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Quiz about Pirates of Penzance Movie Specifics

"Pirates of Penzance" Movie Specifics Quiz

The first musical I was ever in, and later the first I ever directed, was this Gilbert and Sullivan classic, put on film in 1983. Most of the questions deal with situations mostly unique to the movie, and not the general operetta.

A multiple-choice quiz by Spaudrey. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Spaudrey

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
335,347

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
185

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. With the success of the 1980 revival of "Pirates of Penzance" on Broadway, the producer put the production on film in 1983. The cast stayed largely the same, save the part of the pirate's maid. On Broadway, this maid was played by Patricia Routledge and Estelle Parsons. In the movie, she was played by one who later dabbled in "writing murders". Who took over this role in the movie? Hint

Mercedes Ruehl

Olympia Dukakis

Angela Lansbury

Lauren Bacall

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Question 2 of 10

2. In the opening scenes of the movie, what are the townspeople doing before the pirates even make an appearance? Hint

Attending church

Having what appears to be a harvest feast

Enjoying a band concert

Viewing sack races

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Question 3 of 10

3. Mabel is portrayed by a 1970's music icon. Prior to her portrayal in the Broadway version, critics questioned whether a "rock star" could play such a role as Mabel. But both the play and movie portrayal springboarded her to a new path in her music career. Who was it who played Mabel? Hint

Linda Ronstadt

Kiki Dee

Carly Simon

Bonnie Tyler

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Question 4 of 10

4. This Julliard graduate played the swashbuckling leader of the band of pirates in both the Broadway play (for which he won a Tony), and the movie "Pirates of Penzance". He would later go on to win an Oscar in 1989. Who was this talented actor? Hint

Kevin Kline

Hugh Jackman

Alan Rickman

Michael Gambon

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Question 5 of 10

5. A teen heartthrob from the 1970s fell into the role of the young apprentice, trying to free himself from his indentures. What handsome man, with the boyish looks, played the poor boy with a streak of bad luck from the moment he was born (in addition to the same role in the Broadway play)? Hint

Rex Smith

Rex Allen

Rex Reed

Rex Morgan

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Question 6 of 10

6. In the 1983 movie "Pirates of Penzance", upon the completion of the Major General's signature song "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General", what does the Pirate King request the Major General to do? Hint

Sing it again, and do it faster

Do the Major General dance

Not to quit his day job

Hold his sword while he attempts the song also

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Major General's signature song was not the only rapidly sung song in the "Pirates of Penzance" movie. The 1980 Broadway play was altered slightly to include a song from Gilbert and Sullivan's lesser known operetta "Ruddigore", and the song made the movie as well. The song is perhaps better known by its nickname, the "Matter Patter", derived from the prominent lyric. What new song is added to the "Pirates" movie? Hint

My Eyes Are Fully Open To My Awful Situation

If You Give Me Your Attention, I Will Tell You What I Am

Rising Early In the Morning

Oh! A Private Buffoon Is a Light-Hearted Loon

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Question 8 of 10

8. There is a noticeable attraction, from the start, between Mabel and Frederick, from the moment she makes her appearance. At what point does Frederick kiss Mabel for the first time, in the movie "Pirates of Penzance"? Hint

Following Mabel's entrance song "Poor Wand'ring One"

During the last of seven song reprisals in the finale

During the pirate's initial attack song, "Here's a First-Rate Opportunity To Get Married With Impunity"

During the duet song "Oh, Here Is Love, And Here Is Truth"

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Question 9 of 10

9. A cameo appearance of another Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is made when the fight between the pirates and the constabulary overflows into the city's theatre. What are the thespians of Penzance performing while the scuffle overtakes their performing area? Hint

The Yeoman of the Guard

HMS Pinafore

The Mikado

Iolanthe

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Question 10 of 10

10. During the finale, the cast sings around the large bronze statue in the center of the town. Lyrics from "Pirates of Penzance" will give you a hint as to who the statue is of. Who is immortalized in bronze in the center of the Penzance town? Hint

Richard D'Oyly Carte

William Schwenck Gilbert

Queen Victoria

Henry VIII

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury has made a living off of lively, animated characters, and this one is no different. She adds an element of British to the role of Ruth, the pirate maid, that is missing in a number of the other actors.

Lansbury is best known to Americans as Jessica Fletcher, a role she played for twelve years on the Sunday evening staple for CBS, "Murder, She Wrote".

2. In the opening scenes of the movie, what are the townspeople doing before the pirates even make an appearance?

Answer: Attending church

With their collective canines waiting outside, the townspeople are ending a church service. Once they leave the sanctuary and notice the arrival of the pirate ship, they quickly make all attempts to board up the town, making it look nearly deserted, showing more respect for the Pirates of Penzance than they actually deserve.

Answer: Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt, while having a good voice, always had an element of pop in her voice throughout her early career. That all changed after "Pirates". Her career headed toward a more orchestrated sound, as shown on her album "What's New", with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, or a lush sound on such recorded duets as "Somewhere Out There" and "Don't Know Much", with James Ingram and Aaron Neville, respectively.

Answer: Kevin Kline

Kline won his Academy Award for his portrayal of Otto in "A Fish Called Wanda".

Kevin Kline played the role of the Pirate King on stage and screen with a panache that oozed an atypical, non-Broadway heterosexuality, but with a hint of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau from the "Pink Panther" movies. A friend of mine who saw the production said the women in the audience seemed to gravitate toward him, leaning forward in their seats whenever he appeared on stage.

Answer: Rex Smith

Rex Smith had a short-lived music career, but his looks got him several appearances in the teen magazines, as well as this role, Frederick. Rex would later appear in the short lived television series "Street Hawk" in 1985.

Answer: Sing it again, and do it faster

Upon seeing the Major General succeed in performing the song at rapid speed (more rapid than before!) to a rousing ovation, the Pirate King grumbles to his pirate entourage, "Shut up or he'll do ANOTHER encore!"

George Rose performed this song on stage and the movie. He had already had a 35 year career on Broadway, so his appearances on stage during "Pirates" were to rousing applause, due to his longevity and storied career.

Answer: My Eyes Are Fully Open To My Awful Situation

All of the titles are quick-tongued songs from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, but "My Eyes are Fully Open to My Awful Situation" is the one in question. Kevin Kline is given a chance to show off in this one, doing his verse at nearly twice the speed of his fellow actors.

Answer: During the duet song "Oh, Here Is Love, And Here Is Truth"

The kiss occurs as he is leaving to reluctantly join the pirates, as they attack Mabel's father. He has just learned, through a stroke of bad luck, that he is to be indentured to the pirates until he is 84 years old. But one last kiss gives her the strength to be brave, and hold out for another 63 years.

Answer: HMS Pinafore

As the fight wanders aimlessly through the town's limits, a chase occurs into the theatre, which grandly displays a sign above the entrance that advertises the "HMS Pinafore" performance.

"Pinafore" and "The Mikado" rank closely as the second and third most familiar operettas of G&S, but "Penzance" runs a heavy first. Music from the fight scene does not follow the standard libretto of "Pirates of Penzance", but with such an extended fight scene, they were forced to improvise.

Answer: Queen Victoria

"We charge you yield in Queen Victoria's name" is the lyric in question, delivered by the Sergeant of Police. This puts the pirates in a state of surrender, for no mere mortal would ever denounce the Queen!

Source: Author Spaudrey

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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