Weekly Trivia

Click movie title to link to the Movies page   Go Tell the Spartans (1978) Source novelist Daniel Ford has said about the making of this movie: "...I didn't know about its progression through the studios. Over seven years, just about every major and independent Hollywood studio was on the verge of making it, only to back out for lack of money or nerve. [Screen-writer Wendell] Mayes had built the Major Barker character into a central one, in the specific hope of casting a great name who'd work cheap in a good cause. Among those who agreed to make the...

 Click movie title to link to the Movies page   Rolling Thunder (1977) The famous scene where Rane's hand is put into garbage disposal was originally lot more graphic. There was originally shot of his hand getting destroyed. Scene was filmed with fake hand and lamb shank which made it look very realistic. When movie was previewed, audience members reacted very strongly on that scene. According to writer Heywood Gould; "One woman fainted, another person ran into the lobby and demanded his money back, and another guy was so freaked out, that he entered in his car in the parking...

 Click movie title to link to the Movies page   The Iron Maiden (1963) The futuristic new supersonic airliner that they are trying to sell to TransGlobal Airlines is actually not even a passenger-carrying plane. The aircraft shown throughout the movie is a Handley Page Victor, a subsonic Strategic Nuclear Bomber, one of Britain's famous V-Bombers used by the R.A.F. throughout the Cold War years.   Butterfield 8 (1960) Prior to the advent of digital technology, telephone exchanges were named instead of being numbered. Thus, Butterfield 8 (BU8 or 288) was the name of the exchange that provided service to...

Massacre in Rome (1973) Lt Col Herbert Kappler's second in command was Erich Priepke. He was arrested in South America and extradited to Italy where he was released from trial, due to his age. After public outcry, he was placed under house arrest in Italy until his death. Kappler was imprisoned after the war and, in old age, contracted cancer. He was refused release under medical grounds. His second wife, a nurse, smuggled him out of prison in a suitcase, yet due to his health was very frail. She got him to East Germany where he lived out his remaining...

Click movie title to link to the Movies page The Barefoot Contessa (1954) The character of Maria Vargas is said to be based on Rita Hayworth, who was actually offered the part. Hayworth was a Latina who later married a prince, Prince Aly Khan. However, some elements were taken from Ava Gardner's life as well. The stormy relationship between Maria and tycoon movie producer Kirk Edwards (Warren Stevens) is based on Gardner's own relationship with billionaire film producer Howard Hughes.Come Dance with Me! (1959) According to her book "Initials B.B", Brigitte Bardot knew she was pregnant just before the filming...