British Things that Make Me Laugh Quiz

Answer: Charles Coburn

The family set numerous traps, including faulty steps and rigged shotguns, to accomplish the deed. They only succeeded in doing away with each other. The film also starred Wendy Hiller and was one of the first appearances by Michael Caine, in which he had no lines.

Answer: It had square wheels

Hengis Pod (Connor) and Horsa (Dale) are captured by the legion, who walked faster than Pod could go on his invention. To compound his problem, the bike consisted of square wheels which were made of wood. They were taken as slaves to Rome, and wound up saving the life of Caesar, becoming heroes. Kenneth Williams as Caesar is hilarious and Amanda Barrie as Cleopatra is delicious.

Note: I wrote to Jim Dale, asking for an autograph. He graciously complied, but expressed surprise that a Yank could appreciate the film.

Answer: Bernard Cribbins

Cribbens played a Midshipman getting his first berth on a ship. His identity was stolen by a young woman (Juliet Mills) and he was impressed as an ordinary seaman. Hawtrey played his mate, Walter. Together, they do battle, defeating pirates and the Spanish alike, saving the ship and doing England proud. Oh, and they (Mills and Cribbens) naturally fell in love.

Answer: Chief Guard

The plot involved two inmates who were going to break out of prison, commit a jewel robbery, then break back in, cementing a perfect alibi. Their outside contact was Soapy Smith (Wilfred Hyde-White). Jeffries was the new guard Captain who was determined to clamp down in an all too lenient atmosphere.

He didn't fare too well, nearly blowing himself up while insisting that the convicts work in a nearby quarry. He played the bombastic by-the-book official to perfection.

Answer: Hillman Avenger

The dog would invariably bark at and startle Hyacinth when she was forced to visit, but not at husband Richard. Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes) and wife Daisy (Judy Cornwell) were content to live in council housing, watch TV, and co-exist with sister Rose. All the while caring for Daddy, who was a bit confused and bore a lot of watching at times.

Answer: Hand painted periwinkles

Hyacinth (Patricia Routledge) would also refer often to her sister Violet, who had a sauna and room for a pony. Violet also had a husband who liked to dress in woman's clothing. His transgressions were mostly ignored by Hyacinth and tolerated by the always patient Richard (Clive Swift).

Answer: Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold

Captain Peacock was played by Frank Thornton. The Captain was easily annoyed by his charges, many of whom had trouble getting to work on time. Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) was senior clerk in women's wear, Mr. Humphries (John Inman) worked in the men's department.

There were very distinct layers to even such a small organization, and the Captain's query, "Are you free, Mr. Humphries?" was a requisite for beginning to complete a sale. Mr. Rumbold (Nicholas Smith) at times seemed to be at a loss in coping with his charges.

It has been pointed out that regardless of the time spent together, the characters never referred to each other by first name.

Answer: It declares war

It seems the U.S. inadvertently allowed a cheaper U.S. wine to bear the Fenwick label. As this fine wine was their chief source of income, they have to do something. They sent their entire twenty-man army, with bow and arrow no less, to New York on a passenger ship. And then...well you get the story.

They won the war and captured a doomsday device. Three parts are played by Sellers, including that of the Grand Duchess Gloriana. A wonderful movie, much underrated.

Answer: Monty Python's Flying Circus

"Monty Python's Flying Circus" was a group of very talented writers and performers who came together in 1969. John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam created some very surreal, dark and often very funny material. "The Cheese Shop", "The Dead Parrot" and "The Lumberjack Song" were among them. I thank Public Broadcasting in the U.S. for presenting them.

Answer: She was a woman

Dawn French was, of course, "The Vicar of Dibley". The show was produced from 1994 to 2007, and regrettably, consists of only 24 episodes. She was a chocolate loving bundle of life who took her job seriously and won over the town. She also managed to make more than one man fall in love with her. Dawn French was ably supported Gary Waldhorn, James Fleet, and Jim Trout.

The show won multiple British comedy awards.

Answer: Yakety Sax

Hill was often accused of sexism because of the dancing girls and the number of women who would lose their clothes in one accidental way or another. Yet those legions who watched the show rarely got that impression. He treated his humor as simply silly, sometimes juvenile, often bawdy, but never mean spirited. The song "Yakety Sax" was recorded by Boots Randolph.

Answer: Jackie Wright

Wright died in 1989 at the age of 84, after a long career in show business. Only 4'11, he was often the object of accelerated speed slaps on top of his bald dome. McGee was often part of a skit, but always spoke and acted as a cultured person. Bob Todd could do an amazingly funny drunk. Hill's Angels, a dance troupe, also fueled complaints of sexism.

Answer: Edina and Patsy

Eddy and Patsy had problems with alcohol and recreational drugs due to their inability to grow older with any grace. Edina's daughter Saffron was the stability they turned to when needed. Saffron (Julia Sawalha) was serious, long suffering and loved her mother. A very funny show with some major tragic undertones.

Answer: "Black Adder" and "The Thin Blue Line"

Atkinson has also starred in the movies "Mr. Bean" and "Johnny English". "The Thin Blue Line" ran for 14 episodes in 1995 to 1996. Atkinson was Inspector Fowler, Patricia Dawkins, his sergeant was portrayed by Serena Evans. P.C. Habib was portrayed by the gorgeous Mina Anwar. The criminals caused far less trouble than the residents of the station, often led by CID Inspector Grim.
I will not try to explain the trail through British history left by the Black Adder. Suffice it to say the Middle Ages were not as we remember them.

Answer: True

Cleese ran into a hotel manager who served as the prototype for Basil Fawlty in the late '60s. "He was Loud, rude and paranoid" Cleese said of the man in charge of a hotel where the Pythons had stayed. The output of the series, though short, was indeed memorable. So much so that it was voted the best British comedy ever by British writers. Written by Cleese and then-wife Connie Booth, who also starred, it featured Prunella Scales as his sharp tongued wife and Andrew Sachs as the not-so-sharp-witted Manuel the waiter.