Tag: film

  • Let it Be — Answers

    Today’s answers are shown below.

    The first question relates to both today’s date, April 10th, and music. The remaining questions are not date-related but follow the music theme.

    The Beatles Let it Be.
    Image orohits949.com

    One

    On this day in 1970, who became the first to publicly announce that he was leaving The Beatles?

    Answer: Paul McCartney.

    The Beatles’ internal strife, evident in the White Album and Get Back sessions, escalated over business disagreements, leading to Lennon’s departure in September 1969 and McCartney’s making the first public announcement when he issued a press release advising of his departure in April 1970.


    Two

    Name the official theme song for Mission: Impossible III; whose song it was, and who featured on it?

    Answer: Impossible; Kanye West featuring Twista, Keyshia Cole and BJ.

    Impossible by American hip-hop artist Kanye West featuring Twista, Keyshia Cole, and BJ. Composed for the film Mission: Impossible III, it served as its official theme but wasn’t included on the soundtrack. The song charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts in 2006.


    Three

    Add up the numbers from the titles that these clues point you to, and the total sum is the answer.

    1. The Beatles — Days of the Week (1964)
    2. The Rolling Stones — Nervous Breakdown (1966)
    3. Bob Marley and the Wailers — Little Birds (1977)
    4. Bryan Adams — Summer (1985)
    5. The Proclaimers Miles (1988)
    6. Vanessa Carlton — Miles
    7. Adele — Album (2008)
    8. Christina Perri — Years (2011)
    9. Adele — Album (2021)
    10. Belinda Carlisle — Loneliest Number (2025) (A long time previously Harry Nilsson followed by Three Dog Night)

    Answer: 2,649.

    1. 8 — Eight Days a Week (1964) The Beatles
    2. 19 — 19th Nervous Breakdown (1966) Rolling Stones
    3. 3 — Three Little Birds (1977) Bob Marley & The Wailers
    4. 69 — Summer of ’69 (1985) Bryan Adams
    5. 500 — I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (1988) The Proclaimers
    6. 1,000 — A Thousand Miles (2002) Vanessa Carlton
    7. 19 — 19 (2008) Adele
    8. 1,000 — A Thousand Years (2011) Christina Perri
    9. 30 — 30 (2021) Adele
    10. 1 — One (Is the Loneliest Number) Belinda Carlisle (2025) (Originally Harry Nilsson in 1968, followed by Three Dog Night in 1969.)

    Four

    Creedence Clearwater Revival topped the UK singles charts and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 with a song from their Green River album, which had a three-word title. What song?

    Answer: Bad Moon Rising.

    Bad Moon Rising, a song by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival, was their lead single from the album Green River. Released on 16 April 1969, four months before the album’s release, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 28 June 1969. It also spent three weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in September of the same year. Bad Moon Rising became CCR’s second gold single.


    Five

    Who were the four named members of the rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young?

    Answer: David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young.

    CSN formed in 1968 after Crosby, Stills, and Nash discovered their harmonious blend. Crosby left the Byrds in late 1967, Buffalo Springfield (Stills) disbanded in early 1968, and Nash departed the Hollies in December. In early 1969, they released their debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash, which featured Top 40 hits Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express. They added Neil Young, Stills’s former Buffalo Springfield bandmate, and as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, performed at Woodstock in 1969. Their first album with Young, Déjà Vu (1970), topped international charts, selling over eight million copies and producing hits like Woodstock and Teach Your Children. Tensions during their second tour led to the group’s disbandment. They reunited multiple times, releasing eight studio and four live albums, with their final studio album, Looking Forward, in 1999. CSN was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, with individual members also recognised for their work with other groups. Crosby passed away in 2023.


    Let it Be

    The post-title ‘Let it Be’, released in 1970, was their final single before McCartney’s departure. The song, written by McCartney, topped charts internationally and was certified Platinum in several locations and double Platinum in both the UK and US.


  • Let it Be

    The first question relates to both today’s date, April 10th, and music. The remaining questions are not date-related but follow the music theme.

    The Beatles Let it Be.
    Image orohits949.com

    One

    On this day in 1970, who became the first to publicly announce that he was leaving The Beatles?


    Two

    Name the official theme song for Mission: Impossible III; whose song it was, and who featured on it?


    Three

    Add up the numbers from the titles that these clues point you to, and the total sum is the answer.

    1. The Beatles — Days of the Week (1964)
    2. The Rolling Stones — Nervous Breakdown (1966)
    3. Bob Marley and the Wailers — Little Birds (1977)
    4. Bryan Adams — Summer (1985)
    5. The Proclaimers — Miles (1988)
    6. Vanessa Carlton — Miles
    7. Adele — Album (2008)
    8. Christina Perri — Years (2011)
    9. Adele — Album (2021)
    10. Belinda Carlisle — Loneliest Number (2025) (previously Harry Nilsson followed by Three Dog Night)

    Four

    Creedence Clearwater Revival topped the UK singles charts and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 with a song from their Green River album, which had a three-word title. What song?


    Five

    Who were the four named members of the rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young?


    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • His Accidency — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions all concern today’s date, April 4th.

    Flag of NATO.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1949, the organisation represented by this flag originally had twelve members including the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. Name the organisation and four of the remaining eight founding members?

    Answer: (any four from) Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal.

    In 1949, the original twelve members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.


    Two

    The following quote is from the Encyclopædia Britannica article on the film Ben-Hur, which in 1960 became the first film to win eleven Oscars. A number has been removed from the quote. What, to the nearest thousand, is that number?

    The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to —— extras.

    Answer: 15,000.

    On this day in 1960, Ben-Hur won eleven Oscars at the 32nd Academy Awards. The referenced quote in its entirety is…

    The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to 15,000 extras.
    — Encyclopædia Britannica


    Three

    In 1925, the Schutzstaffel was founded by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany. What is it better known as? 

    Answer: SS.

    The Schutzstaffel, ‘protection squad’, originally a small bodyguard unit of the Nazi Party, evolved into a formidable organisation under Heinrich Himmler. By 1939, it had grown to around 250,000 men, controlling police forces and expanding its role to become a state within a state. As a powerful paramilitary group in Nazi Germany, The SS was responsible for security, mass surveillance, and state terrorism, playing a central role in the Holocaust and committing numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was declared a criminal organisation at the Nuremberg trials.


    Four

    Born in Perth, Australia, in 1979, this actor was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 81st Academy Awards?

    Answer: Heath Ledger.

    At the 81st Academy Awards Heath Ledger won the Oscar for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his part as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008). In January 2008, Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.


    Five

    When William Henry Harrison died who succeeded him as the President of the United States? 

    Answer: John Tyler.

    Harrison died a month after his inauguration. At 67 he was the oldest man to be elected president (at that time); the last to be born under British rule and the first to die in office. He was succeeded by his vice president John Tyler who became known as ‘His Accidency’ — which gave me a title for this post.


  • His Accidency

    These questions all concern today’s date, April 4th.

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1949, the organisation represented by this flag originally had twelve members including the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. Name the organisation and four of the remaining eight founding members?


    Two

    The following quote is from the Encyclopædia Britannica article on the film Ben-Hur, which in 1960 became the first film to win eleven Oscars. A number has been removed from the quote. What, to the nearest thousand, is that number?

    The famed chariot race is considered among cinema’s most-impressive action sequences, not least because it featured up to — extras.


    Three

    In 1925, the Schutzstaffel was founded by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party in Germany. What is it better known as? 


    Four

    Born in Perth, Australia, in 1979, this actor was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 81st Academy Awards?


    Five

    When William Henry Harrison died who succeeded him as the President of the United States? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy — Answers

    The answers to the earlier posted questions are below.

    Pony Express Statue, St, Joseph, Missouri.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?

    Answer: St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.

    The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. Utilising horse-and-rider relays, the service significantly reduced mail delivery time from 24 days to about 10 days. Despite its efficiency, the Pony Express was a costly venture and ceased operations with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.


    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 

    Answer: 1930s.

    In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre, with observers Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett, became the first to fly over Mount Everest. The expedition, funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, aimed to promote British aviation and gather information for a planned summit attempt. Despite challenges with oxygen supply and weather conditions, the team successfully completed the flight, capturing valuable photographs of the terrain.


    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?

    Answer: 1973; Motorola.

    Motorola’s Martin Cooper made the first handheld mobile phone call in 1973. The prototype, nicknamed ‘the Brick’, weighed 2 kilograms and offered 30 minutes of talk time.


    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?

    Answer: France; 355 mph (575 km/h).

    In 2007, a French TGV train on the LGV Est high-speed line set a new world speed record, achieving 357.2 mph (574.8 km/h) or 159.6 m/s. This was part of Operation V150, a series of high-speed trials that culminated in the record-breaking speed on 3 April 2007. The top speed was reached near the village of Le Chemin, between the Meuse and Champagne-Ardenne TGV stations, where the most favourable profile exists, 12 minutes and 40 seconds after leaving Prény from a standstill, covering 71 km.


    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 

    Answer: 1720s.

    The office of prime minister in Britain emerged in the 18th century, with Sir Robert Walpole recognised as the first de facto prime minister, serving from 1721 to 1742. Walpole’s financial expertise, peaceful foreign policy, and adept management of Parliament established his authority and set the foundation for the modern Cabinet system. However, he faced criticism for bribery and corruption and resigned following a failed war with Spain.


    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Answer: Abbott and Costello.

    Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as peanut vendors at a rodeo show who are forced to flee their boss, they hide on a train, and become cowboys on a dude ranch despite lacking experience whatever.


  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Pony Express Statue.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?


    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 


    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?


    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?


    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 


    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • 1 GB of Storage for Free — Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

    These questions are all related to today, April 1st.

    See question three. Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1999, Nunavut, at 135,000 square miles of land (350,000 square km), is the World’s fifth-largest country subdivision. 

    1. Of what country is Nunavut a subdivision?
    2. What, to the nearest ten thousand, is the population of Nunavut?

    Answers

    1. Canada

    2. 40,000

    Nunavut, established in 1999, is the largest and northernmost Canadian territory, created for Inuit self-government. It covers a significant portion of Northern Canada and the Arctic Archipelago, making it the fifth-largest country subdivision globally. With a population of 36,858, it is the least densely populated major subdivision in the world.


    Two

    Gmail was launched on this day, in what year did this happen?

    Answer: 2004.

    Gmail, created by Paul Buchheit, was launched in 2004 and opened to the public in 2007, is the world’s largest email service with 1.8 billion users. It offers 15GB of free storage, supports large attachments, and integrates with Google Drive. The service is accessible from any internet-enabled device and features conversation view, integrated chat, and was briefly integrated with the social networking application Buzz.


    Three

    Josef von Sternberg’s Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) was released in Germany, and the classic film made Marlene Dietrich a star. What was Dietrich’s character name, as billed, in this film?

    Answer: Lola Lola.

    The Blue Angel (1930) is a German musical comedy-drama directed by Josef von Sternberg, featuring Marlene Dietrich, Emil Jannings, and Kurt Gerron. Based on Heinrich Mann’s novel Professor Unrat, it tells the tragic story of a professor’s downfall into madness due to his obsession with nightclub singer Lola Lola, played by Dietrich in her breakthrough role. This film introduced her iconic song, Falling in Love Again. Filmed in both German and English, the English version was initially lost but rediscovered and screened in 2009. The German version is preferred for its length and superior pronunciation.


    Four

    The Apple Computer Company, now Apple Inc., was founded in 1976, who were the three people who co-founded it?

    Answer: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.

    Apple Inc., founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, California, is a leading American multinational technology company renowned for its innovative consumer electronics, software, and online services. Known for its user-centric design and marketplace ecosystem, Apple revolutionised the technology sector with products like personal computers, smartphones and tablets. After nearly going bankrupt in the 1990s, the company returned to profitability under Steve Jobs’ leadership, introducing iconic products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Today, Apple is the world’s largest company by market capitalisation and a major player in the PC, tablet, and mobile phone markets.


    Five

    In 1977, who had a U.S. number 1 and U.K. top ten hit with Got to Give It Up from the album Live at the London Palladium?

    Answer: Marvin Gaye.

    Marvin Gaye, an American soul singer-songwriter-producer, was a cultural icon and one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time. He began his career with Motown Records, achieving success with hits like I Heard It Through the Grapevine and duets with Tammi Terrell. Gaye’s groundbreaking album What’s Going On showcased his musical individuality and social commentary, paving the way for other artists to take control of their music. He later produced his own albums, significantly influencing 1970s soul music and R&B sub-genres. Tragically, Gaye was shot and killed by his father on 1 April 1984.


    1 GB of storage for free

    The post title refers to Google offering users 1 GB of space, compared to the 2 to 4 MB that was the standard at the time.


  • 1 GB of Storage for Free

    These questions are all related to today, April 1st.

    See question three. Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1999, Nunavut, at 135,000 square miles of land (350,000 square km), is the World’s fifth-largest country subdivision. 

    1. Of what country is Nunavut a subdivision?
    2. What, to the nearest ten thousand, is the population of Nunavut?

    Two

    Gmail was launched on this day, in what year did this happen?


    Three

    Josef von Sternberg’s Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) was released in Germany, and the classic film made Marlene Dietrich a star. What was Dietrich’s character name, as billed, in this film?


    Four

    The Apple Computer Company, now Apple Inc., was founded in 1976, who were the three people who co-founded it?


    Five

    In 1977, who had a U.S. number 1 and U.K. top ten hit with Got to Give It Up from the album Live at the London Palladium?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Seize the Hour — Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    British Summer Time.
    Image BBC

    Having finished our A to Z quizzes from the last few days, we now return to the date with questions about today, March 31st.

    One

    On this date Daylight Saving Time was introduced for the first time in the United States.

    1. In what year did this occur?
    2. True or false: Ancient Rome also adjusted their clocks to achieve similar results as daylight savings. 

    Answers

    1. 1918

    2. True

    In the U.S., it was seen as a wartime implementation and was abandoned after 1918. It was again used during World War II. It came into general annual use in the 1960s. Ancient Romans used water clocks with varying scales for different months, adjusting the length of hours based on the season. A specific hour which lasted 44 minutes at the winter solstice would be 75 minutes long at the summer solstice.


    Two

    Born in 1809, Edward FitzGerald, an English poet and writer who is best known for his 1859 translation of the work of ‘the Astronomer-Poet of Persia’. He published this in 1859 as the Rubáiyát of ——. What two word name is that of the Persian astronomer-poet which completes the title of FitzGerald’s 1859 translation?

    Answer: Omar Khayyám.

    Edward FitzGerald’s 1859 translation of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám gained popularity in the 1860s and 1870s, becoming a cultural phenomenon in the English-speaking world. The work inspired numerous translations and became something of a cult in the later part of the 19th century. Omar Khayyam (1048–1131) was a Persian polymath who made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy and literature. 


    Three

    Born in 1984, Martins Dukurs, a Latvian sportsman, is a six-time world champion and double Olympic silver medallist. He holds the record for the most World Cup titles with 11. In which sport has Dukurs achieved this success?

    Answer: Skeleton.

    Martins Dukurs, born on 31 March 1984, is a former Latvian skeleton racer and current coach. Competing since 1998, he is a six-time world champion and double Olympic silver medallist (2010, 2014). Dukurs holds the record for the most World Cup titles, with 11, including eight consecutive from 2010 to 2017 and three from 2020 to 2022.


    Four

    Born in Scotland on this day in 1971, an actor links these two roles. The first is a character from a 1996 film also born in Scotland, in Leith, Edinburgh. The second is not Scottish but a character in a 2009 film who said ‘Have you come to make me a martyr?’. Who is the actor?

    Answer: Ewan McGregor.

    Ewan McGregor is a Scottish actor and filmmaker known for his roles in Trainspotting, Star Wars, and Moulin Rouge!. He has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award, and has also directed films and appeared in theatre productions.


    Five

    On this date, the U.S. Virgin Islands became American possessions. 

    1. By what name had they been known immediately prior to this?
    2. In what decade did this occur?

    Answers

    1. Danish West Indies

    2. 1910s

    The United States purchased the three islands from Denmark for $25 million in 1917, recognising their strategic importance in controlling the main passage through the Caribbean to the Panama Canal. Previously controlled by Denmark–Norway from 1754 to 1814 and then by the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1917, the islands were sold under the 1917 Treaty of the Danish West Indies. Adjusted for inflation, this amount would be $628 million in 2025. Since the purchase, the islands have been an organised, unincorporated U.S. territory. 


  • Seize the Hour

    British Summer Time.
    Image BBC

    Having finished our A to Z quizzes from the last few days, we now return to the date with questions about today, March 31st.

    One

    On this date Daylight Saving Time was introduced for the first time in the United States.

    1. In what year did this occur?
    2. True or false: Ancient Rome also adjusted their clocks to achieve similar results as daylight savings. 

    Two

    Born in 1809, Edward FitzGerald, an English poet and writer who is best known for his 1859 translation of the work of ‘the Astronomer-Poet of Persia’. He published this in 1859 as the Rubáiyát of ——. What two word name is that of the Persian astronomer-poet which completes the title of FitzGerald’s 1859 translation?


    Three

    Born in 1984, Martins Dukurs, a Latvian sportsman, is a six-time world champion and double Olympic silver medallist. He holds the record for the most World Cup titles with 11. In which sport has Dukurs achieved this success?


    Four

    Born in Scotland on this day in 1971, an actor links these two roles. The first is a character from a 1996 film also born in Scotland, in Leith, Edinburgh. The second is not Scottish but a character in a 2009 film who said ‘Have you come to make me a martyr?’. Who is the actor?


    Five

    On this date, the U.S. Virgin Islands became American possessions. 

    1. By what name had they been known immediately prior to this?
    2. In what decade did this occur?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.