Metropolis, a 1926 silent film featuring robots and a futuristic city, had a huge influence on later science-fiction movies. Who directed it? A. Frank Capra B. Fritz Lang C. Erich von Stroheim D. Benito Mussolini
B. The German expressionist filmmaker moved on to Hollywood when he heard that Adolph Hitler was interested in his work.
Match the movie to the kind of giant animal that terrorized the human characters in it. A. Them! B. Mighty Joe Young C. Night of the Lepus D. It Came from Beneath the Sea E. Godzilla Versus the Thing
Frank Herbert's classic space-fantasy novel Dune bombed as a movie, even though its director went on to make successful forays into onscreen weirdness. Who was this oddball director? A. Steven Spielberg B. David Lynch C. Tim Burton D. Allen Smithee
B. As fans know, his TV show Twin Peaks also contained elements of science fiction but was mostly just weird. (By the way, "Allen Smithee" was credited with the version of Dune shown on TV--it's the credit placed on a film when the director removes his name.)
Critics have compared the alien characters in a variety of science-fiction films--including E.T., Starman, The Man Who Fell to Earth and The Day the Earth Stood Still--to a religious figure. Who is it? A. Moses B. Jesus C. The Buddha D. Tammy Faye Bakker
B. Each of these films echoes themes from the New Testament: The character comes to Earth carrying a message of peace and love, has miraculous powers and is persecuted by people who just don't get it. (E.T. is even resurrected after death.)
Forbidden Planet, the 1956 space drama based loosely on Shakespeare's The Tempest, starred a buff actor who went on to make his name in comedy. Who is he? A. Leslie Nielsen B. Ronald Reagan C. Sid Caesar D. Jerry Lewis
Should have gone with your first thought! A. His costar was Robbie the Robot, who inspired the walking, talking robot of TV's Lost in Space
Jurassic Park is known for its state-of-the-art special effects, but another movie based on an Arthur Conan Doyle novel also did a pretty good job of depicting a 20th-century island where dinosaurs still roam--and it was made way back in 1925. What was it called? A. The Island of Dr. Watson B. Where Giants Dwell C. The Lost World D. Beneath the 12-Mile Reef
C. At the end, one of the dinosaurs escapes and rampages through London, making this a precursor to decades of Godzilla movies.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers brought a new slang term into the English language in its manner of referring to people who undergo a personality change or lose their individuality. Who were these people? A. Zombies B. Pod people C. Stoners D. Republicans
B. In both versions of the film, the alien doubles who kill and replace real people emerge from plantlike pods.
Match the Star Trek sequel with its guest star. A. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan B. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock C. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home D. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier E. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
1. John Larroquette 2. Kirstie Alley 3. Iman 4. David Warner 5. Catherine Hicks
