Empedocles Goes to the Movie Planet "Earth" Quiz

Answer: Down to Earth

In this question I refer to the 1947 movie "Down to Earth". There have been other movies with the same title too, but not with this cast. The plot was as follows. A theatre director named Danny Miller planned a show in which the Greek Muses would quarrel over some stranded pilots, all trying to seduce these men.

But Terpsichore, the Muse of song and dance, decided to intervene. She disguised herself as the mere mortal Kitty Pendleton, made the acquaintance of Danny Miller and did all to persuade him to rewrite the play, no longer mocking but instead venerating the Muses. Rita Hayworth played Terpsichore, but her songs were dubbed by Anita Ellis. Larry Parks played Danny Miller, and his singing voice was dubbed by Hal Derwin.

Answer: The Day the Earth Stood Still

Robert Wise directed the 1951 movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still". In this movie, an alien named Klaatu and his powerful robot Gort (played by Lock Martin) visited Earth to warn against the development of nuclear missiles. Patricia Neal played a young widow named Helen Benson, who became Klaatu's love interest.
The reviews agree that "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was one of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

Answer: The Greatest Show on Earth

Cecil B. De Mille directed "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) and could count on an all-star cast for this movie. It was set at a Barnum and Bailey circus, with Charlton Heston in the role of Brad Braden, the circus director. James Stewart played Buttons the clown, who was later revealed to be one of the "most wanted" persons on the FBI list. Betty Hutton played Holly and Cornel Wilde enacted Sebastian, the two trapeze soloists who competed for top billing in the circus - until Sebastian was seriously injured. Although the movie had one of the most renowned directors and many of the finest actors, it yet had a rather negative response because of the mediocre script.

Answer: Salt of the Earth

"Salt of the Earth" (1954) was directed by Herbert Biberman. It starred Juan Chacon (a non-professional actor) as the Mexican miner Ramon Quintero, Rosaura Revueltas as his wife Esperanza, and Will Geer as the sheriff of Zinc Town, New Mexico. Ramon and the other Mexican miners went on strike to obtain equal pay with American miners, but they were arrested for doing so.

Then the miners' wives continued picketing outside the mine, and while the miners were set free, their wives and children went to jail.

In the end the whole Mexican community resisted an attack by the company representatives.

Answer: When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

"When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" (1970) is the US title for this movie directed by Val Guest, the original UK title is "When Dinosaurs Ruled the World". It was a typical Hammer studio production: low budget (especially for the clothing of the actresses); horrifying beasts; a script full of loopholes.

But the movie was nominated for an Oscar (special effects). The story started with a prehistoric tribe led by Kingsor (played by Patrick Allen) about to sacrifice Sanna (role by Victoria Vetri) to the sun god.

But Sanna escaped to another tribe, where she and Tara (played by Robin Hawdon) fell in love. Alas, once again Sanna was expelled from the tribe, and after a while was seen domesticating a dinosaur.

Answer: The Man Who Fell to Earth

"The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976) was directed by Nicolas Roeg. David Bowie played the alien Thomas Newton, who came to Earth to find water for his own planet (and a spaceship to transport it). Newton founded a company for his quest, and hired Dr. Nathan Bryce (role by Rip Torn) to develop the fuel needed for the space ship. Meanwhile Newton fell in love with Mary-Lou (played by Candy Clark). Dr. Bryce discovered that Newton was not of this world, and Newton disclosed this secret to Mary-Lou - upon which they separated and the US government arrested Newton. By the way, there is also at least one other movie with the same title: a TV movie made in 1987 based upon the same eponymous novel.

Answer: The Quiet Earth

"The Quiet Earth" (1985) was a New Zealand movie directed by Geoff Murphy. It started with the scientist Zac Hobson (role of Bruno Lawrence) waking into what seemed to be a completely deserted world. Apparently the military project on which he worked, had gone awry.

After a while Zac met two other survivors, Joanne (role by Allison Routledge) and the Maori Api (played by Pete Smith). As they discovered the military project was still running, the three survivors decided to destroy the military facility in a suicide mission...

Answer: Earth Girls Are Easy

"Earth Girls Are Easy" (1988) was directed by Julien Temple. Geena Davis played Valerie Gail, a manicurist who had a row with her fiancé Dr. Ted Gallagher (role by Charles Rocket). And then a spaceship with three hirsute aliens (Mac, played by Jeff Goldblum, Wiploc, played by Jim Carrey and Zeebo, played by Damon Wayans) landed in her pool. Soon Valerie and Mac fell in love...

Answer: Collision Earth

There are several motion pictures named "Collision Earth", but here I refer to the Canadian production from 2011 directed by Paul Ziller. The storyline was that our sun suddenly disturbed the magnetic field, and thus Mercury left its orbit and strayed on a direct collision course with Earth.

A scientist named James Preston (played by Acevedo) and his wife, the astronaut Victoria Preston (role by Diane Farr), used an unspecified device to divert Mercury and thus save the Earth.

Answer: Scorched Earth

"Scorched Earth" (2018) was directed by Peter Howitt. The story was set in a post-apocalyptic country (probably the USA). A lone bounty hunter named Attica Gage (played by Gina Carano) decided to go after the most wanted outlaw Thomas Jackson (role by Ryan Robbins).
While many user reviews praised how Gina Carano played her role, there were almost no good words for the other actors and certainly not for the script.