We'll Gather Lilacs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ron Weasley

Lavender was infatuated with Ron for quite a while, although he found her attentions rather overpowering. She called him 'Ron Ron', gave him embarrassing gifts and generally became a nuisance. Ron even pretended to be asleep, rather than talking to her, when she came to visit him in hospital.

Lavender was a member of Dumbledore's Army and was attacked by Fenrir Greyback in the final battle at Hogwarts. In the book she was saved by the combined efforts of Hermione Grainger and Professor Trelawney, but in the film series she was one of the students who lost their lives.

Answer: Oklahoma!

The play was written by Lynn Riggs and appears to have had only a couple of limited runs, it did feature some well known names in the cast, including Franchot Tone, Tex Ritter and Lee Strasbourg. The musical version, both the stage and film adaptations, was much better known. The story line remained pretty much intact, but the songs were changed for the musical. The play had featured folk songs, such as the one which gave it its title, but these did not survive the rewrite.

All the options listed were written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, but only 'Oklahoma!' featured Curly McClain.

Answer: Frank Pike

Ian played the part of Private Pike, the 'stupid boy', from 1968 until 1977. He was the youngest member of the Home Guard platoon, which was run by the fussy and pompous Captain Mainwaring, played by Arthur Lowe. These two gave the series one of its memorable scenes. A German officer demands that Pike tell him his name only for Captain Mainwaring to shout 'Don't tell him Pike'.

Sergeant Arthur Wilson was portrayed by John le Mesurier and was the unacknowledged biological father of Pike, who was liable to call him 'Uncle Arthur' at inappropriate times. Jack Jones was played by Clive Dunn and James Frazer by John Laurie. Ian Lavender went on to appear in 'EastEnders', playing Derek Harkinson between 2001 and 2005.

Answer: Provence

Provence is particularly known for its lavender fields, as well as for wine and cuisine. Many of us may have learned about the area from Peter Mayle's book 'A Year in Provence', which came out in 1989, and the subsequent television adaptation. The mixture called 'Herbes de Provence' which includes lavender is not traditional, though, and not all versions include it.

Other dried herbs, which are likely to be included in any mixture, are marjoram, thyme and rosemary.

Answer: Syringa vulgaris

The lilac is native to the Balkan region of Europe, but has been cultivated in many other parts of Europe since the late sixteenth century, and is also common in North America. The flowers can be of the pale shade associated with the name of the shrub, but can also be a much darker shade of purple or white.

Citrus sinensis is the orange tree, Prunus serrulata is the cherry and Aesculus hippocastanum is the horse chestnut.

Answer: Elkie Brooks

The song was originally written in 1950. Elkie's version reached number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart in 1978. Other singers to have recorded it include Eartha Kitt and Miley Cyrus, possibly the only thing those two singers have in common. Elkie's other hits include the Chris Rea song 'Fool (if You Think it's Over)' in 1981 and 'Don't Cry Out Loud' in 1978.

'Pearls' came out in 1981 and was part 'greatest hits' and part new songs, including 'If You Leave Me Now', written by Peter Cetera.

Answer: Gary Cooper

Cooper played a dashing pilot during World War I. He is stationed in France, and falls in love with the girl from the farm next to the airfield. The film featured sections of comedy, romance and adventure, including aerial battles between Cooper's character, Philip Blythe, and Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron. All this without a word being spoken. Who knows, he may even have said 'do not forsake me my darling'.

The 1952 film was the rather better known 'High Noon' in which Cooper starred with Grace Kelly. He picked up the Best Actor Oscar for his role.

Answer: Louisa May Alcott

The book tells the story about a runaway from a circus, his dog and two young sisters who befriend the boy. Louisa May Alcott wrote 'Little Women' (hence the clue) and its sequels 'Good Wives' 'Little Men' and 'Jo's Boys', which were published between 1868 and 1886. The stories of the March family are often described as a trilogy, as 'Good Wives' was really part of the first book.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the 'Little House on the Prairie' series, and Enid Blyton wrote numerous books for children. Dr. Seuss also
wrote for children, with his books including 'Green Eggs and Ham' and 'The Cat in the Hat'.

Answer: Maggie Smith

The film was set in Cornwall, just before the Second World War, with Dames Judi and Maggie playing sisters. They rescue a young German man, who they find on the local beach having been lost overboard at sea. His talent as a violinist takes him away from the pair to a successful career, but his time with them causes much upheaval to their previously uneventful lives.

The German is played by Daniel Bruhl and the film was directed by Charles Dance, in his directorial debut. Dance also wrote the screenplay, which was adapted from a short story written by William J. Locke.

Answer: Cardiff

Novello was born as David Ivor Davies in 1893. His mother's name was Clara Novello Davies, and he adopted her second name for his career in show business. Among his compositions was 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', a hit during World War I. 'We'll Gather Lilacs' was written for the show 'Perchance to Dream', in the 1940s. Its lyrics 'We'll gather lilacs in the spring again; And walk together down an English lane; Until our hearts have learned to sing again; When you come home once more' also spoke to those separated by war.

Novello was also an accomplished actor and appeared in several films in the 1920s and 1930s. The name of Ivor (often spelled as Ifor in Welsh) may have helped as it is associated with Wales.