Do the Right Thing Trivia Quiz

Answer: Public Enemy

In a foreshadowing of later events in the film, Rosie dances in a rather violent style. I read that in order to get Rosie angry enough to properly perform the dance, Spike Lee made her take and retake the dancing scenes for several hours in a row. Lee wanted genuine 'anger' from Rosie Perez, who incidentally made her big screen debut as Tina in this film.

Answer: Samuel L. Jackson

One of Samuel Jackson's first significant movie roles was as this DJ at the local radio station, 'We Love' 108 FM. Jackson co-starred in several other Lee films aside from this one, including 'Jungle Fever' and 'Mo' Better Blues'. His first movie role in a Lee film was in 'School Daze', from 1988.

Answer: Vito and Pino

The older brother Vito, played by John Turturro, resents the fact that he has to work in the pizzeria (and in a primarily black neighborhood). Pino, the younger brother, doesn't mind working at Sal's Pizzeria, and seems interested in befriending the Spike Lee character Mookie. Their father Sal is played by Danny Aiello, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance.

Answer: No photos of 'brothas' on the wall

Buggin' Out, a friend of the Spike Lee character Mookie, first is annoyed that there isn't enough cheese on his slice of pizza, and later makes an issue about the photos of Italian-Americans on the wall. He attempts to boycott the pizzeria because there are no pictures of black folk on the wall.

Answer: Love and hate

Radio Raheem's boom box plays the Public Enemy song 'Fight the Power' on a continual loop. His knuckle rings accompany his story about how love conquers hate, which is ironic considering his fate later in the film. These words 'love' and 'hate' on Raheem's knuckles are a reference to the Robert Mitchum character in the 1955 film 'The Night of the Hunter'.

Answer: Jackie Robinson

Mookie's Dodger jersey has Jackie Robinson's name and number, 42...a reference to the fact that the Dodgers once played in Brooklyn. Mookie is an employee at Sal's Famous Pizzeria, working as a pizza delivery man.

Answer: What a waste!

The officer's attitude is indicative of the divide that separates the police, in positions of power and authority, and the average powerless inhabitant of the neighborhood in which the film takes place. The antagonism between the police and the neighborhood dwellers comes to a boil by the end of the film.

Answer: Da Mayor

Da Mayor seems to have no personal material wealth, but he has wisdom and good values. He saves a young boy from being hit by a car, and works tirelessly for the respect of an elderly woman called Mother-Sister, played by Rubie Dee (his real life wife). Truth be told, Da Mayor is one of the most respectable individuals in the neighborhood, but he has lived a difficult life and has suffered much, according to his brief description of his younger days.

Answer: Mookie

Ironically, the one individual in the neighborhood who worked for Sal initiates the destruction of Sal's Famous Pizzeria. Though Mookie shares a friendship with Sal's son Pino, and he respects Sal himself, he is still a member of the neighborhood and is just as enraged by Radio Raheem's death as any of his fellow neighbors.

Answer: 500 dollars

Though Sal's place has been ruined, and despite Mookie's involvement in its destruction, Sal still feels obligated to pay Mookie for several weeks of work. Sal is bitter about the loss of his pizzeria, but seems to still feel empathy towards Mookie and the other locals. Mookie shows no remorse...he just wants to get paid! Thanks for trying the quiz...I hope you enjoyed it.