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The Benchleys Trivia Quiz

About the famed three-generation literary family.

A multiple-choice quiz by tjoebigham. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
tjoebigham

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
48,873

Updated
Mar 31 24

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
205

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Where was humorist Robert born? Hint

Montpelier, VT.

Bangor, Maine

Worcester, Mass.

Providence, R.I.

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Question 2 of 15

2. In his essay, 'My Face', to what comic strip character does Benchley compare himself? Hint

Wimpy

Andy Gump

Alley Oop

Pappy Yokum

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Question 3 of 15

3. Who illustrated Benchley's writings? Hint

Gluyas Williams

Rea Irvin

Peter Arno

Charles Barton

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Question 4 of 15

4. What was the stage skit Benchley wrote and acted in that made his name? Hint

Dollars and Nonsense

The Treasurer's Report

How to lose your money

Stock Raving Mad

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Question 5 of 15

5. Benchley also acted in films. For what famous director did he co-write and act in a movie? Hint

Howard Hawks

Frank Capra

Ernst Lubitsch

Alfred Hitchcock

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Question 6 of 15

6. What novel by Robert's son Nathaniel became the hit movie "The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!"? Hint

Russkies

The Commies

The Reds

The Off-Islanders

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Question 7 of 15

7. What novel of his was filmed by William Castle as 'The Spirit Is Willing'? Hint

The Intruders

The Spooks

The Visitors

The Haunters

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Question 8 of 15

8. What novel of his became the TV-movie 'Sweet Hostage'? Hint

Love's Ransom

Welcome To Xanadu

Kidnap

Hostage

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Question 9 of 15

9. Besides his father, who else did Nathaniel pen a biography on? Hint

Richard Widmark

James Cagney

Humphrey Bogart

Edward G. Robinson

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Question 10 of 15

10. Peter Benchley co-scripted Spielberg's blockbuster film of his 'Jaws'. What cameo role did he have in the movie? Hint

TV Reporter

Lifeguard

Hot Dog Vendor

Beach Bum

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Question 11 of 15

11. Where was the movie filmed? Hint

Cuttyhunk

Block Island

Long Island

Martha's Vineyard

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Question 12 of 15

12. Name the 'sequel' to Jaws. Hint

Teeth

White Shark

Man-Eater

Shadow of the Shark

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Question 13 of 15

13. What is the monster in his 'Beast'? Hint

giant squid

killer whale

giant jellyfish

pirahna

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Question 14 of 15

14. And what animal was in 'The Girl by the Sea of Cortez'? Hint

dolphin

manta ray

swordfish

conger eel

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Question 15 of 15

15. What novel did Benchley place inside an alcoholic rehab center? Hint

Boozers

Rummies

Hic!

The Pink Elephant Boys

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was humorist Robert born?

Answer: Worcester, Mass.

Also the birthplace of filmmaker Samuel Fuller.

2. In his essay, 'My Face', to what comic strip character does Benchley compare himself?

Answer: Wimpy

When not looking like Walllace Beery, Benchley compared himself to Popeye's hamburger-mooching sidekick.

3. Who illustrated Benchley's writings?

Answer: Gluyas Williams

Little known today, Williams started at the New Yorker as did the others.

4. What was the stage skit Benchley wrote and acted in that made his name?

Answer: The Treasurer's Report

This nonsense skit, written for a revue by Benchley's famed circle, the Algonquin Round Table, put him on the map.

5. Benchley also acted in films. For what famous director did he co-write and act in a movie?

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock

'Foreign Correspondent', one of the Master's first American films. He also starred in Billy Wilder's 'The Major and the Minor'.

6. What novel by Robert's son Nathaniel became the hit movie "The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!"?

Answer: The Off-Islanders

Norman Jewison directed Alan Arkin this 1966 farce.

7. What novel of his was filmed by William Castle as 'The Spirit Is Willing'?

Answer: The Visitors

One of Castle's campy exercises in the supernatural.

8. What novel of his became the TV-movie 'Sweet Hostage'?

Answer: Welcome To Xanadu

A weird TV-movie starring Martin Sheen as a poetry-spouting whacko who snatches Linda Blair.

9. Besides his father, who else did Nathaniel pen a biography on?

Answer: Humphrey Bogart

Here's lookin' at you, Bogie!

10. Peter Benchley co-scripted Spielberg's blockbuster film of his 'Jaws'. What cameo role did he have in the movie?

Answer: TV Reporter

James Dickey wrote the screenplay for the film of his novel 'Deliverance' and played the sheriff, BTW.

11. Where was the movie filmed?

Answer: Martha's Vineyard

The Vineyard stood in for fictional Amity Island.

12. Name the 'sequel' to Jaws.

Answer: White Shark

Again Benchley wrote of a monster shark.

13. What is the monster in his 'Beast'?

Answer: giant squid

This time, a monstrous mutant squid.

14. And what animal was in 'The Girl by the Sea of Cortez'?

Answer: manta ray

This was a gentle fable about a girl's friendship with a giant {manta;} no horror here.

15. What novel did Benchley place inside an alcoholic rehab center?

Answer: Rummies

A real change of pace, this is a darkly comic look at recovering alcoholics.

Source: Author tjoebigham

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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