Hollywood Heroines Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gene Tierney

"Laura" was a 1944 movie from director Otto Preminger. It starred Dana Andrews as a detective trying to solve Laura Hunt's murder but, while on the case, he becomes obsessed with her. This film has a remarkable cast including Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Vincent Price, and an exceptional plot. Gene Eliza Tierney (1920-1991) was born in Brooklyn, and her good looks led to Hollywood stardom and roles in movies like "The Razor's Edge" and "Leave Her to Heaven".

There always seemed to be a vulnerability to the characters she played, while her personal life was filled with tragedy.

Answer: Double Indemnity

Barbara Stanwyck was one of those great actresses who never won an Academy Award for the parts she played; finally at the 1982 Awards she was presented with an Honorary Oscar. She was memorable in just about every film in which she was cast (comedy and drama), but my personal favorite was her portrayal of the scheming Phyllis in "Double Indemnity" (1944), where she plays a scheming seductress who lures Fred MacMurray into her evil murder plans.

Answer: Kim Novak

"Vertigo" is a 1958 psychological thriller starring James Stewart as retired detective "Scottie" Ferguson who is asked to investigate the activities of the wife of an old friend, and then becomes obsessed with her. Kim Novak plays the wife, Madeleine Elster, the object of his obsession - with both main characters impaired, i.e., he physically and she emotionally.

When it seems Madeleine has committed suicide, Scotty meets her look-a-like named Judy Barton, and a murder plot is revealed. In 1955 Ms. Novak won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Female, and in 1957 was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for her role in the movie "Picnic".

Answer: Holly Golightly

Truman Capote's book "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was turned into a 1961 romantic comedy with Audrey Hepburn as the classy and kooky Holly Golightly, a New York City woman looking for a man - so what else is new? The film was directed by Blake Edwards and featured the wonderful Henry Mancini song "Moon River", with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Answer: Lynn Redgrave

"Georgy Girl" (1966) is a poignant British film starring Lynn Redgrave (1943-2010) as a slightly overweight, young working-class virgin who shares a flat with the gorgeous Meredith, played by Charlotte Rampling - an arrangement that would give most girls an inferiority complex. Lynn is from the famous Redgrave acting family: Michael was her father, Vanessa her sister, Natasha and Joely Richardson her nieces, and Liam Neeson her nephew-in-law... what a family tree!

Answer: Goldie Hawn

The young woman who used to dance in a bikini with words written all over her body on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" went on to a long and successful acting career, beginning with her role as Toni Simmons, the lover of dentist Julian Winston, played by Walter Matthau (really!) in "Cactus Flower" (1969).

She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1970, had two children (Kate and Oliver Hudson) who became actors, and had an on-going relationship with actor Kurt Russell for over three decades. Among her many films are "The First Wives' Club", "Death Becomes Her" and "Private Benjamin".

Answer: Glenn Close

The movie "Steel Magnolias" (1989) is probably the template for the chick flick! Set in Louisiana, much of the action takes place in Truvy's Beauty Parlor and deals with six close-knit friends. Sally Field is M'Lynn Eatenton, Julia Roberts is her daughter, the bride-to-be, Shelby, and Shirley MacLaine plays Ouiser Boudreaux, their wealthy neighbor. (I wonder how many men saw this movie of their own volition?) One of the only actresses not in the cast was Glenn Close, but she more than made up for it in films like "Fatal Attraction" and "Reversal of Fortune" and TV roles in "Damages" and "The Simpsons" (as Homer's mother, Mona).

Answer: There's Something About Mary

Although Cameron Diaz starred in all the movies above, she played opposite Ben Stiller in the delightful comedy "There's Something About Mary" (1998) or, as the tagline reads, "there's something in the (h)air". Poor Ted, lusting after Mary all those years and finally, maybe, getting a second chance. This had to be one of Cameron Diaz' best movies along with "The Mask" and "Shrek".

Answer: Leigh Anne Tuohy

Before there was "Gravity", there was "The Blind Side" (2009), in which Sandra Bullock played Leigh Anne Tuohy, who took a homeless black teenager into her home and her family. It was based on a real-life story about Michael Oher, who became a professional football player in the NFL.

In 2010, Sandra Bullock was awarded a Best Actress Academy Award for her role. Interestingly, that very same year she also won a Razzie for Worst Actress in "All About Steve". She was gracious in accepting both awards... a class act!

Answer: Rosalyn Rosenfeld

All of the characters listed were portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, but she played Rosalyn Rosenfeld opposite Christian Bale as her con man husband (Irving Rosenfeld) in the 2013 movie "American Hustle" with Bradley Cooper. The film was a story of forgery, loan-sharking, love and betrayal. Irv works with his female partner (Amy Adams) and, when caught, they must work with an FBI agent (Cooper); Rosalyn is jealous and threatens to unravel the scheme.

A year earlier she was paired with Bradley Cooper as Tiffany Maxwell in "Silver Linings Playbook", for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress.

But she will always be the remarkable, heroic Katniss Everdeen in our hearts!