Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
About This Quiz
A seasoned network news man's mental breakdown on the air sparks a firestorm of competitive reality news TV, raising questions on morality for the industry.
What protest cry does Howard encourage people to shout out their windows?
"I am in charge of my own destiny!"
"We are the people with all the power!"
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
The populist movement takes hold and people go to their windows to make Beale's proclamation.
"No one tells me what to do!"
Beale proclaims, "_____________________ is not the truth."
God
New York
Religion
Television
Beale is on his pedestal preaching against the media and its coverage. This makes his bosses uncomfortable.
For what network does Howard Beale work?
UBS
UBS is a fictional network that competes in the television market against real networks of the 70s (ABC, CBS, and NBC). It stands for Union Broadcasting System.
CNN
ABC
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Max Schumacher repeats a humorous story about a news story he once had to cover. What is the topic?
The Library of Congress
The George Washington Bridge
The story deals with a misunderstanding about him covering a news story at the bridge and people believing he was going to jump off.
The Smithsonian
Early in the movie, Howard Beale discusses with his friend, Max, a potential news feature he wants to call _____________________________________________.
"Angry Man of the Week"
"Suicide of the Week"
Beale threatens to kill himself on the evening news. His ratings as a newscaster continue to drop and he feels he needs to do something dramatic.
"Terrorist of the Week"
What unexpected comment does the UBS crew overlook in an early Howard Beale broadcast?
"The President will be shot next Tuesday."
"This network will blow up the Capitol next Tuesday."
"UBS will feature murders and thieves on Tuesday."
"I'm going to blow my brains out next Tuesday."
Beale is serious but his crew has not even paid attention. He is pulled off the air when they realize something is wrong.
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Which character sees ratings in "counter-culture" and "anti-establishment" shows?
Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway)
Diana wants a name for herself on the network and proposes some radical ideas about programming to capture ratings. She wants an "angry show."
Max Schumacher (William Holden)
Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall)
Arthur Jensen (Ned Beatty)
Who gives Howard a second chance on the air after he has his first breakdown?
Max Schumacher
Howard wants to go out of his career on his terms and asks Max for a second chance. Max says "Ok and no booze today, Howard."
Diana Christensen
Mary Ann Gifford
Arthur Jensen
Which terrorist group does Diana want to put on the air?
Symbionese Liberation Army
Japanese Red Army
Black Panthers
Ecumenical Liberation Army
The ELA made a video of a robbery that Diana wanted to sensationalize on the news. The group was led by Ahmed Kahn.
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Diana tells Hackett she wants Beale back on the air after an on-air comment where he tells viewers he "ran out of __________________________."
time
BS
Ratings soar when Howard comes clean with the viewers. Diana wants to seize the momentum and says, "He's articulating the popular rage."
lies
inspiration
Who asks Max to reconsider his resignation from the UBS network?
Diana Christensen
Edward Ruddy
Ruddy fires Max when Howard Beale seems out of control. Ruddy realizes later he needs Max to take back control of the network.
Frank Hackett
Howard Beale
What feature does Diana add to the new "The Howard Beale Show"?
"The Underground Group"
"Angry Al the Protester"
"Marvin the Mentalist"
"Sibyl the Soothsayer"
Sibyl makes predictions and the outcomes are reviewed. Diana even consults her for personal matters.
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Max asks Diana out for dinner and says, "I don't do anything on my first date." What does she reply?
"You may not, but I do."
"This isn't a date."
"We'll see."
There is clearly an attraction. He is married and she is driven by ambition.
"I don't do dinner."
What college did Diana attend?
Yale
University of Missouri
Diana mentions to Max how she was taken with him when she saw him speak when she was in college.
Columbia University
University of Wisconsin
Howard starts to hear voices. What do they tell him to do?
"Kill yourself."
"Tell people the truth."
Beale takes on an evangelist style of editorial on his new show. He takes his cues from "the voice."
"Lead the people."
"Create a bomb shelter."
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Who is most concerned and compassionate about Beale's mental state?
Diana Christensen
Max Schumacher
Max and Howard are old friends in the industry. This has been reiterated throughout the story.
Beale's wife
Edward Ruddy
What allows Frank Hackett to take charge of UBS?
Max recommends him.
Hackett is paying off the stockholders.
Hackett takes credit for Beale's success.
Ruddy has a heart attack.
Hackett seizes the opportunity to climb the ladder of success and puts Diana in charge of programming.
Which show is "The Howard Beale Show" NOT beating in the ratings?
"The Six Million Dollar Man"
"All in the Family"
"Phyllis"
"Good Times"
"The Howard Beale Show" is 4th in the ratings, but moving up quickly in the market. Hackett and Diana are optimistic about its chances.
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Who is Laureen Hobbs?
Max's daughter
Diana's secretary
A proclaimed Communist
Hobbs demands control of her own show from Diana. The show is "The Mao Tse Tung Hour."
An investigative reporter
What is the nickname introducing Howard Beale on his new show?
"The Man of the Hour"
"The Raging Bull of News"
"The Spontaneous Sentinel of TV"
"The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves"
His show begins with his rants and is followed by other features. There is a stained glass facade in the background.
As part of his routine on his new show, Beale delivers his commentary and then does what?
Shoots a gun in the air
Faints
A flair for the dramatic is what engages audiences. There is a conscious effort to ignore his theatrics and move on to the next segment.
Pounds his fist on the desk over and over
Punches the camera
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Max takes Diana away for a romantic weekend. Where do they stay?
"The Conch Motel"
"The Claw of the Crab B & B"
"The Waves of Heaven Inn"
"The Sea Spray Inn"
Max's wife is out of town with their pregnant daughter in Seattle. He abandons 25 years of marriage for an affair with Diana.
At an affiliates' meeting in 1976, what does Diana promise to the group?
"UBS will have the international market at its feet!"
"I will be the CEO of UBS in less than 6 months!"
"Howard Beale will be a god by the end of the month!"
"Next year, we'll be the #1 network!"
Diana becomes obsessed with the power of commanding an audience. All of her thoughts are focused on success with the network.
What channel is the UBS network covered on?
2
3
Because it is a fictional network, 3 is not the typical channel number used for the three real major networks.
13
21
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What information does Howard expose on air that infuriates Hackett?
The Saudis are buying America.
Hackett is upset that people know money from the Saudis has influence in the US and even with the network. Hackett is afraid this will turn people against the network and hurt ratings.
The President of the US is controlling the media.
The network is abandoning its moral obligation to society.
The reason why he was first fired.
Who tells Howard Beale he has, "meddled with the primal forces of nature and you will atone!"?
Frank Hackett
Max Schumacher
Arthur Jensen
Jensen uses the same kind of rhetoric that Beale uses to redirect his agenda. It seems like he will fire him at first but that is not the case.
Edward Ruddy
Jensen imposes his ideology on Beale and expects him to deliver it on the air. What ideas does he have?
"Money is the root of all evil."
"The earth needs to be saved from itself."
"The world is a college of corporations."
Jensen uses Beale to spread his message and tells him point blank he chose Beale because he is on television. However, the ratings start to drop soon after.
"The mental health of the nation is at stake."
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What is the topic of Max's book?
The financial aspects of media
The early days of television
Max works on his book after he leaves his wife and moves in with Diana. He doesn't make much progress.
His autobiography
A biography on JFK
Max tells Diana, "After living with you for six months, I'm turning into _______________."
one of your scripts
Max likens his relationship with Diana to a script where he says later there is a "happy ending" when he walks out on her.
your programming assistant
your own personal super hero
your cameraman
Max tells Diana, "I just want you to love me." What is her response?
"I don't know how to do that."
Diana had a failed marriage and is all about her job. She is honest with Max.
"This isn't some cheap dime store novel."
"I always have, you just didn't see it."
"You can get love from your wife, not me."
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When Max finally leaves Diana he accuses her of being ___________________.
"the queen of broadcasting"
"television incarnate"
Max is angry Diana has focused all of her attention on her job instead of him. He realizes he made a mistake in entering into a relationship with her.
"the devil behind the network"
"television pestilence"
Diana wants Beale's show off the air, but can't take it off because Jensen wants it on. What is proposed?
Kill Beale.
It seems suggested as a joke but then Hackett realizes it is a consideration. Diana says, "Kill the SOB."
Change his day and time slot.
Have Max talk to Jensen.
Diana offers to sleep with Jensen.
Who is supposed to carry out the assassination of Howard Beale?
Diana Christensen
The Mao Tse Tung Group
Two shooters, including Ahmed Kahn, are in the audience for the show.
He volunteers to kill himself.
Max Schumacher
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What is the final shot in the movie?
Howard Beale is being carried off set screaming nonsense.
Howard Beale is shown shot dead on the studio floor.
The two shooters stand up in the audience and shoot Beale repeatedly while on air.
Howard Beale tells his audience he "quit" and quietly walk off the set.
Diana Christensen shoots herself in the control room.
The final comment by the narrator states that Howard Beale _______________________.
"was not so crazy after all."
"was killed because he had lousy ratings."
The entire movie is a satire on television news and how decisions are made for programming. The hint is that it's all about the ratings.
"retired from a job that became obsolete."
"wasn't going to take it any more."
You Got:
/35
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