Stealth Journeys with the Steam Mapper

Chapter 30: Trivial Pursuit on the Open Seas

Back when heading westward into the open ocean, the friends had time to chat about their favorite subjects.  They usually dreamed up some new trivia challenges, trying to stump each other in their ongoing game.   Today, StLF decided to go first, with one that came to mind, after hearing of so many near drownings by Cousteau and his crew.

"Hey MYKA!   Can you name an American actress who dies in three films: two where a ship or boat capsizes and one where she is placed in a car, and seen dead underwater much later in the film?   In two of the films, she plays a young needy type, who is in the way of the murderer coming into "family money".   Two of the movies were made in the 1950s and one in the 1970s, and all three had famous casts that represented many decades of film and Broadway.   Two were popular from the start and one became more of a cult classic.   Stumped?   Here's clue number one: One movie starred Lillian Gish, Peter Graves, and Robert Mitchum, and the mystery actress."

"Hmm. . . I loved watching Robert Mitchum movies back when our Swiss school had a gigantic satellite dish and could pull in all channels.   We watched a lot of Turner Classic Movies.   I really liked the action in Thunder Road which had Mitchum, and his son, and Keely Smith.   I hear Elvis Pressley liked Mitchum so much, that he imitated some of his hair style and hair color and liked the way Mitchum could really sing.    When I think of Peter Graves, I think of the old television series 'Mission Impossible'.    You know he is Matt Dillon's brother?   The Matt Dillon we talked about earlier.  You know, The Thing.   When I think of Lillian Gish, I think of The Whales of August.    Oh and I did see her silent movie classic called The Wind.   It was filmed on location near Bakersfield California and they used nine airplanes with propellers all going to create the windstorms.  It was a very sandy undertaking.  I guess I need another clue."

"Well, here's another clue about the first movie: it has a doll stuffed with money.   Oh, and near the last, it's Christmastime."

"Wait a minute. Is it that weird black and white movie, with children floating down the river in a boat, and animals along the shore watching at night?   And, Mitchum is riding around on a horse singing hymns. And he has "LOVE" and "HATE" tattooed on his knuckles?   It is coming back to me . . . Night of the Hunter!  And the actress is Shelley Winters.   And she is submerged in an old car."

"Okay, name the other two movies where Shelly Winters dies after capsizing. One is from a rowboat and one is from a cruise ship."

"These are tough. I need a clue. What actor is in the one involving the rowboat?"

"The actor is Montgomery Cliff and the other actress is Elizabeth Taylor, and the movie is based on the book An American Tragedy, by Dreiser, which was inspired by a true story that took place up in New York, up in the Adirondacks.   So, what was the movie called?"

"You got me. I don't know, but I vaguely recall Shelly Winters in an assembly line putting swimsuits or scarves or something in boxes.   And getting in the family way with Montgomery Cliff.    I do remember the title of the movie about the cruise ship capsizing.  It was the Poseidon Adventure.  The first version.   And, Shelley Winters' character was a great swimmer who offered to help with some kind of submerged hatch and died from a heart attack.   A lot of characters died trying to help others in their small group of survivors.   It is a wonder anyone made it out alive.   But I still can't recall the other movie title.    I give up."

StLF was relishing being able to get MYKA to admit to not knowing every little thing.   A Place in the Sun is the title", said with a big grin, and a self-served pat on the back.    Enjoying the rush of success, it was time to ask a nosy question.   "So tell me, what movie do you consider to be your secret indulgence?"   MYKA looked perplexed.   "Okay, I'll share a couple of examples.  Mom has watched Gone with the Wind every chance she gets.   Always quoting her favorite lines.   You can probably guess which one she repeated the most."

MYKA  gave a quizzical shake of the head.   "Could it be 'I saw it in the window and I couldn't resist it.'   Could that be the one?"

"No silly.   That was a spoof done by Carol Burnett.   One of the most memorable sketches of all: "Went with the Wind".    Mom was always saying 'Tomorrow is another day.  I'll think about it tomorrow'.    I've used the phrase many times myself.    You should have remembered those lines from before when I sang for you!    I thought you were paying attention when I did Mom and Dad's skit!   I am soooo disappointed", said with a dramatic sigh , followed by a playful shove. 

"Hey!  Knock it off!  I did listen to your routine.  I was very impressed with your Connecticut Clench."

"What on earth are you talking about?  I'm not from Connecticut and I'm afraid to ask what you think I was clenching."

"Hey!  Calm down.  I was giving you a compliment.  I was referring to your impersonation of Katherine Hepburn.  The Connecticut Clench, also called "lockjaw", is a very strange affected manner of speech, long taught at preparatory schools in New England to the upper crust.  I had a classmate speaking that way, and everyone in our international group of students found it weird.  Found  sites online that explained why it was taught, and giving examples of others who have used it.  Thurston  Howell, III, of "Gilligan's Island" and Niles Crane of our favorite show "Frasier" were two characters given that accent to represent snobbery.   The character Gloria, in Mame also used it, too.   'Everything is top drawer.  Really top drawer.'  It is amazing how much you can learn about anything just by googling any topic.   I've found there is no limit."

"By the way,  A Place in the Sun  was not the first movie based on the book An American Tragedy.  Twenty years earlier a movie with the very same plot but different character names was based on Theodore Dreiser's book about the true-life murderer named Gillette, and it was called An American Tragedy, like the book."

"I've wondered about your obsession with long hours devoted to your laptop.   You are so quiet that I'm betting it is not gaming.   What gives?"  And then sensing a need to change the subject, Stef went on.

"You know MYKA, Maria, before marrying the Baron von Trapp, used draperies to make children's clothes in The Sound of Music.    I wonder if Maria saw Gone with the Wind?  

"That could not have happened while the Baron's children were young.  Maria actually married the Baron back in 1927.  They fled to Italy in the 1930's and first lived in Pennsylvania when they came to the U.S.  Where they could have seen Gone with the Wind in 1940, before they moved up to Vermont.  My guess is a lot of The Sound of Music is fictitious.  But here is something that is true.  Baron von Trapp refused to serve for the Nazis because of their ideology.  He had served in the Hungarian-Austrian Navy as an officer aboard early designed U-boats, sinking enemy ships in several wars.  Another true-life adventurer using submarines!  Getting quite a list!"

My favorite movie indulgence is Erin Brockovich.    I love Julia Robert's character.     Her inappropriateness.  Her determination.    I admit I am jealous to know that you have met Erin Brockovich.    My favorite part is when she offers the special water to the team of lawyers.   So MYKA, any movies you enjoy enough to watch over and over?"

MYKA  thought and thought.    "Well, when I was younger, I was fascinated with Leonardo Di Caprio's early performances.   Yes, I'm talking Titanic and The Beach despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score.    And, I'd say my favorite was when he played Frank Abagnale, Jr. in Catch Me if You Can.    I really enjoyed the movies The Sting and Paper Moon and Ocean's Eleven.    I guess I really enjoyed the movies that featured a con game, a confidence man, a bold move.   All the actors were great in Catch Me if You Can.    Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken.    I think it was my favorite because it is a true story."

"Of course, Erin Brockovich is a true story, too.    And, as you pointed out she resorted to a bit of deviousness, too.    I doubt they planned to serve the lawyers tainted water.    Water seems to play an important role in some our favorites, huh?   We liked The Deep and the Jaws movies and even A River Runs Through It.   Guess we are both born water lovers!  Lovers with lots to share!"