Post a hard-to-answer movie question & see if anyone knows the answer without using Google - Part 1

[red dog 1]

Last edited Mon Nov 25, 2024, 05:33 PM - Edit history (6)

Here's my question:
In the 1973 film "Charley Varrick," at one point Walter Matthau, playing Charley, is in a store buying the following items:
- Dynamite
- Time Delay Cap
- Mercury Switch and Emergency Compartment Lights, One, Two, and Three

The question is - How much did all that cost? (answered)

[Tetrachloride]

1. dynamite for sale?

[red dog 1]

3. It was for sale in the movie.

Last edited Sat Aug 31, 2024, 04:55 PM - Edit history (1)

(Remember, this was back in 1973)

[jmowreader]

96. When I was a kid in St. Maries, ID, in the 1970s it was sold in two stores in town

Economy Hardware on Main Street and the Co-Op on 10th Street both had it.

[Tetrachloride]

97. amazing

[jmowreader]

98. Not all that amazing, considering where we were

Farmers and loggers - two of the three industries North Idaho had at the time - use it in their work. Mining also uses it, but St. Maries isn't in the Wallace Mining District and they have explosives dealers in Wallace already.

[Tetrachloride]

99. ah, my area was field stone and clay

my neighbor had some, i am told

wisconsin in red area

[Beastly Boy]

2. In Werner Herzog's 1982 film Fitzcaraldo,

what was the famous Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento wearing?

[red dog 1]

4. Name one of the characters from the novel "Catch 22" that was not in the 1970 movie "Catch 22"?

Last edited Wed Sep 4, 2024, 12:31 AM - Edit history (1)

[JoseBalow]

6. The cat that Hungry Joe fights for sleeping on his face?

[red dog 1]

7. Actually, that wasn't the character I was thinking of, but you're right, his bunkmate Huple's cat was not in the movie

Didn't Crazy Joe have nightmares about Huple's cat lying on his face and smothering him, and then he'd wake up and Huple's cat WAS lying on his face?

(The character I was thinking of was one of Yossarian's friends)

[JoseBalow]

8. Yes! That's exactly what happened!

He dreamed about the cat sleeping on his face, and woke to find that it was sleeping on his face, so he gets into a fistfight with the cat because of it - an all out knock-down, drag-em-out brawl.

That scene really captures the whole spirit and tenor of the book for me, the absurdity and circular reasoning. Like how Milo makes money for the syndicate by buying eggs from Malta for 7 cents and selling them for 5 cents. And the need to bomb their own base in order to turn a profit. Or the old man explaining how Italy is actually strong because it is so weak and poor...

The dream of the cat isn't a dream at all, even though he is dreaming it. I think that's my favorite book ever!

It's been a while since I last read it, or saw the movie (I really am overdue for both)... I can't remember which friend of Yossarian was written out of the film.

[jmowreader]

94. He didn't have the airbase bombed to "turn a profit"

Milo had bought enough unginned Egyptian cotton to fill 100 warehouses in hopes of flipping it for profit. Unfortunately for Milo, there was a glut on cotton and no one wanted Milo's cotton. (It was probably also worthless because you have to gin cotton very shortly after harvest, but that's another issue.) The Germans offered to trade the cotton for the unit bombing their own airbase.

He tried to get rid of it previously in other creative ways, like dipping it in chocolate and serving it in the mess hall as a dessert. "People eat cotton candy, don't they? Well, this stuff's better - it's made out of real cotton."

[JoseBalow]

106. Sure he did, it was to turn a profit

The bombing of the base was part of a deal with the Germans, in order to turn a profit for the syndicate. That was the whole point of it. He justifies all the treason for the sake of profit, and that capitalism makes it patriotic.

[jmowreader]

93. Lieutenant Scheisskopf

[miyazaki]

5. What's the name of the arcade in the movie Wargames?

[red dog 1]

9. Name the person who co-starred in both "The Commitments" (1991) and "The Matchmaker" (1997)

("The Matchmaker" starred Janeane Garofalo, Milo O'Shea and Denis Leary)

[Harker]

10. The ubiquitous Colm Meany?

[red dog 1]

11. Excellent guess, but no.

He was also in "Under Siege" among many other well-known movies.

[Harker]

14. I shouldn't be guessing when there's an unseen movie involved. n/t

[red dog 1]

16. The unseen movie is worth seeing....The Matchmaker (1997)

Janeane Garofalo, Milo O'Shea, Denis Leary & David O'Hara are all great in it, and it's a very funny movie.

I think you'd like it, Hark.

[Harker]

17. It'll be on my list to check out, Red... Thanks! n/t

[BOSSHOG]

12. I hope my question fits the criteria

Last edited Sun Sep 8, 2024, 09:44 PM - Edit history (1)

What is one big difference between Jaws the Movie and Jaws the book?

[Harker]

13. Hooper was having an affair with Chief Brody's wife.

I also think that Hooper was killed by Bruce in the book.

[red dog 1]

15. Name the actress who played both Carmella Soprano's mother in The Sopranos and Karen Hill's mother in "Goodfellas"

Last edited Mon Sep 9, 2024, 04:08 PM - Edit history (2)

[VGNonly]

24. Suzzane Shepherd

"My daughter said that you're half Jewish ?"

[JoseBalow]

25. "Just the good half!"

[red dog 1]

26. Ding!

[VGNonly]

18. What was the peacetime occupation

of Major Stovall in Twelve O' Clock High?

[Brother Buzz]

19. Was Major Stovall the command's adjutant

who used all his civilian lawyer skills and legal skullduggery to keep things moving smoothly for Savage?

[VGNonly]

20. Dean Jagger won best supporting for his role.

A fine movie, my personal #1 WW2 film.

[red dog 1]

21. What Jack Nicholson movie has a tie-in with Monty Python?

[VGNonly]

22. Always Look on the Bright side of Life

Jack sang it in As Good as It Gets.

[red dog 1]

23. Ding!

[Harker]

27. Tangentially a movie question...

What was the number in the working title of what would be published as "Catch-22", and what novel's prior publication led to the change?

[JoseBalow]

31. Oh, I remember reading an article about this once upon a time

I want to say it was because of a Leon Uris novel... Mila 18? Or was it QB VII?

I'm going with 18, final answer!

[Harker]

32. You are a virtuoso!

Right on all counts, JoseBalow.

"Catch-VII" sounds (and looks) pretty good, too, though.

[JoseBalow]

36. That's a hell of a 22, that Catch-22!

I recall that Heller and his publisher went back and forth between so many numbers before they landed on 22. I can't remember the justification for it, but it was just right for some reason.

Catch-22 is one of my favorite books, and Leon Uris is one of my favorite authors too. Now if I could only remember where I left that damned Phillips head...

[Harker]

37. Your priorities are sound.

On the subject of numbers in titles, "Three Days of the Condor" was based on James Grady's novel "Six Days of the Condor."

Must have been in a hurry.

[VGNonly]

28. 12 Angry Men

The polite Czech who played juror #11, what was his occupation?

[Harker]

35. Watchmaker, I believe.

Which is what the deleted one below said.

[VGNonly]

41. Yes

What a fine film.

[Harker]

42. A favorite of mine since I was a wee lad. n/t

[VGNonly]

44. Who are the only jurors

mentioned by name?

[Harker]

45. Davis and McCardle exchange names outside the courthouse...

in a Kurosawan "after the rain" moment.

[VGNonly]

29. What was the last film

to be nominated for Best Picture and nothing else?

[VGNonly]

39. It was a western

based on mob mentality.

[Harker]

43. "The Ox-bow Incident."

Another favorite of mine.

[VGNonly]

30. What actor at the age of 14

witnessed a lynching?

[Harker]

34. James Earl Jones?

A semi-educated guess.

[VGNonly]

40. The Omaha Race Riot of 1919

There is a common thread with the three films I mentioned.

[nuxvomica]

38. What movie's billing inspired the name of an iconic literary character?

Last edited Wed Sep 25, 2024, 03:37 PM - Edit history (1)

Edit: nevermind. Further research shows this is not true. The movie Dear Ruth appeared in 1947 with the name "William HOLDEN" over "Joan CAULFIELD" but while Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951, the character Holden Caulfield appeared in a short story as early as 1941. While this is not true, it should be.

[red dog 1]

46. "Patriot Games" (1992) opens with Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) & his wife in a London hotel room

What was the room number?

[red dog 1]

47. In what movie did Cameron Diaz make her film debut?

[red dog 1]

48. What well-known person was choreographer for "Coming To America" (1988)?

[red dog 1]

49. The lead character (Mel Gibson) in "The Patriot" (2000) is a composite character based on four historical men.

Last edited Sat Oct 19, 2024, 12:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Can you name any or all of them?

[VGNonly]

52. Francis Marion?

Best known as the Swamp Fox.

[Thomas Hurt]

63. Francis Marion - The Swamp Fox.

[VGNonly]

50. These five actors

Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and Rod Steiger all turned down the role in this film. What role was it?

[Brother Buzz]

53. Popeye?

Gene Hackman was good, but he wouldn’t have been my first choice.

[VGNonly]

55. A 1970 war film

[Brother Buzz]

59. I flashed on Patton, but Tora, Tora, Tora might be a good candidate, too

I got nothing.

[VGNonly]

61. Yes Patton

Rod Steiger deeply wished he had taken the role.

[Brother Buzz]

62. Curiously, choice number six, George C Scott, did a a superb job

[BOSSHOG]

51. In a classic 1973 film, who said

“I tried pushing her out a window once in Little Rock.” Who is “her?”

[VGNonly]

54. Miss Trixie in Paper Moon

[BOSSHOG]

56. Damn VGN nice going

She must have the bladder the size of a peanut. Great Movie. I always wondered what happened to Imogene. She was kinda summarily dismissed after she and Addy Got rid of Trixie.

[VGNonly]

57. Who played the hotel desk clerk?

Better known in a Mel Brooks film.

[BOSSHOG]

58. Old Floyd

So creepy he wasn’t creepy.

Burton something or other

An old movie that never gets old. Even in black and white. It had to be in black and white.

[VGNonly]

60. Burton Gilliam

He was also Lyle, 2nd in charge to Slim Pickens in Blazing Saddles.

[Bayard]

64. What actor, playing a dead guy in, "The Big Chill,"

Made enough of an impression on director Lawrence Kasdan that he gave him a major part in, "Silverado?"

[VGNonly]

65. Kevin Costner

[VGNonly]

66. Raiders of the Lost Ark

was the top grossing film of 1981. What was 2nd?

[VGNonly]

67. What was the dogs actual name in many classic films

such as The Thin Man and Bringing Up Baby?

[JoseBalow]

69. Asta's real name was Skippy!

[VGNonly]

70. Yes

Lived a good dog life 1931-1951

[JoseBalow]

71. I read a book about Hollywood movie dogs

Skippy got paid more than most actors at the time

[red dog 1]

73. I just now posted a question about Hollywood movie dogs.

[VGNonly]

68. What actor said

"I like my whisky old and my women young" ?

[red dog 1]

72. What was the name of the first Hollywood movie dog?

[JoseBalow]

74. Rin Tin Tin was the first big Hollywood star

But not the first dog to ever appear in a Hollywood film. Petey from Our Gang was also a famous Hollywood silent film star, but I'm not sure if he first appeared anywhere before Rin Tin Tin or not.

There were a bunch of other famous film dogs pre-Hollywood that were famous, one early German Shepherd star from Germany, and a couple of popular stars from Britain and France I think.

I'm going with Rin Tin Tin, final answer!

[red dog 1]

75. No, it wasn't Rin Tin Tin

(It was one of the dogs you made reference to)

[JoseBalow]

76. If it's Hollywood, then Petey from Our Gang, I guess

If it's just early film from anywhere then I think the German dog, but I do not recall it's name.

[red dog 1]

78. His name was Strongheart and he was from Germany

He was in many silent films in the 1920s & 1930s and was the most famous dog in the world.

His story is related in the book "Kinship With All Life" by J. Allen Boone (Great book)

[brush]

77. What was the name of Sidney Greenstreet's cabaret in "Casablanca."

[SupportSanity]

79. The Blue Parrot

How much money did Signor Ferrari have to offer Sam to leave Rick's Cabaret and come work at the Blue Parrot?

[brush]

80. Hey, wait a minute. Your answer is correct but where does the OP say you can then ask a question?

Kindding. What was the amont?

Earlier Sam had said he didn't have time to spend what he made at Rick's when Rick asked him if wanted to work at the Blue Parrot.

[SupportSanity]

82. Correct. Trick question. Sam would never leave Rick.

About asking a question after the answer, why not?

[brush]

83. Ok, why not? But you still haven't told me what was the amount.

And btw, it was Captain Renault who left with Rick to begin a beautiful new friendship at the free-French garrison at Brazzaville.

[sakabatou]

81. Toshiro Mifune had nightmares about a scene he recently finished. Which film and scene was this?

[Harker]

85. The arrows scene from "Throne of Blood"? n/t

[sakabatou]

86. Bingo!

The scene called for about 5 or 6 archers to fire many of those arrows. Certain arrows used guided wire or even stop motion.

[Harker]

87. I was just pondering other possibilities...

and quite a few came to mind.

He made some harrowing films.

[legallyblondeNYC]

84. The Graduate: What was Mrs. Robinson's first name?

[Harker]

88. I'm thinking it wasn't mentioned...

"Mrs. Robinson", "my wife", and "my mother"?

[legallyblondeNYC]

89. Correct!

It was largely about her lack of individuality.

[Harker]

90. She seemed pretty distinctive to me, but from experience...

I can also see where she's something of an archetype as well.

Thanks!

[sakabatou]

91. The director and a lead actor could have full conversations using a fictional language

Which film was this?

[jmowreader]

95. The Fifth Element

Luc Besson had fleshed out the "Divine Language" Leeloo spoke well enough that it it was usable in conversation.

[sakabatou]

100. Correct

[sakabatou]

92. This film's crew wore shirts that said "Fewer songs, more explosions".

[sakabatou]

101. This traditional animated film was only beaten by two other animated films in world gross profit

Which film is it?

[Brother Buzz]

102. Snow White?

[sakabatou]

103. Nope. Snow White is #7

[Brother Buzz]

104. Boy howdy, was it a Disney production?

Perhaps “traditional” animated film is throwing me. Can you volunteer the decade it was made?

Bambi?

[sakabatou]

105. The film was made after 2010

It wasn't Disney. It wasn't Dreamworks.

The studio's first animation works was in the early 2000s.

[Brother Buzz]

110. Ah, 'Traditional' as in in not computer generated?

Claymation, or old school cells?

[sakabatou]

111. It means mostly non-3D (but can have 3D elements).

Digital animation has replaced using cells. However, it still is regarded as "traditional" animation. Most TV cartoons are done digitally.

A traditional animation with 3D elements would be Beauty and the Beast. Need more hints?

[Brother Buzz]

112. Yes, more hints - I was thinking Nick Park

[sakabatou]

113. The film takes place during the time of World War 1, but not the war itself.

The main characters (not the villain) can be described as a selfless hero; a masked idiot; a coward; cute but deadly. A fifth character is a trained soldier, but has no indoor voice.

[Brother Buzz]

114. Very interesting clues, but alas, I'm clueless - I'll need to chew on it for a bit

Masked man set during WW1? - I got nothing

[sakabatou]

115. Okay a few more

The major villain in the film has dream/hypnosis powers.
The masked idiot cannot for the life of him, quite remember the main hero's name. The mask itself is in the shape of an animal, and covers his whole head.
The coward is most powerful when he's asleep/unconscious.

[Brother Buzz]

117. I still got nothing - Is this a title I would immediately recognize?

[sakabatou]

118. Probably not. It had a limited run in the US, as it was a foreign film

[Brother Buzz]

119. Ah, THAT is a HUGE clue

Can we rule out Russian?

[sakabatou]

120. Yep. It's not Russian

However, it's still ongoing, and the final season will come out sometime next year. Yes, it's also a TV series.

[Brother Buzz]

121. I got zero, zip, zilch, nada

I’m officially giving up.

[Brother Buzz]

116. This is getting good! - I have to remind myself it is an animated film

I’m riffing on scenes I’ve seen from a fictionalized Rasputin film.

Still chewing!

[JoseBalow]

107. Frozen?

[sakabatou]

108. That's 3D, not traditional.

[sakabatou]

109. Kick

[Harker]

122. $17.99?

That's my "The Price is Right" bid.

[red dog 1]

123. Your bid is too high

[Harker]

124. 11.33?

[red dog 1]

125. Too high

It's an even amount, __dollars, no cents.

[Harker]

126. I have no sense.

No scents, either!
Five bucks?

[red dog 1]

133. Close enough!

It was eight bucks, for all of the following:
- dynamite
- time delay cap
- Mercury switch & emergency compartment lights, one, two & three

[Harker]

134. That's a lot of bang for the buck. n/t

[red dog 1]

135. That one deserves a rec.

[Harker]

127. A multi-movie question... what actor turned down the roles of James Bond in "Dr. No"...

Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" films?

[red dog 1]

128. In the film The Commitments what was the name of the guy who played the synthesizer at Imelda Quirk's sister's wedding?

[red dog 1]

129. What well-known person played the role of the neurologist in "Groundhog Day"?

[Angleae]

130. Harold Ramis

[red dog 1]

131. Ding!

[jmowreader]

132. In "Mad Max," who played the members of Toecutter's gang?

[red dog 1]

136. What well-known musician/song writer was an executive producer of "Repo Man"?

[Harker]

137. I'm not sure why, but Mac Rebennack leapt to mind...

was it The Night Tripper himself?

[red dog 1]

138. Nope, but here's a hint,

He wrote songs recorded by;
- Paul Butterfield Blues Band
- Linda Ronstadt
- Frankie Laine
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
and others

[Harker]

139. I had to peek. The thought of spending the day wondering seemed overwhelming.

Agh.

[red dog 1]

140. We're you surprised at who it was?

[Harker]

141. Yes, but it makes sense.

[VGNonly]

145. Michael Nesmith?

[red dog 1]

148. Yes

[VGNonly]

150. I just took a guess

the Linda Ronstadt clue. I knew that Mike wrote Different Drum.

[La Coliniere]

142. In Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

what is the only piece of classical music heard in the movie?

[red dog 1]

143. What was the name of the night club band in "Repo Man"?

[JoseBalow]

144. Blue Velvet opening scene, what time does the radio say it is

"at the sound of the falling tree?"

[VGNonly]

146. What was the job of the father in

Radio Days?

[VGNonly]

147. In two films

Americans were cast as Canadians so they could portray British Subjects without English accents. Name the films, both from the 1950's.

[Harker]

149. I saw a Japanese film where Australians were cast as Americans.

Bizarre.

[VGNonly]

151. Both films were produced by Sam Spiegel.

In The African Queen 1951, Charles Allnut (played by Humphrey Bogart) as written in the novel had a thick Cockney accent. Bogey was unwilling to even try to attempt it, so he became Canadian. John Huston directed it.

In The Bridge on the River Kwai 1957, American Geoffrey Horne was cast (as Lt. Joyce, another member of the commando team). His backstory was that he was from Montreal. Horne is still living, age 91. Another tidbit, Spiegel wanted an American actor with big star power to increase profits. In the Pierre Boule novel the character was British. He was changed to American, William Holden was cast as "Commander" Shears. Sir David Lean directed.

Lean also directed Lawrence of Arabia, produced by Spiegel. Boule wrote Planet of the Apes. John Huston also directed Treasure of the Sierra Madre, starring Bogart and Huston's father Walter.

[Harker]

152. Ah... thanks. I was still pretty far afield.

Coincidentally, I'm on a Bogart spree lately, and was about to borrow a copy of "The African Queen", which I haven't seen in over forty years.

Also, I recently picked up a copy of "Bonjour Tristesse" for a buck at my library's little bookshop. I haven't seen it yet, but I recognized Geoffrey Horne in the cast.