs From The Movies: Volume 2 Quiz

Answer: Oklahoma!

Released in 1955, "Oklahoma!" was based on a stage musical.
This was the story of a young man and woman who were attracted to each other, but there was a catch: another man had notions of the fair lady.
And mixed up with this, one of the woman's friends had cast eyes at a roving peddler while her boyfriend was away. The peddler was a 'no good'; but would she see it and settle for the safe alternative, the beau she already had?
The movie has had some mixed reviews over the years. Some critics found it mawkish: others writing 60 years later said it was as good today as it was when it was released.
"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" was the opening song - and probably one of the best known. It was sung by Gordon MacRae.

Answer: The Sound of Music

"The Sound of Music" was released in 1965 and unless you are really lucky, you will not have missed it on a TV channel somewhere some Christmas.
It was based on a 1959 musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Their story was based, somewhat loosely, on the true story of the Austrian Von Trapp family. The head of the family, Captain Georg von Trapp, had served in the Austrian navy in World War 1.
He was, however, opposed to Nazism and decided to move with his children, who at the time were a singing group, to the USA. He had previously married Maria, who had arrived to be governess in 1927 after the death of his first wife. Von Trapp had ten children, three of them with Maria.
The family eventually settled in Vermont.
The movie dramatised events, and fictionalised many details. It won five Academy Awards.
In the movie, "Edelweiss" was sung by the captain, Maria and the children.

Answer: Easy Rider

Released in 1969, "Easy Rider" starred Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as two motorcyclists travelling across the USA after selling cocaine they had smuggled in from Mexico.
On their road trip, they encountered many of the social and political realities of an America riven by racial discrimination and soul-searching over an unpopular war in Vietnam.
On a personal note, they found that their freewheeling attitude did not go down too well with some of those they met - people who did not have the freedom to up sticks and travel aimlessly.
"The Pusher" was written by Hoyt Axton, although it was a version by Steppenwolf that was used in the move.

Answer: Casablanca

Released in 1942, "Casablanca" was a love story set in World War 2.
It starred Humphrey Bogart as an ex-pat American who ran a nightclub in the North African city of Casablanca.
It was frequented by local people, Vichy French sympathisers and occupying German officers.
A former lover - played by Ingrid Bergman - returned to his life to complicate things. She was married to a Czech Resistance leader and they need Bogart's help to escape the Nazis.
The song "As Time Goes By" was written by Herman Hupfeld and was sung by Dooley Wilson.

Answer: Guys and Dolls

Released in 1955, "Guys and Dolls" starred Frank Sinatra as a small-time organiser of illegal crap games.
Under pressure from the police, he fell in with a steady gambler, Marlon Brando.
A bet, over a woman, ensued and more drama followed as hopelessly lost gamblers went to the financial assistance of a city mission.
"Luck Be a Lady" was written by Frank Loesser for the 1950 Broadway show "Guys and Dolls".

Answer: Funny Girl

Released in 1968, "Funny Girl" was an adaptation of a book and a musical.
Set before and after WWI, it was the story of a young vaudeville star who fell for a high-rolling businessman.
They married, but he was jailed for embezzlement and she returned to show business.
Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif starred as the main protagonists.
"Don't Rain On My Parade" was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne for the Broadway show. Streisand sang it in the show and in the movie.

Answer: Dirty Dancing

Released in 1987 "Dirty Dancing" was set in the early 1960s.
It stared Jennifer Grey as a rich, spoiled young woman who fell for a dance instructor from a working class background, Patrick Swayze.
In a storyline that included pregnancy and illegal abortion, Grey was pressed into standing in for Swayze's regular dancing partner, initially not very successfully..
Grey's involvement did not go down well with her rich family, but they became reconciled after seeing them dance.
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" was written by Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz and sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
It won them a Grammy for Best Duo, and was an Academy Winner for Best Song. Although not originally intended for inclusion in the movie, it became the theme song.

Answer: Chicago

Released in 2002, "Chicago" was based on an earlier stage musical.
Set in the Windy City in the 1920s, it was the story of two women who ended up on death row for murder.
A fast-talking lawyer took up their cases, hoping to have them acquitted through a blaze of publicity and make them stars.
"All That Jazz" was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for the 1975 musical.

Answer: Grease

Released in 1978, "Grease" was based on a musical of the same name.
It was set in 1958 and was the story of a beach romance between John Travolta and vacationing Olivia Newton-John.
That romance was carried over into high school term time. The romance was complicated by an inter-gang rivalry over a car race.
"Summer Nights" was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and was sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the film. It became a chart hit.

Answer: The Bodyguard

Released in 1992, "The Bodyguard" starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
Costner was an ex-Treasury agent hired to protect Houston, a music star, from a stalker.
Of course they fell in love, but the stalker had turned violent, killing Houston's sister. He was pursued by Costner, but escaped. Would he, though, try again to kill his main target...?
"I Will Always Love You" was written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a tribute to her former singing partner and mentor Porter Wagoner.