On Location: American Cities with Starry Eyes Quiz

Answer: L.A. Confidential

"L.A. Confidential" was an American neo-noir crime movie that just happened to be released in the same year as "Titanic" (1997), otherwise it would have probably cleaned up at the Oscars. It tells the story of three LA cops (Pearce, Crowe, Spacey) as they work on the the interface between a 1953 corrupt law enforcement culture and the edges of celebrity circles. Nominated for nine Oscars it lost seven of those to "Titanic", winning its remaining two. The movie was a breakout role for Pearce and Crowe, an Oscar winner for Kim Basinger, the trademark professional performance by Spacey and De Vito. If you do not know who Rollo Tomassi is, I suggest you watch the movie.

The photo depicts a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Specifically, the star depicted - Veronica Lake - was who Basinger's character in the movie, Lynn Bracken, was meant to look like.

Answer: Philadelphia

"Philadelphia" (1993) was one of the first mainstream movies that tackled HIV/AIDS. The plot revolved around a young successful lawyer who showed physical symptoms of an AIDS-related condition, was discriminated in the workplace and elsewhere and was fired. A court case ensued with time running out for Andrew Beckett (Hanks). Sterling performances from Hanks and Washington were prominent with Hanks getting his first Best Actor Oscar for the role, as did Bruce Springsteen for the haunting song "Streets of Philadelphia" (1993).

The photo depicts Gino's, one of two of the most famous Cheesesteak restaurants in Philadelphia. (The other is Pat's, just across the street). Cheesesteaks whilst found across the US has its roots in Philly. Gino's features in the 2005 TV series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".

Answer: Chicago

"Chicago" (2002) was a musical crime comedy (!) based on a musical of the same name. The movie concentrated on Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) and Roxie Hart (Zellweger), both murderers, who shared a jail together awaiting trial in 1924 Jazz Age Chicago. Billy Flynn (Gere) was a smooth lawyer who turned the two women into celebrities as a means of getting their charges dropped. All three stars showed that they can handle the pipes required and appeared accomplished singers. "Chicago" was the first musical to win the Best Movie Oscar since 1969 when "Oliver!" won.

The photo shows the Chicago Cloud Gate otherwise known as the "Bean". This landmark is a key plot point in another Chicago movie "Source Code" (2011).

Answer: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is a 1939 classic starring Jimmy Stewart. It is the story of a naive mid-west man who goes to DC to take up a senate vacancy only to come up against a corrupt government system.

The US government and the Washington press both derided the movie but the public loved it and it was reflected at the Academy Awards nominated for 11 statues in the same year that "Gone With The Wind" cleaned up.

The photo depicts the Washington Monument, an almost obligatory feature in an opening establishing shot depicting when what is to follow is set in the US capital.

Answer: Dallas Buyer's Club

This 2013 movie told the true story of a Texan rodeo rider who became infected by HIV. As his health failed he had to travel to Mexico to obtain drugs not approved by the FDA. He then sells "memberships" to others in the same predicament so they could obtain needed medication. The themes related the harm caused by government institutions and a man's gradual empathy to others. The movie earned its protagonist a Best Actor Oscar. The movie was ironically shot in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

The photo shows Dallas' infamous grassy knoll. Movies shot in this city include "Robocop" (1987) (but ironically set in Detroit) and "The Tree of Life" (2011).

Answer: Detroit Rock City

This rather forgettable movie about four teenagers trying to get to a KISS concert almost went straight to video when released in 1999. Trying to capitalise on the popularity of the rock group, KISS, it stooped to use one of the group's most popular songs as its title which was ironic as it was shot mainly in Toronto. It did not win any awards.

The 2017 photo shows the once grand Detroit Central Station which has become a symbol of urban decay in the city. "Gran Torino" (2008) was a movie that showed Detroit's urban decay as a metaphor for the decline of the American manufacturing industry.

Answer: Gettysburg

Originally filmed as a mini-series, this 254 minute epic (there was also a director's cut of 271 minutes) told the story of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, mainly from the Confederate view. Shot on location, it was meant to be a faithful reproduction of this crucial battle in the American Civil War. So much so it was reputedly used as teaching resource in high schools in the US.

The photo depicts actual Civil War cannons at the Gettysburg Military Park. While many documentaries have been shot on this location, this was the first Hollywood movie shot there. Gettysburg today is not quite a city, having a population around 8000 people.

Answer: The Cincinnati Kid

The plot of this movie centred around a very high stakes poker game between McQueen (the Cincinnati Kid) and a dishonest but legendary champion. The movie was shot in New Orleans (with some interior shots in LA) with the only "Cincinnati" component being the star's character's nickname. This, in turned differed from the novel of the same name by Richard Jessup which was set in St Louis.

The photo depicts the John A. Roebling Bridge which crosses the Ohio River into Kentucky. This was a key plot point in 2011's "The Ides of March".

Answer: Miami Vice

This 2006 movie was based on the highly successful TV series of the same name. The plot featured cops working undercover to infiltrate a Colombian drug ring and dismantle it, which of course they did but at a cost. When Don Johnson was asked who would he like to see play Crockett in the movie, he stated "Colin Farrell" who actually did land the role. Jamie Foxx was the other lead, making this his third collaboration with Michael Mann.

The movie received criticism as it did not showcase the Miami locales. That would be because excepting a view scenes shot in South Beach, the rest of the movie was shot in Uruguay, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic.

The photo shows the typical Art Deco architecture of South Beach in Miami Beach (which itself is a separate city to Miami). The most famous movie shot in this location is "The Birdcage" (1996).

Answer: Gangs of New York

The plot centred around a young man who returned to the Five Points area of Manhattan where his father was killed. It was 1863 and New York City was run by gangs. The movie climax was a showdown between two rival gangs. The inspiration for this movie came from director Scorsese who lived in the area as a child and was fascinated with gravestones in the cemeteries. He found a book which chronicled the history of the area and bought the film rights. It took a further 20 years to get the film made. Ironically to create the necessary five block 1863 set required, the set was built in Rome, Italy and the film was shot there.

The photo shows the Brooklyn Bridge one of the most recognisable landmarks in New York City. Movies that featured this bridge include "The French Connection" (1971) and "Two for the Money" (2005).