Who Directed? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sam Wood

Some of Wood's best work came near the end of his career, when he did "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1942) and "Kitty Foyle" (1939). His work has been largely ignored by Hollywood historians because of his hawkish, conservative political views and his testimony before the House Unamerican Activities Committee, which helped ruin many careers. Wood died in 1949.

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock was the master of camera movement and framing shots so as to convey fear and anxiety. Some of his other films were "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934) and "Notorious" (1946). He hosted a successful television show in the U.S. He passed away in 1980.

Answer: George Cukor

Cukor (1899-1983) is perhaps best remembered for being fired from "Gone with the Wind" in 1939, at Clark Gable's insistence.

Answer: William Wyler

Wyler, who died in 1981, was known as a perfectionist and a superb craftsman, earning the nickname '90-take Wyler'. Over the span of his career, he was nominated 12 times for an Oscar as best director. Another classic is "Best Years of our Lives" from 1946.

Answer: William Desmond Taylor

The crime is still unsolved and, as such, the case is still open. It is known that Taylor was trying to help comedy star Mabel Normand overcome her cocaine addiction and he was the object of Mary Miles Minter's affections, of which her mother vehemently objected.

Answer: D.W. Griffith

Griffith, who was born in Kentucky in 1875, brought his own background and prejudices into this hugely successful film, which portrayed Klansmen as heroes and reinforced the perception that African Americans were shiftless, dishonest and untrustworthy.

In 1916, he brought "Intolerance" to the screen which displayed the same innovative and startling techiques he had used in his previous films.

Answer: Buster Keaton

Keaton, a vaudevillian, began his movie career with encouragement and help from Arbuckle. His films became increasingly successful and more expensive but, in signing with a major studio, he lost artistic control of his films. A bad marriage and alcohol sent his career into a downward spiral from which it never really recovered.

In his later years, though, a newfound public appreciation for his films helped ease the burden for him. He passed away in 1966.

Answer: Billy Wilder

Wilder won an Academy Award for "The Apartment" in 1960. One of my personal favorites is "Some Like it Hot" (1959), in which he had to deal with a difficult Marilyn Monroe. Wyler died in 2002, at the age of 96.

Answer: Ernst Lubitsch

Lubitsch was another film maker for whom female stars enjoyed working. Another really good film of his was "Shop Around the Corner" from 1940, starring Jimmy Stewart and Maureen O'Sullivan. It is a beautifully constructed picture. His approach to comedy was somewhat ahead of its time.
Lubitsch passed away in 1948.

Answer: Otto Preminger

Preminger is well remembered for his acting appearance as the warden of "Stalag 17" in 1953. He also appeared as "Mr. Freeze" in the Batman TV series with Adam West. "Exodus" in 1960 and "Advise and Consent" in 1962 were two more of his films.