MOVIE QUIZ
The next seven days are filled with milestone birthdays for several examples of Hollywood royalty – from the original Lion King to a true Queen of Country, with a stop along the way for a multi-hyphenate whose full name translates to “Queen King.”*
Wish them well, send a card, sing a round of “Happy Birthday to You” (or 10) – but first, take our latest quiz.
1. The voice of Darth Vader, Mufasa and CNN – James Earl Jones – turns 90 years old on Sunday. Throughout his nearly 70-year career, the legendary actor has received an Oscar nomination, as well as three Tonys, three Emmys, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and numerous other awards. And he’ll be seen soon in the long-awaited sequel, “Coming to America 2.” But he made his big-screen debut in what 1964 movie playing a character named Lothar Zogg?
2. This Oscar-winning actress turning 80 years old today has acted in films opposite Anthony Quinn, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Jack Nicholson, Steve Mcqueen, William Holden, Marcello Mastroianni, Dustin Hoffman, Kirk Douglas, George C. Scott, Paul Newman, Tommy Lee Jones, Jon Voight, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rourke, Robert Duvall, Johnny Depp and Marlon Brando. Who is she?
3. Writer-director Brian Helgeland – who turns 60 on Sunday - won both an Oscar for best screenplay and a Razzie for worst screenplay on the same weekend in 1998, the former for “L.A. Confidential” and the latter for what film starring and directed by Kevin Costner (who, himself, turns 66 on Monday)?
4. Singer, actor and little brother of Brandy Norwood, Ray J (40 on Sunday), has several credits to his name, but he is best remembered for starring in and self-“directing ” one of the most famous and influential “movies” of all time, opposite his then-girlfriend, a little-known Kim Kardashian. Of his more legitimate, big-screen credits, he appeared in what 1996 comedy with a cast that included Jack Nicholson, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Michael J. Fox, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Danny Devito, Martin Short, Tom Jones, Natalie Portman, Jack Black and Pam Grier?
5. Turning 99, which TV and entertainment legend Betty White will do on Sunday, is definitely a milestone, as is her more than 80-year career. She didn’t make her credited, big-screen debut until 1962 in “Advise & Consent,” and didn’t again until the 1996 thriller “Hard Rain,” starring Christian Slater and Morgan Freeman. Which of her “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” co-stars was also in the cast?
6. For which one of these films was David Lynch – hitting the big 7-5 on Wednesday, Jan. 20, – NOT nominated for a best director Academy Award: “The Elephant Man,” “Blue Velvet,” “The Straight Story” or “Mulholland Dr.”?
7. Oscar and Emmy-winning actress Regina King* not only will see her theatrical directing debut, “One Night in Miami,” begin streaming on Friday, she also turns 50 the same day. The first three films she appeared in — “Boyz n the Hood,” “Poetic Justice” and “Higher Learning ” — were all from the same director. Who was it?
8. Character actor Paul Mccrane has had his arm sheared off by a helicopter, and then been crushed to death by a different helicopter, on the small screen. On the big one, he’s been devoured by the Blob, had his toxic waste-covered body pulverized by a speeding car and accidentally killed his grandfather by stuffing the family dog. But in what 1980 movie did the then-18-year-old Mccrane (whose 60th birthday is Monday) get to sing his own song, “Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?” as well as perform as part of the high school musical’s big finale number, “I Sing the Body Electric”?
9. Bill Maher, host of “Real Time” and “Politically Incorrect,” can retire next Wednesday, Jan. 20 – the comedian turns 65. In which of the following films did he NOT play himself: “Late Night,” “The Interview,” “Iron Man 3,” “The Campaign,” “Swing Vote,” “John Q,” “Bulworth,” “Edtv” or “Primary Colors”?
10. National treasure and one of the heroes of 2020, Dolly Parton will be blowing out 75 candles on her birthday cake next Tuesday. Her theatrical film output may be small, but it is memorable. Match each of her films with her character’s name in it.
I. “9 to 5” II. “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” III. “Rhinestone” IV. “Steel Magnolias” V. “Straight Talk” VI. “Joyful Noise”
A. Truvy Jones B. G.G. Sparrow C. Doralee Rhodes D. Shirlee Kenyon E. Jake Farris F. Mona Stangley
Here are the answers to the Movie Quiz on page 2.
1. “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”
2. Faye Dunaway
3. “The Postman”
4. “Mars Attacks!”
5. Ed Asner
6. “The Straight Story”
7. John Singleton
8. “Fame”
9. “Bulworth”
10. I –C; II – F; III – E; IV – A;V–D;VI--B