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Quiz about The Hollywood Ten
Quiz about The Hollywood Ten

The Hollywood Ten Trivia Quiz


This quiz is on those artists who spent time in prison and had their careers as good as ruined for refusing to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by rj211. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
rj211
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
74,605
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
4 / 10
Plays
463
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Alvah Bessie was primarily a screenwriter before receiving his other dubious title. Of the ten films he worked on in this capacity, two were directed by Raoul Walsh and starred in by Errol Flynn. One of these films earned Bessie an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Which film, for which he wrote the story, earned him this nomination? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Herbert Biberman, who spent six months in jail for his 'crimes' never made any particularly successful films. 'Salt of the Earth', however, has been regarded as a masterpiece. Upon release in 1954, it was banned by Congress in the United States. It was selected by Congress in 1992, however, to be preserved for posterity. What was the subject of this film? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Lester Cole worked extensively as a screenwriter before the HUAC affair. He was one of the ten founders of the Screen Writers Guild and served as the organization's president between 1944 and 1945. Which Charlie Chan film did he work on? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Edward Dmytryk was possibly one of the most gifted artists whose careers were interrupted by the politics of the 50s. Like the others, he went to jail for refusing to name names before the HUAC. However, after some time in jail he reversed his stance, denouncing Communism and cooperating with the committee. This in turn released him from Hollywood's blacklist, allowing him to resume work, though his actions would never be forgotten by the industry. Regardless, he managed to work on many acclaimed films both before and after this period in his career. Which of the following Oscar-nominated films did he NOT direct? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Ring Lardner Jr. showed his promise as a screenwriter when he won an Oscar with co-writer Michael Kanin for 'Woman of the Year' (1942). Despite the turmoil of the 50s, Ring Lardner Jr. went on to win another Oscar for Best Screenplay. What movie was his second Oscar for? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. An active screenwriter before the involvement of the HUAC, John Howard Lawson served as the president of the Screen Writers Guild from 1933-1934. Who of the following did NOT work in one of Lawson's films? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Screenwriter Albert Maltz was not overwhelmingly prolific before the 1950s, but being blacklisted didn't stop his working. Even when in the spotlight for his uncooperative attitude towards the HUAC, he continued to write screenplays, sometimes using fronts. One of his films earned him an Oscar nomination under the name 'Michael Blankfort'. What movie was it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Samuel Ornitz wrote on 30 films before the 50s, but after becoming one of the 'Hollywood Ten', never worked in the industry again. For which Bela Lugosi flick was Ornitz an uncredited contributing writer? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Many of the films produced by Adrian Scott were directed by others designated as the 'Hollywood Ten'. Which of the following was NOT directed by a 'Hollywood Ten'? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Dalton Trumbo was a screenwriter for many well-received films. In 1956, after he had been forced out of the industry and was writing under pseudonyms, he won an Oscar under the name 'Robert Rich'. For which movie did he win? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Alvah Bessie was primarily a screenwriter before receiving his other dubious title. Of the ten films he worked on in this capacity, two were directed by Raoul Walsh and starred in by Errol Flynn. One of these films earned Bessie an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Which film, for which he wrote the story, earned him this nomination?

Answer: Objective, Burma!

All of the films listed were worked on by Walsh and Flynn. 'Northern Pursuit' (1943) was the other Walsh-Flynn film that Bessie worked on, but it earned no accolades. Bessie's was one of three Oscar nominations garnered by 'Objective, Burma!' (1945).
2. Herbert Biberman, who spent six months in jail for his 'crimes' never made any particularly successful films. 'Salt of the Earth', however, has been regarded as a masterpiece. Upon release in 1954, it was banned by Congress in the United States. It was selected by Congress in 1992, however, to be preserved for posterity. What was the subject of this film?

Answer: A workers strike in New Mexico

The film was banned for its 'communist' sympathy for and identification with the workers. It was based on an actual strike at a mine through which Mexican-American workers sought equity and wage parity with Anglo workers of other mines.
3. Lester Cole worked extensively as a screenwriter before the HUAC affair. He was one of the ten founders of the Screen Writers Guild and served as the organization's president between 1944 and 1945. Which Charlie Chan film did he work on?

Answer: Charlie Chan's Greatest Case

The other films all starred Sidney Toler, who more or less made the character. 'Charlie Chan's Greatest Case' (1933) didn't have the benefit of Toler's skills and never did particularly well.
4. Edward Dmytryk was possibly one of the most gifted artists whose careers were interrupted by the politics of the 50s. Like the others, he went to jail for refusing to name names before the HUAC. However, after some time in jail he reversed his stance, denouncing Communism and cooperating with the committee. This in turn released him from Hollywood's blacklist, allowing him to resume work, though his actions would never be forgotten by the industry. Regardless, he managed to work on many acclaimed films both before and after this period in his career. Which of the following Oscar-nominated films did he NOT direct?

Answer: Key Largo

'The Sniper' (1952) was nominated for writing, which Dmytryk was not involved in. 'Crossfire' (1947) earned Dmytryk a directing Oscar nomination. 'The Caine Mutiny' (1954) was nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and four other awards, but not Best Director. 'Key Largo' (1948) earned its supporting actress an Oscar, but Dmytryk was not involved with the picture.
5. Ring Lardner Jr. showed his promise as a screenwriter when he won an Oscar with co-writer Michael Kanin for 'Woman of the Year' (1942). Despite the turmoil of the 50s, Ring Lardner Jr. went on to win another Oscar for Best Screenplay. What movie was his second Oscar for?

Answer: MASH

Of the five Oscars 'MASH' (1970) was nominated for - including Best Picture and Best Director, Lardner's screenwriting Oscar was the only win for the film.
6. An active screenwriter before the involvement of the HUAC, John Howard Lawson served as the president of the Screen Writers Guild from 1933-1934. Who of the following did NOT work in one of Lawson's films?

Answer: Spencer Tracy

Fonda was in 'Blockade' (1938). Bogart was in 'Sahara' (1943). Poitier was in 'Cry, the Beloved Country' (1951). Tracy never worked on a Lawson film.
7. Screenwriter Albert Maltz was not overwhelmingly prolific before the 1950s, but being blacklisted didn't stop his working. Even when in the spotlight for his uncooperative attitude towards the HUAC, he continued to write screenplays, sometimes using fronts. One of his films earned him an Oscar nomination under the name 'Michael Blankfort'. What movie was it?

Answer: Broken Arrow

'Broken Arrow' (1950) starred James Stewart and Maltz's was one of three Oscar nominations for the film. The other films were all worked on by Maltz, but earned him no accolades.
8. Samuel Ornitz wrote on 30 films before the 50s, but after becoming one of the 'Hollywood Ten', never worked in the industry again. For which Bela Lugosi flick was Ornitz an uncredited contributing writer?

Answer: Mark of the Vampire

This film, like most of the films Ornitz worked on, was not particularly well received.
9. Many of the films produced by Adrian Scott were directed by others designated as the 'Hollywood Ten'. Which of the following was NOT directed by a 'Hollywood Ten'?

Answer: Deadline at Dawn

'Deadline at Dawn' (1946) was the only film ever directed by Harold Clurman. The other three were all directed by Edward Dmytryk.
10. Dalton Trumbo was a screenwriter for many well-received films. In 1956, after he had been forced out of the industry and was writing under pseudonyms, he won an Oscar under the name 'Robert Rich'. For which movie did he win?

Answer: The Brave One

Trumbo was involved in all of these movies, but he won the Oscar for 'The Brave One' (1956). He never accepted it, though, because he would have been arrested, so it's probably sitting in storage somewhere to this day.
Source: Author rj211

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