Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Today is Wheel of Fortune Day, marking the debut of The Wheel in 1975. Since 1981the show has been hosted by Pat Sajak and assisted by Vanna White. Who were the first host and letter turner?

2) This lovely lady is a wonderful pianist in addition to being one of today's greatest female jazz vocalists. Who is this lady, who's married to singer Elvis Costello?

3) This female singer was one of the great vocalists of the swing era, as a regular at the famous Cotton Club and with Duke Ellington's band. Who was she?

4) This bop artist with the bass voice was born and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Who was this singer/bandleader known as Mr. B?

Answers:

1) Chuck Woolery was the original host, with letter-turner Susan Stafford.

2) Diana Krall.

3) Ivie Anderson who, sadly, passed away in 1949 having recorded very little solo work. Whenever her name comes up in jazz interviews and documentaries, those who knew her all say she was a real class act. Her numbers with Ellington, such as "Stormy Weather" and "It Don't Mean A Thing," are classics.

4) Billy Eckstine, with hits including "Jelly Jelly" and "Everything I Have Is Yours." But my favorite is his version of "Laura." Man, this guy could sing!

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Scat singing is a form of jazz vocalization where nonsense syllables are substituted for either words or instrument notes. Ella Fitzgerald was often called the "Queen of Scat." Who was referred to as the "King of Scat"?

2) On January 5, 1961, the TV comedy Mr. Ed, starring a talking horse, debuted in syndication. In the fall it moved to CBS. Alan Young starred as Wilbur Post, and Connie Hines as his wife Carol. Who was the voice of Mr. Ed?

3) As hard as it is to believe, this drummer first performed professionally at the age of 18 months on the vaudeville stage. By 13, he was the leader of his own band. He entered into the Big Band era by drumming for Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, among others. He traveled successfully with his own big band even after the genre declined in popularity. Who was this percussionist?

4) Who was the first female governor in U.S. history?

Answers:

1) Mel Torme.

2) Allan "Rocky" Lane was the voice of Mr. Ed.

3) Buddy Rich.

4) Nellie T. Ross succeeded her late husband as governor of Wyoming on January 5, 1925, becoming the first female governor in U.S. history.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Who are the only two U.S. presidents buried in Arlington National Cemetery?

2) Harrisonburg, Virginia has a large state university named for which U.S. president?

3) They say the largest living thing on earth is a 275-foot sequoia tree in California, named for which Civil War general?

4) Williamsburg, Virginia was named in honor of whom?

Answers:

1) William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy.

2) James Madison.

3) William Sherman.

4) William III, king of England at the time.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In which world religion would a swami normally be a teacher?

2) Where is the MICEX-RTS stock exchange based?

3) In humans, about what percentage of lean body mass is water?

Answers:

1) Hinduism.

2) Russia.

3) 70 percent.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) The presidential act to reduce the 70 mph speed limit to 55 mph was signed by which U.S. President on January 2?

2) How old was Bobby Fisher when he won the U.S. Chess Championship on January 2, 1960?

3) On January 2, 1953, The Life of Riley debuts on NBC for the second time. Who played the title character, Chester A. Riley?

4) On January 2, 1888, Marvin Chester Stone of Washington D.C. patents his invention. What did he invent?

Answers:

1) Richard Nixon signed the act, intended to save fuel in response to the 1973 oil crisis. The act was repealed in 1995.

2) 16.

3) William Bendix.

4) Drinking straw.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In the song, "Jingle Bells," one of the verses mentions this person as being seated "next to me a day or two ago." Who was it?

2) What did "Frosty the Snowman" do when the magic hat was placed on his head?

3) In "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" what item do Janice and Jen both want?

4) What did "my true love give to me" on the 11th day of Christmas?

Answers:

1) Miss Fanny Bright

2) He began to dance around

3) dolls that will talk and go for a walk

4) 11 pipers piping

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In The Polar Express, what is "the first gift of Christmas"?

2) What is the name of the rabbit in Frosty the Snowman?

3) Lucy charged this much for a psychiatric session.

Answers:

1) A bell from Santa's sleigh

2) Hocus Pocus (he had a magic hat)

3) 5 cents

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In A Christmas Story, what gift did Ralphie's mom give his dad?

2) What was Ralphie's little brother's name?

3) Who wrote and performed the music for A Charlie Brown Christmas?

4) What was the name of George Bailey's guardian angel (It's a Wonderful Life)?

Answers:

1) a bowling ball

2) Randy

3) Vince Guarladi

4) Clarence Oddbody

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In the movie, A Christmas Story, Ralphie asked Santa for the Daisy Red Ryder BB gun he was obsessed with. What did Santa have to say about this request?

2) In A Christmas Story, what was Ralphie's favorite radio show?

3) Children often leave a plate out on Christmas Eve with Santa's favorite snack. What is it?

4) One foggy Christmas Eve, Santa needed helping guiding his sleigh. To whom did he turn for help?

Answers:

1) Santa told Ralphie the same thing everyone else had told him: "You'll shoot your eye out!"

2) Little Orphan Annie

3) Milk and cookies

4) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What was the name of Ebeneezer Scrooge's deceased business partner?

2) How many times does Santa check his "naughty" and "nice" list?

3) What was Tiny Tim's father's name?

4) According to the song, how many reindeer pull Santa's sleigh on a clear night?

Answers:

1) Jacob Marley

2) twice

3) Bob Cratchit

4) 8 (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen)

Alan Rock's Trivia

Questions:

1) In the song "Winter Wonderland," who do we pretend the snowman is?

2) Robert May wrote a poem that was illustrated for a Montgomery Ward Christmas pamphlet in 1939. Eight years later John Marks composed music for the poem. Can you name that poem?

3) In the movie Miracle on 34th Street, a man is on trial for claiming to be Santa Claus. What convinces the judge to rule in the man's favor?

4) What famed cartoonist's drawing became the most popular image of St. Nicholas?


Answers:

1) Parson Brown

2) "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

3) The U.S. Postal Service delivers mail to him.

4) German-born artist Thomas Nast created the most common Santa Claus image.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What did Frosty the Snowman have for a nose?

2) How many gifts would you receive in total, if you got all the gifts described in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?

3) In A Charlie Brown Christmas, the characters are engaged in this winter activity in the opening scene.

4) What was the name of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story?

Answers:

1) a button

2) 364 presents

3) ice skating

4) A Christmas Carol

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Which two of Santa's reindeer have names starting with the letter, "C"?

2) What animal served as the Grinch's reindeer?

3) What Christmas carol has the singers demanding "figgy pudding"?

4) This cartoon, based on a newspaper editorial, won an Emmy award.

Answers:

1) Comet and Cupid

2) His dog.

3) "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

4) Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus."

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What was the gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?

2) What "Saturday Evening Post" artist was known for his whimsical pictures of Santa Claus?

3) Which reindeer is never mentioned in "The Night Before Christmas"?


Answers:

1) Six geese a-laying.

2) Norman Rockwell.

3) Rudolph.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Can you name the three reindeer whose names begin with "D"?

2) In It's a Wonderful Life, how did Clarence cleverly save George's life?

3) What was Rudolph's punishment for his red nose?


Answers:

1) Dasher, Donner, and Dancer.

2) He jumped into the river first.

3) He could not play in reindeer games.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Which character in It's a Wonderful Life lost $8000?

2) In Frosty the Snowman, a washed-up magician was looking for his magic hat. What was his name?

3) Who tells you she's in town by "tap, tap, tapping at your windowpane"?

4) What was Scrooge's first name?

Answers:

1) Uncle Billy

2) Professor Hinkle

3) Suzy Snowflake

4) Ebenezer

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In the 1964 Christmas classic Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, what did Rudolph's elf friend, Hermey want to be?

2) In the "Twelve Days of Christmas," how many drummers are drumming?

3) In what country are outdoor barbecues a traditional part of the Christmas holiday?

4) What physical defect made Dr. Seuss's Grinch so mean?

Answers:

1) Hermey wanted to be a dentist.

2) There were 12 drummers.

3) Australia

4) His heart was two sizes too small.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) The real Saint Nicholas was born in what country?

2) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as a promotion for what department store?

3) In A Charlie Brown Christmas, which character builds a gray snowman?

4) The first known time anyone in the U.S. drank eggnog was when?

Answers:

1) Turkey. He was born some time around 280, A.D. in Patara, which is near the modern city of Myra. The legend about him is that he gave away his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside seeking out and helping the sick and impoverished.

2) Montgomery Ward

3) Pigpen

4) According to the historical accounts of Captain John Smith, the first eggnog made in the U.S. was consumed in his Jamestown settlement in 1607. Nog was a variation of "grog," which refers to any drink made with rum.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Who narrated the 1966 television special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas?"

2) Which sport has what's called a "sin bin"?

3) She was born on this day in 1981. Raised in Kentwood, Loisiana, when she was 9 she competed at the state level in this sport.

Answers:

1) Boris Karloff

2) The "sin bin" is a slang term for hockey's penalty box.

3) Britney competed at the state level in gymnastics.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Bette Midler was born on this date in 1945. In 1992 she won an Emmy for her guest appearance on this show.

2) Christmas Island is located in which ocean?

3) The first telephone in the White House was installed on this date in 1878. The first call was from a storm window salesman. Who was president at the time?

4) Where is the world's roller skating museum located?

Answers:

1) She appeared on the Johnny Carson's final episode of The Tonight Show. She sang "One for My Baby, and One More for the Road" to him, causing him to get tearful - a sweet moment.

2) Christmas Island is in the Indian Ocean.

3) Rutherford B. Hayes

4) Lincoln, Nebraska