Quiz

Just to keep the brain ticking over, here are a selection of 10 movie based questions (all really from a specific period) with a very loose connection. Answers in the comment box.

1.       Which film directors most celebrated work includes “On The Town”, “Bedazzled”  and “Singing in the Rain”?

2.       Where were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers “Flying down to….” In 1933?

3.       In “Anchors Away” Gene Kelly partakes in a very famous dance sequence with a cartoon mouse. What is the name of that mouse?

4.       Arguably Fred Astaire’s most famous dance routine, entitled “You’re All The World to Me”, in which he defies gravity by dancing on the walls and ceiling features in what film?

5.       In which film does Gene Kelly play Don Lockwood?

6.       What movie, starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and James Coburn amongst others,  was released in 1963 only 2 weeks after the Kennedy assassination (forcing the word assassination to be dubbed from the film twice) and has been called “the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made”?

7.       Who was due to play the lead role in Easter Parade, until a broken ankle incurred during a game of Volleyball forced him to pull out, paving the way for Fred Astaire to take up the role?

8.       The song “Tammy” from Tammy and the Bachelor reached number one in the US music charts in 1957. Who sang the song?

9.       Who made her film debut in “Adams Rib” as Beryl?

10.   Who was Adolph Green’s famous writing partner,  together with whom they produced some of the most beloved Hollywood musicals?

When the Quizmaster helps....

Now, I have raised this issue before on TQA and it has come to light again at a quiz night I have started to attend. The quiz night other than one issue is fine.....that issue being the way in which prior to collecting the sheets in the Quizmaster does the rounds and gives answers out.

I know this goes on a lot and I know why Quizmasters do it, but for me it is ruining what could be a great quiz. There is a huge difference between giving a friendly clue and blatantly giving answers.

Without meaning to sound offensive to anyone, I do not look like the kind of person who would be good at quizzes. Me and my other half are the usual pairing to go to quizzes and the fact that a) we are younger than most entrants and b) there is only two of us means we tend to get help even if we don't want it. The quizmaster never looks at the right answers to give an assessment at how a team has performed, he just looks at the blanks and provides help. This is a terrible way to do things and against the logic I assume he is using to make sure everyone has a decent score.

My problem I guess is I take quizzes too seriously, as I assume anyone reading this blog does. Thats not a bad thing but it does mean we are at odds with others in the pub who don't. I don't mind getting things wrong as long as I can learn from it and Id rather get no points than score points from the quizmasters help. Last night for instance, the Trivia Trail (where the answers begins with the last letter of the last answer) was tricky and I messed question 5 up which set my trail off on the wrong path. I would rather take the wrong path and get an honest score than have the quizmaster tell me what is wrong and what the right answer is.

Other than that a few good questions last night...I messed up on a Star Trek question in naming the characters based on positions held in the TNG crew (confusing Jordi and Data) and also did not realise Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes were some of the richest managers in the Premier League. A Bugs Life too came up to the fore and caught me out with a question about the enemies in the film. Either way I don't mind getting questions like this wrong as it allows me to go away and learn.

But I guess thats the end of my rant....at least I have found one quiz in the area that is run properly. Now I just need some more.

New blockbusters.....Views

Episode one of the All-New Blockbusters on Challenge TV aired last night and I thought writing this post would be easy but I find that I have very little opinion on the show. I am not sure what I was expecting to be fair but the fact the show has not changed at all makes it hard to form an opinion.

Simon Mayo is on hosting duties and although he did not do a bad job, he did really add anything to the show and he has big boots to fill. The only major difference this time round is that the contestants are adults not merely restricted to students. This does not really change the game much though.

The questions are a mixed bag as with the old series but there were a dozen or so really decent ones in there that will keep me watching. The Gold Run has not changed and remains entertaining and Blockbusters in general is still Blockbusters.

All credit to Challenge for trying to bring back a game-show classic back, but I cannot see Blockbusters being much of a hit for them. It will always get a curiosity viewing for old fans and quiz show buffs, but in the fast paced world of todays TV Blockbusters needed to be reinvented and Challenge have failed to do that.

I do hope it does well and makes it to a second series so I can apply again :) but they could have done so much more with it.

Mastermind Article

An interesting article on the Mastermind winner Gary Grant from The Scotsman today HERE

New Series of Blockbusters starts tonight!

Just a quick reminder that the new series of Blockbusters presented by Simon Mayo starts tonight at 8pm on Challenge. I am quite open minded about this one and am hoping it will prove to be a hit. I applied to be on this series and they left me an answer phone message about an audition but I could never get back in touch with them so if it does prove to be a hit maybe I will have a try the second series.

Either way, it will be interesting to see what they do with the series.

New BBC Show looking for contestants...

I occasionally glance at the BBC's Be On A Show Page and noticed they are advertising HERE for a pilot for a new quiz show. The only information about the show is what I have pasted underneath. Might be worth a try....

"Are you a confident, out-going individual with a good level of general knowledge? Could you take on our challenge?"

Saturday Quiz

After a few days without any quiz questions posted up here, try these 15 out of size. Answers in comment box as usual.

1. What Italian phrase/word, which translates as "in the church style", means a performance of polyphonic musical work by unaccompanied voices?

2. Hui-ing was the capital of which Chinese dynasty which ruled from 1122-1234?

3. What type of knowledge translates in English as "from what is before"?

4. Name this city. A favourite of Charlemagne with the Roman name of Aquisgranium this city was the site of the majority of the crownings of German Kings between the period 936 to the 16th Century?

5. The Ring Canal and Westeinder Lake are found in which country?

6. The Saynatsalo Town Hall is said to epitomize the work of which European 20th Century Architect?

7. The African Ant Bear is an alternative name for which animal?

8. What is the name of the longest River that is contained entirely within Switzerland?

9. Which Biblical figure, according to Numbers 20, died aged 123 on top of Mount Hor?

10. Which Basbeall Hall of Famer broke Babe Ruth all time batting record for home runs in 1974 when he hits his 715th run whilst playing for the Atlanta Braves?

11. Who designed the 376ft Arcelor Mittal Orbit tower?

12. Which film recently broke the US Box Office Opening Weekend record taking over $200 million dollars?

13. US TV giant Fox have ordered a pilot of what UK quiz show?

14. Who composed the Opera "Salome"?

15. Which film, currently showing at UK cinemas, is the eight collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton?