daneldorado

At this point, I want to thank pastman, visualfeast, cmgor, JackFavell, ILoveRayMilland, MilesArcher, Jenetico, and any others who participated in this quiz. You guys are a great community of film buffs! The answer to this "Do You Know Me?" question is: Thomas Sangster. Thomas Sangster was born May 16, 1990, in London, England, UK. *(He thus shares a birthday -- May 16 -- with Henry Fonda, who was the first Oscar winner to have a daughter who is also an Oscar winner.)* Sangster played the role of Adolf Hitler. *Yes, Adolf at the age of 10 in the TV movie "Hitler: The Rise of Evil" (2003).* Sangster learned to play an instrument for his role in his best-known film. *The film was "Love Actually" (2003). This is not to be compared with stars that go through the motions of fingering an instrument while a pro musician plays on the sound track. With his elaborate drum set, Sangster can actually be seen wielding his drumsticks during the big Christmas concert, and making the percussion sounds as he does so.* He has a cousin who is a major film star and holds a Golden Globe award. *That would be Hugh Grant.* In his best-known film, he was in love with an American girl. *The film is "Love Actually," and please note that I used the word "girl" rather than the more P.C. "woman;" because, guess what, the objection of the 11-year-old Sangster's affections in the film is a 10-year-old girl, Joanna Anderson, played by Olivia Olson.* In one film, he played a Roman emperor. *Correct. the film is "The Last Legion" (2007), with Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth. Sangster played the 12-year-old Romulus Augustus, crowned emperor in the dying days of the Roman Empire, and driven into exile by the rampaging Goth hordes.* In the last clue I gave, I said that the subject -- Thomas Sangster -- was one of the stars of a popular Christmas movie that might be on your TV screen right now. That would be "Love Actually" (2003). But I pointedly added "If you have cable." That's because the film, which is innocuous in itself, nevertheless contains nudity and some foul language. So it probably won't play on the major networks. So, the game is over. And I promise not to go near another trivia board until after the holidays. This is fun, but it's also kind of exhausting. Cheers, Dan

MilesArcher wrote: I believe that would be Gloria Grahame who won the best supporting actress oscar for "The Bad And The Beautiful". And you believe correctly. Take it away, Miles! (You're a pretty clever fellow. How did you let Mary Astor get the drop on you, like that?) Cheers, Dan

Here's a quickie that will be a snap for some of you movie buffs: Name the U.S.-born, U.S.-raised Oscar winner who is descended from European royalty on both sides of the family, from both mother and father. Cheers, Dan

No, I'm not Hugh Grant and not Steven Berkoff. Grant never portrayed Adolf Hitler. Berkoff did play Hitler, but never a Roman emperor. At least none that I can find. Here is the LAST clue. And it's a good one. One of you is sure to identify me from this. You may have noticed that my original question referenced Christmas, and so did one of the followup clues. This may be because I am one of the stars of a very popular Christmas movie that might just be playing on your TV right now. If you have cable. Folks, I just served up a MAJOR clue. Please, somebody... come up with my name! Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Would this be "The Miracle Worker?" Patty Duke won an Oscar for playing the young Helen Keller in the screen version of "The Miracle Worker" (1962), then played the older character of Anne Sullivan in a TV remake of "The Miracle Worker" in 1979. Cheers, Dan

Could it be Noah Taylor? He's London born, portayed Hitler in "Max" (2002) and played the piano in "Shine". Just for another clue....Timothy Dalton....I know it isn't right...but, hey, might as well try....LOL! No, not Timothy Dalton and not Noah Taylor. Dalton was born in Wales, so that automatically disqualifies him as the answer to this quiz. As for Noah Taylor: He is London-born, as I am; and he portrayed Adolf Hitler, as I did... but Taylor does not fit the other criteria of the quiz. As I mentioned, one of my roles was as a Roman Emperor. Noah Taylor did not play a Roman emperor in any film I can find. And, as I mentioned, one of my roles was as a well-known character of legend, who has been immortalized in grand opera. I don't find where Noah Taylor ever played a role like that. It is probably fair to say that, while Noah Taylor is in fact a pianist, he did not learn that instrument specifically for the film "Shine" (1996). He was a member of a band called "The **** Tonk Angels" as early as 1994. I, on the other hand, learned a musical instrument specifically for a film, and learned it well enough to actually play it on screen. Okay, here is one more clue before I pull the plug on this question: Although I am English, in my best-known film I am in love with an American girl. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Excellent, Dan. You are Dan the man on this one. For the record, Ben Johnson played Travis Tyree in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande". John Wayne, Victor McLaglen, and Jack Pennick were in all three films. John Wayne! Of course! I was so intent on scooping out the names of the supporting players, I completely forgot that The Duke was the star of all three films. That was a darned good trivia question, Miles. Got any more? If so, go ahead and ask them. Right now, I got nothing. Cheers, Dan

No replies yet? Can't have that. So, here is a good hint: One of the two performers involved in this quote is an Academy Award winner, though not for acting. Cheers, Dan

Well, here's what I've got so far: The director is John Ford. The three movies are: "Fort Apache" (1948) "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949) "Rio Grande" (1950) Victor McLaglen was in all three films. His character in 1949 and 1950 was Sgt. Quincannon. Although McLaglen was in "Fort Apache" (1948), the role of Sgt. Quincannon was played by Dick Foran. Harry Carey Jr. and Ben Johnson were both in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and "Rio Grande." Mildred Natwick was in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." Ken Curtis was in "Rio Grande," and yep, the IMDb says he sang in it. Okay so far... or am I way off track? Cheers, Dan

Just to get the answer finally, I will guess the last English guy I can think off.... Laurence Olivier No. Sir Laurence Olivier was born in Dorking, in Surrey County, England. It's about 40 miles south and west of London, which is where I was born. As talented and as versatile an actor as Laurence Olivier was, I find no record of his ever playing the role of Adolf Hitler, as I did. And I've noticed that, although several of you folks have submitted guesses as to my identity, the one major question -- the all-important one -- has never been asked. So far, you have submitted the names of Charles Chaplin, Alec Guinness, and Laurence Olivier, all of them now deceased. You have also submitted the names of Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Plummer, and Geoffrey Rush, all of them still living. Doesn't anybody want to ask me, am I alive or dead? Well then, here is your next clue: I am still alive... or at least I was, the last time my friend "Dan" checked the Internet. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

JackFavell wrote: It suddenly came to me, and I think I am right....Christopher Plummer ? Sorry, but I'm not Christopher Plummer. I have said repeatedly that I was born in London. Plummer is Canadian. One more thing: If I have to reveal my identity to you guys before one of you guesses it, you will be kicking yourselves. HARD. You will all spend Christmas with bluish-purple ****. And those aren't even Christmas colors! Cheers, Dan

Last gasp.....are you Anthony Hopkins? No, not Sir Anthony. He was born in Wales, not in London, England, as I was. But your participation in this quest -- for which I am grateful -- has earned another clue. Here it is: In addition to having played Adolf Hitler in one film, and a Roman emperor in another, I have also portrayed a legendary character who has been immortalized in grand opera. The rest of the clues are as follows: For my best-known film, I learned to play a musical instrument, and actually played it on screen. I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar-winning actor who holds a distinctive Academy record. One of my cousins is a major movie star who owns a Golden Globe award. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

It sure sounds like "Stormy Monday" (1988). Sting is the owner of the jazz bar/night club, and Sean Bean is his Irish employee. Cheers, Dan

Okay, here's an easy one, so you can all have a Merry Christmas. "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. But you already knew that, right?" Who said that, to whom, and in what film? Hint: This film was made within the past 20 years. Cheers, Dan

lavenderblue wrote: I refuse to discuss this with you after this post. Well, I am certainly glad of that. Cheers, Dan

lavenderblue wrote: Without belaboring this point, I am requesting that you refrain from criticizing other posters here.This is a place to relax, not one where each one of us has to worry if we are going to be judged. Sigh. If you would re-read my original post, you would see that I was merely offering a suggestion. It was not a criticism. Matter of fact, I believe I "bent over backward" to avoid offending anyone. You have leaped at my suggestions before. Do you have a short fuse? As for using private messages rather than posting to the board, it's just possible that I felt EVERYONE using this board might benefit from my suggestion. And it IS just that: a suggestion, not a criticism. My take on these Trivia questions is that, at their best, they are like the legendary Dance of the Seven Veils. The original question, while offering some clues as to what is being "concealed," still leaves a lot to be uncovered. A respondent's first question to the poster is like the first veil being removed. It sheds a veil of secrecy. Then, a second clue is given, hopefully eliciting another question -- another veil to be removed. And so on. When someone removes the last veil and comes up with the correct answer, aah! That is sweet! It means somebody "gets it." At their best, all our Trivia questions should be inscrutable at the start, then slowly, gently, sweetly, the veils are removed. It's fun. Cheers, Dan

Hi cmvgor: Just a suggestion, nothing more. When you pose a Trivia question and say: "Name the movie from this description and no follow-up." You might actually be discouraging folks from playing the game. To me, one of the funnest parts of playing Trivia is the opportunity to ask the poster key questions that might reveal more of the answer to the puzzle. Just a thought. Nothing sinister intended or implied. Cheers, Dan

I have a feeling that the reason no one has submitted a correct answer to this question is that it is unclear. So, with your permission, I will re-phrase the whole thing. Do you know me? London-born, I am a male movie actor. I have portrayed Adolf Hitler and also a Roman emperor on screen. For my best-known film, I learned to play a musical instrument, and actually played it on screen. I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar-winning actor who holds a distinctive Academy record. One of my cousins is a major movie star who owns a Golden Globe award. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

"The World of Henry Orient" (1964). Cheers, Dan

visualfeast wrote: ok.....so are you MEL GIBSON? Easy one. No, Mel Gibson was born in New York state, not in London as I was. Okay, here is a new clue for you: In one of my films, I portrayed a Roman Emperor. Here is the question, again: Do you know me? I portrayed Adolf Hitler on screen. For my best-known film, I learned to play a musical instrument, and actually played it on screen. I was born in London. I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar winner who holds a distinctive Academy record. I have a cousin who is a major film star, and who owns a Golden Globe award. And the new clue is: In one film, I played a Roman Emperor. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

cmvgor wrote: So...that would include the bagpipes in Tunes Of Glory, right? Right. Cheers, Dan

cmvgor wrote: Re Alec Guinness and music -- So somebody else did his cello work in The Swan ? Just asking. Like I said, you guys are making me work TOO DARN HARD! Okay. I have researched the IMDb, Google, and Ask.com, and I have not found a listing telling us that Guinness actually played the cello. Frankly, I didn't know he was supposed to have played the cello in "The Swan" (1956); but the fact remains, if he did play it, the actual cello music could have been on the playback, with Guinness mimicking the bow movements. Or not. But, according to the records all of us search, there is no mention of it. Ya know, come to think of it, if Alec Guinness -- the great Sir Alec -- HAD learned to play an instrument -- ANY instrument -- for a movie he was in, I'm sure that would have been a MAJOR factoid, and would have been included in his bio. So I am sure he did not. Anyway, does Guinness share a birthday (April 2) with a famous Oscar winner? Yes, as I have already told you, the person is Linda Hunt. Bit we are looking for a still MORE distinctive quality in this Oscar winner's bio. And I said that since I am a Londoner, you know I am English. But in my best-known film, I was in love with an American girl. I find NO film in which the Guinness character was in love with an American. So, the answer is still no. Sorry. Cheers, Dan

visualfeast wrote: Could you be ALEC GUINNESS? No, not Sir Alec. Boy, you guys are making me work hard! Alec Guinness did portray Hitler in one movie. He was born in London, as I was. And whaddaya know, he shares a birthday (April 2) with an Oscar winner with a distinctive record. That would be the actress Linda Hunt, who won the Oscar for a film in which she played a MAN. But the weak link in your deduction is that Guinness did not play a musical instrument, let alone learn to play one specifically for a part in a film. Also, I find no mention of a Guinness cousin who is a major film star and Golden Globe winner. So. Here is the question once again, with a new clue added: Do you know me? I have portrayed Adolf Hitler on screen. For my best-known film, I learned to play a musical instrument, and actually played it on screen. I was born in London. I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar winner who holds a distinctive Academy record. I have a cousin who is a major film star, and who owns a Golden Globe award. And the new clue is: Since I am a Londoner, you know I am English. But in my best-known film, I was in love with an American girl. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Charles Chaplin ? No, not Chaplin. But I do thank you for taking the time to make a guess. I wonder why you chose Chaplin? He did play a version of Adolf Hitler, in "The Great Dictator" (1940). The character's name was Adenoid Hynkel. Because Hynkel was so obviously patterned after Hitler, I would have given you a "yes" for your answer, even though I am not Chaplin, IF all the other clues had fit. Born in London? Yes, Chaplin was born in London, as I was. But what about the clue about learning an instrument specifically for one film? I don't believe he ever did that. He did compose the music for several of his later films, but learn an instrument and PLAY IT ON SCREEN...? No, I don't think Chaplin did that. I also said that I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar winner, who holds a very distinctive record with the Academy folks. Nope, Chaplin doesn't qualify. HOWEVER... You came closer than you think! Here is a new clue for you: I have a cousin who is a major film star, and who owns a Golden Globe award. Who am I? Cheers, Dan

Okay, just one more quickie before Christmas comes. Do you know me? I have portrayed Adolf Hitler on screen. For my best-known film, I learned to play a musical instrument, and actually played it on screen. I was born in London. I share a birthday with a very famous Oscar winner who holds a distinctive Academy record. Who am I? Cheers, Dan