The Shadow
This Christmas quiz has appeared in the Virginian Review several times during past holiday seasons. It was first compiled for my This ‘n That column which appeared for many years on a weekly basis in the paper.
If you are a regular reader of the Virginian Review, in all probability, you have taken the quiz and therefore know the answers. You can test the knowledge of others in your family as they make plans for that special day – Christmas.
So, get your pen and a piece of paper and jot down your answers and see how your knowledge of Christmas trivia stacks up with other members of your household.
QUESTIONS
1. In the movie “A Christmas Story,” what did Ralphie want for Christmas and what did all the adults tell him?
2. In the movie “It’s A Wonderful life,” who played Mr. Potter? What was the name of the angel who befriended George? What was George’s last name and in what town did he live?
3. In the classic story “A Christmas Carol,” who did Scrooge work for when he was an apprentice? Who wrote this Christmas ghost story?
4. In the original movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” what was the name of the little girl and who was the actress who played the part?
5. List in order when the following animated films were made for TV:
“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
6. What famous actors narrated Rudolph, the Grinch, Mr. Magoo and Frosty?
7. In “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the singer says he wouldn’t touch the Grinch with a pole. How long a pole? What did the Grinch say when he saw the residents of Whoville were still having Christmas without all the presents?
8. In the book and movie “The Polar Express,” what was the first gift of Christmas? What happened to it?
9. The “Amos and Andy” radio program aired a Christmas special each year from 1940 until 1954. What did Amos re cite to his daughter Arbadella as she was going to sleep Christmas Eve?
10. Name the three wisemen. Who was the fourth wiseman written about by Henry Van Dyke.
11. Clement Clarke Moore wrote what we know today as “The Night Before Christmas.” What year? What are the names of the eight reindeer?
12. When and how did Rudolph arrive on the scene to help Santa Claus?
13. Some reports say “The Christmas Song” is the most popular Christ mas tune. The first line is “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” What is the next line? Just for the re cord, some sources say “White Christmas” is the most popular Christmas song.
14. Which Christmas song begins with the words “City sidewalks, busy sidewalks?”
15. Uncle Sam began issuing a Christmas stamp in what year? How much did it cost? What is the design?
16. Christ’s birth is recorded in two of the gospels from the New Testament. Which two? Only, one account goes into detail. Which gospel and which chapter and verses?
17. What did the Littlest Angel give to the Christ child and what did, it become?
18. The first Christmas card is said to have been sent the same year that “A Christmas Carol” was written. What year? What country?
19. What do the four candles on the Advent wreath represent?
20. What is the “greatest gift” of all?
ANSWERS
1. A Red Ryder BB gun. “You’ll put your eye out, kid.”
2. Lionel Barrymore; Clarence; Bailey; Bedford Falls.
3. Old Fezziwig; Charles Dickens.
4. Susan Walker; Natalie Wood.
5. “Mr Magoo,” 1962; “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 1964; “Charlie Brown’s Christmas,” 1965; “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” 1966; “Frosty the Snowman,” 1969.
6. Rudolph, Burl Ives; Grinch, Boris Karloff; Magoo, Jim Backus; Frosty, Jimmy Durantee.
7. 39 1/2 foot; “Perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store.”
8. A bell from Santa’s sleigh. It fell out of the boy’s pocket and was lost until he found it Christmas morning under his Christmas tree.
9. The Lord’s Prayer.
10. Balthasar, Casper, Melchoir; Artaban.
11. 1823. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. (Donner is incorrect but is acceptable).
12. 1936. It was a poem used by Montgomery Ward in a Christmas advertising promotion. Gene Autry made the song famous in 1949. It is still one of the most requested Christmas songs.
13. “Jack Frost nipping at your nose.”
14. “Silver Bells.”
15. 1962. Four cents. Wreath and two candles.
16. Matthew and Luke. Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1-20.
17. A small wooden box containing a butterfly, a blue bird’s egg, two small white pebbles and a leather dog collar. The box was turned into the Star of Bethlehem.
18.1843. England
19. Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
20. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you got five or less right, you get the Grinch award; 6 to 10 correct, the Scrooge award; 11 to 15 right, the Rudolph award; 16 to 20 right, the Santa Claus award, a pat on the back and a full stocking Christmas morning.
Merry Christmas!
