The 1960s Wasn't All Bad Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Magic Roundabout

"The Magic Roundabout" made its debut in 1965 and ran until 1977. The programme was based on a French programme called the animation show "Le Manège enchanté". The English version had different scripts and characters.

Other characters in the show were Zebedee, a talking jack-in-the-box; Brian, a snail; Ermintrude, a cow; and Dylan, a rabbit. In the show there were also two humans, a girl called Florence and Mr Rusty, who operated the roundabout.

The very first programme was called "Mr Rusty Meets Zebedee". Mr Rusty is sad because none of the children now go on the roundabout, as it has lost all the magic. Zebedee turns up and tells Rusty not to worry, as everything will turn out OK. You had to wait until the next day to see what happens.

Answer: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a musical fantasy film released in 1968 and was directed by Ken Hughes. The film is based on the 1964 children's novel by Ian Fleming (James Bond).

Along with his kids, Jeremy and Jemima, eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts fixes "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", a magical race car. The family and their friend, Truly Scrumptious, go on a spectacular journey to Vulgaria when the car acquires the capacity to fly and float. There, they rescue Grandpa Potts and liberate the country's youngsters from the child-hating Baron and Baroness Bomburst, going home and eventually returning home for a happy outcome.

Phil Collins, the musician and singer, was 16 years old when he was cast as an extra in the movie "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" as one of the Vulgarian kids who rush the castle at the conclusion.

Answer: Steptoe and Son

"Steptoe and Son" was first aired on BBC television in 1962. The programme followed the antics of father and son Harold and Albert Steptoe, who ran a rag-and-bone business at 26a Oil Drum Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London (fictional). Harold and Albert had a love-hate relationship and were always having arguments. Harold had a keen eye for the women on his rounds and sometimes brought them home to Albert's dislike. Albert always seems to come out on top and get the better hand in a given situation.

In an early programme called "The Bath", which was aired in 1963, Harold learns of Albert's dishonesty and exacts revenge by giving his father a humiliating "blanket bath" when Albert pretends to have a back complaint to force Harold to wait on him hand and foot. Harold used to say to his dad, "You dirty old man!" When things went wrong.

The first series ran from 1962 to 1965 and comprised four series with a total of 27 episodes. The series was recorded in black and white during this time. "Steptoe and Son" had a five-year comeback in, 1970, and lasted until 1974. By this time, it had been filmed in colour. In late 1973, a special edition show was filmed.

The lead roles were played by Wilfrid Brambell (Albert) and Harry H. Corbett (Harold).

Answer: Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein was born on 19 September 1934 in Liverpool, England. Although he is associated with the Beatles, he also managed other bands and singers. Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, and Cilla Black were all under the wing of Brian Epstein.

Brian managed to get a recording contract with EMI's Parlophone label within a very short space of time when he signed up the Beatles. Brian changed the way the Beatles looked by getting the band to wear suits and have a clean look. It worked, and the band never looked back. Although he had no training in the music industry, his family owned music and put Brian in charge. It was only a matter of months before the Beatles were international stars, with a mixture of good management and the partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The format soon produced top-selling records and albums.

Success is not always successful on a personal level. The late nights took a toll on Brian, and alcohol and barbiturates found their way into Brian's lifestyle. In the mid-1960s Brian spent time at the Priory Clinic in Putney to help with his drug addiction. Brian Epstein died on 27 August 1967 (aged 32) in London, England. Death was recorded by the coroner as an overdose of Carbrital, a hypnotic preparation combining the barbiturate pentobarbital with carbromal, combined with alcohol in his system, and ruled it as an accidental death. Strange as it seems, the Beatles didn't attend the funeral because they thought they would allow his family some privacy. It has to be said, though, a few weeks later the Beatles did attend a memorial service for Epstein at the New London Synagogue in St John's Wood, near Abbey Road Studios.

Answer: Alf Ramsey

Alf Ramsey was born on 22 January 1920 in Dagenham, England. Before becoming the England manager, he played for and captained the England national team between 1948 and 1953, scoring three goals. During his senior career, Ramsey played for Southampton from 1943 to 1949 and for Tottenham Hotspur from 1949 to 1955.

Although Ramsey was officially appointed as England manager in 1962, he did not formally assume the role until 1963, as he believed it would be inappropriate to leave Ipswich, who were facing difficulties at that time. One of the first actions Ramsey took as England manager was to appoint Bobby Moore as captain; Moore was already the captain at West Ham.

The first game England played in the 1966 World Cup was between Uruguay and England; the game finished in a 0-0 draw. The next game was between England and Mexico, which England won 2-0. England beat France 2.0 in the next round, followed by a 1-0 win against Argentina. In the semifinal, England beat Portugal 2-1.

In the final of the 1966 World Cup, England were drawn against Germany. At full-time, the score was 2-2. In extra time, England scored two more goals, with the final score being 4-2. Alf Ramsey continued to be the England manager until he was sacked by the FA in 1974.

Answer: The Sooty Show

Harry Corbett created the British children's television series "The Sooty Show". The show was first aired on BBC Television from 1955 to 1967 and then moved over to ITV (Independent Television) between 1968 and 1992. The programme, which is a part of the Sooty franchise, revolves around the amusing antics of the glove puppet Sooty, his buddies Sweep and Soo, and their presenter. The show was hosted by Harry Corbett from 1955 until his retirement in 1975, when his son Matthew Corbett took over until 1992.

Puppet characters to appear on the show were Butch, a dark brown male dog; Mr Woof, a Yorkshire terrier; Ramsbottom, a brown male snake; and Little Cousin Scamp, a mute white bear. The main characters were Sooty, a mute yellow male bear; Sweep, a male grey dog; and Soo, a calm and collected female panda. The show was just a mixture of slapstick, magic, and "Izzy wizzy, let's get busy!"

Answer: The Love Bug

"The Love Bug" was a 1968/69 sports adventure comedy film featuring a Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie. The story revolves around Jim Douglas, a racing driver who is down on his luck. At one time Jim was a successful racing driver, but now only races demolition derbies. Jim goes abroad and goes to a European car dealership; it is here where he meets car mechanic Carole Bennett.

While Jim is at the dealership, he notices the Volkswagen Beetle, but due to financial circumstances, he is in no position to buy the car. Jim leaves the dealership but finds out the car followed him home. The police turn up and charge Jim with theft of the car. Jim decides to lease-purchase the car so he won't be charged for theft.

Initially, Jim had trouble with Beetle because it seemed to have a will of its own. Soon after, Jim decided to enter the Beetle, which he named "Herbie", into a race - and he won. Herbie was entered in other races as well, all of which it won. The dealership owner became angry because he kept losing races to the Beetle, so he schemed to sabotage it.

The film concludes with a two-day race called "The El Dorado". It's a close competition between the dealership owner and the Beetle. On the final day, Herbie wins the race, even though it was split into two parts.

Answer: Sandie Shaw

The United Kingdom secured its first victory in the contest with the song "Puppet on a String", composed and arranged by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter and performed by Sandie Shaw. This entry achieved one of the largest winning margins in the history of the competition, receiving more than double the votes of the runner-up.

The competition took place on April 8, 1967, in Vienna, Austria. Seventeen countries took part in the competition, one less than in 1966. Sandie Shaw won the competition with 47 points, while her nearest rival finished second with 22 points, which was from the Irish entry and sung by Sean Dunphy.

Answer: Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield was born as Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien on 16 April 1939 in London, England. "I Only Want to Be With You" was co-written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. The song was released in November 1963. The debut single was also featured on Springfield's first album, released in the U.S., titled "Stay Awhile/I Only Want to Be with You".

The album was released on the Philips label in June 1964. In the UK, "A Girl Called Dusty" was the debut album from Springfield, reaching number six on the UK Albums Chart.

Answer: On the Buses

"On the Buses" first premiered on British television on February 28, 1969, and continued until February 26, 1973. The show was later rebroadcast in reruns. Overall, it consisted of seven series with a total of 74 episodes. The main cast included six characters: Stanley "Stan" Butler, a bus driver; Jack Harper, Stan's conductor; Cyril "Blakey" Blake, the bus depot inspector; Olive Rudge, Stan's sister; Arthur Rudge, Stan's brother-in-law; and Mabel Butler, known as "Mum", Stan's mother.

The sitcom centres on the working-class lives of Stan Butler and Jack Harper, who operate as the team on the Number 11 bus for the Luxton and District Motor Traction Company. Most scenes take place either at the Butler family home or at the bus depot.