Hollywood’s Brightest Stars from the Golden Age – How Much Do You Know?

This quick true/false quiz takes a look at some of the little known facts from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the period of time between the 1930’s and the 1950’s. It’s the second one we have posted for WAT entertainment buffs. (To read the first, click here.)

With all of the glitz and glamour that defined the era, there was a lot going on behind the scenes both professionally and personally. How much do you know? Answers are all provided at the end!

1) As good buddies, Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda shared the same political beliefs.

2) Olivia de Havilland’s and her sister Joan Fontaine were very close friends and supported each other’s successful careers in Hollywood.

3) Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological crime thriller, Rope is considered one of his top films.  

4) Robert Mitchum served time in jail for a marijuana conviction. 

5) Joan Crawford’s four children were adopted including Christina Crawford who wrote Mommie Dearest published in 1978.

6) Bette Davis made her film debut in The Working Man in 1933.

7) The line, “Play it again Sam” was said twice by Humphrey Bogart who played Rick Blaine in Casablanca.   

8)  Most of the actors in Hollywood were under contract to a major studio in Hollywood for about 10 to 12 year spans.    

9) Judy Garland’s husband, Sidney Luft, produced and directed Garland in the popular 1954 film, A Star is Born. 

10) Clark Gable’s only biological son was born after his death.

Answers:

1) False – Stewart was conservative and Fonda was liberal causing a rift in their friendship.

2) False – Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine had a lifelong feud. While Olivia was quite outgoing, Joan was considered reclusive.

3) False – Rope was a critical failure and has never gained popularity as a Hitchcock classic.

4) True – Robert Mitchum was released from his 60-day sentence in February of 1949. He did return to Hollywood and his acting career.

5) True – Her eldest daughter, Christine Crawford’s tell-all book was written after her mother’s death.  While some have disputed the facts, it was also made into a movie. 

6) False – Bette Davis made her film debut in 1931 in Bad Sister that also featured Humphrey Bogart, Sidney Fox and Conrad Nagel.  

7) False – Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade never said the line “Play it again Sam” in Casablanca. However, Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa did say, “Play it, Sam.” 

8) False – While most of Hollywood’s big stars were under contract to the major studios, the average length of a contract was from 4 to 7 years.  

9) False – Sidney Luft did produce the movie, but it was directed by George Cukor. 

10) True – Clark Gable’s fifth wife, Kay Williams gave birth to John Clark Gable in 1961 just months after her husband’s death.

Top photo: Bigstock