Film Theory and History Quiz

Questions and Answers

Who first discussed the theory of 'the Gaze'?

Laura Mulvey

What does Queer Theory hold about sexuality?

A continuum

What does Auteur Theory contends?

The director is the primary author of the film

What is the difference between Film Analysis and Film Theory?

Film analysis looks at film from a structural standpoint, Film Theory looks at the concepts and meanings inherent in the film Signup and view all the answers

Who produced 'Workers Leaving the Factory'?

August and Louis Lumiere Signup and view all the answers

What is a leitmotif?

A short musical phrase associated with a particular character Signup and view all the answers

What does genre analysis primarily look at?

The way films use standard tropes, and the ways those tropes in power are often subverted to create tension in the narrative Signup and view all the answers

How did Marxist film theorist Louis Althusser define an Ideological State Apparatus?

An ideological structure that attempts to maintain control by changing hearts and minds (church, theater, literature, etc.) Signup and view all the answers

What engages you in a dominant reading of a text?

Accepting the preferred reading Signup and view all the answers

The women must engage in stereotypically 'masculine' behaviors to pass the Bechdel Test.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which studio was NOT one of the 'Big Five'?

Columbia Signup and view all the answers

What was block booking?

The practice of forcing an exhibitor to take an entire package of movies, sight unseen, in order to get the really desirable ones Signup and view all the answers

Which studio was known as the studio of the working man, famous for their 'social problem' films?

Warner Brothers Signup and view all the answers

When Universal Studio released a 'Bluebird', what were they talking about?

A middle-tier film, possibly a low-grade 'A' picture Signup and view all the answers

Studios not part of the 'Big Five' or 'Little Three' were typically considered part of?

Poverty Row Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mae West?

A prominent actress known for her sexuality and racy films Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for swashbuckling roles in films like Captain Blood?

Errol Flynn Signup and view all the answers

Which studio was considered the most 'European' of American production houses?

Paramount Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Marx Brothers?

A highly successful comedy team famous for films like Animal Crackers Signup and view all the answers

Who was born William Henry Pratt and starred in several horror films?

Boris Karloff Signup and view all the answers

Name the cast of Casablanca.

Rick - Humphrey Bogart, Ilsa - Ingrid Bergman, Lazlo - Paul Henreid, Ferrari - Sydney Greenstreet, Sam - Dooley Wilson, Strauss - Conrad Veidt, Captain Louis - Claude Rains, Ugarte - Peter Lorre Signup and view all the answers

Who directed Casablanca?

Michael Curtiz Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Studio System' refer to?

Shot entirely on studio set Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the song between Rick and Ilsa that neither really want to speak of?

As Time Goes By Signup and view all the answers

When does Casablanca take place?

December 1941, days before Pearl Harbor Signup and view all the answers

Casablanca can be seen as an allegory for America's?

isolationism Signup and view all the answers

Match the following precursors of film with their descriptions:

Thaumatrope = Paper circle with images on both sides Magic Lanterns = Projection device for slides Zoetrope = 1830's cylinder device with slits Series Photography = 1877 Edward Muybridge - horse galloping in 12 photos; 1st continuous recording live action Gun Camera = 1882 Etienne Jules Marey, pictures couldn't be projected; used to study motion Celluloid Film = 1887 Hannibal Goodwin Roundhay Garden Scene = 1888 Louis Le Prince - oldest surviving film in existence; first motion picture Kinetograph = 1889 Thomas Edison Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Film Theory and Concepts

The Gaze: Introduced by Laura Mulvey, it explores how viewers engage with films through the lens of gender and power dynamics.
Queer Theory: Posits that sexuality exists on a continuum, challenging binary notions of sexual identity.
Auteur Theory: Asserts that a film's director is its principal creator, emphasizing their artistic vision.
Film Analysis vs. Film Theory: Analysis examines the structure of films, while theory investigates concepts and meanings behind them.

Film History and Practices

Workers Leaving the Factory: An early film produced by the Lumière brothers, marking a significant moment in cinema history.
Block Booking: A controversial practice where exhibitors were forced to accept a package of films, ensuring distribution of popular titles.
The Big Five: Major film studios that dominated Hollywood; Columbia was notably absent from this group.
Poverty Row: Studios outside the Big Five and Little Three, often producing lower-budget films.

Notable Figures in Cinema

Mae West: An iconic actress known for her provocative scripts and sexuality, which antagonized conservative groups.
Errol Flynn: A prominent actor known for his swashbuckling roles in classic adventure films.
Marx Brothers: Renowned for their comedic films like Animal Crackers and Duck Soup, defining a unique style of humor.
Boris Karloff: Originally William Henry Pratt, he became a star in horror films and narrated the classic Dr. Seuss special.

Casablanca Specifics

Cast of Casablanca: Notable characters include Rick (Humphrey Bogart), Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), and Captain Louis (Claude Rains).
Director: Michael Curtiz helmed the iconic film Casablanca released in 1942.
Timeframe: The film is set in December 1941, just prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Thematic Allegory: Casablanca represents America's isolationism during World War II.
Signature Song: "As Time Goes By" is a poignant tune reflecting the characters' nostalgia and unresolved feelings.

Historical Precursors to Film

Thaumatrope: A toy that creates the illusion of motion by combining images on opposite sides of a rotating disk.
Magic Lanterns: Early projection devices that advanced the art of storytelling through slides.
Zoetrope: A device from the 1830s that animated images on a cylinder, demonstrating early motion effects.
Series Photography: Pioneered by Edward Muybridge, depicting continuous motion using sequential photographs.
Kinetograph: Developed by Thomas Edison, it was one of the first motion picture cameras, revolutionizing film technology.
Roundhay Garden Scene: The oldest surviving motion picture, emphasizing the film medium's early beginnings.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in film theory and the history of cinema. Explore theories such as the gaze and queer theory, as well as significant films and practices that shaped the industry. This quiz is perfect for film enthusiasts and students alike.