Feathered Friends on Film Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Sandpiper

"The Sandpiper" was released in 1965 and starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor as a priest and a single mother with an unconventional lifestyle. Despite his initial horror of the alternative lifestyle that Taylor's character leads, the two start an ill-fated affair.

The film was directed by Vincent Minnelli. The lyrics of the song were composed by Paul Webster and the music by Johnny Mandel. It won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1965.

Answer: Cuckoo

The film was based on a novel of the same name, written by John Nichols. It was released in the UK under the title "Pookie". Pookie is an unconventional young woman from a troubled background. On her way to start college she meets another young student, Jerry (Wendell Burton) who is quiet and reserved. During the course of the film Pookie persues Jerry who is, at first, irritated.

However, they start a relationship, but eventually Jerry succumbs to his conservative background and breaks up with Pookie.

Answer: John Wayne

John Wayne first played the part of one-eyed, rough and ready lawman Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 film "True Grit". He reprises the role to team with spinster Eula Goodnight, whose father has been killed by a violent gang. Eula Goodnight (with Hepburn borrowing strongly from her earlier role in "The African Queen") hires Cogburn and together they track down the gang.

Answer: Grey Owl

Archibald Belaney was born in Hastings, England but emigrated to Canada at the age of sixteen. He took on the identity of a Canadian Native and called himself Grey Owl. He was an early advocate of conservation and travelled to Europe to lecture on the subject, often appearing in full native dress. His true identity was not discovered until after his death in 1938.

Answer: Joe Pesci

This was Christopher Lloyd's first film and he played the part of a patient named Taber. Danny deVito played the role of Martini, which he had originally played on Broadway in 1971. Brad Dourif was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the doomed Billy Bibbit.

"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" tells the story of Randall Patrick McMurphy, a criminal who elects to undergo assessment in a psychiatric hospital rather than receive a jail sentence. The hospital seems to be ruled with a rod of iron by Nurse Ratched and McMurphy rebels against her authority, in an attempt to enliven the lives of the inmates. However, ultimately he is unable to overcome the authoritarian regime of the hospital.

The film comes from the book of the same name, by Ken Kesey. In the book, one of the characters starts babbling nonsense after undergoing ECT, and says "one flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest".

Jack Nicholson gave an Oscar-winning performance in the lead role of Randall Patrick McMurphy, but he was third choice for the role, which was first offered to Marlon Brando and then Gene Hackman. Louise Fletcher, who won an Oscar for her performance as the evil Nurse Ratched, had to make repeated auditions over a six month period to win her role.

Answer: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

"Jonathan Livingston Seagull" is an allegorical tale of a bird, tired of the day to day routine of life, who seeks to fly ever higher. Because of his ambitions, he is ostracised by his flock. The book has been an inspiration for those who want to break away from the mundane routine of everyday life and aspire to higher things. Neil Diamond composed the music for the film, but despite this, it did not follow the success of the best selling book. Author Richard Bach apparently hated the film.

Answer: The Owl and the Pussycat

"The Owl and the Pussycat" was indeed not suitable for children. Barbra Streisand and George Segal starred in this story about a bookish writer and a goodtime girl. Felix, the writer, complains to his landlord that his neighbour, Doris, is occasionally using her apartment for prostitution. She is evicted and turns up on his doorstep. The ensuing argument results in Felix being evicted as well. In the best romcom tradition, initially they despise each other but all ends happily.

"The Owl and the Pussycat" was first seen as a play on Broadway in 1964 and to add to the friction in the stage version, the couple are of different races. Hollywood chickened out of portraying this in the film though.

Answer: Duck

Based on the Marvel Comic character of the same name, "Howard the Duck" was a rare flop for Executive Producer George Lucas. It tells the story of a human-sized duck accidentally transported to earth in a laser experiment. Whilst working out how to return him to his home planet, another, more evil alien is transported to earth. Howard and his human friends must thwart the evil alien.

The film did not translate well to the screen, and was definitely not one for the kiddies.

Answer: Tom Cruise

Directed by the brilliant team of Peter Lord and Nick Park, "Chicken Run" is best described as "The Great Escape", only with chickens. It tells the story of a group of farm chickens trying to escape from their destiny as pie filling. They are given hope by a passing rooster, who seems to be able to fly. Mel Gibson voiced Rocky the Rooster, Julia Sawalha voiced Ginger and Jane Horrocks voiced Babs. Other voice contributions are made by Phil Daniels, Timothy Spall, Miranda Richardson and Imelda Staunton.

I have been unable to find any record of Tom Cruise starring in any poultry related movies.

Answer: World War II

"Where Eagles Dare" is based on a book by Alistair Maclean. Producer Elliot Kastner actually approached Maclean to write a book on which he could base a film, and Maclean produced both the novel and the screenplay at virtually the same time.

A plane is shot down by the Germans. The only survivor is seemingly a US army general, who knows the allied plans for the Normandy invasion. He is taken to a castle in the Alps, known as the Castle of the Eagles. A daring rescue mission takes place, but people are not always who they seem, and the plot has many twists and turns. The film stars Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood and Patrick Wymark.