It's Al-ementary, My Dear Watson! Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Our intrepid detective - Wile E. Watson - is in Chicago, searching for the head of a Prohibition Era crime syndicate. It seems that this criminal has not been paying his taxes! But, which 'Al' is he chasing after?

Answer: Al Capone

Al Capone headed 'The Chicago Outfit', with criminal endeavors that included prostitution, smuggling and bootlegging, from the early 1920s until 1931. Pursued by Eliot Ness (an agent with the Bureau of Prohibition) and Frank J. Wilson (an agent with the Treasury Department), Al Capone was indicted for tax evasion in 1931, and eventually sentenced to 11 years in prison.

2. Wile E. Watson is on the trail of the American humorist - who lost his left leg in a trolley accident at the age of nine - known for creating the 'Lil' Abner' cartoon. What imaginative and creative 'Al' is he looking for?

Answer: Al Capp

Debuting in 1934, the 'Lil' Abner' comic strip went from being published in eight papers to ultimately over 900. Al Capp also created 'Long Sam' and 'Abbie an' Slats'.
During World War II, and for years afterward, Al Capp entertained hospital patients - in particular, amputees. In 1946 he created a comic book ('Al Capp by Lil' Abner') for the Red Cross to distribute to amputee veterans. He also served as honorary chairperson for the Sister Kenny Foundation, which pioneered new polio treatments.
Al Capp - Alfred Gerald Caplin (1909-1979) - was also a satirist, and a radio and television commentator.

3. It's weird, but Wile E. Watson is visiting a music video production, looking for the artist who won Grammy Awards for 1984's 'Eat It' and 2003's 'Poodle Hat'. Which 'Al' should Watson be hoping to find?

Answer: Al Yankovic

'Weird Al' Yankovic is known for his parodies of popular music, but he has also directed and produced for other musicians. Besides cameo appearances in several movies, and appearing on numerous television programs, including his own series - 'The Weird Al Show' - he wrote and starred in the 1989 movie 'UHF'.
He has been nominated several times for Grammy Awards, and has recorded multiple gold and platinum records.

4. Hooray for Hollywood! And for Wile E. Watson, who during this dog day afternoon has turned up the heat in search of a sea full of love. But which Hollywood legend is he searching for?

Answer: Al Pacino

While famous for his gangster roles, Al Pacino has also portrayed a variety of characters as diverse as an addict, a lawyer and a real estate salesman. He has been nominated for numerous awards, and won several - including an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1992's 'Scent of a Woman'.
Besides film work, Al Pacino has also performed to both critical and popular success on stage, and was awarded an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
In addition to many other film roles, he starred in 1975's 'Dog Day Afternoon', 1995's 'Heat' and 1989's 'Sea of Love'.

5. Wile E. Watson is looking for a performer who was once married to Ruby Keeler, performed in vaudeville, starred in 1928's 'The Singing Fool', and sang something jazzy. What 'Sonny Boy' singer is he trying to find?

Answer: Al Jolson

Born in 1886, in what is now Lithuania, Al Jolson emigrated - with his parents - to America at the age of five. Fascinated by show business, by 1897 he and his brother Hirsch were performing for coins on street corners. After going his own way in 1905, Al entertained in burlesque, vaudeville, stage and movies.

His most memorable film - 1927's 'The Jazz Singer' - was the first nationally distributed film that had dialogue, music and sound effects.

6. Wile E. Watson has found a trumpet, an award for the hit 'Java', and a recording for the 1960's television program 'The Green Hornet'. Which bandleader/trumpeter's trail is he following now?

Answer: Al Hirt

Al Hirt was born 'Alois Maxwell Hirt' in Louisiana on November 7th, 1922, and died in New Orleans on April 27th, 1999. A member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, he was given his first trumpet when he was six years old, and by the age of 16 he was playing professionally.

His accomplishments were many, and included playing 'Ave Maria' for Pope John Paul II during a visit to New Orleans in 1987.

7. It may be an inconvenient truth, but a Democrat is missing, and Wile E. Watson was told that Earth is in the balance. Which former army journalist, and vice-president, does Watson need to find?

Answer: Al Gore

1992's book 'Earth in the Balance' and the 2006 documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' were both critical successes and controversial. Deeply committed to environmental issues, Al Gore has received several awards including a joint award for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

8. Wile E. Watson can feel in his soul that he is closing in on the man who wanted to stay together for love and happiness. What gospel singing Al is he close to catching?

Answer: Al Green

Born in 1946, Al Green started performing at the age of ten, and reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s. Some of his most memorable hits are 1970's 'I Can't Get Next to You', 1972's 'Let's Stay Together' and 1978's 'I Feel Good'.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

9. 1313 Mockingbird Lane is the address Wile E. Watson has uncovered in his hunt for a sometimes batty old actor named Al. With a bit of help from Fred and Yvonne, who is he hoping to locate?

Answer: Al Lewis

Al Lewis (1923-2006) was probably best known for his portrayal of 'Grandpa Munster' on the television series 'The Munsters'. His show business career began with burlesque and vaudeville, and went on to include radio, television and movies. He was also involved in politics, and was involved in opening and running both a restaurant and a comedy club.

10. Jumping in his rent-a-wreck, Wile E. Watson is speeding towards Indianapolis, a note from Al's son - also named Al - crumpled on the dash. What speed champion is Wile racing to catch up with?

Answer: Al Unser, Sr.

Al Unser, Sr. is the younger brother of racers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and the father of Al Unser, Jr, who won the Indianapolis 500 twice. He also has two nephews - Johnny and Robby - who also have been involved in the racing profession.
Al Unser, Sr. was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1991, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Source: Author beergirllaura

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

There are several famous people named Al in need of finding, and Wile E. Watson - cousin to the famous Dr. Watson - is just the man we need for the job! Shall we go along with him as he searches?

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