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Pre "2001" Greats Trivia Quiz

A lot of great Science Fiction films were made before "2001: A Space Odyssey". Here are 15 questions on a few of them.

A multiple-choice quiz by JasonQuest. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
JasonQuest

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
98,784

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
2016

Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (9/15), Guest 24 (4/15), Guest 73 (9/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. In "The Incredible Shrinking Man", Grant Williams plays a man who mysteriously begins to get smaller. What confirms his and his wife's fear that something is wrong? Hint

His wedding ring falls off his finger

He can't keep his pants up

His shoe falls off his foot

His nose hairs begin to itch

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. What does Klatuu give Bobby as a type of currency in "The Day The Earth Stood Still"? Hint

12 bars of Latinum

Pure gold

High grade diamonds

A type of gem unknown on Earth

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. What is Kevin McCarthy's profession in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"? Hint

Doctor

Mayor

Lawyer

Undertaker

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. One of the best British Science Fiction films is "Quatermass and the Pit" (aka "5 Million Years to Earth"). What planet were the unearthed aliens originally from? Hint

Mars

Neptune

Venus

Aseria

NEXT>

Question 5 of 15

5. Ray Harryhausen's special effects lifted "Earth vs. The Flying Saucer" well above the mediocre (but fun) script. What American city is it mostly set in (and mostly destroyed)? Hint

New York

Gary, Indiana

San Francisco

Washington DC

NEXT>

Question 6 of 15

6. We all know Robbie the Robot from "Forbidden Planet", but what '60s TV Sci Fi did he make a guest appearance on? Hint

Voyage to the Bottom of The Sea

My Favourite Martian

Lost in Space

The Invaders

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Question 7 of 15

7. What was the name of the alien home planet in "This Island Earth"? Hint

Carmana

Barme

Dualata

Metaluna

NEXT>

Question 8 of 15

8. Which famous science fiction author co-wrote the film "Destination Moon", which was also based on one of his novels? Hint

Ray Bradbury

Isaac Asimov

Arthur Clarke

Robert Heinlein

NEXT>

Question 9 of 15

9. In 1936's "Things to Come", what year did the great plague occur that wipes out most of the people left after the wars? Hint

1952

1966

2004

1978

NEXT>

Question 10 of 15

10. In one of the few 50's movies where the aliens arn't the bad guys (see also "The Day The Earth Stood Still"), "It Came From Outer Space" had aliens that wanted to do what? Hint

Collect plant specimens.

Study human behaviour.

Fix their spaceship and go home.

Enjoy their honeymoon on primitive Earth.

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. In "The Thing From Another World" (1951) what did the creature's metabolism most closely resemble? Hint

Vegetable

Mineral

Animal

A combination of animal, mineral and vegetable

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. Which director, known for his intelligent thrillers, made 1966's "Seconds" starring Rock Hudson? Hint

William Freidkin

John Frankenheimer

John Boorman

Fred Zinnemann

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. The chemical formula used to make Claude Rains invisible in 1933's "The Invisible Man" also causes him to what? Hint

Become extremely dehydrated

Become ravenously hungry

Slowly become insubstantial

Become homicidally insane

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. What's the name of the hidden city that Ronald Colman and his group find after their plane crash lands in Frank Capra's 1937 "Lost Horizon"? Hint

Shangri-la

El Dorado

Kwan To Mai

Tanelorn

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. In 1954's "Killers From Space" what were the ping-pong ball eyed aliens creating in order to destroy humanity? Hint

A blob-like creature that devours everything

A death ray that disintegrates everything

A doomsday machine

Giant insects and lizards

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 16 2024 : Guest 24: 9/15
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 24: 4/15
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 73: 9/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In "The Incredible Shrinking Man", Grant Williams plays a man who mysteriously begins to get smaller. What confirms his and his wife's fear that something is wrong?

Answer: His wedding ring falls off his finger

Written by Richard Matheson and directed by Jack Arnold, this was one of the more intelligent Sci Fi movies of the fifties, with a curious existential finale.

2. What does Klatuu give Bobby as a type of currency in "The Day The Earth Stood Still"?

Answer: High grade diamonds

The great Robert Wise directed, with a wonderful score by Bernard Hermann.

3. What is Kevin McCarthy's profession in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"?

Answer: Doctor

Another great director, Don Siegel, made this classic.

4. One of the best British Science Fiction films is "Quatermass and the Pit" (aka "5 Million Years to Earth"). What planet were the unearthed aliens originally from?

Answer: Mars

Professor Quatermass appeared in a number of quality stories written by Nigel Kneale, and adapted by himself for radio and television.

5. Ray Harryhausen's special effects lifted "Earth vs. The Flying Saucer" well above the mediocre (but fun) script. What American city is it mostly set in (and mostly destroyed)?

Answer: Washington DC

Harryhausen is our man. Probably made the most enjoyable films of my childhood.

6. We all know Robbie the Robot from "Forbidden Planet", but what '60s TV Sci Fi did he make a guest appearance on?

Answer: Lost in Space

Robbie also popped in on various other movies and TV shows.

7. What was the name of the alien home planet in "This Island Earth"?

Answer: Metaluna

An underated, enjoyable piece of '50s science fiction.

8. Which famous science fiction author co-wrote the film "Destination Moon", which was also based on one of his novels?

Answer: Robert Heinlein

Somehow, I don't think Heinlein wrote the dialogue in the film.

9. In 1936's "Things to Come", what year did the great plague occur that wipes out most of the people left after the wars?

Answer: 1966

A bit stilted in style, but certainly worthwhile viewing.

10. In one of the few 50's movies where the aliens arn't the bad guys (see also "The Day The Earth Stood Still"), "It Came From Outer Space" had aliens that wanted to do what?

Answer: Fix their spaceship and go home.

Ray Bradbury wrote the story for this, one of my favourites.

11. In "The Thing From Another World" (1951) what did the creature's metabolism most closely resemble?

Answer: Vegetable

Although the director was credited as Christian Nyby, most film historians think that producer Howard Hawks had a hand in directing most of the scenes in this effective chiller.

12. Which director, known for his intelligent thrillers, made 1966's "Seconds" starring Rock Hudson?

Answer: John Frankenheimer

John Frankenheimer passed away, but left us some great films behind.

13. The chemical formula used to make Claude Rains invisible in 1933's "The Invisible Man" also causes him to what?

Answer: Become homicidally insane

Made by James "Frankenstein" Whale.

14. What's the name of the hidden city that Ronald Colman and his group find after their plane crash lands in Frank Capra's 1937 "Lost Horizon"?

Answer: Shangri-la

This great film was remade as a rather silly musical in 1973.

15. In 1954's "Killers From Space" what were the ping-pong ball eyed aliens creating in order to destroy humanity?

Answer: Giant insects and lizards

OK, so this is not technically a good film. I still enjoyed it. Admittedly, I had help.

Source: Author JasonQuest

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rj211 before going online.
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