Suspense Films Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "M" (1931) traces the pursuit of a pedophile/murderer. It introduced to the screen an Austrian actor who was forever type cast as a sneaky, shadowy, sinister villain. Who was he?

Answer: Peter Lorre

Lorre was noted as a comic actor before landing the role in "M". In the film he is often photographed in shadows so as to add mystery to his identity. Among Lorre's notable films are the 1930s "Mr. Moto" detective series, "Casablanca" (1942), and "The Maltese Falcon" (1941).

In several later films he was often seen as a parody of himself, such as "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1954) and "Muscle Beach Party" (1964).

2. Charles Boyer is the villain and Ingrid Bergman is his prey in this 1944 film that was nominated for seven Oscars, winning two. What is the name of this suspense classic?

Answer: Gaslight

"Gaslight" won an Academy Award for Ingrid Bergman as lead actress and nominations for Boyer and eighteen-year-old Angela Lansbury in her first film role. It also won for set design. Boyer drives Bergman to distraction as he searches for treasure he believes is hidden in the house. However, Joseph Cotton comes in to save the day.

3. "Double Indemnity" (1944) almost defines its genre -- film noir. An insurance salesman, Fred MacMurray, plots with Barbara Stanwyck to kill her husband and collect double insurance if the death is 'accidental'. Who played the insurance adjuster, Barton Keyes, who ferrets out the scheme?

Answer: Edward G. Robinson

Filmed in black-and-white, "Double Indemnity" is the classic film noir with a crime, a protagonist, a cynical overlay, and generally sexual overtones. Robinson sees inconsistencies in the story and his pursuit of the truth causes the plot to unravel.

Robinson is most often linked to gangster films although much of his vita consists of diverse roles such as the father in "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes"(1945), the man caught up in circumstances in "Woman in the Window" (1945), and the depressed man unwilling to face an apocalyptic future in "Soylent Green"(1963). In the 1950s he was a victim of 'reverse blacklisting' as he gave names of persons he thought had communist connections, all in an effort to clear himself of wrong doing. In private life Robinson was an astute art collector.

4. Beginning as a radio drama, "Sorry, Wrong Number" starred Agnes Moorehead. It was so popular that it was repeated seven times on radio. Who played the bed-ridden woman whose only connection to the outside world is her telephone in the 1948 film version?

Answer: Barbara Stanwyck

Bed-ridden, perhaps psychosomatic, Stanwyck accidentally hears of a murder being planned. She desperately tries to pass the information along but no one believes her. Too late she finds out who is the intended victim. Burt Lancaster plays the husband.

Stanwyck played strong female leads and could 'carry' a film. She fell short of ever winning an Oscar, being nominated four times for this film, "Stella Dallas" (1937), "Ball of Fire" (1941), and "Double Indemity" (1944). Her later active years were in television.

5. The train arrives in Black Rock and a handicapped war veteran proceeds to disturb the equilibrium of the small desert town. He is greeted with hostility and suspicion. What is the full name of this film?

Answer: Bad Day at Black Rock

The film had three Oscar nominations including best actor for Spencer Tracy, best direction for John Sturges, and best screenplay for Millard Kaufman (1956). Racism and murder lie at the center of the plot.

6. Cool and debonair Cary Grant, a veteran of suspense films, is at his charming best in "North by Northwest" (1956). Mistaken identity creates a series of incidents leading to the climax on what mountain?

Answer: Mount Rushmore

The final scene was first intended to be in Alaska so from New York one would travel north by northwest. The final scene was shifted to South Dakota but the title still made sense. Also showing a Northwest Airlines plane sealed the case. Next to crawling around on the stone faces of American presidents, the most memorable scene is on a seemingly deserted country road when a crop duster airplane suddenly begins to shoot at the Grant character.

The film had three Oscar nominations for art direction, screenplay, and film editing.

Many regard this film as Alfred Hitchcock's best.

7. Two of movie's most tried and true genres are the suspense film and the road film. "Kalifornia" is able to combine these. David Duchovny, writing a book on serial killers, along with his photographer girl friend, played by Michelle Forbes, decide to visit the sites of serial killings for research. Short on funds, they advertise for someone to share expenses, not realizing that Early Grayce, their traveling companion, is himself a serial killer. What actor played the evil Early Grayce?

Answer: Brad Pitt

Pitt proved that he could play a grungy killer as well as heroic roles. Juliette Lewis played Pitt's child-like girlfriend. There are many spooky scenes of serial killings and one never knows when Pitt's character will bubble over into violence.

Pitt has had the opportunity to link himself to a number of successful film ventures such as "Thelma and Louise" (1991), "Fight Club" (1999), and "Interview with a Vampire" (1994). He has hit the tabloids with his romances and marriages. Perhaps an overlooked film is "True Romance" (1993) where in a supporting role he played a stoned-out hippie.

8. "In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" is an old adage. In 1967's "Wait Until Dark" reinforces the cliche but the protagonist is a newly blinded young woman who must cope with thugs in her home. What actress received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in this film?

Answer: Audrey Hepburn

In darkened scene on screen, many theaters turned off all the lights to build the drama and impact. Lee Remick starred in the Broadway production. Hepburn during her career had five Oscar nominations, winning for "Roman Holiday" in 1953.

9. An investment banker receives a mysterious birthday gift to take part in a reality game. He cooperates with the screening process but is told that he is not suitable for the game. However, bizarre things and calumnious events occur which seem to go beyond a game. What is the name of this 1997 film?

Answer: The Game

Michael Douglas is at his best in this tale that trespasses the line between reality and imagination. Douglas' character is put through the wringer so suicide seems the only way out.

Personal note: On a trip to San Francisco several years ago, we stayed at the Palace Hotel whose ballroom and glass ceiling were used in the film.

10. Again, what is real and what is a con game? A psychiatrist, acting as an advocate for her patient, becomes involved in a cast of con men who have their own world of promises and deceit. Her fascination with this underworld leads her to be a part of nefarious schemes. The film "House of Games" (1987) was noted for its crisp realistic dialogue. Who was the screenwriter responsible for dialogue that has an imprint on his subsequent films?

Answer: David Mamet

David Mamet leaves a certain cadence and rhythm in his dialogue that catches the ear. "Oleanna" (1994) and "Glengarry Glen Ross" are further examples of his work. One leaves the theater after seeing "House of Games" wondering if you understood all the cons and all the plot twists.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor jmorrow before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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