Which classic Woody Allen film is this?
Woody Allen had a renaissance in the 70s and 80s in film, and many are still cult favorites. Annie Hall was his 1977 hit, as many remember well. The romantic comedy explored romantic failure, using Diane Keaton in a role that Woody Wrote with her in mind. Their work together won four Academy Awards, including for Best Picture!
Who directed the terrifying film Jaws?
The original Jaws took 1975 America by storm, freaking out a generation from the deepwater — and even the shallows — forever. The shark-based thriller was expertly directed by a younger Steven Spielberg. It remains one of his most memorable works to this day. Many are still traumatized just by the music!
What was the name of JFK's elegant wife?
Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis was the first lady to JFK. Popularly, she was simply known as Jackie O! The former socialite retained her grace and high style well into the White House, and American ladies loved what she brought to the table. Today, she's still a chic style icon — nearly 60 years later!
What was the first satellite ever launched into space?
It wasn't entirely successful, but any firsts deserve a mention in history. Sputnik was the very first satellite, launched into orbit above the earth by The Soviet Union in 1957. It seemed like it was going okay, for about three weeks. But then, the batteries died! The result was silent circling in space for two months, and then a sad death. Sputnik fell back into the atmosphere, never to be used again!
Who is this rebellious fellow, right here?
Why, it's Jim Morrison — lead singer of The Doors! The rockstar had a wild personality and the talent of a poet, an irresistible combination. Men and women alike were fascinated by this icon! Even though he passed away before his time, his legacy lives on. He is often cited as one of the most influential frontmen, ever. And in 1993, Jim was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Who is responsible for this soupy pop art?
Andy Warhol, of course! The father of pop art itself, this style defined a new era of aesthetics. While he was commercially successful before his iconic creations, he became a household name because of Marilyn Monroe, Campbell's soup cans, and world leaders on colorful screenprints. No one stands out more in the genre, even today!
Which of the following is not a Rolling Stones song?
The Rolling Stones had endless hits in the 60s, pioneering a recognizable gritty sound all their own. But with so many titles, it can be easy to forget some! ''Instant Karma'' was the solo work of buddy John Lennon, just to clarify. But ''Satisfaction'', ''Gimme Shelter'', and ''Paint it Black''? All Stones, authentically so!
Who played the original Willy Wonka, back in 1971?
In a world of pure imagination, Gene Wilder delivered advice like “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” Most of the time, his candy was wilder than any booze. Fizzy lifting drinks, anyone? In 1971, audiences enjoyed magic on screen thanks to his performance. The adaptation of the Roald Dahl book was unique, and generations of children know the actor from this role alone. Remake, be darned: Gene is irreplaceable!
What job did Elvis never have, outside of music?
Everyone knows his musical talent, but Elvis Presley had a life before the big time. As a teen in Memphis, he was an usher at a local movie theater to help support his family. When the war hit, he signed up for the army as a soldier, even as his singing career was taking off. And playing off his earned musical fame, he got a lot of movie roles. A busy man, that Elvis!
Who is this famous country singer-songwriter?
Why, it's none other than Johnny Cash! The American singer and songwriter has been the subject of a Hollywood film and cited as an influence by endless contemporary artists. Songs like “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues” intrigued listeners beyond traditional country music, and that remains true today. Even modern country music haters cite Johnny as the exception!
Who was actually the lead songwriter in The Beach Boys?
Brian Wilson was the man behind much of the music, in a significant way. As the co-founder and lead vocalist, he also wrote or co-wrote dozens of the best hits the band had. The California sound of the era was defined by this group more than any other, and Brian was a big reason why!
Which character is this, from Grease?
Stockard Channing played bad girl Rizzo in Grease. Some say she did it so well that she may have outshined the lead! The head of the Pink Ladies smoked and drank in high school, and made a girl gang look enviable. And with memorable songs like ''There Are Worse Things I Could Do'' and ''Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee'', it was impossible not to sing along!
Which John Travolta Movie is this?
Why it's Greased Lightnin'! Although 70's John Travolta starred in other movies to show off his dancing skills, he did so in Grease as the iconic Danny Zuko. The Pink Ladies swooned, just like audiences back home. A forever classic, if there ever was one!
How many times was Elizabeth Taylor married?
Elizabeth Taylor is a Hollywood legend, beautiful and chic. Fans loved to keep up with her, off-screen. There was no one quite so glamourous, and no one quite as finicky in love! Married 8 times to 7 different men, it was almost hard to keep track accurately. To add to the confusion, she had a double husband — actor Richard Burton, twice!
How many studio albums did The Beatles release together?
The British Invasion came with plenty of albums for eager fans. The Beatles just couldn't stop releasing them, reliably entertaining the world for more than a decade. Everyone had a favorite! For some its was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. For others, perhaps Abbey Road. All in all, they had 12 main albums plus the occasional side project to share. Billions of dollars have been exchanged in the process!
How many times was Martin Luther King Jr. jailed?
For silly reasons, MLK was jailed over and over — and over. Elements in the government just didn't seem to want him to succeed, and trumped-up charges plagued his years as a civil rights leader. During one night in the clinker, he wrote the famous "Letter From a Birmingham Jail." In total, he was taken to jail 30 times!
Which American city was the home of Happy Days?
The Fonz, Potsie, and Ritchie Cunningham were pretty cool guys, and they did it all in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The middle-class story was relatable to plenty of people around America, post-WWII. The Midwest setting definitely helped, and it's still in successful reruns today. Fun fact: There is a commemorative statue of the Fonz in downtown Milwaukee — the Bronze Fonz!
Who played Marcia, the oldest daughter, on The Brady Bunch?
There were three lovely daughters in the Brady family. Each had their own little storylines, over the seasons. But it's been awhile — not everyone remembers the names! There was Cindy, the youngest. Jan, the middle child. And of course, Marcia the eldest! Played by Maureen McCormick, her perky personality always came through on the show. For some, she's still the favorite!
When was the first Barbie doll introduced?
Barbie has gone through a lot of makeovers through the years, but there's nothing like the original. The doll was notable at the time: It was a rare toy sold with adult female body parts. In 1959, she went on sale. And quick to grow the concept, Mattel introduced boyfriend Ken in 1961. Since then, the Barbie universe has grown to a valuation of $476 million!
What is this vintage item, right here?
There's nothing like a classic lava lamp to set the mood. Back in the 60's these colorful bubble lights became a major fad. What was the real magic behind this psychedelic device? As it turns out, each lamp was filled with paraffin wax, mineral oil, and carbon tetrachloride. There was a patent in 1968, but that's long expired. A big revival of these stylish illuminators happened in the 1990's, along with bell bottoms from the same era. Will there be a third round? Only time will tell, baby!
Where did the characters live on The Mary Tyler Moore Show?
Audiences loved the funny female lead on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The series showed an independent, single woman pursuing a career. And along with that, some of the first TV depictions of pants! In the 70s, it was still somewhat controversial. The studio limited this garment to just one scene in each episode. Shocking stuff, behind the scenes!
Which country was European pop group ABBA actually from?
Winners of the Eurovision contest, ABBA was Swedish. The pop group took the world by storm from Stockholm in the 1970s, with hits like ''Dancing Queen'' and ''Money, Money, Money'' in discos. Topping international charts for years, their infectious melodies helped to define a club era. ABBA now, ABBA forever!
Who did Ronald Reagan beat to win the presidency, the first time?
Ronald Reagan ran as the Republican governor from California in the 1980 election. His opponent was the current president: Jimmy Carter. Taking on an unpopular administration, Ronald won in a historic landslide. At the time, he received the most electoral votes by a challenger to a sitting prez. And in his own election four years later, he won 49 out of 50 states!
Who is this original Saturday Night Live cast member?
Iconic SNL character Roseanne Roseannadanna was played by none other than Gilda Radner. The American comedienne was one of the very first cast members in the history of the show — and in fact, one of the first seven to try out the live TV parodies. A rare honor, just true for a legendary few!
What are these classic Hostess snack cakes from the 1970s?
Ho Hos were the snack surprise in brown paper lunch bags for decades. The small, chocolatey cylinders were filled with cream. What a delight, said boomer kids! Competing with twinkies and a few other classic cakes, Ho Hos still had their place in everyone's hearts and stomachs. Since their heyday, a few new varieties have been introduced: Nutty Ho Hos and Caramel Ho Hos are current options. But to this day, the originals are a best seller!
In which 1967 case did the Supreme Court rule that different races could marry?
Hard to believe it now, but it was once illegal to marry a person of a different race in the United States. How did the ban end? When Mildred and Richard Loving were arrested for their marriage, lawyers took it to court. In the landmark case Loving v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that all laws banning these unions were unconstitutional. The rest, as they say, is history!
What was the name of the biggest music festival of 1969?
Woodstock is certainly the most famous festival of its era, held in the hippie year of 1969. It ran in August for three days and took place on a dairy farm. Where was it, though? The answer is Bethel, New York. This out of town location still managed to draw more than 400,000. And rock out, they sure did!
What is this item?
Polaroid cameras are actually making a comeback now, as an alternative to digital pictures. It's trendy again, believe it or not! But the original device was not about being hip, back in 1948. It was a genuine innovation, in the photography world! Billions of instant snapshots later, it holds a special place in camera history. The first Polaroid camera was called the Model 95, promising to develop prints in about a minute. Its release was in a Boston department store, and it sold out in just minutes!
What is this comedic 50s sitcom, still in reruns today?
Few shows have enjoyed the fan loyalty that I Love Lucy still has today. It's really never been taken off air! All living generations love it, just the same. Comedienne Lucille Ball had real-life chemistry with costar, husband Desi Arnaz. He played show husband Ricky, and audiences enjoyed those feisty lines!
Name this fashion statement.
Sony and Cher made bell-bottoms fashionable and fabulous. These jeans with flared bottoms were coveted by teens in the 1960's and 70's. Skinny jeans might in right now, but boomers know that wasn't always the case! The original design was really from the U.S. Navy, before modern, standard uniforms were chosen. Many sailors really wore them, in a serious way! Later, they only a disco staple. In the 90's, they were revived into the mainstream for a bit. Groovy times!
Which song was a Bee Gees chart-topping hit?
The Bee Gees gave everyone disco fever, but they didn't mind. One of the biggest tracks to their name was "Stayin' Alive", a song featured in Saturday Night Fever. Young John Travolta really danced his pants off to that one, and audiences followed suit in real life. The song held the number one spot on the Billboard chart for a whole month!
Which creative, quirky 60s sitcom is this?
Bewitched was one of a few magically-themes shows of its era. This time, the story focused on witchcraft. But the cute, quirky kind! Americans loved Samantha the sorceress and husband Darrin, a normal human male. With its clever writing and original concept, this series still plays in highly rated reruns today!
What’s the name of this cool item?
Mood rings were invented in 1970 and were a hit. With a read on feelings, it was a unique idea in the accessory market. The fad died down but came back in the 1990s. People secretly wondered: How did it work? Well, it wasn't magic. It was just liquid crystal, and it was sensitive to temperature! Based on body heat, the ring changed color. It's true that body heat might change a bit, depending on the mood, though. Maybe they were on to something?
What’s the name of this nostalgic toy?
Mr. Potato Head is a classic many generations have enjoyed. Though he hasn't changed much since his invention in 1952, he has had some friends added in, thanks to Hasbro toys. Mrs. Potato Head comes to mind, right away! Believe it or not, the very first version was not totally synthetic. There was a box of pushpins marketed as accessories for real veggies. The eyes could be pushed into an actual potato! Quickly, rotting veggies made that stop. All plastic, it would be!