Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: film

  • Is there any tea on this spaceship? — Answer

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Concept picture: Heart of Gold, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
    Image © Touchstone Pictures IMDB (cropped)

    Today’s questions are a random mix, which are neither date-related nor themed.

    One

    Whose house is scheduled for demolition at the beginning of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?

    Answer: Arthur Dent.

    Arthur wakes to be informed by a council official that his house has to be demolished that morning to make way for a bypass. While he tries to prevent this happening, his friend Ford Prefect arrives and insists on taking him to the pub. As they do this, a Vogon spaceship appears, and an announcement is made that Earth has to be demolished that morning to make way for an interstellar bypass. Ford manages to get both himself and Arthur onto the spaceship before Earth is destroyed.

    Two

    Established in the year 324, this city was built on the site of an existing one and initially known as New Rome. Three questions:

    1. What was the name of the existing city?
    2. What name very quickly superseded New Rome?
    3. What name is this city known as today?

    Answers

    1. Byzantium
    2. Constantinople
    3. Istanbul
      Istanbul, originally Byzantium, became a pivotal city, serving as the capital of four empires over 16 centuries: Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman. It advanced Christianity before becoming an Islamic stronghold in 1453. Istanbul’s historic centre remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Three

    Starting in the 1970s, an actor who connected Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago dedicated much of his time to bridge. He published books, videos, video games, and a syndicated column all about the card game. Who is this?

    Answer: Omar Sharif.

    Omar Sharif, born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub, was an Egyptian actor famed for roles in Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. He starred in over 100 films and won three Golden Globes and a César Award. A multilingual bridge and horse racing enthusiast, he received prestigious honours and passed away in 2015.

    Four

    Rhea and Tethys are two major moons of a planet in the solar system. Here are three questions:

    1. Which planet are they moons of?
    2. Rhea and Tethys are what in Greek mythology?
    3. Approximately how many moons does this planet have in total, to the nearest ten?

    Answers

    1. Saturn
    2. Titans
    3. 270 (274)

    Saturn has 274 confirmed moons in its orbit, far more than any other planet in our solar system. In March 2025, astronomers confirmed the discovery of 128 small moons around Saturn — adding to the already large moon count.

    Saturn’s moons range in size, from one that is larger than the planet Mercury — the giant moon Titan — to others as small as a sports arena. The small moon Enceladus has a global ocean under a thick, icy shell. Scientists have identified both moons as high-priority science destinations for future deep-space missions.

    — NASA

    Five

    The 2008 film and 2019 musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are both adaptations of a short story. Who wrote it?

    Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald.

    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a satirical short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in Collier’s Magazine on 27 May 1922. It features reverse ageing and was included in Tales of the Jazz Age. The story inspired a 2008 Oscar-nominated film and an Olivier Award-winning musical.

    Title

    The post title ‘Is there any tea on this spaceship?’ is a quote by Arthur Dent in Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

  • Is there any tea on this spaceship?

    Concept picture: Heart of Gold, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
    Image © Touchstone Pictures IMDB (cropped)

    Today’s questions are a random mix, which are neither date-related nor themed.

    One

    Whose house is scheduled for demolition at the beginning of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?

    Two

    Established in the year 324, this city was built on the site of an existing one and initially known as New Rome. Three questions:

    1. What was the name of the existing city?
    2. What name very quickly superseded New Rome?
    3. What name is this city known as today?

    Three

    Starting in the 1970s, an actor who connected Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago dedicated much of his time to bridge. He published books, videos, video games, and a syndicated column all about the card game. Who is this?

    Four

    Rhea and Tethys are two major moons of a planet in the solar system. Here are three questions:

    1. Which planet are they moons of?
    2. Rhea and Tethys are what in Greek mythology?
    3. Approximately how many moons does this planet have in total, to the nearest ten?

    Five

    The 2008 film and 2019 musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are both adaptations of a short story. Who wrote it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Let Me Count the Days — Answers

    Here are the answers to the earlier questions.

    Bear Garden (left) and Globe Theatre (right), Southwark, London. Engraving, 1597.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s selection of trivia is all related to the date, 29 June.

    One

    London’s Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, which took hold during a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. What caused the fire?

    Answer: Cannon fire.

    A theatrical cannon misfired during a performance, causing a fire in the wooden beams and thatching. Only one person was injured, with his burning breeches extinguished by ale. The building was rebuilt the next year with a tile roof, costing £1,400.

    Two

    Brazil won their first FIFA World Cup on this day. In what year was this victory, and who were their defeated opponents in the final?

    Answer: 1958; Sweden.

    The 1958 FIFA World Cup final in Sweden saw Brazil win their first title by defeating the hosts. The match, which was the first final between European and American teams, set records for goals, winning margin, and age of the youngest and oldest goal scorers. Pelé was only 17 years and 249 days old, while Nils Liedholm was 18 years and 15 days older than Pelé at 35 years and 263 days.

    Three

    In 1534, Canada’s Prince Edward Island was ‘discovered’ by Europeans. In 1908, a Canadian author wrote a children’s novel about an orphan sent to live at Avonlea, PEI. Who made the 1534 discovery; who was the author, and what was the title of the 1908 novel?

    Answer: Jacques Cartier; Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables.

    Lucy Maud Montgomery, known as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author famous for Anne of Green Gables (1908). She published 20 novels and over a thousand short stories and poems. Her work, set on Prince Edward Island, inspired adaptations and tourism.

    Four

    Born in 1978, Nicole Scherzinger played what role in the film Men in Black 3?

    Answer: Lilly Poison.

    Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She gained fame as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls and later pursued a successful solo career. Scherzinger has also served as a judge on various talent shows and has received numerous accolades for her work in music and theatre.

    Five

    On this day in 1861, in Florence, Italy, an English poet died at the age of 55. She was living in Florence with her English husband, also a poet. She is known for the line, ’How do I love thee? Let me count the ways’, which, in part, has been used in the title of several works of music and literature? Who is this poet?

    Answer: Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

    Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an English poet, is celebrated for Sonnets from the Portuguese and Aurora Leigh, an early feminist text. Despite a spinal injury at 15, she married Robert Browning in 1846, moved to Florence, and engaged in Italian politics. Her influential work advocated social reforms, impacting slavery and child labour laws.

  • Let Me Count the Days

    Bear Garden (left) and Globe Theatre (right), Southwark, London. Engraving, 1597.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s selection of trivia is all related to the date, 29 June.

    One

    London’s Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, which took hold during a performance of William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. What caused the fire?

    Two

    Brazil won their first FIFA World Cup on this day. In what year was this victory, and who were their defeated opponents in the final?

    Three

    In 1534, Canada’s Prince Edward Island was ‘discovered’ by Europeans. In 1908, a Canadian author wrote a children’s novel about an orphan sent to live at Avonlea, PEI. Who made the 1534 discovery; who was the author, and what was the title of the 1908 novel?

    Four

    Born in 1978, Nicole Scherzinger played what role in the film Men in Black 3?

    Five

    On this day in 1861, in Florence, Italy, an English poet died at the age of 55. She was living in Florence with her English husband, also a poet. She is known for the line, ’How do I love thee? Let me count the ways’, which, in part, has been used in the title of several works of music and literature? Who is this poet?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Independently Minded — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Flag of Djibouti.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are connected to today, June 27th.

    One

    The flag above represents a country that gained independence in 1977. Which country is it, and from which did it gain independence?

    Answer: Djibouti; France.

    Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Gaining independence in 1977, it is a multi-ethnic nation with French and Arabic as official languages. Strategically located, it serves as a key refuelling hub and hosts several foreign military bases.

    Two

    Jack Lemmon won two Academy Awards, the first was awarded in 1956 for Best Supporting Actor and the second in 1974 for Best Actor. What was the film title of each of these?

    Answer: Mister Roberts (1955); Save the Tiger (1973).

    Jack Lemmon, who died on 27 June 2001, was a Harvard graduate and World War II Navy veteran. He debuted on Broadway in 1953, signed by Columbia Pictures in 1954, and gained stardom with Mister Roberts (1955). Iconic roles in Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Apartment (1960), and comedies with Walter Matthau such as The Odd Couple (1968), defined his career.

    Three

    The Japanese Yen was first minted towards the end of a decade and adopted as Japan’s official currency two years later. In what two decades did this occur?

    Answer: 1860s and 1870s.

    The yen, Japan’s monetary unit, was first minted in 1869 and adopted in 1871. Initially divided into sen and rin, these were removed in 1954. Despite WWII devastation, Japan’s economic miracle made the yen a leading international currency. Its symbol is ¥, derived from yuan, the ancient term for Chinese round coins.

    Four

    Who, in 2007, after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

    Answer: Gordon Brown.

    Gordon Brown, born in Glasgow on February 20, 1951, is a British Labour Party politician. He served as chancellor of the Exchequer (1997–2007) and prime minister (2007–10). Brown focused on NHS reform, public-sector changes, poverty reduction, and a broader approach to combating terrorism. He resigned in May 2010.

    Five

    Flag of Greece.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    In 1917 during World War I, the nation represented by this flag declared war on the Central Powers. Which country’s flag is shown and what comprised the Central Powers?

    Answer: Greece; German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.

    The Central Powers, or Central Empires, were a World War I coalition of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, known as the Quadruple Alliance. Originating in 1879, Italy joined the Triple Alliance but later sided with the Allies (Great Britain, France and U.S.). The Central Powers were defeated by the Allies in 1918 and dissolved.

  • Independently Minded

    Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    All of these questions are connected to today, June 27th.

    One

    The flag above represents a country that gained independence in 1977. Which country is it, and from which did it gain independence?

    Answer: Djibouti; France.

    Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. Gaining independence in 1977, it is a multi-ethnic nation with French and Arabic as official languages. Strategically located, it serves as a key refuelling hub and hosts several foreign military bases.

    Two

    Jack Lemmon won two Academy Awards, the first was awarded in 1956 for Best Supporting Actor and the second in 1974 for Best Actor. What was the film title of each of these?

    Three

    The Japanese Yen was first minted towards the end of a decade and adopted as Japan’s official currency two years later. In what two decades did this occur?

    Four

    Who, in 2007, after serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for ten years, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

    Five

    Flag of ?
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    In 1917 during World War I, the nation represented by this flag declared war on the Central Powers. Which country’s flag is shown and what comprised the Central Powers?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Cream Rises to the Top — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    Answer

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    CN Tower opened in 1976 becoming the world’s tallest building until the the Burj Khalifa opened in Dubai, UAE in 2007. Market Square Arena in Indianapolis became Elvis Presley’s last public concert when he performed there in 1977. In 1979, after nearly two decades of professional boxing, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali announced his retirement.

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Answer

    • Unforgiven
    • Braveheart
    • Titanic

    Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars as an ageing outlaw. Braveheart is a 1995 American epic historical war drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson as William Wallace. The film was inspired by Blind Harry’s 15th century epic poem. Titanic is a 1997 American epic historical romance film about the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The film, written and directed by James Cameron, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as lovers from different social classes.

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Answer

    • Martina Hingis
    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport

    Martina Hingis won the title in 1997, beating Jana Novotná in the final. Novotná won the following year with a final victory over Nathalie Tauziat, and Lindsay Davenport’s win came in 1999 when she defeated Steffi Graf to claim the title.

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Answer

    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream first topped the charts on 18 September 2010. Adele’s Someone Like You followed a year later on 17 September 2011 and Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together topped the charts on 1 September 2012.

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Answer

    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    These three novels and their authors won the 2001, 2002 and 2003 awards respectively.

  • The Cream Rises to the Top

    CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to three events related to today’s date, 26 June, in different years. The remaining questions do not relate to today’s date but do follow a similar format.

    One

    Listed alphabetically, these three events all occurred on this day in the 1970s. Arrange them chronologically starting with the earliest.

    • CN Tower opened
    • Elvis Presley last public concert
    • Muhammad Ali announced his retirement from boxing

    While the remaining questions are not related to today’s date they share a similar format. 

    Two

    These three films each won the Best Picture Academy Award in the 1990s. Listed alphabetically, arrange them chronologically by the year they won the Oscar.

    • Braveheart
    • Titanic
    • Unforgiven

    Three

    These tennis professionals all won the Ladies Singles Championships at Wimbledon in the 1990s. Listed here alphabetically, place them in chronological order of their championship wins.

    • Jana Novotná
    • Lindsay Davenport
    • Martina Hingis

    Four

    Yet again listed alphabetically, these three artists topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2010s. Arrange the three answers by the correct chronological year from that decade.

    • Adele — Someone Like You
    • Katy Perry — Teenage Dream
    • Taylor Swift — We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Five

    The Hugo Award for Best Novel is awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy novel from the previous year. Listed alphabetically are three winners from the early 21st century. Rearrange and list them in their chronological order.

    • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
    • Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Anyone for Tennis — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Queen Victoria, Coronation portrait by George Hayter.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first four questions are connected to today’s date, 20 June. The fifth is not date-related but is connected to the post title.

    One

    In 1789, French Deputies of the Third Estate found themselves locked out of their meeting hall. Nearby, they regrouped indoors and swore an oath promising not to separate until a written constitution was established. This oath, named after their location, became known as the what, and who was the French king at the time?

    Answer: Tennis Court Oath; Louis XVI.

    ‘We swear never to separate and to meet wherever circumstances require until the kingdom’s Constitution is established and grounded on solid foundations.’


    This event was a founding act of French democracy and a major contributing factor in the separation of authority and national sovereignty. It gave birth to the National Constituent Assembly, which in August 1789 voted for the abolition of feudalism and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
    — Palace of Versailles

    Two

    Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967, this actor made their stage debut in London. They played five different roles in Sir David Hare’s The Blue Room and then transferred the play to New York, where they made their Broadway debut. Also credited as a producer of 2015’s The Family Fang, who is this actor?

    Answer: Nicole Kidman.

    Nicole Kidman, an American-born Australian actress, is known for her versatility and glamorous looks. She began her career in Australia, gaining recognition in films like Dead Calm and Days of Thunder, and later transitioned to Broadway and Hollywood.

    Three

    On this date, American racing driver Barney Oldfield achieved the feat of becoming the first driver to cover a mile in a minute. This incredible speed translates to 60 miles per hour or 96.56 kilometres per hour. In what year did Oldfield accomplish this?

    Answer: 1903.

    Born in Ohio in 1878, Barney Oldfield moved to Toledo in 1889 where he worked various jobs including as a bicycle racer. He met Henry Ford and bought two cars and gained fame by defeating Alexander Winton in the ‘999’ race. Later he became Winton’s professional driver setting speed records and earning the nickname ‘speed king’.

    Four

    On this day, Victoria became queen of the United Kingdom. Her succession followed the death of her predecessor. Who was her predecessor and what was their relationship to Victoria?

    Answer: William IV; Uncle.

    William IV, the ‘Sailor King‘, reigned as King of the United Kingdom and Hanover from 1830 to 1837. His reign saw significant reforms, including the Poor Law, child labour restrictions, and the abolition of slavery. Queen Victoria reigned over the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, a period known as the Victorian era. She married Prince Albert, had nine children, and became known as the ‘grandmother of Europe’.

    Five

    The theme song for the The Savage Seven, a 1968 biker film, was performed by what rock group?

    Answer: Cream.

    Cream guitarist Eric Clapton wrote Anyone for Tennis for the 1968 film The Savage Seven with lyricist Martin Sharp. It was recorded during Wheels of Fire sessions and was released as a single and on The Savage Seven soundtrack. It reached number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 40 on the UK Singles Chart in 1968. The track is on several Cream compilation albums.

    Anyone for Tennis

    Today’s post title was supposed to give a hint to the location of question one’s oath-taking; but I suppose I introduced some obfuscation by including question five.

  • Anyone for Tennis

    Queen Victoria, Coronation portrait by George Hayter.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first four questions are connected to today’s date, 20 June. The fifth is not date-related but is connected to the post title.

    One

    In 1789, French Deputies of the Third Estate found themselves locked out of their meeting hall. Nearby, they regrouped indoors and swore an oath promising not to separate until a written constitution was established. This oath, named after their location, became known as the what, and who was the French king at the time?

    Two

    Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967, this actor made their stage debut in London. They played five different roles in Sir David Hare’s The Blue Room and then transferred the play to New York, where they made their Broadway debut. Also credited as a producer of 2015’s The Family Fang, who is this actor?

    Three

    On this date, American racing driver Barney Oldfield achieved the feat of becoming the first driver to cover a mile in a minute. This incredible speed translates to 60 miles per hour or 96.56 kilometres per hour. In what year did Oldfield accomplish this?

    Four

    On this day, Victoria became queen of the United Kingdom. Her succession followed the death of her predecessor. Who was her predecessor and what was their relationship to Victoria?

    Five

    The theme song for the The Savage Seven, a 1968 biker film, was performed by what rock group?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.