1930-1960s Actors and Actresses. Quiz

Answer: Vic Damone

'Hit the Deck' is a colourful musical comedy from 1955 that features sailors on shore leave getting caught up in romantic and family adventures. One of the stars is Vic Damone, a famous singer and actor of the time, who plays a charming sailor named Rico Ferrari.

The movie includes lively songs, dance numbers, and light-hearted fun, with a cast that also features Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds. It's one of the cheerful, feel-good musicals which were popular in the 1950s.

Answer: Jane Powell

Jane Powell was a popular actress and singer in the 1950s who starred in two well-known musicals: 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' and 'Hit the Deck'. In Seven Brides, she played Milly, a strong and clever woman who helps tame a group of wild brothers.

In 'Hit the Deck', she played Susan, one of the romantic leads. Her cheerful personality and singing talent made her a favourite in musical films of that era.

Answer: Jane Wyman

'Three Guys Named Mike' is a light-hearted romantic comedy from 1951 starring Jane Wyman. She plays Marcy, a flight attendant who meets three different men, all named Mike, and finds herself caught in a love triangle. The movie follows her adventures as she tries to figure out which Mike is the right one for her: Mike Jamison, the charismatic airline pilot, Mike Lawrence, the intellectual college professor or Mike Tracy, the savvy businessman.

As the three men discover each other's existence, the situation becomes comically tense. Each Mike tries to win her heart in his own way. Marcy reflects on her feelings and the chaos of the triangle. She chooses Mike the pilot, whose adventurous spirit and shared profession align best with her own. They go off together, leaving the other two to accept her decision with good-natured grace.

Answer: 'Dial M. For Murder'

In 'Dial M for Murder', Ray Milland plays Tony Wendice, a retired tennis player who plots the murder of his wealthy wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), after discovering her affair with crime writer Mark Halliday. His motive isn't just jealousy, as he wants her money.

Tony blackmails an old acquaintance, Charles Swann, into killing her. He plans the murder to occur while he's out with Mark, giving him an alibi. Tony will ring Margot, prompting her to answer the phone where Swann will attack, but she fights back and kills Swann. Tony quickly plants evidence to frame Margot for murder. She's arrested and convicted.

Inspector Hubbard suspects Tony framed Margot, so he secretly switches her handbag to remove her real key. Later, when Tony enters the flat using a hidden key, it proves he knew where it was all along, exposing his guilt. Hubbard arrests Tony, and Margot is cleared.

Answer: 'Rear Window'

Confined to his apartment with a broken leg, photographer L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies (James Stewart) passes the time by observing the lives of his neighbours through the rear window of his Greenwich Village courtyard. He sees a variety of characters including a seemingly troubled married couple, the Thorwalds.

He becomes suspicious when he notices Lars Thorwald behaving oddly: his wife disappears, he makes late-night trips with a suitcase, and he cleans sharp tools. He becomes convinced that Thorwald has murdered his wife, though his girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) initially dismiss his theory.

As Jeff gathers more clues, Lisa and Stella join his investigation. When Thorwald realises Jeff has been spying on him, he confronts him directly, leading to a tense showdown in Jeff's apartment. Jeff fends him off until the police arrive, confirming Thorwald's guilt and arresting him. The ordeal leaves Jeff with two broken legs, but his relationship with Lisa is strengthened, and the film closes with a quiet moment of restored intimacy between them.

Answer: Lorelei Lee

In 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', Marilyn shines as Lorelei Lee, a showgirl travelling to Paris with her friend Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell). Lorelei is determined to marry a wealthy man, while Dorothy prefers romance over riches, leading to comic clashes and sparkling musical numbers.

The film is best remembered for Monroe's renowned performance of 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' with Monroe in a hot pink gown surrounded by tuxedoed men. The performance has been referenced and parodied countless times (most notably by Madonna in 'Material Girl').

Answer: 'How To Marry A Millionaire'

In 'How to Marry a Millionaire, Marilyn Monroe plays Pola Debevoise, a glamorous model who is nearly blind without her glasses. Out of vanity, she refuses to wear them because she believes they make her look unattractive, which leads to a series of humorous mishaps. Her character's struggle between beauty and practicality adds a comic touch to the film.

Alongside Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, Monroe's Pola is part of a trio of women scheming to marry wealthy men in New York City. While their plan is to use glamour to secure rich husbands, the story shows that love doesn't always follow money. Pola's eventual acceptance of her glasses and of genuine affection highlights the film's playful message about romance and self‑image. This role remains one of her most memorable comic films.

Answer: 'A Date With Judy'

Scotty Beckett appeared in "A Date With Judy" (1948), a musical comedy set in a small American town. The film centres on teenage Judy Foster (Jane Powell), who finds herself caught in romantic entanglements and comic misunderstandings. Beckett plays Oogie Pringle, her earnest but sometimes bumbling boyfriend, whose attempts to win her affection are complicated by rival suitors and Judy's own spirited personality.

The movie blends teenage romance with musical spectacle. Beckett's role as Oogie highlights the innocence and awkwardness of young love. A Date With Judy remains notable not only for its vibrant performances but also as a snapshot of post-war Hollywood's fascination with youthful energy, small-town life, and musical escapism.

Answer: 'Gone With the Wind'

Howard Keel was a famous musical actor known for his strong singing voice and leading roles in big MGM musicals. He starred in 'Kiss Me Kate' and 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers', Rose Marie, Calamity Jane and others, where he played bold, romantic characters.

He was also associated with dramatic roles like 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' in stage versions, though not in the film. The one he didn't appear in is 'Gone With the Wind.

Answer: 'Shine On Harvest Moon'

'Shine On, Harvest Moon' is a musical‑biographical film from Warner Bros. that dramatizes the lives of vaudeville performers Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, the duo behind the famous song of the same name. The story follows their romance and partnership as they rise to prominence in the early 1900s entertainment scene.

In the film, Jack Carson played a vaudeville performer whose comic timing and larger‑than‑life personality added humour and energy to the story of Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. His presence helped ground the film's nostalgic look at early 20th‑century show business.