Urban Legends Cinema

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Which of these statements is actually true about the classic 1959 film "Ben Hur"? An extra fell into the water during the shipwreck scene. They had added a chemical to the water to make it look blue, and the poor man turned blue for a week. One for the bloopers reel...a stuntman was trampled to death in the chariot scene and the footage was left in the film. No life preservers in the slave galleys...several extras drowned during the shipwreck scene, since director William Wyler refused to stop filming (1926 version) Run for it Marty! There's an MG Mini parked in front of the Colosseum!

2. The 1987 movie 'Three Men and a Baby' would have faded into obscurity, had it not been for a persistent rumor. What can you supposedly see in one scene? The ghost of a boy who died in a gun accident (as well as the gun). An extra on the street flipping off the camera. During the diaper change scene, you can tell that the baby is actually a boy. Tom Selleck's testicles (very briefly, at the beginning).

3. Let's have a look at 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz.' This film, I think, holds the record for rumors that turned out to be true. Can you find the urban legend among these true statements? If you start Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' on the third Roar of the MGM lion, some strange coincidences occur. During the singing of 'We're off to See the Wizard,' you can see a lovesick Munchkin hang himself in the background. MGM wanted W.C. Fields for the Wizard, but he was too busy writing the script for 'You Can't Cheat an Honest Man.' A second-hand coat, purchased for Professor Marvel (The Wizard's 'real life' persona) once belonged to L. Frank Baum, author of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'

4. Let's take a moment to thank some of those silver screen stars. It's not easy to make it big. In fact, you'd be surprised at some of the things stars did to get their first break. Three of these statements are true. Which one is nothing but an urban legend? Sylvester Stallone once starred in a pornographic film. Jenette Goldstein (Vasquez from 'Aliens') thought she was auditioning for a movie about illegal aliens. Tula Cossey, a 'Bond girl' from 'For Your Eyes Only,' used to be a man. Humphrey Bogart was the model for the famous Gerber baby from the babyfood jars.

5. 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980): I'll never forget everyone's surprise when we find out that Darth Vader is actually Luke Skywalker's father. George Lucas wanted to keep this a secret from everyone, including most of the cast and crew. When Skywalker accuses Vader of killing his father, what line was originally scripted? Your father still lives. Obi-Wan killed your father. Obi-Wan is your father. I am your brother.

6. According to rumor, which actress' figure was the basis for Disney's Tinkerbell in 'Peter Pan'? Isadora Duncan Jane Russell Marilyn Monroe Clara Bow

7. When an actor makes a career with silly or lighthearted movies, it's often hard to take them seriously when they attempt to move into heavy genres. Pia Zadora, star of the 1981 movie 'Butterfly' is subject to a rumor along these lines. Zadora allegedly played the title role in a stage production of 'The Diary of Anne Frank.' According to the legend, what happened? Zadora insisted on rewriting the script, with a happy ending when Anne Frank and her family escape. During a post show interview, Zadora seemed to indicate that she thought the Franks were hiding from the Japanese, not the Germans. Zadora appeared on stage wearing ridiculously expensive designer clothes (a bit odd for a fugitive). Zadora's acting was so terrible, that when the Nazi soldiers broke into the house, someone in the audience shouted 'She's in the attic!'

8. When Marisa Tomei won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the 1992 movie 'My Cousin Vinny,' people were shocked. Vanessa Redgrave was a shoo-in for 'Howard's End.' Not long after, a rumor began that Tomei did NOT win the Oscar; the presenter became flustered and just read the last name on the telepromter. Who was the presenter? Elizabeth Taylor Paul Newman James Garner Jack Palance

9. According to one legend, a tornado demolished a drive-in theater during a screening of the movie 'Twister.' In the actual movie, a tornado does destroy a drive-in theater. What movie is playing during the movie tornado? 'Aliens' 'Star Wars' 'The Shining' One of the 'Friday the 13th' movies

10. When making movies that take place in the future, you run the risk of the film becoming outdated when the predictions fail to come true. 'Back to the Future II,' however, supposedly did predict a future event. According to the legend, what event did the 1989 film portray? Princess Diana's untimely death The outcome of the 1997 World Series The election President Bush, and his son, President Bush The fall of the Berlin Wall