entertainment – Page 12 – Quizology Online

Quotology—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

George Mallory (3rd from left), Tibet, 1924.
Image Wikipedia

One

People ask me, ‘What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?’ and my answer is ‘because it’s there.’

— George Mallory

In what decade of the twentieth century did mountaineers George Mallory and Sandy Irvine go missing near the summit of Mount Everest?

Answer: Twenties

English mountaineer George Mallory participated in the first three British Mount Everest expeditions. In 1924, he and fellow Englishman Sandy Irvine were last seen near Everest’s summit, sparking debate about whether they reached the summit.

Two

What British motor racing commentator (1923-2021) said…

The lead car is unique, except for the one behind it which is identical.

Answer: Murray Walker

Murray Walker (1923-2021) did his first broadcast commentary in 1948 and became a full-time commentator in the mid-seventies. He was known for making comical blunders which became known as ‘Murrayisms’ Wikipedia has supplied the following examples:

We’ve had cars going off left, right and centre
Do my eyes deceive me, or is Senna’s Lotus sounding rough?
With half of the race gone, there is half of the race still to go
There is nothing wrong with the car, apart from that it is on fire, and
The gap between them is now nine-tenths of a second; that’s less than a second!
— Wikipedia

Three

I think it was Shaw who advised young playwrights to gear the length of each act to the endurance of the human…
— Alfred Hitchcock

What human organ completes the above Alfred Hitchcock quote?

Answer: Bladder

Hitchcock believed that a ‘movie should be quick, terse and all of a piece’.

Four

What American sportsman said…

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Answer: Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra, an American professional baseball catcher, manager and coach, played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, winning 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Berra was known for his malapropisms and paradoxical statements, some examples below courtesy of Wikipedia
It’s déjà vu all over again.
You can observe a lot by watching
On why he no longer went to Ruggeri’s, a St. Louis restaurant: ‘Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded’
When complimented by a woman in the grandstands on how he seemed to be enduring the heat well on a hot summer’s day: ‘Thanks, ma’am. You don’t look so hot yourself’
Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise they won’t go to yours
The future ain’t what it used to be
A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore
If you can’t imitate him, don’t copy him
I really didn’t say everything I said
— Wikipedia

Chuck Yeager next to experimental aircraft Bell X-1 Glamorous Glennis.
Image Wikipedia

Five

If you can walk away from a landing, it’s a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it’s an outstanding landing.

The above quote was from a pilot who, on 14 October 1947, while piloting Glamorous Glennis broke the sound barrier. Who was the pilot?

Answer: Chuck Yeagar

Yeagar became the first person to break the sound barrier on that flight. Piloting Glamorous Glennis, a Bell X-1 named after his wife, he reached Mach 1.05 st 45,000 feet (13,700. metres) over the Mojave Desert, California.

All in a Day: 1609 to 1939—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

Henry Hudson’s voyages to North America.
Image Wikipedia

One

On 3 September 1609, an English navigator and explorer sailed into what is now known as New York Harbour. He made four expeditions to find a route from Europe to Asia, and a bay, river and strait are named after him. What are his first and second names?

Answer: Henry Hudson

In 1606, Henry Hudson sailed up the river that now bears his name. In Canada, the Hudson Strait links the North Atlantic Ocean (Labrador Sea) to Hudson Bay.

Sir Malcolm Campbell.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Two

On 3 September 1935, who became the first person to drive an automobile at over 300 miles per hour?

Answer: Sir Malcolm Campbell

On September 3, 1935, at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, his automobile was timed at 301.1292 miles (484.62 km) per hour, the first officially clocked land-vehicle performance exceeding 300 miles (483 km) per hour.
— Encyclopædia Britannica

Three

On 3 September 1939, after the invasion of Poland, Britain, France, and which two of these countries – Australia, Canada, or New Zealand – declared war on Germany?

Answer: Australia and New Zealand

On 3 September 1939, Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King announced the recommendation for a declaration of war in a radio broadcast. On 10 September 1939, a declaration of war by Canada against Germany was made by order-in-council signed by King George VI, King of Canada.

NASA’s Viking 2 on the surface of Mars.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Four

On this day in 1976, Viking 2, a NASA spacecraft, completed its journey, landed at its destination, and began sending information back to Earth. What planet had it landed on?

Answer: Mars

The Viking 2 mission, part of the American Viking programme, included an orbiter and a lander. The lander operated for 1,316 days, while the orbiter functioned for 706 orbits until July 25, 1978.

James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Frank Capra on the set of *Mr Smith Goes to Washington*.
Image Wikipedia

Five

The director of 1939’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life died on 3 September 1991. Who was he?

Answer: Frank Capra

Italian-American film director Frank Capra, known for his influence in the 1930s and 1940s, won three Academy Awards for Best Director. Despite a career decline after World War II, his films, including It’s a Wonderful Life, were later critically acclaimed.

All in a Day: 1609 to 1939

Another five questions which are related to today, September 3rd.

Set of *Mr Smith Goes to Washington*. See question 5.
Image Wikipedia

One

Two

On 3 September 1935, who became the first person to drive an automobile at over 300 miles per hour?

Three

On 3 September 1939, after the invasion of Poland, Britain, France, and which two of these countries – Australia, Canada, or New Zealand – declared war on Germany?

Four

On this day in 1976, Viking 2, a NASA spacecraft, completed its journey, landed at its destination, and began sending information back to Earth. What planet had it landed on?

Five

The director of 1939’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life died on 3 September 1991. Who was he?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Lord of the…—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

Bookplate of Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Tarzan, shown with one of his great-ape family, is holding the planet Mars and is surrounded by other characters from Burroughs’ stories and symbols relating to his personal interests and career.
Image Wikipedia

One

On 1 September 1875, an American novelist was born. Starting in 1914, following a 1912 magazine story, he wrote a series of novels about an ape-man who was also known as John Clayton. Who was this novelist?

Answer: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) was an American writer known for creating Tarzan and John Carter. Tarzan, aka John Clayton and Viscount Greystoke, first appeared in Tarzan of the Apes as a 1912 magazine serialisation and 1914 novel. This was followed by 23 further novels and Tarzan became a cultural icon, spawning comic strip, films and merchandise.

Two

On this date in 1969, Muammar al-Qaddafi, or al-Gaddafi, along with a group of fellow young army officers, deposed the king and declared Libya a republic. Who was the deposed king?

Answer: King Idris I

Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, initially as a revolutionary leader and later as the Brotherly Leader of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. He implemented his Third International Theory, nationalised the oil industry, and promoted Islamic socialism. Gaddafi’s rule was marked by authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and support for terrorism, leading to his overthrow and assassination during the 2011 Libyan Civil War.

Grace Kelly.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Three

On 1 September 1954, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window opened in American film theatres. Starring James Stewart, it also featured a future princess. Who was this future princess?

Answer: Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco)

Grace Kelly, an American actress, achieved stardom in Hollywood films before marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. As Princess of Monaco, she focused on charity work, particularly for children and the arts. Kelly passed away at the age of 52 due to injuries from a car crash.

Four

On this date in 1972, the first native-born American to become world champion achieved that title. Who was the American and who did he defeat to win the world title?

Answer: Bobby Fischer (USA) defeated Boris Spassky (USSR)

The 1972 World Chess Championship, held in Reykjavík, Iceland, marked the end of 24 years of Soviet dominance. The first game was played on 11 July 1972. The 21st and last game, begun on August 31, was adjourned after 40 moves, with Spassky resigning the next day without resuming play or attending the venue. Fischer won the match 12½–8½, becoming the eleventh undisputed world champion. This victory made Fischer the first US-born world champion.

Bow of the *Titanic*, 2024.
Image Wikipedia

Five

On 1 September 1985, a search found the wreck of the Titanic lying at a depth of 13.000 feet (4,000 metres). Who was the oceanographer who led this search?

Answer: Robert Ballard

Robert Ballard, an American oceanographer, is renowned for discovering the Titanic in 1985 using the submersible Argo. He pioneered deep-sea archaeology and explored the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Galapagos Rift, uncovering thermal vents and chemosynthesis. Ballard also founded the JASON project, the Institute for Exploration, and the Ocean Exploration Trust, continuing his search for shipwrecks and sharing his discoveries through writing.

Lord of the…

The post title refers to both Lord of the Jungle and Lord of the Apes which have been used for Tarzan.

*Tarzan and the Golden Lion*.
Illustration by James Allen St. John.
Image Wikipedia

Lord of the…

One

Two

On this date in 1969, Muammar al-Qaddafi, or al-Gaddafi, along with a group of fellow young army officers, deposed the king and declared Libya a republic. Who was the deposed king?

Three

On 1 September 1954, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window opened in American film theatres. Starring James Stewart, it also featured a future princess. Who was this future princess?

Four

On this date in 1972, the first native-born American to become world champion achieved that title. Who was the American and who did he defeat to win the world title?

Five

On 1 September 1985, a search found the wreck of the Titanic lying at a depth of 13.000 feet (4,000 metres). Who was the oceanographer who led this search?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Round Table—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

One

He portrayed George P. Putnam in the 2009 film Amelia. Who is he?

Answer: Richard Gere

Richard Gere is an American actor who gained prominence in the 1980s and is known for his roles in films like American Gigolo, Pretty Woman and Chicago.

Two

He also starred in 1995’s First Knight, alongside Sean Connery as King Arthur and Julia Ormond as Guinevere. In this film, he portrayed which character?

Answer: Lancelot

Lancelot du Lac, a prominent figure in Arthurian legend, is depicted as a skilled knight and Queen Guinevere’s lover. His story, originating from Chrétien de Troyes’ 12th-century poem, explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Lancelot’s complex character and tragic love affair with Guinevere have captivated audiences for centuries.

Three

He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in a 2002 film. What film?

Answer: Chicago

Chicago is a 2002 musical crime film based on the 1975 stage musical, exploring themes of celebrity and corruption in 1920s Chicago. The film, starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere,. Gere won the Golden Globe for his role as Billy Flynn, a successful criminal defence lawyer.

Four

In this 1990 film, his co-star plays Vivian Ward. Can you name his character and the film?

Answer: Edward Lewis Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The film, originally a dark cautionary tale, was re-conceived as a romantic comedy and became a massive box office success, grossing $463.4 million worldwide.

Five

What seven-letter name, beginning with ’T’, is our actor’s middle name?

Answer: Tiffany

Richard Tiffany Gere. His middle name comes from his mother’s maiden name, Doris Ann Tiffany.

*Lancelot at the Chapel*, an illustration from *The Book of Romance*.
(Project Gutenberg).
Image Wikipedia

Round Table

Our questions are all about an award-winning actor who is celebrating his 76th birthday today, August 31st.

One

He portrayed George P. Putnam in the 2009 film Amelia. Who is he?

Two

He also starred in 1995’s First Knight, alongside Sean Connery as King Arthur and Julia Ormond as Guinevere. In this film, he portrayed which character?

Three

He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in a 2002 film. What film?

Four

In this 1990 film, his co-star plays Vivian Ward. Can you name his character and the film?

Five

What seven-letter name, beginning with ’T’, is our actor’s middle name?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Monster Mash—Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

Portrait of Mary Shelley.
Image Wikipedia

One

An author, best known for the 1818 novel Frankenstein, was born on 30 August 1797. Who is this author?

Answer: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Shelley, daughter of philosopher William Godwin and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft, was an English novelist best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein. She was married to Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and faced personal tragedy, including the death of her husband and several children. Shelley’s literary output, including novels and travel writing, often challenged the individualistic Romantic ethos and advocated for cooperation and sympathy, particularly as practised by women.

Title page of Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein*, first edition, 1818.
Image Wikipedia

Two

What was the full title of Frankenstein as displayed on the title page of its first edition in 1818?

Answer: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.

Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel, Frankenstein, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sapient creature, and compares him to the Greek Tiata Prometheus who gave fire to humanity. Shelley was inspired to write the novel during a competition with her husband and others, including Lord Byron.

The Titan Prometheus.
*The Release of Prometheus* by Carl Bloch, 1864.
Image Wikipedia

Three

The title page mentioned in question 3 also features the following epigraph:

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould Me man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?

Please identify the epic poem (1667) from which this quote is taken and the author of that poem?

Answer: Paradise Lost by John Milton

Paradise Lost, an epic poem by John Milton, explores the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. The poem delves into themes of free will, the consequences of disobedience, and the complexities of human nature, while also sparking controversy for its portrayal of Satan.

Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1819. Image Wikipedia

Four

To what poet was the author of Frankenstein married?

Answer: Percy Bysshe Shelley

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) was an English Romantic poet known for his radical views and masterful poetry. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, his work, including “Ozymandias” and “Ode to the West Wind,” gained acclaim posthumously, influencing generations of poets. Shelley’s life was marked by personal struggles and political controversy, leading him to self-exile in Italy, where he produced some of his most celebrated works. He died in a boating accident at the age of 29.

Theatrical poster for *Frankenstein*, 1931.
Image Wikipedia

Five

In the 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein, what actor was cast as ‘The Monster’ and was depicted as ‘?’ in the opening credits?

Answer: Boris Karloff

Frankenstein is a 1931 American science fiction horror film directed by James Whale, based on Mary Shelley’s novel. The film, starring Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) and Boris Karloff (The Monster / ‘?’), was a commercial success and significantly impacted popular culture. In 1991, the United States Library of Congress selected Frankenstein for preservation in the National film Registry, recognising its ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ value.

Monster Mash

All the questions are linked to a person born on August 30th.

One

An author, best known for the 1818 novel Frankenstein, was born on 30 August 1797. Who is this author?

Two

What was the full title of Frankenstein as displayed on the title page of its first edition in 1818?

Three

The title page mentioned in question 3 also features the following epigraph:

Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould Me man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?

Please identify the epic poem (1667) from which this quote is taken and the author of that poem?

Four

To what poet was the author of Frankenstein married?

Five

In the 1931 film adaptation of Frankenstein, what actor was cast as ‘The Monster’ and was depicted as ‘?’ in the opening credits?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Mr ? Goes to Washington—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

Lyndon B. Johnson, 1915.
Image Wikipedia

One

Born on 27 August 1908 in Texas, this boy went on to become the president of the United States. Who is he?

Answer: Lyndon B Johnson

Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, served from 1963 to 1969. He assumed the presidency after John F. Kennedy’s assassination and was later elected in a landslide. Johnson’s presidency is remembered for his Great Society programmes, which aimed to expand civil rights, improve healthcare, and combat poverty, but his legacy is also marred by the Vietnam War.

Two

On this date, Ernst Heinkel’s He178 turbojet-powered aircraft achieved the historic first jet flight. In which decade did this event occur?

Answer: 1930s (1939)

The jet engine, though conceptually ancient, only became practical in the 20th century. Early attempts, like the Caproni Campini N.1 and Tsu-11, were unsuccessful. The breakthrough came with the gas turbine, leading to the development of the turbojet, with Frank Whittle and Hans von Ohain (He178) playing pivotal roles in its creation.

Three

The Anglo-Zanzibar War, the shortest war in history, took place on 27 August 1896. How long did the war last?
1. Between 30 minutes and 60 minutes
2. Between 510 minutes and 540 minutes
3. Between 960 and 990 minutes

Answer: Between 30 minutes and 60 minutes

The war lasted no longer than 40 minutes, making it the shortest war in recorded history.
— Encyclopædia Britannica

The conflict lasted between 38 and 45 minutes, marking it as the shortest recorded war in history.
— Wikipedia

Four

The world premiere of a film adaptation of a book by PL Travers took place on 27 August 1964 in Los Angeles. Which film?

Answer: Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins, a 1964 American musical film, features Julie Andrews as a magical nanny who transforms a troubled London household.

Five

On 27 August 1938, at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA, Captain George E.T. Eyston set a new land speed record. What speed did he achieve?
1. 199.96 mph
2. 273.13 mph
3. 345.49 mph

Answer: 345.49 mph

Captain George Eyston, a British engineer and racing driver, broke the land speed record three times between 1937 and 1939.