Flowers in the movies: A fun trivia quiz

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Flowers in the movies: A fun trivia quiz

December 19, 2007

Youth Without Youth movie poster with roses

Love in the Time of Cholera movie poster with red rose

Roses represent lost love in “Youth Without Youth,” Francis Ford Coppola’s new movie, starring Tim Roth.

Brilliant red petals also command attention in the poster for “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by director Mike Newell, based on Gabriel García Márquez’s novel.

These posters made me think of other moviemakers who’ve used the beauty and symbolism of flowers to enhance their storytelling. You probably have your own floral film references. See if we’re on the same page, or should I say screen, and take this quiz.

There’ll be another installment next month so if I forgot one of your faves, add a comment and let me know.

1. Bill Murray’s character in “Broken Flowers” (2005) buys flowers for one of his many ex-girlfriends. What else does the florist do for him?
A. Gives him a single red rose
B. Bandages his wounds
C. Buys him lunch
D. Lends him her car

2. “The Wizard of Oz” shows Dorothy (Judy Garland) falling asleep in a field of poppies. Guess that never happened in Kansas. What is Kansas’ state flower?
A. Daisy
B. Peony
C. Sunflower
D. Goldenrod

3. Which of the following flowers is eaten in “Monsoon Wedding” (2001)?
A. Marigold
B. Pink rose
C. White lily
D. Yellow carnation

4. Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” (1955) stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, filmed in glorious Southern France. Where is Cary Grant when he knocks over a flower cart?
A. The marketplace
B. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cannes
C. The airport in Nice
D. No idea; Cary Grant distracted me.

5. A less famous Hitchcock is 1969’s “Topaz,” in which Roscoe Lee Browne plays a florist who moonlights in another line of work. Name it.
A. Photography
B. Catering
C. Espionage
D. Who’s Roscoe Lee Browne?

6. Flower seller Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) in “My Fair Lady” (1964) sells flowers in which area of London?
A. Mayfair
B. Covent Garden
C. Piccadilly Circus
D. Knightsbridge

For Extra Credit: Audrey Hepburn was a plant and flower enthusiast off screen as well; both a rose and a tulip were named for her. What was the name of the 1993 Emmy-winning PBS series she hosted?

ANSWERS
1. B. Bandages his wounds
2. C. Sunflower
3. A. Marigold
4. A. The marketplace
5. C. Espionage
6. B. Covent Garden
Extra Credit: “Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn”

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Comments

Shirley | Reply
December 24, 2007

Fun to take the quiz. And interesting to see how flowers are involved in so many movies.
PS: How about 'War of the Roses'?

Bob | Reply
December 24, 2007

Kind of a challenge, considering I'm not a gardener. But I got 4 right.

Mike | Reply
December 29, 2007

Loved your flowers-in-the-movies quiz. Hope it becomes a regular feature.
As for favorites, one of the best movies I've ever seen about flower markets is Lindsay Anderson's great short documentary on Covent Garden, "Every Day Except Christmas."