Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" the Nolan family was quite poor in the early 1900s. The mother, Katherine, was a sturdy sort with two fiercely independant children (Francie and 'Neely'). The clan struggled to survive, even to thrive due, in great part, to the kindness of heart that defined the father Johnny Nolan. Johnny, while gentle to the core, had a major flaw though. What was it?
2. The pivotal role of Francie Nolan, the strong and sensitive (and smart) young daughter of a poor New York family, was coveted by many. Who eventually played her in the 1945 film?
3. Francie and 'Neely' really wanted a nice Christmas tree for their family holiday. Because of their poverty, buying one was out of the question so they resorted to a more accessible way of having one, which was not uncommon for the poor at the turn of the century. How did they get it?
4. In "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" the Nolans moved into a new flat. This was a relocation of necessity, more than convenience, since their quarters were now even smaller than before (but had windows, which was a plus). The former tenant left something behind for them, too. What was it?
5. The author of "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" was Betty Smith, and the book was the only one she wrote that got remembered. Her life was not such a pleasant one as time went (depression overcame her) but her youth was very right. She had even attended The Yale School Of Drama with a student who would eventually direct the filming of her novel. Who was he?
6. Katherine Nolan, who occasionally came across as cold (but was moreso, just boxed into a place where she HAD to constantly be strong) ultimately ended up a widow and pregnant. She told her sister that there was one thing she couldn't imagine, realistically, about giving birth this time. What was it?
7. Upon Johnny's death in "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" his beloved (and heartbroken) daughter was fervent about collecting one of his possessions, which she cherished as a tangible memory of him. What did she quickly go out and claim that had belonged to her father?
8. Matriarch Katie Nolan (played by the always reliable Dorothy McGuire) had something of a contentious relationship with her her daughter Francie. The love was mutual but, for lack of a better description, combustible. Francie got visibly enraged at her Mother once in particular in the film. Which of these best describes why?
9. Neely Nolan, the young son who got rather thrust into the role of being the man of the family, often behaved like what he thought a man would behave like (although he was generally unsure if he was doing it right). His devotion to his big sister was unchallengeable, though, and he stuck with her through thick and thin. As Francie matured she asked him once, in a softer moment, "Am I good looking?". He grumbled out a response to that girly question. What did he say?
10. "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn"? Maybe it was the Tree Of Life - one that never goes away completely and branches out in all directions. That's what the movie speaks of. This impoverished family managed to grow and survive, roots and branches intertwined and strong. The evidence that the past is only a curtain call to the present and future came when Francie received a gift from her 'dead' father upon her graduation day. What did Johnny leave for his beloved first born?
Source: Author
Gatsby722
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
skunkee before going online.
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