Take Me Out To The Ball Game Trivia Quiz

Answer: Busby Berkeley

Busby Berkeley (Berkeley William Enos, 1895-1976) was a film director and choreographer famous for musical numbers that had complex and geometric patterns and that used large numbers of dancers. He directed and choreographed several "Gold Diggers" films, and directed such movies as "Babes in Arms", and "Strike Up The Band".

Answer: True

Technicolor, created in 1916, evolved over several decades and was widely used in films, particularly musicals, from 1922-1952. It contributed greatly to such films as "The Wizard Of Oz" (1939), "Gone With The Wind" (1939), and "Fantasia" (1940).

Answer: Wolves

Joe Logan, a very shady character, bets heavily on the Wolves during a winning streak. But he attempts to fix games in his favor by convincing Eddie O'Brien to begin a full-time career on the stage while still playing ball. Eddie's performance for the Wolves declines significantly. (No spoilers here. The film is well worth watching.)

Answer: O'Brien, Ryan, and Goldberg

The three are Eddie O'Brien, Dennis Ryan, and Nat Goldberg. Not only are they a superb combination on the field, they are dynamite on vaudeville. One of their musical numbers is "O'Brien to Ryan To Goldberg".

Answer: Tinkers To Evers To Chance

Shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first baseman Frank Chance were a double play combination for the Chicago Cubs from 1902-1912. They were the subject of a 1910 poem from their opponents point of view by Franklin Pierce Adams that begins: "These are the saddest of possible words/'Tinker to Evers to Chance'." All three were voted in to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1946.

"O'Brien To Ryan To Goldberg" was sung by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin, "Yes, Indeedy" by Kelly and Sinatra, and "The Right Girl For Me" by Sinatra.

Answer: Esther Williams

That K.C. Higgins is a female (Katherine Catherine Higgins) bothers the players, although both Dennis and Eddie fall for her. Esther Williams (1921-2013) starred in several films where she was able to display her swimming ability.

Answer: Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin

Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra are well known for the many films they made. Jules Munshin (1915-1970), a song-and-dance artist, made his film debut in "Easter Parade" as a foppish waiter, along side Judy Garland, Ann Miller, and Fred Astaire. After his role in "Take Me Out To The Ball Game", he had movie roles in such films as "On The Town", "Silk Stockings", and "Ten Thousand Bedrooms".

He also appeared in Broadway shows and on television.

Answer: Betty Garrett

Elizabeth "Betty" Garrett (1919-2011) appeared in many musical films, including "Words and Music", "On The Town", and "Neptune's Daughter", She later had an outstanding success on television in such shows as "All In The Family" (where she played Irene Lorenzo, a feisty neighbor to the Bunkers) and in "Laverne And Shirley" (as the landlady Edna Babish).

Answer: Yes

Although she does not have an extensive swimming scene, she does have a very brief swimming scene where she sings "Take Me Out To The Ball Game".

Answer: Harry Tugend and George Wells

Harry Tugend and George Wells were nominated for the 1950 Writers Guild Award for Best Written American Musical. They lost to Betty Comden and Adolph green for "On The Town" (that ironically also starred Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Gene Kelly, and Jules Munshin). Arthur Freed directed both "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" and "On The Town". George Folsey did cinematography for "Take Me Out To the Ball Game".