This Quiz Will Test Your 1950s Hollywood Knowledge

The 1950s were truly the golden years of media. Some of the most iconic actors, artists, and directors flourished during this time period, and a lot of media from the '50s is still consumed today. If you can ace this quiz, you're a true vintage aficionado. 

Can you remember which movie this is?

Correct

The Bridge on the River Kwai was a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel "Le Pont de la Rivière Kwaï" by Pierre Boulle. 

Incorrect

You chose:

The Bridge on the River Kwai was a 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel "Le Pont de la Rivière Kwaï" by Pierre Boulle. 

Which bombshell is this? 

Correct

This is a photo of Marilyn Monroe, of course! She's one of the most famous actors to come out of the Golden Age.

Incorrect

You chose:

This is a photo of Marilyn Monroe, of course! She's one of the most famous actors to come out of the Golden Age.

Who is this musician?

Correct

This is none other than Ray Charles! He was a popular singer-songwriter, musician, and composer who has made many a top 10s list.

Incorrect

You chose:

This is none other than Ray Charles! He was a popular singer-songwriter, musician, and composer who has made many a top 10s list.

Which cartoon is this?

Correct

What's up, doc? It's Looney Tunes! These were produced from 1930 until 1969. 

Incorrect

You chose:

What's up, doc? It's Looney Tunes! These were produced from 1930 until 1969. 

Which famous film is this still from?

Correct

It's Rear Window. The film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by John Michael Hayes. It was released in 1954.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's Rear Window. The film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by John Michael Hayes. It was released in 1954.

Do you recognize this famous fellow?

Correct

It's Elvis, obviously! The King of Rock was stationed for the Korean War during his time as a celebrity.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's Elvis, obviously! The King of Rock was stationed for the Korean War during his time as a celebrity.

Which show is this?

Correct

It's I Love Lucy, of course! Lucille Ball practically made Hollywood what it is today.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's I Love Lucy, of course! Lucille Ball practically made Hollywood what it is today.

The Golden Age of Hollywood was plagued by handsome actors. Which one is this?

Correct

This is good old Jimmy Stewart! He often portrayed middle-class American men and was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock. 

Incorrect

You chose:

This is good old Jimmy Stewart! He often portrayed middle-class American men and was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock. 

Which music legend is this?

Correct

Fats Domino was a pianist and singer=songwriter. He was one of the pioneers of rock and roll!

Incorrect

You chose:

Fats Domino was a pianist and singer=songwriter. He was one of the pioneers of rock and roll!

Can you remember which TV show this is?

Correct

Leave it to Beaver was a popular TV sitcom about an inquisitive boy and the adventures of his youth!

Incorrect

You chose:

Leave it to Beaver was a popular TV sitcom about an inquisitive boy and the adventures of his youth!

Which popular Golden Age celeb is this?

Correct

John Wayne, aka The Duke, was an actor and filmmaker of the later Golden Age. He won an academy award for True Grit.

Incorrect

You chose:

John Wayne, aka The Duke, was an actor and filmmaker of the later Golden Age. He won an academy award for True Grit.

Which mystery movie is this scene from?

Correct

Strangers on a Train was a psychological thriller produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He was the king of mystery and horror back then!

Incorrect

You chose:

Strangers on a Train was a psychological thriller produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He was the king of mystery and horror back then!

Which popular guitarist is this?

Correct

Chuck Berry will forever be known as one of the best guitarists of all time. He, too, was a pioneer of early rock and roll!

Incorrect

You chose:

Chuck Berry will forever be known as one of the best guitarists of all time. He, too, was a pioneer of early rock and roll!

Do you recognize this TV show?

Correct

The Twilight Zone is a science fiction horror fantasy that captivated audiences with its mysterious and eerie plotlines. It's still pretty popular today!

Incorrect

You chose:

The Twilight Zone is a science fiction horror fantasy that captivated audiences with its mysterious and eerie plotlines. It's still pretty popular today!

Which actor is this?

Correct

Marlon Brando was an actor and director most popular in the 1940s. He's credited for bringing realism to film, which is quite an accomplishment. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Marlon Brando was an actor and director most popular in the 1940s. He's credited for bringing realism to film, which is quite an accomplishment. 

Which movie is this?

Correct

High Noon was a 1954 Western film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The plot centers around a town marshal who is torn between spending time with his new bride or saving the town he loves.

Incorrect

You chose:

High Noon was a 1954 Western film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The plot centers around a town marshal who is torn between spending time with his new bride or saving the town he loves.

Which popular musician is this?

Correct

It's Little Richard! He's the vocals behind the ever-popular "Tutti Frutti" released in 1955.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's Little Richard! He's the vocals behind the ever-popular "Tutti Frutti" released in 1955.

Which TV series is this still from?

Correct

This still is from Alfred Hitchock Presents, which was a TV anthology series that was hosted and produced by the one and only: Alfred Hitchcock. It ran on CBS from 1955 until 1965.

Incorrect

You chose:

This still is from Alfred Hitchock Presents, which was a TV anthology series that was hosted and produced by the one and only: Alfred Hitchcock. It ran on CBS from 1955 until 1965.

Which film is this?

Correct

Vertigo is a psychological thriller that stars Jimmy Stewart. Naturally, it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Vertigo is a psychological thriller that stars Jimmy Stewart. Naturally, it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 

Name this dynamic duo.

Correct

The Everly Brothers was a country-influenced rock and roll duo. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Incorrect

You chose:

The Everly Brothers was a country-influenced rock and roll duo. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Which star celeb is this?

Correct

It's Clark Gable! He was often referred to as the King of Hollywood, or simply "The King." 

Incorrect

You chose:

It's Clark Gable! He was often referred to as the King of Hollywood, or simply "The King." 

Which film is this?

Correct

This is Forbidden Planet. It was directed by Fred M. Wilcox and stars Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielsen. 

Incorrect

You chose:

This is Forbidden Planet. It was directed by Fred M. Wilcox and stars Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielsen. 

Which famous music group is this?

Correct

It's Bill Haley & The Comets! They were a rock and roll band founded in 1952 and continued until 1981. They placed nine singles in the top 20 and three in the top ten. 

Incorrect

You chose:

It's Bill Haley & The Comets! They were a rock and roll band founded in 1952 and continued until 1981. They placed nine singles in the top 20 and three in the top ten. 

Which tv show are these characters from?

Correct

It's The Honeymooners! The show was created by Jackie Cleason and filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's The Honeymooners! The show was created by Jackie Cleason and filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Which actor is this?

Correct

Gary Cooper was a British-American film actor who was in the business for a whopping 36 years.

Incorrect

You chose:

Gary Cooper was a British-American film actor who was in the business for a whopping 36 years.

Which movie is this?

Correct

12 Angry Men was a 1957 courtroom drama that still holds critical acclaim today. The film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men who deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a defendent.

Incorrect

You chose:

12 Angry Men was a 1957 courtroom drama that still holds critical acclaim today. The film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men who deliberate the conviction or acquittal of a defendent.

Which TV show is this?

Correct

This is The Ed Sullivan Show, which was a variety show that ran on CBS from 1948 until 1971.

Incorrect

You chose:

This is The Ed Sullivan Show, which was a variety show that ran on CBS from 1948 until 1971.

Who is this?

Correct

Humphrey Bogart was an actor who is best known as a cultural icon in film noir. He began acting on Broadway shows after World War I. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Humphrey Bogart was an actor who is best known as a cultural icon in film noir. He began acting on Broadway shows after World War I. 

Which movie is this?

Correct

Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder. It stars William Holden and Gloria Swanson.

Incorrect

You chose:

Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder. It stars William Holden and Gloria Swanson.

Which music group is this?

Correct

The Crickets was a rock and roll band from Lubbock, Texas, formed by famous singerBuddy Holly back in the 1950s.

Incorrect

You chose:

The Crickets was a rock and roll band from Lubbock, Texas, formed by famous singerBuddy Holly back in the 1950s.

Which TV show is this?

Correct

Perry Mason is a legal drama series that aired on CBS from 1957 until 1966. It was a pretty popular crime drama!

Incorrect

You chose:

Perry Mason is a legal drama series that aired on CBS from 1957 until 1966. It was a pretty popular crime drama!

Which famous celeb is this?

Correct

It's William Holden! He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1953 for his role in Stalag 17, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role in the 1973 television film The Blue Knight.

Incorrect

You chose:

It's William Holden! He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1953 for his role in Stalag 17, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role in the 1973 television film The Blue Knight.

Which movie is this?

Correct

Rashomon is a 1950 Japanese period film directed by Akira Kurosawa. This film marked the entrance of Japanese film onto the world stage.

Incorrect

You chose:

Rashomon is a 1950 Japanese period film directed by Akira Kurosawa. This film marked the entrance of Japanese film onto the world stage.

Which musical group is this?

Correct

The Clovers is a rhythm and blues/doo-wop group that became one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1950s. You'd easily recognize their voices!

Incorrect

You chose:

The Clovers is a rhythm and blues/doo-wop group that became one of the biggest-selling acts of the 1950s. You'd easily recognize their voices!

Which TV show is this?

Correct

Gunsmoke is a Western drama series popular on radio and television. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Gunsmoke is a Western drama series popular on radio and television. It was created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. 

Which famous celebrity is this?

Correct

Shirley MacLaine is a film, television, and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist, and author. She's best known for her role in The Apartment

Incorrect

You chose:

Shirley MacLaine is a film, television, and theater actress, singer, dancer, activist, and author. She's best known for her role in The Apartment

Do you recognize this film?

Correct

Touch of Evil was a 1958 film noir written, directed by, and co-starring the infamous Orson Welles. This film is one of the last examples of film noir in the genre's classic period.

Incorrect

You chose:

Touch of Evil was a 1958 film noir written, directed by, and co-starring the infamous Orson Welles. This film is one of the last examples of film noir in the genre's classic period.

Which legendary musical group is this?

Correct

The Platters is a vocal group formed in 1952 and had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and 1967. They were one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were the most successful vocal group in the world.

Incorrect

You chose:

The Platters is a vocal group formed in 1952 and had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and 1967. They were one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were the most successful vocal group in the world.

Which famous nonsensical tv show is this?

Correct

The Three Stooges was a vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best known for their physical farce and slapstick comedy.

Incorrect

You chose:

The Three Stooges was a vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best known for their physical farce and slapstick comedy.

Which famous actor is this?

Correct

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress, model, dancer, and humanitarian best recognized as a film and fashion icon. She's very popular in the media today.

Incorrect

You chose:

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress, model, dancer, and humanitarian best recognized as a film and fashion icon. She's very popular in the media today.

Quiz Results

You scored: %

Next Post →

The More You Know

  • George Lazenby wasn't an actual actor. He got himself a suit, a Rolex and a new haircut, then met with the producer and made up movies he had been in. He later landed the role of James Bond.
  • China owns all the pandas in the world.
  • Glaciers and ice sheets hold about 69 percent of the world's freshwater.
  • Wilt Chamberlain is in the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Next Post →