Answer: The Big Trail
"The Big Trail" is about settlers in the earliest days of the Oregon Trail. John Wayne portrays Breck Coleman, a trapper who seeks to avenge the death of his friend. "The Big Trail" was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2006.
From Quiz: Classics from the '30s: Actors and Films
Answer: Darkest Africa
Clyde must try and rescue the sister of a boy he meets in "Darkest Africa", Republic Pictures' first serial. It was re-released in 1948 as "Batmen of Africa" because in both versions there were, surprise, Batmen. In the film there are tigers, which are native only to Asia not Africa - Oops! The film was shot in Texas and California.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 4
Answer: The New Adventures of Tarzan
"The New Adventures of Tarzan" closely follows the book showing how he was jungle born and raised, educated in England, and then became Lord Greystoke. Brix did most of his own stunts resulting in many injuries. Tropical fever and heat exhaustion didn't help.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 3
Answer: The Shadow of the Eagle
"The Shadow of the Eagle" was John Wayne's first serial after his feature debut in the 1930 box office flop "The Big Trail". It was also featured in a 1992 documentary entitled "Action Heroes of the Cliffhanger Serials".
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 2
Answer: The Indians are Coming
"The Indians are Coming" is based on a book by "Buffalo Bill" Cody. One critic commented: "Only the dog (named Pal and played by Dynamite) managed not to fall victim to the natural tendency of actors groomed in the silent film to overplay when thrust into a talkie". It was released in a silent version since many theaters had not advanced to the sound era. Gold, wagon trains, Indian attacks, kidnapped heroine, fisticuffs, etc. are there for your enjoyment.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 1
Answer: Gunga Din
"Though I belted you and flayed you/By the Living God that made you/You're a better man than I am Gunga Din!" were the closing lines of both Kipling's poem and the film. Aside from that, the poem served as little more than a launching point for Ben Hecht's screenplay, which followed a trio of British soldiers (and their waterboy) in efforts against an uprising sect within Colonial British India in the 1880s.
From Quiz: 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Answer: The Big Trail
The young actor in question was John Wayne and the story centred round the pioneers who used 'The Oregon Trail' to travel to the west.
The movie was classified by the US Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically or aesthetically significant' enough to be selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry.
'Talkies' had been around since 1927 ('The Jazz Singer') so by 1930, soundtracks were clearer and less tinny, also directors were experimenting with various film formats, hence widescreen.
From Quiz: Marvellous Movies of the 1930s
Answer: Claudette Colbert
Cecil B. DeMille directed Claudette Colbert in the 1934 epic, "Cleopatra". The film was nominated for several Academy Awards and won for Best Cinematography. The movie depicted the quest for power Cleopatra orchestrated involving Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. When Caesar died she focused her attention on Marc Anthony and seduced him during a memorable barge scene. Demille's version ran for about 100 minutes while the 1963 remake directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz starring Elizabeth Taylor and and Richard Burton was over three hours long.
Hedy Lamarr starred in the 1934 release, "Ecstasy". Greer Garson was in the 1939 release, "Remember?", and Loretta Young appeared in over 30 movies in the thirties including the 1932 film "Taxi!".
From Quiz: One Word Title Movies of the Thirties
Answer: Victor Fleming
Victor Fleming was an unlikely candidate to have his name attached to two of the most beloved films of all time. His first job in the movies was as a stunt driver. He soon graduated to directing, his most notable film being 'Red Dust' with his friend, Clark Gable.
Fleming wasn't the only director on either 'Oz' or 'GWTW. King Vidor and Richard Thorpe both shot scenes for 'Oz' and George Cukor was 'GWTW's original director. Clark Gable didn't like Cukor so David O. Selznick had Fleming pulled off of 'OZ' to finish 'GWTW'. Vivien Leigh and Olivia DeHavilland continued to seek out Cukor for direction even after he had been fired.
From Quiz: 1939: The Year in Movies
Answer: Walter Huston
"Abraham Lincoln" tells about all of Lincoln's life from his childhood. Walter Huston portrays him. Walter Huston is of course the father of John Huston and the grandfather of Angelica Huston. Walter Huston is also known for "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and "Dodsworth".
From Quiz: Classics from the '30s: Actors and Films
Answer: The Last of the Mohicans
In this version of "The Last of the Mohicans", Dulac the French spy, who does not appear in the novel, is created. Natty is renamed Nathaniel Poe in the 1992 feature version which was the 20th remake of it. Mark Twain commented on the author, JFC: "Cooper hadn't any more invention than a horse, and I don't mean a high-class horse, either."
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 2
Answer: The Lone Defender
"The Lone Defender" is the first sound western serial from Mascot Pictures. A critic commented about the lead actress that they could have had her "speak German or have Rin-Tin-Tin say the lines". Rinty knows that The Cactus Kid killed his master and since the dog knows the whereabouts of the mine, Cactus chases him for most of 12 chapters.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 1
Answer: Robert Donat
Donat won for his portrayal of the title character in "Goodbye Mr Chips". Weakened by a severe asthma, Donat would only go on to act in ten further films in the two decades to follow before passing away in 1958. Apart from the screen, Donat was an accomplished actor of London theatre.
From Quiz: 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Answer: Platinum Blonde
Harlow was noted more for playing working class feisty girls, good-time girls or gangsters molls, so this film added to her range of artistic abilities and showed her at her best in romantic comedies, as an upper class girl used to getting her own way, but losing her chosen man in the end.
She was born in 1911 as Harlean Harlow Carpenter, in Kansas City. She died tragically at the age of 26, from undiagnosed renal failure, for which at the time, there was very little treatment.
From Quiz: Marvellous Movies of the 1930s
Answer: Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple plays the part of Sara Crewe, a young girl who is placed by her father in an exclusive girls' school while he goes to fight in the Boer War. When he is listed as Missing in Action, her idyllic life of privilege ends, and she has to work for her keep in the school, taunted by her former schoolmates as a 'little princess'. Mary Pickford had played the role in a 1917 silent version of the same story. Shirley has a ballet sequence in "The Little Princess", as well as a musical number with Arthur Teacher; Bill Robinson was her dancing partner in a number of her earlier films.
"The Little Princess" was not nominated for any Academy Awards, but 'our Shirley' was so popular that this was the twelfth-highest grossing film of 1939.
From Quiz: It Was the Best of Movie Times - 1939
Answer: John Wayne
"Stagecoach" was one of many films in which John Ford directed John Wayne. It was Ford's first talking film as a director after making silent films. The movie plot revolved around a group of diverse passengers in a stagecoach passing through Indian territory. The Ringo Kid was planning to avenge the deaths of his brother and father, but was apprehended by Marshall Wilcox. At the conclusion of the film he killed the people responsible for murdering his family members and managed to go free.
George Bancroft was cast as Marshal Curly Wilcox. Andy Devine played the coach driver, Buck. John Carradine portrayed a southern gentleman who was escorting a passenger named Mrs. Mallory, played by Louise Platt.
From Quiz: One Word Title Movies of the Thirties
Answer: Goodbye, Mr. Chips
In "Goodbye, Mr. Chips", Donat played a retired teacher well into his 80s, who fell asleep and dreamed of his 58-year teaching career at a boys' boarding school. The flashbacks started at age 22 when he started out as a shy and unpopular teacher. Then we saw him develop his teaching skills with the help of a feisty woman (played by Greer Garson), whom he met and married. Donat thus played the character covering a period of over 60 years.
The wrong choices were earlier Donat films. According to the website filmsite.org, Donat was likely given the 1939 award to make up for his having been ignored for his earlier work. One suspects that if voting were done today, Clark Gable would surely win for his "Gone with the Wind" role, based on, if nothing else, his "Frankly, my dear..." line having become one of the most famous lines in movie history.
From Quiz: Movies from 1939
Answer: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Frank Capra's 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', the story of an idealistic neophyte senator who uncovers a nest of greed and corruption in the U.S. Senate, anticipated the very public scandals that would rock Washington nearly half a century later.
Jimmy Stewart gave what may have been his greatest performance in this film but lost the Oscar to British actor Robert Donat (see next question.) The next year, Stewart won the award over his friend Henry Fonda, nominated for 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Fonda had to wait another 42 years to win an Oscar--for his very last film, 'On Golden Pond'.
From Quiz: 1939: The Year in Movies
Answer: The Vigilantes Are Coming
"The Vigilantes Are Coming" has a cross between Zorro and the Lone Ranger called The Eagle, who has the ability to conjure up whips out of thin air. His outer persona is that of a meek church organist whom the villains never seem to realize in 12 chapters that this is The Eagle. The General wants gold and his cohort the Russian Count wants to colonize the town for Mother Russia (good luck on that).
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 4
Answer: The Miracle Rider
Tom Mix, star of the silent screen, was paid $10,000/week to star in his last film "The Miracle Rider", which at 306 minutes was the longest sound serial made. Much of the stock footage used came from two other serials, "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Fighting with Kit Carson". Will the outlaws scare the Ravenhead Indians off their land in order to mine X-94? Not on your life with Tom handling them.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 3
Answer: The Three Musketeers
"The Three Musketeers" was reedited and released in 1946 as "Desert Command" because of Wayne's popularity. Yakima Canutt performs stunts and Kermit Maynard plus Noah Beery Jr. appear briefly.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 2
Answer: The Phantom of the West
One critic said of the director, D. Ross Lederman, of "The Phantom of the West", that he took "no particular pride in the many films he directed". There are seven men who could be the killer of Tim Tyler's dad and you'll figure out who it is before Tim does.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 1
Answer: Tarzan the Ape Man
The film centred around 'Tarzan', an orphan who lost his parents in the jungle and was subsequently brought up by apes. He is discovered by the explorer, who then finds that Tarzan is actually of the British aristocracy. After a brief spell back in Britain, he decides to return to the jungle with his 'mate', Jane.
The Olympic medallist was Johnny Weissmuller, who had won gold medals for freestyle swimming and one bronze in the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games. He also won 52 US National Championships and set 67 world records, a rather impressive record even by today's standards. He was not the first actor to play Tarzan but even today is the best known one, although there have been many portrayals of Edgar Rice Burroughs' character over the years.
The explorer in the film was played by British actor C Aubrey Smith, who, prior to his acting career, was a professional fast bowler for the Sussex cricket team.
From Quiz: Marvellous Movies of the 1930s
Answer: Ninotchka
Greta Lovisa Gustafsson is known for her serious roles, and her reclusive approach to the press, unlike most Hollywood stars of the time. She successfully made the transition from silent star to talkies in "Anna Christie" (1930) which was billed with the slogan 'Garbo Talks'. "Ninotchka" was intended to make a similar transition to the more popular lightweight films being produced, and was given the publicity slogan 'Garbo Laughs' (although she had several lighthearted scenes in "Queen Christina" (1933), that was not the tenor of most of her previous work). "Ninotchka" was one of the first American films to criticize the Stalinist Soviet Union, as the title character discovers that life in 'decadent' Paris is much more attractive than the one to which she is supposed to be returning after completing the jewelry deal which is at the core of the film's plot. With a screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, the film was based on the book "Ninotchka" by Melchior Lengyel, and itself became the source for the 1957 film "Silk Stockings" starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.
"Ninotchka" was nominated for four Academy Awards, including 'Best Picture', but did not win any in the year's fierce competition.
From Quiz: It Was the Best of Movie Times - 1939
Answer: Ninotchka
Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas and Ina Claire were cast in "Ninotchka". It was one of Garbo's early American films and drew a contrast between Russia under Stalin's rule and lively, carefree Paris. Ninotchka was sent to Paris to retrieve jewelry for Russia, but ended up becoming smitten by the Parisian life and falling in love with Comte Léon d'Algout, played by Melvyn Douglas. Garbo starred in one more film after "Ninotchka" titled "Two-Faced Woman" (1941) then retired from films.
"Tevye" was a 1939 movie based on a Sholem Aleichem story that starred Maurice Schwartz, Rebecca Weintraub and Miriam Riselle.
Actor Otis Skinner starred in both the 1920 silent version of "Kismet" and the 1930 version.
Charles Boyer starred as carnival barker Liliom Zadowski in "Liliom".
From Quiz: One Word Title Movies of the Thirties
Answer: brain tumor
In "Dark Victory", the Bette Davis character had a brain tumor, diagnosed by a specialist, who immediately operated to remove it. They fell in love, married, and moved to Vermont. He attempted to hide the negative results of the biopsy from her, but she found out anyway and the film depicted her attempts to deal with this horrible news.
This film's fine supporting cast included Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan, and Geraldine Fitzgerald.
From Quiz: Movies from 1939
Answer: Goodbye, Mr. Chips
'Goodbye, Mr. Chips' is a sentimental valentine to the teaching profession. Robert Donat plays an aging boarding school teacher looking back on his career, his life and the woman-Greer Garson, in an Oscar nominated turn-whose love transformed him.
Donat was a wonderful actor; 'Mr. Chips' is perhaps his most famous role but I prefer his richly nuanced performance in Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'. Nonetheless, his Oscar win over such stalwarts as Jimmy Stewart (see previous question) and Clark Gable in 'GWTW' must have been quite the upset. Whereas these two performances are today considered legendary, who is still watching 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips'? (Feel free to send me indignant responses to my message box if 'GMC' is one of your favorite movies.)
From Quiz: 1939: The Year in Movies
Answer: The Fighting Marines
"The Fighting Marines" was later reworked with added special effects for the 1938 serial "The Fighting Devil Dogs". Lots of action starting in South America then back to the States, over to an island and returning to the mainland. The love interest, Ann Rutherford, was in 13 Andy Hardy films as Polly Benedict. "Doc" aka Milburn Stone from the "Gunsmoke" TV show is a rapscallion on the mainland.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 3
Answer: Tarzan the Fearless
"Tarzan the Fearless" was released in 1933 as both a 12 chapter serial and a four chapter feature film followed by the other eight. The 'yell' is believed to be 1) of the person first cast as Tarzan, 2) from the semi-talkie "Tarzan the Tiger", 3) a film cutter. Your pick!
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 2
Answer: Ninotchka
Praised today in top lists for both its romantic and comedic elements (hardly a rom-com though), Ninotchka starred Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas and later inspired the musical, "Silk Stockings". The film poked fun at the Stalin led Soviet Union as Garbo, a strict adherent to Russian values found herself out of place (and in love!) in Paris. The tagline was appropriate as the film marked Garbo's first entirely comedic performance.
From Quiz: 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Answer: The Private Life of Henry Vlll
The film was shot in England with Charles Laughton portraying Henry throughout his life, from his coronation to his death and through all his marriages and troubles with the Catholic Church. He won an Academy Award for Best Leading Man.
He was also noted for his portrayal of Quasimodo in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1939) and as Captain Bligh in 'The Mutiny on the Bounty' (1935)
Laughton was adept at many character portrayals in various genres of film, from serious drama to light comedy.
From Quiz: Marvellous Movies of the 1930s
Answer: "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
"Wuthering Heights", "Jane Eyre" and "Agnes Grey" were all published in 1847, after the unsuccessful publication of a book of poetry the previous year, in which the sisters used the pseudonyms of Ellis, Currer and Acton Bell.
"Wuthering Heights" (1939), starring Merle Oberon as Cathy and Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, is probably the most famous adaptation for the screen of Emily Bronte's novel about the pair of doomed lovers, but it is not the only one - other versions were released in 1920, 1970 and 1992 (as well as a number of televised versions). "Jane Eyre" (1945) starred Orson Wells as Rochester and Joan Fontaine as Jane Eyre; other versions were released in 1910 (twice) 1914 (two of them again!), 1915, 1921, 1934, 1961, 1968 and 1996, along with numerous television productions. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" was adapted for television in 1968 and again in 1996. As of March, 2010, "Agnes Grey" has not been the basis for a film, although the BBC did produce a radio adaptation.
"Wuthering Heights" won the Academy Award for 'Best Cinematography, Black and White'; it was nominated for a further seven awards, including 'Best Picture'.
From Quiz: It Was the Best of Movie Times - 1939
Answer: Honolulu
In "Honolulu", Young played movie star Brooks Mason and Hawaii businessman George Smith in pre-WW II Honolulu. The two men switched roles when Mason tired of being a screen idol, but romance complicated the arrangement. Eleanor Powell was cast as the love interest and performed memorable dance scenes. Burns and Allen were featured in individual roles. Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson portrayed one of Mason's valets. He would go on to work with Jack Benny on Jack's radio and television programs.
"Carefree" was a 1938 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical.
"Whoopee" was a musical comedy released 1930 that starred Eddie Cantor. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy starred in the 1938 romance, "Sweethearts". It was MGM's first Technicolor film.
From Quiz: One Word Title Movies of the Thirties
Answer: Stagecoach
John Ford's 'Stagecoach' played a bit like 'Airport' on wooden-spoke wheels. An outlaw, a prostitute, a pregnant young bride, an alcoholic doctor seeking redemption (Mitchell), etc. set out on a dangerous trek through 'Injun' territory and have their lives changed in the process.
In addition to the four previously mentioned films, Mitchell was also featured in 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'. Seven years later, Mitchell would play his most recognizable role--Uncle Billy in 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Also an accomplished stage actor, Mitchell is the first performer to win the three major acting prizes--an Oscar, a Tony and an Emmy. He was perhaps the greatest character actor of all time.
From Quiz: 1939: The Year in Movies
Answer: The Clutching Hand
"The Clutching Hand" is played by one actor with the voice of another and is the second of three serials by Weiss Production. Tom Mix's daughter, Ruth, appears again plus Charles Lochner, who changed his name to Jon Hall (TVs "Ramar of the Jungle). In the novel Dr. Gironda was the villain, the 'clutching hand' was a separate character with both merging for the film and his identity never revealed.
From Quiz: Movie Serials of the '30s, Part 4
Answer: Charles Laughton
By 1939, Laughton had already won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" in 1933. He would continue to star on both the stage and the screen until his death in 1962. His sole venture into film directing came with his 1957 picture, "The Night of the Hunter", a film considered among the greatest ever made.
From Quiz: 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Answer: It Happened One Night
Claudette Colbert won an Academy Award for Best Leading Lady for this movie and her co-star, Clark Gable, won an Academy Award for Best Leading Man; hardly surprising really as their characters really sparked off one another. She starred as a 'poor little rich girl' trying to escape from the life that is mapped out for her - being an heiress. She is helped by a man who appears to be a 'free spirit', but is actually a reporter who sees a good story in it if he helps her. Of course, they end up falling in love!
The movie also won Best Director, Best Film and Best Writing Adaptation Academy Awards.
From Quiz: Marvellous Movies of the 1930s
Answer: Cimarron
The Edna Ferber novel, "Cimarron", was the basis for the 1931 film of the same name. Richard Dix played a newspaperman in Oklahoma who faced obstacles and adventures while establishing his paper on the frontier. Irene Dunne played his wife who carried on the business when her husband left to deal with a gold rush and a war. The movie won the Best Picture Oscar. Although Dix and Dunne were nominated for their roles, neither took the statue home.
"Borderline" was a 1930 silent film starring Paul Robeson.
"Conquest" (1937) starred Greta Garbo as a Polish countess who became the mistress of Napoleon.
"Saratoga" was a 1937 release that was the last film that paired Clark Gable and Jean Harlow right before her death.
From Quiz: One Word Title Movies of the Thirties
Answer: Laurence Olivier in 'Wuthering Heights'
In director William Wyler's solemn and elegant adaptation of Emily Brontë's tale of eternal love on the English moors, Laurence Olivier, as the brooding and vengeful Heathcliff, solidified his status as a genuine movie star-only to have his wife outdo him by winning the Oscar for 'GWTW'. Nonetheless, 'Wuthering Heights' remains a classic in its own right. Merle Oberon and David Niven provided solid support.
Olivier and Leigh played opposite other in several films, most notably 'That Hamilton Woman'. It was on the stage, however, where they did most of their work together. In 1937, Leigh played Ophelia to Olivier's Hamlet in a special performance at the Kronberg Castle in Elsinore, Denmark (the city in which 'Hamlet' is set.) In the 40s, Olivier directed his wife in the leading role in the London production of a new American play. Several years later, Vivien would play the same role in the film version opposite newcomer Marlon Brando. The role, of course, was Blanche DuBois in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' for which Leigh would win her second Oscar.
From Quiz: 1939: The Year in Movies
Answer: Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo also acted in an earlier adaptation of "Anna Karenina" called "Love"; she played the same character in that film as well. Garbo can also be seen in "Anna Christie", "Grand Hotel", and "Romance".
From Quiz: Classics from the '30s: Actors and Films
