Tag: film

  • Born and Raised—Answers

    The answers to my earlier questions are shown below.

    The following questions relate to people born on 18 March.

    Grover Cleveland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born 1980. Actress who links the following roles: Penelope (in 2004), Isolde (2006), Erika (2003 and 2006), Darcy (2014) and Freya (2008). Who is she? 

    1. Rose Keegan
    2. Sophia Myles
    3. Lucy Russell

    Answer: 2. Sophia Myles.

    Sophia Myles, an English actress, who portrayed the following characters in the associated film. Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward in Thunderbirds(2004), Isolde in Tristan & Isolde(2006), Darcy in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), Erika in Underworld(2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006), and Freya in Outlander (2008)”


    Two

    Born 1837, Grover Cleveland, served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Where was he born? 

    1. Amherst, New Hampshire 
    2. Brighton, New York 
    3. Caldwell, New Jersey

    Answer: 3. Caldwell, New Jersey.

    Stephen Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, was the first Democrat elected after the Civil War and the first president to serve non-consecutive terms. A Bourbon Democrat, he championed political reform, fiscal conservatism and classical liberalism. His presidency was marked by significant legislation like the Interstate Commerce Act and the Dawes Act, as well as challenges like the Panic of 1893 and the Pullman Strike.


    Three

    Anthem for Doomed Youth was written by a war poet born this day in 1893. Who was he? 

    1. Rupert Brook 
    2. Wilfred Owen 
    3. Siegfried Sassoon

    Answer: 2. Wilfred Owen.

    Wilfred Owen, an English poet and soldier, expressed anger at war’s cruelty and waste through his poetry. Based on his World War I experiences, his war poetry was about the horrors of trenches and gas warfare. At only 25 years of age, he was killed in action at the Battle of the Sambre on 4 November 1918, exactly a week before the war’s end. His best-known works— most of which were published posthumously— are Anthem for Doomed YouthDulce et Decorum estFutility, and Spring Offensive


    Four

    Who is Dana Elaine Owens, born 18 March 1970, a musician and actress, better known as?

    1. Lauryn Hill
    2. Missy Elliott
    3. Queen Latifah 

    Answer: 3. Queen Latifah.

    An American musician and actress, Queen Latifah rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album, All Hail the Queen, which blended diverse styles and feminist themes. The name Latifah is Arabic for ‘delicate’ or ‘sensitive’.


    Five

    Born today in 1869, this British prime minister returned from Germany with a ‘piece of paper’ promising to ‘have brought you back peace — but a peace I hope with honour’. Who was he? 

    1. Stanley Baldwin  
    2. Neville Chamberlain 
    3. Winston Churchill 

    Answer: 2. Neville Chamberlain.

    Prime Minister of the UK from 1937 to 1940 Neville Chamberlain is known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler’s Germany. He served in various government positions, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, before becoming Prime Minister. Despite signing the Munich Agreement with Hitler in 1938, Chamberlain declared war on Germany less than a year later following the Nazi invasion of Poland.


  • Born and Raised

    The following questions relate to people born on 18 March.

    Grover Cleveland.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born 1980. Actress who links the following roles: Penelope (in 2004), Isolde (2006), Erika (2003 and 2006), Darcy (2014) and Freya (2008). Who is she? 

    1. Rose Keegan
    2. Sophia Myles
    3. Lucy Russell

    Two

    Born 1837, Grover Cleveland, served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Where was he born? 

    1. Amherst, New Hampshire 
    2. Brighton, New York 
    3. Caldwell, New Jersey

    Three

    Anthem for Doomed Youth was written by a war poet born this day in 1893. Who was he? 

    1. Rupert Brook 
    2. Wilfred Owen 
    3. Siegfried Sassoon

    Four

    Who is Dana Elaine Owens, born 18 March 1970, a musician and actress, better known as?

    1. Lauryn Hill
    2. Missy Elliott
    3. Queen Latifah 

    Five

    Born today in 1869, this British prime minister returned from Germany with a ‘piece of paper’ promising to ‘have brought you back peace — but a peace I hope with honour’. Who was he? 

    1. Stanley Baldwin  
    2. Neville Chamberlain 
    3. Winston Churchill 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Luna Links

    Some more random trivia for your enjoyment.

    Apollo Landing Sites.
    Image NASA.

    One

    What creature is missing from the title of this Nathaniel West novel: The Day of the ——?


    Two

    Also, the oldest, who was the fifth Apollo astronaut to walk on the Moon?


    Three

    200 million years ago all land on Earth was in one landmass, what name do scientists give to this super-continent?


    Four

    Who played Simon Templar in a 1997 film and what was the film?


    Five

    In Judaism hat is the only insect which is considered kosher?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Stage Struck—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    These questions all have a connection to today’s date, March 11th.

    Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?

    Answer: Fish

    So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) is the fourth part in that well-known trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This instalment’s title refers to a message left by the dolphins when they departed planet Earth just before it was demolished in the building of a hyperspace bypass.


    Two

    In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?

    Answer: Melbourne.

    Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American media mogul, built a global media empire through News Corp, owning newspapers, book publishers, and television channels like Fox News and Sky News. His influence and wealth have been significant, leading to accusations of right-wing bias and political influence. In 2023, Murdoch announced his retirement as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp.


    Lillian and Dorothy Gish.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Three

    Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?

    Answers: Dorothy and Lillian Gish

    Dorothy Gish, an American stage and screen actress, was a major movie star of the silent era alongside her sister Lillian. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dorothy made her stage debut at age four and later, with Lillian, was introduced to director D.W. Griffith by Mary Pickford.


    Four

    In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?

    Answer: Triple jump.

    Yolanda Chen, a retired Russian athlete, specialised in long jump and later triple jump—hop, skip and jump—achieving a personal best of 14.97 metres in 1993. She won gold at the World Indoor Championships in 1995 with a world indoor record of 15.03 metres.


    Five

    The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?

    Answer: 1700s.

    Elizabeth Mallet founded Britain’s first daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, on 11 March 1702, at her premises near the King’s Arms tavern at Fleet Bridge, London. Despite her pioneering efforts, Mallet received little recognition and sold the paper after just 40 days. The single-page newspaper, with advertisements on the reverse, featured only foreign news, as Mallet believed her readers could reflect for themselves. She sold The Daily Courant to Samuel Buckley, who later became the publisher of The SpectatorThe Daily Courant continued until 1735, when it merged with the Daily Gazetteer.


    Stage Struck

    The post is named after the 1917 American silent drama film starring Dorothy Gish (see question three). A copy survives in the Library of Congress.


  • Stage Struck

    These questions all have a connection to today’s date, March 11th.

    Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?


    Two

    In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?


    Ms Gish & Ms Gish.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Three

    Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?


    Four

    In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?


    Five

    The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Through Early Morning Fog I See—Answers

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 28th.

    Flag of Egypt.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On this date sometime during the 20th century, the country which is currently represented by the flag above gained independence. Which decade did this independence occur in, and from what empire was independence gained?

    Answers: 1920s; British Empire

    Egypt, a de facto independent state under Ottoman rule, became a British protectorate in 1914. Despite the 1919 revolution and subsequent negotiations, British control persisted, leading to dissatisfaction, partial independence in 1922 and the ‘reserved points’ clause in the 1923 Egyptian constitution.


    Two

    In 1983 the final episode of M*A*S*H aired. Who was the only actor to appear in every single episode and what character did they play?

    Answer: Alan Alda; Captain Benjamin Franklin ‘Hawkeye’ Pierce.

    An American television comedy drama series, aired on CBS for 11 seasons (1972–83), a total of 256 episodes. The show, set during the Korean War, followed the medical staff at a mobile army surgical hospital and received critical acclaim, winning 14 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Despite cast changes, the series maintained its continuity through strong performances and writing, with a unique use of multiple plot lines and an antiwar message.


    Three

    Olaf Palme, a globally recognised politician, was assassinated in 1986. At the time of his death he was prime minister of which country?

    Answer: Sweden.

    Olof Palme, a Swedish Social Democratic leader, served as Prime Minister twice and was known for his pacifist stance and criticism of U.S. war policy. He was assassinated in 1986, and the case remained unsolved until 2020 when Stig Engström, who died in 2000, was identified as the likely perpetrator although this is widely disputed with many believing the true identity of his assassin is still unknown.


    Four

    In 2013 Pope Benedict XVI resigned. How many years to the nearest hundred had elapsed since a previous pope had resigned?

    Answer: 600 years

    Pope Gregory XII had resigned in 1415, 598 years before Benedict. Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger, led the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. A renowned theologian, he was appointed Pope after John Paul II’s death. During his papacy, he faced challenges such as declining church attendance and the sexual abuse scandal, for which he received criticism. He also advocated for traditional Catholic values and opposed condom use. Benedict resigned in 2013, citing health issues.


    Five

    Before filming Goldfinger, in which Bond would have to play golf, Sean Connery received golf lessons from which former golf professional and television golf commentator who was born on this day?

    Answer: Peter Alliss

    Born this day in 1931, Peter Alliss, an English golfer and broadcaster, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012. He won 20 professional tournaments, including three British PGA Championships, and played on eight Ryder Cup teams. Alliss worked for the BBC, ESPN and ABC Sports, and designed over 70 golf courses, including The Belfry, contributing significantly to golf course architecture. He received numerous honours, such as honorary degrees and the Golf Foundation’s ‘Spirit of Golf award’. Before the filming of Goldfinger, Alliss gave Sean Connery golf lessons, which sparked Connery’s lifelong love for the sport.


    Post Title

    ‘Through early morning fog I see’ is the first line from the theme to M*A*S*H, Suicide is Painless, the lyrics are at AZ Lyrics.


  • Through Early Morning Fog I See

    These questions all relate to today’s date, February 28th.

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On this date sometime during the 20th century, the country which is currently represented by the flag above gained independence. Which decade did this independence occur in, and from what empire was independence gained?


    Two

    In 1983 the final episode of M*A*S*H aired. Who was the only actor to appear in every single episode and what character did they play?


    Three

    Olaf Palme, a globally recognised politician, was assassinated in 1986. At the time of his death he was prime minister of which country?


    Four

    In 2013 Pope Benedict XVI resigned. How many years to the nearest hundred had elapsed since a previous pope had resigned?


    Five

    Before filming Goldfinger, in which Bond would have to play golf, Sean Connery received golf lessons from which former golf professional and television golf commentator who was born on this day?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Impressionable—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions which were posted earlier.

    All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

    Pierre-Auguste Renoir, self-portrait, 1910.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

    Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

    Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist and leading Impressionist painter. He later developed a more disciplined technique, focusing on portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women.


    Two

    This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

    Answer: Anthony Burgess.

    Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was an English novelist, critic, and man of letters renowned for his fictional explorations of modern dilemmas. He wrote over 50 books, including novels, literary criticism, biographies, and musical compositions. Burgess’s works often combined linguistic ingenuity, witty erudition, and sharp social satire. He is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange and was also a versatile linguist and literary critic, writing numerous novels, librettos and screenplays.


    Three

    In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

    Answers: Philippines; Corazon Aquino.

    Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines on 25 February 1986, seeking refuge in Hawaii with his family and a vast fortune, in part consisting of 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million, 300 crates of assorted jewellery, $4 million worth of unset precious gems, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches, a 12 by 4 ft box full of pearls, a 3 ft solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones, $200,000 in gold bullion, nearly $1 million in Philippine pesos, and deposit slips to banks in the United States, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands worth $124 million. While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Filipinos back home grappled with the economic consequences of his rule. Amongst other things, Imelda Marcos, the ousted First Lady, was found to have a collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. The revolution that ousted Marcos was fuelled by widespread discontent, with protests erupting not only in Manila but also in the provinces and islands. Source: Wikipedia.


    Four

    Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

    Answers: George Harrison; Ravi Shankar.

    George Harrison, lead guitarist of the Beatles, was known for his significant contributions to the band’s musical direction and his successful solo career. He incorporated non-Western musical influences, particularly Indian classical music, into the Beatles’ sound and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like My Sweet Lord. Harrison was also a prolific music and film producer, co-founding HandMade Films and producing acts for Apple Records. He produced the Monty Python’s troupe’s comedy film The Life of Brian (1979).


    Five

    In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

    Answer: Elizabeth I.

    Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, marked by religious tolerance and cautious foreign policy, saw the establishment of the Church of England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite numerous courtships, Elizabeth remained unmarried, earning her the moniker ‘Virgin Queen’.


  • Impressionable

    All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

    Question One. Self-portrait, 1910.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?


    Two

    This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?


    Three

    In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?


    Four

    Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

    Five

    In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.


  • Monster Mash—Answers

    The answers to my earlier post are shown below.

    Portrait of Mary Shelley.
    Image Wikipedia

    One

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.