Quizology.Online

Tag: film

  • And Now for Something Completely Different—Answers

    The first Monty Python Live (Mostly) reunion show at the O2 Arena in London, 2014.
    Wikipedia

    The answers to my earlier post are shown here in bold.

    1. Norwegian Blue and
    2. Graham Chapman—The Dead Parrot Sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a satire on poor customer service, featuring a non-existent parrot species, the “Norwegian Blue”. It was written by John Cleese and Graham Chapman.
      Carol Cleveland and Michael Palin performing the Lumberjack Song during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show, 2014.
      Wikipedia
    3. Tree to tree—A man, dissatisfied with his job, expresses his desire to be a lumberjack. He then sings, backed by a choir of male singers dressed as Royal Canadian Mounted Police, about the wonders of being a lumberjack in British Columbia and “Leaping from tree to tree”. The lumberjack reveals cross-dressing tendencies to his best girl and the Mounties, who become increasingly uncomfortable and eventually leave in disgust. The girl, shocked, rejects him and runs off.
    4. And Now for Something Completely Different—And Now for Something Completely Different is a 1971 British sketch comedy film featuring sketches from the first two series of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The film, released in the UK in 1971 and the US in 1972, consists of 90 minutes of sketches and animation sequences.
      Graham Chapman, ‘The Colonel’.
      Wikipedia
    5. Graham Chapman—Graham Chapman, a British actor, comedian, and writer, was a member of the surrealist comedy group Monty Python. He was openly homosexual, a supporter of gay rights and an alcoholic until he quit drinking before working on Life of Brian. Chapman died of tonsil cancer in 1989.
      Spike Milligan.
      Wikipedia
    6. Spike Milligan—Spike Milligan, born in British India, was a comedian, writer, and actor known for his work on The Goon Show and Q, a comedy sketch show which ran for six series from 1969 until 1983. He also wrote books, including Puckoon and a seven-volume autobiography, and comical verse, much of it for children. Spike Milligan, visiting Tunisia, was included by the Pythons in a scene of Life of Brian. He had left before being included in close-ups or publicity shots.
      Terry Gilliam, in the Spanish Inquisition sketch during Monty Python Live (Mostly) show, 2014.
      Wikipedia
    7. Terry Gilliam—Terrence Gilliam is an American-British filmmaker, comedian, and actor. He gained stardom as a member of Monty Python, collaborating on sketch series and films. Gilliam transitioned to directing serious films with themes exploring imagination and oppositions to bureaucracy and authoritarianism. He has directed 13 feature films, gaining acclaim for, among others, Time Bandits (1981), The Fisher King (1991) and 12 Monkeys (1995).
      A title card for Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
      Wikipedia
    8. John Philip Sousa—Sousa’s Liberty Bell March performed by the Band of the Grenadier Guards, was used as the opening theme for Monty Python’s Flying Circus as it was in the public domain and would not be associated with the show’s content.
      Knights Who Say “Ni!”
      Wikipedia
    9. Ni—In the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthur encounters the Knights Who Say “Ni!”, who demand a shrubbery as a sacrifice. After obtaining a shrubbery, the knights change their name to the Knights Who Say “Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptang Zoo Boing!” and give Arthur a new test, which he passes by saying the word “it”, incapacitating the knights.
      Spambot poster.
      Wikipedia
    10. Spamalot—Spamalot is a stage musical by John Du Prez and Eric Idle parodying Arthurian legend, based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The original Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, received 14 Tony Award nominations and won three, including Best Musical.
    See question 5. Graham Chapman. Blue plaque erected by The British Comedy Society on 6th September 2012 at The Angel Inn, 37 Highgate High Street, London N6 5JT
    Wikipedia

  • And Now for Something Completely Different

    Michael Palin (left) and John Cleese (right) performing the Dead Parrot sketch during the Monty Python Live (Mostly) show (2014).
    Wikipedia
    1. What features in the sketch pictured above?
      • Danish Turquoise
      • Norwegian Blue
      • Swedish Indigo
    2. Who co-wrote the above sketch with John Cleese?
      • Michael Palin
      • Terry Jones
      • Graham Chapman
    3. In a sketch from the ninth episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus Michael Palin’s character sings that he wants to ‘leap from…’
      • The cliff
      • Tree to tree
      • The tallest building
    4. The first Monty Python offering on film for cinematic release was…
      • Monty Python and the Holy Grail
      • And Now for Something Completely Different
      • Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
    5. In Monty Python’s Life of Brian which Python is described as “a very naughty boy”
      • Eric Idle
      • Michael Palin
      • Graham Chapman
    6. What veteran from The Goon Show appeared as a prophet in Monty Python’s Life of Brian?
      • Harry Secombe
      • Spike Milligan
      • Peter Sellers
      A title card for Monty Python’s Fling Circus.
      Wikipedia
    7. Which of the Pythons created the animations?
      • Terry Jones
      • Eric Idle
      • Terry Gilliam
    8. The Liberty Bell was the title music for this series, who composed it?
      • William L. Dawson
      • Eleanor Everest Freer
      • John Philip Sousa
    9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail features the Knights Who Say…
      • Eh
      • Ni
      • Yees, pleeze
    10. What is the title of a Monty Python stage musical?
      • Clamalot
      • Edamalot
      • Spamalot

  • Hatches and Despatches—Answers

    The answers to the questions posted earlier are shown in bold.

    Bryan Cranston, Comic-Con, San Diego, 2012
    Wikipedia
    1. Bryan Cranston—Bryan Lee Cranston is an acclaimed American actor renowned for his roles as Walter White in Breaking Bad and Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. He has won six Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards and two Golden Globes, with nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA. Cranston’s Breaking Bad performance earned him four Emmys and a Golden Globe, and he also won for Outstanding Drama Series as a producer. On stage, he won a Tony for All the Way and another for Network. Notable films include Trumbo, Saving Private Ryan, and Godzilla.
      Sir Edwin Landseer
      By Francis Grant.
      National Portrait Gallery
      Wikipedia
    2. Edwin Landseer—Landseer, born in London to engraver John Landseer and Jane Potts, was a prodigious artist recognised early on. He studied under his father and Benjamin Robert Haydon, who encouraged dissections to understand animal anatomy. Landseer’s association with the Royal Academy began at 13, exhibiting as an “Honorary Exhibitor,” becoming an Associate at 24, and an Academician in 1831. He was acquainted with Charles Robert Leslie and visited Scotland in 1824, which influenced him. In 1823, he painted Georgiana Russell, Duchess of Bedford, with whom he had an affair. Knighted in 1850, he declined the Royal Academy Presidency in 1866. Suffering from mental health issues, he was declared insane in 1872.
      Crossing of the Strait of Dover by Blanchard and Jefferies, 1785.
      Wikipedia
    3. Jean-Pierre Blanchard—Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753–1809) was a French inventor and pioneer of gas balloon flight. He achieved fame with a hydrogen balloon flight in Paris in 1784 and later crossed the English Channel in 1785, earning praise from Louis XVI. Blanchard toured Europe, demonstrating balloons and parachutes, using the latter for a successful escape in 1793. In 1792, he conducted the first balloon flight in the Americas, observed by President George Washington. Blanchard married Sophie Blanchard in 1804 and died of a heart attack in 1808. His widow continued balloon demonstrations until her accidental death.
      Rachel Weisz
      Wikipedia
    4. Rachel Weisz—Rachel Weisz is an acclaimed English actress known for her roles in both independent films and blockbusters. She began her career in the early 1990s, gaining recognition with her film debut in Death Machine (1994) and winning a Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Design for Living. Her breakthrough came with The Mummy series (1999-2001). Weisz won an Academy Award for The Constant Gardener (2005) and a Laurence Olivier Award for A Streetcar Named Desire (2009). She continued to excel in films like The Bourne Legacy (2012) and The Favourite (2018),winning a BAFTA for the latter.
      Viv Richards
      Wikipedia
    5. Viv Richards—Sir Vivian Richards is a retired Antiguan cricketer celebrated as one of the greatest batsmen ever. Representing the West Indies from 1974 to 1991, he was pivotal in their 1975 and 1979 World Cup victories and a runner-up in 1983. Richards made his Test debut in 1974 and scored 8,540 runs in 121 matches, becoming the West Indies’ leading run-scorer. Despite eye surgery in 1984, he continued to excel. Knighted in 1999, he was named a Cricketer of the Century by Wisden in 2000 and inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.
      Ranulph Fiennes at the Celebrating Captain Scott’s Legacy: 100 Years of Discovery and Diplomacy in Antarctica event in London.
      Wikipedia
    6. Ranulph Fiennes—Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is a renowned British explorer, writer and poet, holding several endurance records. He served in the British Army for eight years, including counter-insurgency work in Oman. Fiennes is celebrated for being the first to visit both the North and South Poles by surface means and the first to cross Antarctica on foot. In 2009, at 65, he summited Mount Everest. Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1984 as the world’s greatest living explorer, he has authored numerous books on his adventures and explorers like Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton.
      Maurice Ravel
      Wikipedia
    7. Maurice Ravel—Maurice Ravel was a distinguished French composer, pianist, and conductor, often associated with Impressionism alongside Claude Debussy, though both distanced themselves from the label. His work gained international acclaim in the 1920s and 1930s, earning him the title of France’s greatest living composer. Ravel’s compositions are celebrated for their intricate harmonies and innovative orchestration, exemplified in Boléro (1928) and his arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (1922). Despite facing bias at the Paris Conservatoire, he developed a unique style blending modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and jazz, known for its clarity and experimentation.
      Amanda Gorman steps to the podium to recite her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.
      (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)
      Wikipedia
    8. Amanda Gorman—Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist and model known for addressing issues like oppression, feminism, race, and marginalisation. She was the first National Youth Poet Laureate and published The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. Gorman gained global fame in 2021 for her poem The Hill We Climb at Joe Biden’s inauguration, leading to best-selling books and a management contract. She was featured in Time magazine’s 100 Next list and became the first poet to perform at the Super Bowl, delivering Chorus of the Captains at Super Bowl LV.
      Ivan Lendl, 1984.
      Wikipedia
    9. Ivan Lendl—Ivan Lendl is a Czech-American former professional tennis player and coach, celebrated as one of the greatest in the sport. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 270 weeks and won 94 singles titles, including eight majors. Lendl is the only player with a match-winning percentage over 90% in five different years and leads head-to-head against rivals Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. Known as the ‘Father Of Modern Tennis’, he pioneered aggressive baseline power tennis. Post-retirement, he coached Andy Murray to three major titles and a world No. 1 ranking.
    10. Stanley Kubrick—Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) was an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his meticulous attention to detail, innovative cinematography and dark humour. Born in New York City, he developed an early interest in literature, photography, and film, teaching himself filmmaking after high school. Kubrick’s notable works include The Killing, Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. He moved to England in 1961, where he maintained artistic control over his films, often using groundbreaking techniques. Kubrick’s legacy includes numerous award nominations and critical acclaim.
    Production photo of director Stanley Kubrick (left, seated) and actor Tony Curtis (right) on the set of the 1960 film Spartacus.
    Wikipedia

  • Hatches and Despatches

    I am…

    See question 10. Poster for the film Spartacus (1960)
    Wikipedia

    Ten questions about people who were either born or sadly died on the 7 March—each answer will follow these two words: “I am…”

    Question 1. The second man to walk on the Moon.
    Wikipedia
    1. Born today in 1956 in Los Angeles, California, I played the second man to walk on the moon in From the Earth to the Moon (1998). I did voice work on the animated series Family Guy, Robot Chicken and SuperMansion. I am…
      • Bryan Cranston
      • Patrick Warburton
      • Hulk Hogan
        Question 2. Monarch of the Glen.
        Wikipedia
    2. Born 7 March 1802, I am British painter and sculptor best known for my paintings of animals such as the Monarch of the Glen (above). I am…
      • Frank Knight
      • Edwin Landseer
      • Langford Monroe
    3. Died today in 1809. I am a French balloonist who, with the American physician John Jeffries, made the first aerial crossing of the English Channel. I am…
      • Jean Pierre Alfred Nadal
      • Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier
      • Jean-Pierre Blanchard
    4. Born today in 1970, I am an actor and appeared as as Evelyn Carnahan in the Hollywood action films The Mummy (1999) and its sequel. I was Tessa Abbott-Quayle in the 2005 film adaptation of John le Carré’s The Constant Gardener. I am…
      • Abigail Cruttenden
      • Olivia d’Abo
      • Rachel Weisz
    5. Born this day in 1952, I am a West Indian cricketer described by Encyclopædia Britannica as “arguably the finest batsman of his generation”. I am…
    6. Born today in 1944, I am a British adventurer and explorer who, as part of the Transglobe Expedition circumnavigated the world via the North and South Pole. I also ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days. I am…
      • Benedict Allen
      • Ranulph Fiennes
      • Gino Watkins
        Question 7. Jayne Torville and Christopher Dean, Dancing on Ice, 2011
        Wikipedia
    7. Born 7 March 1875, I am a composer probably best known for
      Boléro (1928) which gained new popular following after featuring in the film 10 (1979) and the 1984 Olympics when used by ice-dancers Torvill and Dean. I am…
      • Antonín Dvořák
      • Maurice Ravel
      • John Philip Sousa
    8. Born this in 1998, I am a poet and activist who gained international fame when I read my poem The Hill We Climb at Joe Biden’s 2021 presidential inauguration. I am…
      • Amanda Gorman
      • Amanda Grayson
      • Amanda Hunsaker
    9. Born today in 1960, I’m a former American tennis player of Czech descent who was very successful in the 1980s and early 1990s. As a right-hander, I was known for my powerful forehand. I won eight Grand Slam titles, including three consecutive US Open championships from 1985 to 1987. I am…
      • Goran Ivanišević
      • Ivan Lendl
      • Ilie Năstase
    10. Died this day in 1999 in England. In 1960, I took over direction of Spartacus, the slave revolt epic set in Ancient Rome; I am also known for my Odyssey. I am…
      • David Lean
      • Stanley Kubrick
      • Otto Preminger

    The births and deaths used in my Hatches and Despatches post were all listed in Encyclopædia Britannica’s Biographies on This Day in History: March 7.

    Good luck! The answers will be posted later today.

  • From Monarch Mishaps to Cosmic Capers! (with some grave robbing in between.)—Answers

    Queen Victoria receiving the news of her accession to the throne, 1837.
    [Image Wikipedia]

    The answers to today’s earlier post about a few events from 2 March are shown in bold below.

    1. Eight—On March 2, 1882, Roderick Maclean, a poet who had apparently been offended by Queen Victoria’s rejection of one of his poems, attempted to assassinate her as her carriage departed Windsor railway station. Gordon Chesney Wilson and another Eton College student struck him with their umbrellas until a policeman intervened and escorted him away. Notably, there were eight attempts to assassinate Victoria, with two separate attempts by the same person. In 1842, while riding in a carriage along The Mall in London, Queen Victoria was shot at by John Francis, but the gun failed to discharge. Francis managed to escape, but the following day, Victoria deliberately drove the same route, albeit faster and with a larger escort, in an attempt to lure Francis into a second attempt and capture him in the act. As anticipated, Francis fired at her, but he was apprehended by plainclothes policemen and subsequently convicted of high treason. His death sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
      Publicity poster for King Kong, 1933.
      [Image Wikipedia]
    2. King Kong—The landmark monster movie King Kong had its world premiere. In addition to pioneering special effects by Willis O’Brien, it was the first significant feature film to star an animated character. The film’s final lines were Police Lieutenant: “Well, Denham, the airplanes got him.” Carl Denham responded: “Oh no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast.”
      British Airways Concorde G-BOAC, 1986.
      [Image Wikipedia]
    3. Toulouse, France—Concorde was a supersonic airliner developed by the United Kingdom and France, first flying on 2 March 1969. Known for its sleek design and ability to fly at twice the speed of sound, it significantly reduced transatlantic flight times. However, high development costs, environmental concerns like sonic booms, and high operating costs limited its use to transoceanic flights. Only 20 aircraft were built, operated by Air France and British Airways, with service starting in 1976. Despite initial routes to destinations like Bahrain, Rio de Janeiro, Washington, D.C., and New York City, financial losses and competition from subsonic airliners led to route cuts, with New York City becoming the only regular destination. A fatal crash on 25 July 2000, resulting in 113 deaths, led to a temporary grounding. Concorde was retired in 2003, with most aircraft preserved in museums. The program was a significant European cooperative venture but never achieved financial profitability.
      Charlie Chaplin’s grave in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland.
      [Image Wikipedia]
    4. Vaud, Switzerland—In March 1978, Oona Chaplin was informed by police that her husband Charlie Chaplin’s grave in Switzerland had been disturbed and his body stolen. The film star, who had died just months earlier, was taken by two thieves, Roman Wardas and Gantscho Ganev, who demanded a ransom of $600,000, threatening the Chaplins’ children. Oona dismissed the ransom as absurd. The police effectively tracked the thieves, leading to their capture in May. Wardas and Ganev, driven by desperation, had hidden Chaplin’s body in a cornfield. They expressed regret for their crime, which Oona forgave, even exchanging letters with them. Wardas was imprisoned for four years, while Ganev received an 18-month suspended sentence. Charlie Chaplin was reburied with a concrete vault to deter further theft. Though a 2014 film revived interest in the odd incident, his grave has remained undisturbed since.
    5. Czech—Vladimír Remek, the first Czechoslovak in space, is also considered the first EU astronaut. He served in the European Parliament and as Czech Ambassador to Russia.
    Charlie Chaplin, The Tramp, 1915.
    [Image Wikipedia]

  • From Monarch Mishaps to Cosmic Capers! (with some grave robbing in between.)

    All the events referred to are related to 2 March.

    Queen Victoria
    [Image Wikipedia]
    1. On March 2, 1872, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. During her reign, how many such attempts were made on her life?
      • Four
      • Six
      • Eight
    2. Which film, which premiered on this day in the early 20th century, ended with the line “It was Beauty that killed the Beast”?
      • Frankenstein
      • King Kong
      • The Island of Dr. Moreau 
    3. On this day in 1969, the first test flight of the supersonic Concorde took place at…
      • Bristol, England
      • Prestwick, Scotland
      • Toulouse, France.

      Screenshot of Charlie Chaplin in Kid Auto Races at Venice, (1914)
      [Image Wikipedia]
    4. Overnight from the 1st to the 2nd of March, 1978, the coffin of the comic actor Charlie Chaplin, containing his body, was stolen from his grave in…
      • California, USA
      • Vaud, Switzerland
      • Cornwall, England.
    5. On 2 March 1978, an astronaut or cosmonaut made history by becoming the first person of neither American nor Russian nationality to travel in space. What nationality was he?
      • Chinese
      • Canadian
      • Czech

    Good luck, the answers will be posted later today.

  • Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd—Atebion*

    (“Do ye the little things in life”—Answers*)

    Saint David
    [Image Wikipedia]
    1. Saint David—Today, March 1st, marks Saint David’s Day. David, a prominent Welsh Christian prelate who served as Bishop of Mynyw in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Wales. His exact birthdate remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 462 to 512. Traditionally, he is believed to be the son of Non and grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda. St. David’s profound wisdom is encapsulated in the phrase “Do ye the little things in life.” This timeless advice emphasises the significance of small tasks and details in our daily routines. By cultivating humility, mindfulness, and a present-moment focus, we can unlock the potential for personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. By diligently attending to these minor details, we can pave the way for greater achievements and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.
    2. Massachusetts—In 1692, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and Tituba were brought before local magistrates in Salem Village, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of the infamous Salem witch trials. Tituba was an enslaved Native American but little is known of her. The Smithsonian Magazine says —

      Tituba may have sailed from Barbados in 1680 with Parris [Samuel Parris, the minister in whose household the witchcraft erupted], then still a bachelor and not yet a minister. Though likely a South American Indian, her origins are unclear.

      The Smithsonian Magazine
      David Niven with Oscar (1959)
      [Image Wikipedia]
    3. David Niven—David Niven, an English actor, soldier, and author, initially served in the British Army but returned during World War II. He gained fame in Hollywood, winning an Academy Award and two Golden Globes for films like ‘Separate Tables’ and ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. After studying at Sandhurst, he left the army in 1933 to pursue acting. Niven returned to military service in WWII and earned the Legion of Merit for his contributions to the BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme. Post-war, he continued acting, notably playing James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’ (1967), and enjoyed renewed popularity with his memoir ‘The Moon’s a Balloon’. He also wrote a second novel, ‘Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly’, and appeared in films like ‘Death on the Nile’. Niven passed away in 1983 from ALS, remembered as a charismatic Hollywood figure.
      1966 Soviet Union 6 kopeks stamp. Venera 3 Pendant and Medal.
      [Image Wikipedia]
    4. Venera 3 and Venus—Venera 3, the first spacecraft to land on another planet, crashed on Venus on 1 March 1966 after a course correction manoeuvre. A Soviet space probe, Venera 3 was launched in 1965 to explore Venus’ surface. It comprised an entry probe and a carrier/flyby spacecraft. Contact was lost on 15 February due to overheating.
    5. 1872—Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park stands as the first national park dedicated to preserving and showcasing the world’s unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Spanning an expansive 2.2 million acres, visitors are afforded unparalleled opportunities to witness wildlife in their natural habitat and explore geothermal wonders. Yellowstone boasts approximately half of the world’s active geysers, as well as awe-inspiring geologic formations like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
    Horace M. Albright, Superintendent of Yellowstone, with some bears at a table in Yellowstone National Park, 1922.
    [Image Wikipedia]

    *Atebion and Answers. I hope my translation is correct but if not please accept my apologies.

  • Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd

    (“Do ye the little things in life”)

    Here are some trivia questions which have some connection to 1 March.

    1. The saying in Welsh at the top of this post is attributed to which Holy man who is connected to March?
      • Saint David
      • Saint Joseph
      • Saint Patrick
      Salem Witch Trials
      [Image Wikipedia]
    2. Three women were brought before local magistrates on 1 march 1692 beginning what would become the Salem Witch Trials. In what colony was Salem?
      • Connecticut
      • Massachusetts
      • Rhode Island
    3. An English actor, soldier and author born this day in 1910 who links Phileas Fogg, The Pink Panther and James Bond. As an officer in the British Army he took part in the World War II Normandy invasion. He also wrote the memoir The Moon’s a Balloon. Who is he?
      • Alec Guinness
      • David Niven
      • Richard Burton
      Solar System
      [Image Wikipedia]
    4. What became the first space craft to land on another planet on this day in 1966 and what planet did it land on?
      • Mars 1 and Mars
      • Mariner 2 and Mercury
      • Venera 3 and Venus
    5. The world’s first national park is established at Yellowstone in the US. This establishment took place on 1 March…
      • 1859
      • 1872
      • 1885

    Good luck, the answers will be posted later today.

  • Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour—Answers

    The answers are in bold below.

    1. Radar O’Reilly—Gary Burghoff played Corporal Walter Eugene Radar O’Reilly in both the film and television series. It was only on TV that he had this full name as he is known simply as Radar in the film. Hot Lips was played by Sally Kellerman in the film and Loretta Swift on TV; Trapper John was played by Elliott Gould (film) and Wayne Rogers (TV). 

      Theatrical release poster for the 1970 black comedy–war film M*A*S*H. The caption “M*A*S*H Gives a Damn” refers to the Ratings Administration taking issue with the film’s frequent use of the word.
      [Image Wikipedia]
    2. Three—the Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953.
    3. Benjamin Franklin Pierce—Hawkeye (Alan Alda in the TV series), a central character in the MASH series, is known for his medical expertise, humour, heavy drinking and womanising ways. He becomes the Chief Surgeon early in the first season. Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye in the 1970 film. It is a quote from Hawkeye that provides the title of this post—Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour.
    4. Mobile Army Surgical Hospital—Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals were U.S. Army field hospital units operational from the Korean War to the Gulf War. Each MASH unit had 60 beds and provided support to army units of 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, with a low mortality rate due to shorter transportation times.
    5. Jamie Farr—Maxwell “Max” Klinger, an Arab-American orderly in the 4077th MASH unit, initially attempts to gain a Section 8 discharge by cross-dressing and engaging in eccentric behaviour. After becoming the company clerk, he abandons these antics and later marries Soon Lee Han, a Korean refugee, choosing to stay in Korea to help her find her family. In AfterMASH, they move to the US, facing challenges that lead Klinger to bookmaking and eventual employment at a veterans’ hospital.
    6. 4077th—loosely based on the historic 8055th MASH unit.
    7. Father John Mulcahy—a Catholic priest and US Army chaplain, serves at the 4077th. He is known for his compassionate nature, boxing skills, and ecumenical approach to religion. Despite his unshakable faith, he struggles with the importance of his role compared to the doctors’ life-saving abilities. Appearing in the novel, film and television series he is played by René Auberjonois (film) and William Christopher on television with the exception of the pilot episode when George Martin had the role.
    8. Suicide is Painless—is a song from the 1970 film M*A*S*H, performed by characters and The Ron Hicklin Singers. It was composed by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Mike Altman (the directors 15-year-old-son). The instrumental version became the theme music for the TV series.
      Cover of MASH, by Richard Hooker. 1969 edition, Pocket Books [Image Wikipedia]
    9. Richard Hooker—the pseudonym of Hiester Richard Hornberger Jr., who authored the novel MASH based on his experiences as a surgeon with the 8055th MASH during the Korean War. The novel was adapted into the successful film and television series.
    10. Amen—Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

  • Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happy Hour

    M*A*S*H Final Episode—28 February 1983

    Title card [Image Wikipedia]

    The final episode of the television series M*A*S*H aired on 28 February 1983. The record-breaking episode is described as follows in Wikipedia

    “As of 2025, it remains the most-watched single episode of any television series in U.S. history, and for twenty-seven years was the most-watched single broadcast in television history.” 

    Wikipedia

    Here are some M*A*S*H related questions to operate on.

    1. The only character to be played by the same actor in both the 1970 film and television series was…
      • Hot Lips Houlihan
      • Radar O’Reilly
      • Trapper John McIntyre

      Publicity photo from the M*A*S*H season premiere, 1974. Pictured are: Loretta Swit, Larry Linville, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff, Alan Alda (driver of jeep), and McLean Stevenson. [Image Wikipedia]
    2. The 11 series of M*A*S*H aired from 1972 to 1983 and depicted life in a military hospital during the Korean War. How many years did the Korean War last?
      • Three
      • Seven
      • Eleven
    3. Alan Alda played Hawkeye Pierce, what was his character’s full name?
      • Alexander Hamilton Pierce
      • Benjamin Franklin Pierce
      • George Washington Pierce
    4. In the context of the novel, film and TV series what four words do these letters M*A*S*H represent?
      • Major Aid Station (with) Helipad
      • Military Advanced Support Helicopter
      • Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
    5. Corporal Maxwell Klinger was often seen wearing women’s clothing in an attempt to get a psychiatric discharge from the Army. Who was the actor in this role?
      • Jamie Farr
      • Larry Linville
      • Gary Burghoff
    6. M*A*S*H was about life in what specific MASH unit?
      • 1066th
      • 4077th
      • 7088th
    7. Who was the US Army Chaplain assigned to this MASH unit?
      • Father Matthew Muelken
      • Father John Mulcahy
      • Father Patrick Mulholland
    8. What was the name for the music often described as the Theme from M*A*S*H?
      • None Like it Hot
      • A War for all Seasons
      • Suicide is Painless 
    9. Who wrote the novel MASH which spawned the film and television series?
      • Raymond Harlot
      • Richard Hooker
      • Roger Hustler 
    10. Complete the title of the final M*A*S*H episode Goodbye, Farewell and ___.
      • Adieu
      • Adios
      • Amen

    The answers will be posted later today.