daneldorado

No to Valentine Dyall and Hoagy Carmichael. Here's a new clue: I was the proud recipient of one of the highest decorations bestowed by the United States, one of only two movie actors that received that award. The rest of the question: I am a film actor who worked in films both before and after World War II. During the war, I served in my country's armed forces. I was named after the day I was born. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

MilesArcher wrote: Before you take it down completely, let me venture one more guess. Is it "Iron Man"? Now that we know that Jeff Bridges made his screen debut when he was just a one year old makes this a bit easier. Robert Downey Jr. is the twice nominated actor and Gwyneth Paltrow is the Oscar winning actress. Jon Favreau directed. He also once played boxing champ Rocky Marciano. I don't know why the social security question wasn't asked verbatim. Miles, the reason why the Social Security question wasn't asked verbatim is this: If you go to the IMDb and search under "Quotes" for "What's your Social Security number?" then guess what pops up? Yep, you'll immediately see that Gwyneth Paltrow (as "Pepper" Potts) asks that question of Robert Downey Jr. in... ta da! "Iron Man!" (2008) And that would have given the game away. So I chose a more circuitous route, evading the guesses of many a Trivia poster... until that intrepid detective Miles Archer finally closed in and solved the puzzle! Hmmm, you connected the dots because we had just completed a search for Jeff Bridges under another thread? In the future I'll have to avoid duplicate searches.... In the meantime, Miles, do a victory lap. You're so sharp, I have no idea why you let Mary Astor get the drop on you like that. Or was it Brigid O'Shaugnessy? Cheers, Dan

Thanks, unclecharlie. Do you know me? I am a film actor who worked in films both before and after World War II. During the war, I served in my country's armed forces. I was named after the day I was born. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Okay, this question has been up for a full month. It was posted on January 10, and the replies have been few and far between. So I'm taking it down. The question was this: Who was it that, when asked for his Social Security number, answered: "Five." Name the actor and the title of the film. That's it. I'll save the question to use again at a later time. Gentlemen... and ladies... the thread is OPEN!!! Cheers, Dan

pastman wrote: You will be.... Jeff Bridges The Company She Keeps (1951) Well, this isn't the "Do You Know Me?" thread, so no... _I_ am not Jeff Bridges. I'm just Dan. But you've come up with the correct answer to the question. The actor in question is, indeed, Jeff Bridges. He first popped up on screen, age 1, in the arms of his real-life mother, Dorothy Dean Bridges, in a scene in "The Company She Keeps" (1951). An interesting side note is that Jane Greer, who was the star of "TCSK," was in the scene with little Jeff Bridges. Fast forward 33 years, and again Jeff B. and Jane G. share the screen, in "Against All Odds" (1984). Your thread, pastman. Cheers, Dan

Miles wrote: I'll take a guess or fish for a clue. TCM just did a tribute to Ron Howard for fifty years in films. He made his film debut in "Frontier Woman" in 1956 at 18 months old. He has 72 acting credits on IMDB. I know it's not 60 years, but he has the other qualifications. Is it Ron Howard? No, not Ron Howard. Listen, I had egg on my face a little while ago, on this same thread. I asked a question that was so vague, it turned out there were more correct answers than the one I was thinking of. So I promised never to do that again. This time, I believe the clues I have offered apply to only one actor. Ron Howard has 53 years in showbiz, and if you say he first appeared when he was 18 months old, I believe you. But 53 is not 60. The actor in question has a 60-year career, after having appeared in his first film as a one-year-old baby. New clue: In order to beat Jack Totheroh's record, our guy would have to live to his 90s and make at least one film in his 90s. Can he do that? Only the Man Upstairs knows, but we have a clue. Our guy's father lived to 85, and HIS father lived to 75. So maybe our guy has been blessed with a long lifeline. The question, again: 1. Actor who made his first film as a one-year-old baby. 2. Has more than 70 films and TV appearances to his credit. 3. Has a 60-year acting career. 4. His father lived to 85. Bonus clue: Our guy has been nominated for the Academy Award, but hasn't won yet. Who is he? Cheers, Dan

You are Andy Devine. Born in Flagstaff, AZ; played football at three different schools; co-starred in "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickock;" died in Orange, CA, in 1977. Cheers, Dan

unclecharlie wrote: Jackie Cooper? Sorry, unk, it's not Jackie. But Cooper does, apparently, enjoy a singular distinction. According to Wikipedia, he is the oldest Best Actor nominee who is still living, as of 2009. His nom was for "Skippy" in 1931. Cooper is now 86. But the clues to my Trivia question include the fact that the actor in question made his film debut at age one. Cooper did not appear in films until 1929, at which time he would have been either six or seven years old. Heck, unkie, you knew that, right? You were just fishing for another clue, right? Okay, here it comes: Our guy has a film career that spans 60 years. Okay, I know there are a few actors that have careers that long, including Jackie Cooper. But our guy debuted in films at age one. How many others can say that, except for Jack Totheroh? If our guy holds on, he will eclipse every acting longevity record ever set. Who do you suppose he is? Cheers, Dan

Mary Miles Minter. Cheers, Dan

Thanks, guys, and let's not forget about Jack Totheroh. Jack made his film debut as a one-year-old baby, in "The Bachelor's Baby" (1915) and didn't make another movie until 1922. Seventy years went by, and he surfaced again, in "Chaplin" (1992), playing his own father, Rollie Totheroh, who had been Charlie Chaplin's favorite cameraman. In this century, Jack appeared in "Weekend King" (2007), giving him an acting "career" of four films, spanning 92 years. I met Jack at a film festival in 2005. He was then 91 years of age, still healthy, ****, and with a sharp mind. He knows about his "record" but shrugs it off, saying that three movies in a lifetime (it was three at the time) shouldn't be considered a record over actors who have worked in films consistently through the years. THEREFORE... Gentlemen, I put it to you: What is the name of the actor who has a chance of beating Jack Totheroh's record? I'm talking about a guy who has worked in films consistently, after having made his acting debut as a one-year-old baby. Currently, his resum? shows that he has appeared in over 70 films and TV shows. Name the actor and the title (and year) of his first film. Cheers, Dan

That would be Milton Berle. But naming his first screen appearance is a little tricky. Berle always claimed he played the newspaper boy in "Tillie's Punctured Romance" (1914), but there have always been people who said that it isn't so. Looking at "TPR" recently, I studied the newsboy's face long and hard, and find NO resemblance to Berle's features. The IMDb lists two other early films -- "The Perils of Pauline" (1914) and "Fanchon, the Cricket" (1915) -- but says that his appearance in both is "unconfirmed." So, it appears that the earliest confirmed film appearance by Milton Berle was in the Mary Pickford vehicle, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1917). Also: Have you guys heard of Johannes Heesters? A Dutchman, he has appeared in films for 84 years. He's still going strong, at age 105. Cheers, Dan

How about "The Others" with Nicole Kidman"? Since You Went Away with Claudette Colbert ? Wow. Apparently I bit off more than I could chew, with this question. There may be hundreds of films with this basic plot. The film I was thinking about was "Raggedy Man" (1981), with Sissy Spacek. Go ahead, Miles and p.m., and post a new question. I've got to get back to doing some serious cinema research. Cheers, Dan

Name the film in which an Oscar-winning actress plays the mother of two children, alone since her husband went to war and never returned. The twist is that the husband is not really dead. Name the film and the star. Cheers, Dan

"Zenobia" (1939) was made starring Oliver Hardy and Harry Langdon. After that, Hardy went back to making pictures with Stan Laurel, beginning with "The Flying Deuces" (1939). Cheers, Dan

sixes wrote: dan, been 5 days...want to answer, give more clues, or leave thread open? Hey, sixes. Know what? This turned out to be a lousy question, anyway. Nobody showed any interest. The line was said by Vera Lewis, an old silent screen actress, when she appeared as Cordelia Neselrode in the W.C. Fields comedy, "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" (1935). Take it away, sixes. Board is yours. Cheers, Dan

That third person would be Jane Powell. Jane played a character named "Jane Powell" in "Song of the Open Road" (1944). After that, she used that character's name as her own. Cheers, Dan

MilesArcher wrote: How about "In The Heat Of The Night"? Yeah, how about that? You are... CORRECT!! Danny Peary's great book, "Alternate Oscars," confirms that "In the Heat of the Night" was the first whodunit to win the Best Picture Oscar. Cheers, Dan

pastman wrote: Rebecca..? Sorry, no. But I'm curious about something. What is it about "Rebecca" (1940) that made you think it is a whodunit? I don't see that at all. Cheers, Dan

What film was the first whodunit to win the Best Picture Oscar? Cheers, Dan

JackFavell wrote: Was the role I played Roxie Hart? Yes, it was. And you are right, Jack. I am Gretchen Mol. Congratulations! I was born in Connecticut, as was Glenn Close. My first acting job was in a TV commercial. (It was a Coca-Cola ad.) From there, I went into stage work and established myself as an actress who can dance and sing. And that's when I played Roxie Hart, in "Chicago." That was one of Ginger Rogers' famous screen roles. I am married and have one child, a boy who was named after a famous monarch. (Ptolemy.) I am a natural blonde and had to go brunette for the starring role in my best-known film. That would be "The Notorious Bettie Page" (2005). Currently I am co-starring in a prime time network TV show. That would be "Life on Mars," which incidentally is on TONIGHT, at 10 pm ET. Congrats again, Jack. The board is yours. Cheers, Dan

MilesArcher wrote: Could it be "The Good Shepherd" (2006) directed by Robert De Niro? The question would have to have been asked by Oscar winner Angelina Jolie. The actor was probably Matt Damon, who played her husband, or possibly Alec Baldwin, who was also in the film. Both men have been Oscar nominated. Excellent research, Miles... but the answer is wrong. Nevertheless, you made the connection as to an Oscar-winning actress and an Oscar-nominated actor (though Matt Damon did, of course, receive an Oscar award for co-writing 1997's "Good Will Hunting"). The people in question are: An Oscar-winning actress and an Oscar-nominated actor. The actor in the question has two nominations for acting: One for Best Actor, the other for Best Supporting Actor. And you are right about the director of "The Good Shephered." Robert DeNiro, who directed, played middleweight boxing champ Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull" (1980). But the director of the film in question played a different champ, from a different weight division. You are so close to getting it right, and you've done some real research. Much appreciated. One more clue: The chief villain in the movie in question made his first film appearance when he was one year old. Once again, who was it that, when asked for his Social Security number, answered: "Five." And in what film? Cheers, Dan

Visualfeast wrote: Am I correct in these assumptions: 1. You're alive 2. You're currently working 3. you've done Bdwy and Films 4. you're a star rather than a lesser being 5. you're from Connecticut 6. you're between forty and sixty years of age 7. your husband is also an actor All more or less correct, except for no. 6. I am still in my thirties. And as for no. 7: My husband is more a director and producer than an actor, though of course he has given himself a few small roles. Nice research, though, Vis. Did you remember that I played a role on stage that was portrayed on film by Ginger Rogers? And don't forget: I am currently co-starring on a network television show. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Maybe I'm crazy, but I am going to bump this question one more time. If nobody wants to reply, well at least I tried. This is a VERY POPULAR film. Who was it that, when asked for his Social Security Number, answered: "Five." The question is asked by an Oscar-winning actress. The other person in the scene is played by an Oscar-nominated actor. The film is relatively new. It was produced in the 21st century. Your new clue: The director of this film once portrayed a boxing champion in another film. Bonus clue: You may want to ask yourself WHY the question is posed here as it is, and not in a more conventional way... for example, it isn't quoted verbatim. Name the speakers and the title of this film. Cheers, Dan

JackFavell wrote: OK. I have looked up Conchata Ferrell, Michelle Pfeiffer, Holland Taylor, Sally Field, Carol Kane, Kirsten Chenoweth, Renee Zellweger, and numerous other blondes trying to figure this one out! Maybe one more clue? Sure, Jack. But from the looks of all the names you checked, and also the name Mary Martin (submitted by visualfeast), I wonder if we are all reading the same forum. In an earlier message, I replied to visualfeasts's question: Are you Glenn Close? And I said that no, I am not Glenn Close, but we are both from the same state. Did no one catch that clue? Anyway, here's a new clue. In my film work, I have appeared with my husband's first wife on three different projects. To refresh your memories, here is the rest of the question again: I am an American actress, born in the northeast U.S.A. My first acting job was in a TV commercial. From there, I went into stage work and established myself as an actress who can dance and sing. I am married and have one child, a boy who was named after a famous monarch. I have appeared in more than fifty (50) films and TV shows, including a role as one of American pop culture's most famous women. While many brunettes turn blonde for their film roles, in my case I am a natural blonde and had to go brunette for the starring role in this, my best-known film. On stage, I played a character that was popularized on the screen by Ginger Rogers. Currently I am co-starring in a prime time network TV show. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

visual wrote: Are you Glenn Close? No, but we are both from the same state. Also, I've said that I have a son who is named after a famous monarch. Ms. Close has one child, a daughter. But I do thank you for chancing a guess. Here is another clue to my identity: On stage, I have played a character that was popularized on screen by Ginger Rogers. Who am I? Cheers, Dan