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Quiz about Night of January 16
Quiz about Night of January 16

Night of January 16 Trivia Quiz


The jury is selected from among the audience and they bring in the verdict at the end of this wonderfully suspenseful, comedic courtroom drama by Ayn Rand. Let's explore this outstanding play about a murder trial.

A multiple-choice quiz by cat_brat63. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
cat_brat63
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
306,406
Updated
Jul 23 22
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
10 / 15
Plays
192
- -
Question 1 of 15
1. According to some accounts, the playwright was not happy with this title for her play and originally preferred which of the following titles? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. The play is set in the early 1930s and surrounds the events leading to the death of financial tycoon Bjorn Faulkner. Who is standing trial for his murder? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. The daughter of a wealthy banker/philanthropist caught the eye of Bjorn Faulkner and they were married. Who was this woman who came between Faulkner and his secretary? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Dr. Kirkland, the medical examiner, reveals in his testimony that the body he examined could possibly have died from another cause before the fall from the rooftop. What was this other cause? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. Mrs. Hutchins, who testifies next for the prosecution, worked for her husband the night of the murder. What is her husband's job? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Homer Van Fleet was hired by Nancy Lee following her marriage to Bjorn. What is Mr. Van Fleet's occupation? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Detective Elmer Sweeney was the first police officer on the scene. In his testimony, he likens the garden of the penthouse to the scenery at what famous New York location?

Answer: (Two Words - an amusement park)
Question 8 of 15
8. Magda Swenson was a loyal employee of the Faulkner family for many years. What were her duties at the penthouse at the time of Bjorn Faulkner's death? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. The father of Nancy Lee lavished every comfort upon his daughter. Name this wealthy philanthropist/banker. Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Sigurd Jungquist was given a second chance at a decent life by Bjorn Faulkner after being imprisoned in Sweden. On what charge had Sigurd been convicted? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. A notorious gangster fell in love with Karen Andre and became involved in the plot to fake Bjorn Faulkner's death. Who was this nefarious wise-guy? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Lefty O'Toole was the owner of the club Chez O'Toole and met his death at what New York City landmark? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. Roberta Van Rensselaer was the 'nom de plume' of Lefty O'Toole's wife, Ruby. In what profession did Ruby/Roberta work? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Following the events at the penthouse, Bjorn Faulkner and Larry Regan were to escape by plane to what South American city? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. The author of this wonderful play, Ayn Rand, was born in 1905 in what communist country? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. According to some accounts, the playwright was not happy with this title for her play and originally preferred which of the following titles?

Answer: "Woman On Trial"

The popularity of this play became too overwhelming to consider changing its name to her preferred choice. However, the Ayn Rand absolutely did not like the name that has stuck with what became her first successful play.
2. The play is set in the early 1930s and surrounds the events leading to the death of financial tycoon Bjorn Faulkner. Who is standing trial for his murder?

Answer: Karen Andre

In the play, Karen Andre was long-time secretary to Bjorn Faulkner. They had a private relationship as well as their business relationship. Karen was kept in extravagant luxury by her employer/lover Bjorn Faulkner and she would do or say anything for his sake.

According to what the jury decides, Faulkner was either murdered and hurled off the penthouse roof of his own building OR he opted to take his own life by leaping off his building himself.
3. The daughter of a wealthy banker/philanthropist caught the eye of Bjorn Faulkner and they were married. Who was this woman who came between Faulkner and his secretary?

Answer: Nancy Lee Whitfield

Nancy Lee was accustomed to having the best of everything and her father made sure she had whatever she wanted. It is left to you to decide whether Nancy Lee and Bjorn did indeed have the enchanted relationship she describes in her testimony or whether there is more to the story.
4. Dr. Kirkland, the medical examiner, reveals in his testimony that the body he examined could possibly have died from another cause before the fall from the rooftop. What was this other cause?

Answer: bullet wound near the heart

Dr. Kirkland states that he found a bullet wound near the heart that could have been inflicted by a .32 caliber weapon. He also testifies that it was near impossible to determine the time of death due to the condition of the body.
5. Mrs. Hutchins, who testifies next for the prosecution, worked for her husband the night of the murder. What is her husband's job?

Answer: night janitor at the Faulkner building

Mrs. John Joseph Hutchins is highly nervous during her testimony and relates how she worked for her husband whenever he didn't have "any gumption". She worked for her husband the night of January 16 and was an eye witness to some of the events surrounding Bjorn Faulkner's death.
6. Homer Van Fleet was hired by Nancy Lee following her marriage to Bjorn. What is Mr. Van Fleet's occupation?

Answer: private investigator

Homer Van Fleet was hired by Nancy Lee to follow her new husband. She states in her testimony that she was worried about her husband due to previous threats made by gangster Larry Regan.

Van Fleet testifies that he saw Karen Andre push Bjorn Faulkner off the roof, but there is some question about his reliability since he off-handedly admits to having had a few drinks that night.
7. Detective Elmer Sweeney was the first police officer on the scene. In his testimony, he likens the garden of the penthouse to the scenery at what famous New York location?

Answer: Coney Island

Sweeney testifies that one of the first things he did upon arriving at the penthouse was to turn on the shower to check if what he had heard about Faulkner showering in wine was true. He also describes the penthouse as having a real lake with trees as big around as he could reach and sand just like at Coney Island.

In the time frame when the play is set, Coney Island was one of the premiere attractions in New York City.
8. Magda Swenson was a loyal employee of the Faulkner family for many years. What were her duties at the penthouse at the time of Bjorn Faulkner's death?

Answer: housekeeper

Magda had been with the Faulkner family since Bjorn was a child. She had stayed on as housekeeper at the Faulkner building penthouse even after Bjorn married Nancy Lee and moved to Long Island. Karen Andre lived in the penthouse, supposedly alone, following Bjorn's marriage. Magda witnessed several things about Karen that she is more that glad to relate in court.
9. The father of Nancy Lee lavished every comfort upon his daughter. Name this wealthy philanthropist/banker.

Answer: John Graham Whitfield

John Graham Whitfield prides himself on his control over his temper. However, during the trial he erupts with anger a few times at what he hears others testify. There is some doubt cast over his credibility and even some suspicion as to whether HE is the guilty party in the death of Bjorn Faulkner.

Notice: the incorrect answers are all US Presidents with Whitfield as a surname.
10. Sigurd Jungquist was given a second chance at a decent life by Bjorn Faulkner after being imprisoned in Sweden. On what charge had Sigurd been convicted?

Answer: embezzlement

Mr. Jungquist is now a faithful employee of Mr. Faulkner. He had been working in a bank in Stockholm and had embezzled a sizable amount of money from that bank. Mr. Faulkner had Sigurd released from prison and had given him a job as bookkeeper. When Karen Andre was dismissed from her job as secretary, Mr. Jungquist was given that position. We hear Sigurd testify that he would do anything, even lie, for Bjorn Faulkner.
11. A notorious gangster fell in love with Karen Andre and became involved in the plot to fake Bjorn Faulkner's death. Who was this nefarious wise-guy?

Answer: Larry Regan

Lawrence "Larry" Regan is quite the character. He infers or insinuates that he may have been involved in several other crimes, but he isn't admitting to much other than he loved Karen Andre. While his love was not returned, he still agreed to become a part of the elaborate hoax surrounding Bjorn Faulkner's death.

Lefty O'Toole is a character mentioned, but not seen in the play. "No Nose" Krakowski is a name I made up. Angelo "Snaps" Provolone is the character played by Sylvester Stallone in the movie "Oscar".
12. Lefty O'Toole was the owner of the club Chez O'Toole and met his death at what New York City landmark?

Answer: Queensboro bridge

According to the testimony of his widow, Lefty was 'put on the spot on the Queensboro bridge'. Larry Regan apparently had financial interest in Lefty's nightclub.

The 59th St. bridge, or Queensboro bridge, spans the East River and connects Manhattan to Queens. Manhattan and Queens are boroughs, or independent sections, of New York City.
13. Roberta Van Rensselaer was the 'nom de plume' of Lefty O'Toole's wife, Ruby. In what profession did Ruby/Roberta work?

Answer: terpsichorean (dancer)

Ruby/Roberta was witness to conversations between her husband and Larry Regan leading her to believe that Regan was the one who murdered her husband the night of January 16. The assumption is that Regan murdered O'Toole to use his body in the plot to fake Bjorn Faulkner's death. O'Toole's body may or may not have been the one hurled off the penthouse roof.

A terpsichorean is a fancy name for a dancer.
14. Following the events at the penthouse, Bjorn Faulkner and Larry Regan were to escape by plane to what South American city?

Answer: Buenos Aires

The stolen millions were transferred to a bank in Buenos Aires. Faulkner and Regan were to go there, collect the money and meet up with Karen Andre in a month. The swindle would then be complete. However, the plot thickened and the plan went awry ending up with Bjorn's real death.

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero are in Brazil and Caracas is in Venezuela.
15. The author of this wonderful play, Ayn Rand, was born in 1905 in what communist country?

Answer: Russia

Born as Alisa Zinov in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ayn Rand moved to America in 1926. She worked in Hollywood on many projects and made many contacts. Then, in 1943 she became known as an author when her dramatic work, 'The Fountainhead', was published. Ayn Rand enjoyed a long career filled with numerous successes. She died in 1982 and is still recognized as one of the leading academic philosophers of her time.

If you have an opportunity to see this play performed, it is well worth your time. At the time of my authoring this quiz (March 2009), I am in the cast of this play at a community theater where I live. I am thoroughly enjoying the production and I hope you enjoyed this quiz. Thanks for....ummm...dropping by. (no pun intended)
Source: Author cat_brat63

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