A Double "M" Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Miramax Films was founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein and was derived by combining the names Miriam and Max. Who were Miriam and Max?

Answer: Bob and Harvey's parents

Miramax was founded in 1979 and was run by Bob and Harvey Weinstein until being sold to Disney in 1993. The brothers continued to have influence in the company until they left in 2005. Before their departure, they oversaw the distribution of films such as "Jackie Brown", "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York". The company was sold by Disney in 2010 to Filmyard Holdings.

2. Several celebrities change their names upon entering "showbiz". Which of these famous people was not born with the initials M.M?

Answer: Harry Houdini

Michael Caine was born Maurice Micklewhite, John Wayne as Marion Morrison, and Eminem was born Marshall Mathers. Wayne and Caine became friends after meeting in the lobby of the Beverley Hills Hotel. Caine recalls in his book, "Acting in Film", that he introduced himself to Wayne and was met with the acting advice of "talk low, talk slow, and don't say much".

Harry Houdini was born Erik Weisz.

3. One "M" from the M&M candy is named for Bruce Murrie (of Hershey's chocolate, who originally supplied the candy's filling during World War II). Who is the second "M" named for?

Answer: Forrest Mars, who developed the idea

Forrest Mars (of Mars Company) wanted to create a chocolate pellet that would not melt and was inspired by soldiers in the Spanish civil War who consumed chocolate pellets that were surrounded by a tempered layer of chocolate. Mars and Murrie collaborated to create what was to become known as the M&M. Murrie originally had a 20% stake in the candy, with his company (Hershey's) providing the chocolate filling. Murrie was eventually bought out by Mars, but his last initial persists in the name.

4. This next double M was, rather surprisingly, involved in an on-screen punch up with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film "End of Days". Who is this feisty thespian?

Answer: Miriam Margolyes

"End of Days" sees Satan (played by Gabriel Byrne) come to Earth to claim his bride. In a rather comical scene, policeman Jericho Cane enters the house where Satan's intended bride is staying in order to save her. However, the punchy Miriam Margolyes (whose character name is Mabel and who is a servant of the Prince of Darkness) puts up a good fight and almost bests ex-Mr. Universe, before being knocked unconscious.

The Devil kills Mabel for her failure. All in all, it was a pretty close fight.

5. In 2007, "Mad Men" first appeared on television screens. In what period is this television show set?

Answer: 1960s

"Mad Men" focusses on the advertisement industry in the 1960s and its main character is Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm). Hamm's character is based on Draper Daniels, who was behind the Marlboro Man ad campaign in the 1950s. The characters in this series are known for their heavy drinking, but say that they would be barely standing if they were doing it for real. "That's water in our glasses, coloured water", revealed Kevin Rahm, who plays Ted Chaough.

6. In 1971, the first Mr. Men character, Mr. Tickle, was created by Roger Hargreaves. Of course, we're only interested in the double "M". Which of these is a real Mr. Men character?

Answer: Mr. Messy

Mr. Tickle, the first Mr. Men character, was created by Roger Hargreaves after his son asked what a tickle looked like. This son (Adam Hargreaves) developed new characters after his father's death in 1988.

Mr. Messy is appears as a random pink scribble with arms, legs, eyes, and a smile.

7. Many things come may come to mind when you hear the term "Mamma Mia!" - a film, a song, a musical. Whilst playing "Mario 64", what is most likely to have just happened if you hear the exclamation "Mamma Mia!"?

Answer: Mario lost a life

Literally meaning "my mother" in Italian, this term was the title of an ABBA song released in 1975. This iconic song title also became the name for the film and musical featuring ABBA songs. Here, a young woman (played by Amanda Seyfried in the film version) is preparing for her wedding and wants her father to walk her down the aisle.

However, she finds that any one of three different men may be her father. Whilst in "Super Mario 64" and "Super Mario Bros. 2" Mario will shout "Mamma Mia!" when he loses a life, he will make the same exclamation in "Mario Kart" when he slips on a banana skin.

8. Throw together vodka, ginger beer and lime and you get a Moscow Mule cocktail. However, some may not think this drink authentic unless it is in the proper receptacle. How is a Moscow Mule usually served?

Answer: In a copper cup

The invention of the Moscow Mule is usually accredited to John G. Martin, who developed the drink in 1941. Martin saw himself as co-inventor of the Moscow Mule, along with Jack Morgan, who owned the "Cock 'n' Bull" bar. It is thought that the drink came about from Morgan over-ordering on ginger beer.

As is often the case with cocktails, there is controversy over the invention. Wes Price, a bartender at the "Cock 'n' Bull" bar, has also been credited with creating the Moscow Mule.

9. Whilst swimming in tropical and subtropical waters, you may come across the mahi-mahi. Though this animal is a fish, it has been confused with another non-fishy sea-dweller, leading it to be given what alternative name?

Answer: Dolphinfish

Mahi-mahi is commonly caught for food in the United States and the Caribbean. The name comes from Hawaiian meaning "very strong". It has a large green-blue body and can be seen as similar to the dolphin in that it has a bulbous head, similar to the so-called "melon" of the dolphin.

10. In biochemistry, one may come across the Michaelis-Menten equation, which is invaluable to anyone in this profession. What does this equation describe?

Answer: Enzyme kinetics

The Michaelis-Menten equation relates the concentration of substrate to the (initial) rate of reaction, as catalysed by a particular enzyme. Though this equation can be presented graphically, it is often inaccurate and so is usually transformed into one of three straight line equations.

These are the Lineweaver-Burk plot (most common), the Eadie-Hofstee plot (the most accurate), and the Hanes-Woolf plot.

Source: Author doublemm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LeoDaVinci before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This quiz contains ten questions all of which relate to things containing two Ms.

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