Strike up the band, because it’s time for some John Williams trivia in this week’s episode of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. Join your host, Brian Rollins for thirty Dorky, Geeky, and Nerdy trivia questions about the maestro himself, John Williams.
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Episode Intro
Hey music lovers, it’s time for some trivia. I’m your host, Brian Rollins, and this is Episode 228 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. This week, we’ve got John Williams Trivia. Thirty questions about the composer’s work and life. He’s prolific, so there’s a lot of territory to cover.
If you’re new, welcome. Every week I give you 30 trivia questions on a new topic. If you’d like to learn more about the show, listen to past episodes, or find out how to support DGN, visit DorkyGeekyNerdy.com.
OK, the band is all tuned up, so let’s begin.
The Dorky Round
- The American Film Institute selected which of Williams’ film scores as the greatest of all time?
a. Star Wars: A New Hope - You will believe a man can fly in no small part due to Williams score of what 1978 movie?
a. Superman - Using just two notes, Williams managed to scare the heck out of audiences in what 1975 movie?
a. Jaws - John Williams worked with director James Mangold for what 2023 Summer film?
a. Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny - John Williams collaborates most often with what director?
a. Steven Spielberg - Yoda’a Theme and The Imperial March first appeared in what 1980 movie?
a. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - In 2022, Williams was the second-to-last person to be knighted by what monarch?
a. Queen Elizabeth II - Williams composed the fanfare for the Centennial of what New York landmark in 1986?
a. The Statue of Liberty - Williams was the conductor of what orchestra from 1980 to 1993?
a. The Boston Pops Orchestra - In 2001, Williams wrote Hedwig’s Theme for which film?
a. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He would score the first three films.
The Geeky Round
- Williams first collaborated with Steven Spielberg on what film?
a. The Sugarland Express. - 1993 was busy year for Williams and Spielberg. They worked on what two movies that came out that year?
a. Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. The latter won Williams his most recent Oscar. - While he doesn’t do much TV music these days, Williams did compose some music for what 2022 series?
a. Obi-Wan Kenobi. He wanted to give the character a theme which he hadn’t done in the six movies with the character. - Williams composed the theme music and scored four episodes of what 1960s Sci-Fi show?
a. Lost in Space - It’s not just in the movies, Williams composed the theme to what 1980s TV series produced by Steven Spielberg?
a. Amazing Stories - John Williams composed “Sayuri’s Theme” for what 2005 film?
a. Memoirs of a Geisha - Williams wrote the theme and ambient music for what new area of Disneyland in 2019?
a. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - John Williams shared an Oscar nomination with the legendary Sherman Brothers for what 1973 movie musical?
a. Tom Sawyer - Williams wrote over 300 examples before getting the right 5-tone combination for what 1977 sci-fi film?
a. Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Forty-eight of Williams’ Oscar nominations are for which category?
a. Best Original Score. Five of his nominations are for Best Original Song
The Nerdy Round
- In 1956, Williams joined which branch of the military?
a. The US Air Force - Williams composed what piece for the inauguration of Barrack Obama?
a. Air and Simple Gifts. It was prerecorded as it was too cold for the instruments to play that January morning. - Williams won his first Oscar for what film?
a. Fiddler on the Roof - John Willams’ son, Joseph, is the lead singer for which band?
a. Toto - The composition, The Mission, is used as the theme music for which network’s nightly news?
a. NBC - Williams made his feature film debut with what 1958 movie?
a. Daddy-O. He was credited as Johnny Williams - Williams composed what piece for the 1996 Summer Olympics?
a. Summon the Heroes - Composing the music for 1976’s Family Plot was Williams only work with what legendary director?
a. Alfred Hitchcock - Williams fist film composition was for You Are Welcome, a tourist film for what Canadian province?
a. Newfoundland - Williams received his first Oscar nomination for what 1967 film starring Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, and Sharon Tate?
a. Valley of the Dolls
Episode Conclusion
And that’s our finale. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Now go listen to some John Williams music. If you haven’t heard any of his non-film work, I recommend it. I listen to a lot of classical and film music while I work, so Williams’ stuff is on heavy rotation. What’s your favorite John Williams score? For me, it’s Jurassic Park. Let me know on Spotify or social media what’s your favorite composition.
I’ll be back here next week with another thirty questions. Here’s a clue for what to expect:
What comic book hero sometimes goes by the nickname, “The Scarlet Speedster”?
One of the things I’m catching up on this season is Superhero Trivia. See you back here next Wednesday.
This has been episode 228 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast.
The theme music is by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com.
This podcast was written, produced, and hosted by me, Brian Rollins. Come find me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.
Thanks for listening.
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Hosted & Written by Brian Rollins
Music by Jason Shaw
Copyright 2019-2023 by Brian Rollins
Permission granted to redistribute audio but only if left unaltered. Permission denied for use in AI training.
