The Movies Go to School - The Chalkboards Quiz

Answer: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) follows Ferris (played by Matthew Broderick), his friend Cameron, and his girlfriend Sloane on their day skipping school from Shermer High School. Their exploits include enjoying a Chicago museum, a baseball game, and a fancy Frency restaurant. Ferris then has to rush home in order to avoid getting caught by his parents and Principal Ed Rooney. Ben Stein launched his film career as the flat-voiced economics teacher.

The scene showing the lesson on the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 has cutaways to zoned-out students as Stein drones ("Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?... raised tariffs. . . .") and "voodoo economics." This is second only to the famous "Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?" roll-call scene that shot Stein to fame.

Answer: The Simpsons Movie

"The Simpsons Movie" (2007) follows the Simpson family of the long-running FOX-TV animated show, as Springfield is threatened by Homer's pollution of its lake. The events leads to the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to get rid of Springfield. The Simpson family goes on the lam but of course end up saving the day for Springfield.

The opening of the film pays homage to the opening sequence of "The Simpsons" long-running TV series that shows Bart writing lines on a chalkboard. Bart's lines have included "I will not strut around like I own the place", "I am not certified to remove asbestos", "I no longer want my MTV", "I will not scream for ice cream" and "I will not sell my kidney on eBay."

Answer: A Beautiful Mind

"A Beautiful Mind" (2001) is based on the life of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who developed game theory (the Nash Equilibrium). Nash's schizophrenia leads him to delusions of vast government conspiracies and his supposed attempt to decypher military codes. Directed by Ron Howard, the film features brilliant performances by Russell Crowe (as Nash) and Jennifer Connelly (as his wife Alicia) as the couple battle through Nash's mental illness. "A Beautiful Mind" won the 2001 Best Picture Oscar. Crowe was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his role but lost to Denzel Washington (for his performance in "Training Day").

Answer: Catch Me If You Can

The film "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) is based on the life story of Frank Abaganle, Jr., the imposter extraordinaire. Agagnale stole millions of dollars through his various con schemes, including impersonating a doctor, lawyer, and pilot. Abagnale's exploits also includes posing as a substitute French teacher for a week in order to avoid getting harassed by bullies. Abagnale (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is hunted throughout his exploits by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (played by Tom Hanks). Hanratty was based on real-life FBI agent Joe Shaye who eventually became Abagnale's close friend.

Answer: Animal House

"Animal House" (1978) is the classic comedy based on fraternity life at fictional Faber College, where the "animals" of Delta Tau Chi are pitted against the elitists of Omega Theta Pi. Life at Delta House (including toga parties, beer blasts, and road trips) however is threatened by Dean Wormer and his Omega operatives' scheme to shut down Delta House and expel its denizens. All of the fun culminates in the memorable Faber homecoming parade.

The mentioned chalkboard scene contains one of the classic movie blunders.

In the beginning of the scene, the word "SATAN" is written with the "T" on the crease of the blackboard. Later the "T" is clearly on the right side of the crease. Donald Sutherland, as the unenthused Professor Jennings, gives us this memorable quote: "Don't write this down, but I find Milton probably as boring as you find Milton. Mrs. Milton found him boring too.

He's a little bit long-winded... he doesn't translate very well into our generation, and his jokes are terrible.

But that doesn't relieve you from your responsibility for this material. I'm waiting for reports from some of you.

Answer: Election

Based on the novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta, "Election" (1999) tells the story of history and civics teacher Jim McAllister's involvement in the student council elections at G.W. Carver High School. McAllister's resentment of the overachievers brings him to meddle in the student body president election in ways that change his life.

The screenplay was written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, for which Payne and Taylor were nominated for the 1999 Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award. (John Irving won that Oscar for the screenplay he adapted from his novel "The Cider House Rules".) The chalkboard scene portrays McAllister teaching the same government lesson year after year.

Answer: Dead Poets Society

"Dead Poets Society" (1989) follows the prep school boys at fictional Welton Academy, as they learn lessons in life and passion from their English teacher, John Keating. Keating uses poetry to inspire the conservative boys to realize their full potential.

The "carpe diem" (seize the day) theme allows the boys to open their minds and expand their dreams and become the people they truly long to be. Tom Schulman wrote "Dead Poets Society" directly for the screen, based on his days at Montgomery Bell Academy, a boys prep school in Nashville, Tennessee.

The work won Schulman the 1989 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Answer: Good Will Hunting

"Good Will Hunting" (1997) is based on a story about an unlikely young math genius, written by childhood friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Will Hunting is a troubled youth from South Boston, who accomplishes superior mathematical feats despite his poor upbringing and lost direction.

He learns to conquer his demons and develop human relationships, with help from psychologist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). The Affleck and Damon screenplay won them Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. Robin William's portrayal of Maguire won him the Academy Award for best supporting actor. Damon was nominated for his performance as Will Hunting, the janitor who solves not one but two of Professor Lambeau's math challenges, left on a chalkboard in the hallway for his students.

Answer: Back to School

"Back to School" (1986) is an American comedy featuring Rodney Dangerfield as Thornton Melon, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune selling clothes for large men. Lacking formal education and missing a close relationship with his son, Thornton decides to enroll in college and room with his son. Thornton makes his college life one big party.

This scene includes Sam Kinison as Professor Terguson, relishing in Thornton Melon's "correct" interpretation of the Vietnam War. After Kinison's memorable tirade on why America pulled out of Vietnam, Dangerfield (as Melon) gives this famous quote: "Hey Professor, take it easy.

These kids were in grade school at the time, and as for me. . . I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover."

Answer: Stripes

"Stripes" (1981) follows down-on-their luck John Winger (Bill Murray) and Russell Ziskey as they enlist in the U.S. Army, as a way to better their lives and find new adventure. They end up stealing the army's new and highly-secretive EM-50 "Urban Assault Vehicle" to lead a rag-tag effort to rescue their platoon in Italy. Russell Ziskey was played by the multitalented Harold Ramis. Ramis's credits include writing on some of the best movie comedies of all time: "Animal House" (1978), "Caddyshack" (1980), "Stripes," and "Groundhog Day" (1993).