Nostalgic America
Think You Know Classic Movies? These Questions Will Stump Even Film Buffs
By Bruce Berns · October 22, 2024
This collection of entertainment trivia challenges readers to explore the hidden corners of Hollywood's golden age, from the scenic Sicilian church where Michael Corleone tied the knot to the Philadelphia studio where American teenagers first danced on national television. Through carefully curated questions and answers, we uncover surprising facts about legendary performers like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Orson Welles, while revisiting groundbreaking moments in entertainment history.
Whether you're a classic film buff, a television enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the magic of entertainment's greatest era, these questions will test your knowledge and reveal captivating details about the shows and movies that shaped popular culture.
Godfather I Movie
In the movie The Godfather I – Michael Corleone marries his new wife in Sicily.Question: Where was this church located? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Church of San Nicolò in Savoca
Michael Corleone got married to his Sicilian wife, Apollonia. In the movie, Michael Corleone and his new wife are seen walking from the church to the cheers of the guests at the wedding. The church is perched on a panoramic spot, high above, overlooking the Ionian Sea. There are breathtaking views of Sicily all around. Nostalgic America, Inc.
American Bandstand
First called Bandstand, the program was hosted by local radio DJ Bob Horn. Dick Clark came on board in 1956 and the show was renamed American Bandstand. It brought rock ‘n’ roll to TV screens across America, making stars of young dancers and shaping pop culture. From its famous theme music to Clark's charm, it’s where teens found their groove.Question: Where did the show take place when it premiered October 6, 1952? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: In Philadelphia.
The show was shot live from Studio B at Forty-Sixth and Market Streets, where the two-and-a-half-hour show was broadcast regionally on WFIL-TV Channel 6. Via this network, which advertised itself as “WFIL-adelphia,” the show reached almost six million viewers in the Delaware Valley, the nation’s third-largest market at the time. Pennants from local high schools lined the walls of American Bandstand’s production studio, emphasizing to viewers and advertisers the show’s local orientation.Dick Clark replaced Horn as host in 1956, just before the show was renamed American Bandstand, shortened to ninety minutes, and expanded to a national ABC audience on August 5, 1957. The show then aired at 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, corresponding with the typical school day’s end. American Bandstand was an immediate success, with an estimated audience of twenty million viewers. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Audrey Hepburn - Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Few images in cinema are as iconic as Audrey Hepburn in her red dress, black hat and earings.Question: What song did Audrey sing in the movie that became an instant hit? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Moon River
In Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn's unforgettable rendition of “Moon River” became one of the film's most poignant moments. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Paul Newman and Robert Redford - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The on-screen chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid turned the Western into a buddy movie classic. Their friendship and charisma were undeniable.Question: Where did they flee to get away from the law? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Bolivia
They went to New York first, then to Bolivia and also made it to Patagonia in Argentina Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Rock Hudson starred in the Movies and Television
In the movie Giant, Elizabeth Taylor played alongside James Dean and Rock Hudson in this Texas-set drama.Question: What TV Show did Rock Hudson star in years later? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James starred in McMillan & Wife.
They starred as Commissioner McMillan and his sharp-witted wife Sally in McMillan & Wife. Their playful dynamic and crime-solving chemistry made them a standout pair in the 1970s mystery genre. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR – A Beautiful and a talented actor
A timeless beauty, Elizabeth Taylor’s radiant presence shines. With her unforgettable violet eyes, Taylor captivated audiences as both a child star and Hollywood icon for decades.Question: What movie did she win her first Oscar for Leading Actress? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Butterfield 8
Elizabeth Taylor won her first Academy Award for her role in Butterfield 8, where she portrayed a troubled, independent woman. This film revealed Taylor’s ability to take on complex, layered characters. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
West Side Story
West Side Story - The setting is the Upper West Side of New York City in the late 1950s. Like many other musicals of its time, Hollywood looked to a successful Broadway stage play for its source material. Natalie Wood was chosen for the lead female role, and Richard Beymer, took the lead male role. Rita Moreno played Anita.Question: Who composed the music for the play and the movie? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: Leonard Bernstein
Conductor, composer, and pianist Leonard Bernstein’s energetic conducting style and his compositions for works like West Side Story made him a towering figure in the world of music and theater. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Star Trek
Star TrekAs Captain Kirk and Spock in Star Trek, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy formed one of the most iconic pairs in science fiction history. Their friendship and contrasting personalities became the heart of the show’s adventures in space.
Question: Who played Doctor Leonard McCoy aka Bones? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: DeForest Kelley
A dedicated crew member who had his hands full in every episode Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Orson Welles
Filmmaker and actor Orson Welles redefined cinema with Citizen Kane, often cited as one of the greatest films ever made. His innovative use of lighting, narrative structure, and special effects revolutionized filmmaking.Question: What is he best known for from the radio? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: His radio show episode “War of the Worlds”
He shocked the country and caused national panic with his radio show “War of the Worlds” on Sunday October 30, 1938 Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Bob Denver as Maynard G. Krebs - The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Dobie Gillis, Maynard G. Krebs and their friends navigated teen life in the 1950s with charm and wit. As the show’s namesake, Dobie always seemed to be caught between love and the quirky situations his buddies pulled him into.Question: What TV Show is Bob Denver best known for? Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.
Answer: He is Gilligan
Bob Denver as Gilligan on Gilligan's IslandBob Denver brought to life the bumbling, good-natured Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island. His slapstick antics and well-meaning mishaps often caused trouble, but his charm made him the heart of the castaways' crew. Getty Images / Nostalgic America, Inc.