ROALD DAHL
Tuesday - Fan's Choice!
Okay my DAHLings,
It's times for a ROALD DAHL Quiz! And yes, this was mostly chosen for the above pun. I'm not sorry. I've also been told expressly: "Please don't ask too many questions about his books. He's got such a weird and cool life". So get ready to know wayyyy too much about this guy.
This one came from a dear Discorder who asked me not to disclose their name for fear of being persecuted for their love of Dahl. I say, who wouldn't love a air-fighting spycrafting, womanising, children's authoring, medical inventing, eroticist? Well... probably me. But his life story is well worth dissecting!
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Here we go!
TUESDAY QUIZ - FANS CHOICE - ROALD DAHL
Operating as a high-society double agent gathering American intelligence, which real-world wartime spy network moniker did Roald Dahl use for his clandestine espionage ring in Washington (and included Ian Fleming)? The code name borrowed from Arthur Conan Doyle’s street-smart urchins to mask his actual covert intelligence gathering.
Speaking of Fleming and spycraft...
Penning an action-packed cinematic screenplay that featured a volcanic villain lair and a autogyro named Little Nellie, which 1967 Technicolor blockbuster film marked Roald Dahl's high-profile screenwriting adaptation of a classic spy novel? It was the fifth instalment in a legendary British espionage franchise.
I say, you may as well write one if given the chance!
YOLT!
Weaving a terrifying real-life snake encounter from his African oil company days into his autobiography Going Solo, which highly aggressive, lethal elapid species did Roald Dahl watch a professional snake-man capture in Africa? It is often erroneously noted that the Dendroaspis polylepis actually did bite him - but this is false. The reptile's name also inspired a deadly assassin codename in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, along with Cottonmouth, Copperhead, California Mountain Snake, and Sidewinder.
Floating across the Atlantic Ocean powered by thousands of harnessed seagulls, which surreal 1961 children's fantasy novel was Roald Dahl's first major international literary success? The plot follows a lonely orphan boy escaping his cruel aunts Spiker and Sponge inside a colossal, magically enlarged stone fruit.
Winning seven prestigious Olivier Awards after adapting Roald Dahl's work into a smash-hit stage musical, which brilliant Australian comedian and lyricist composed the soundtrack for Matilda the Musical - and played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in the Australian production?
Coining a specific term for the destructive, mischievous mythical sprites that systematically dismantle military aircraft engines, which 1943 debut children's book was written by Roald Dahl for Walt Disney? In the original, they initially cause trouble but eventually team up with British pilots to fight the Nazis. The 1984 movie is a little less war-esque... but still don't stay up past midnight to watch it!
After Dahl's son Theo was struck by a taxicab, he sadly developed hydrocephalus. This led Dahl to collaborate with hydraulic engineer Wade and surgeon Till to create the Wade-Dahl-Till (WDT) valve - a shunt for which organ of the body?
What does B.F.G. stand for?
He wasn't just a children's author... publishing several of his dark, adult-oriented short stories like "The Visitor" during the 1960s and 1970s and introducing the character Uncle Oswald (ew), which infamous American men's entertainment magazine was founded by Hugh Hefner? The prominent, glossy print publication was universally recognized for its iconic tuxedo-wearing rabbit logo.
Winning an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for its brilliant 2023 cinematic adaptation, which whimsical Roald Dahl collection follows a wealthy gambler who masters yoga and learns to "see" without seeing? The title character uses this to see through the backs of playing cards, and was played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the flick.
Time for the answers! I hope you enjoyed!
ANSWERS:
Operating as a high-society double agent gathering American intelligence, which real-world wartime spy network moniker did Roald Dahl use for his clandestine espionage ring in Washington (and included Ian Fleming)? The code name borrowed from Arthur Conan Doyle’s street-smart urchins to mask his actual covert intelligence gathering.
BAKER STREET IRREGULARS / The IRREGULARS. It’s true! In World War II, the “Irregulars” were a secret group of British intelligence agents and propagandists in Washington, D.C., working to destroy U.S. isolationism and push America into the war. Led by spymaster William “Intrepid” Stephenson, they used their social connections, wealth, and charm to influence U.S. politicians and elites. As a handsome, wounded RAF fighter pilot, a young Roald Dahl was specifically recruited to use his wit and social grace to infiltrate D.C. high society. This included romancing Washington Elites - where Dahl used his charm to gather secrets from powerful figures and wooing prominent, fiercely anti-British isolationists, such as Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce, in hopes of shifting their political viewsSpeaking of Fleming and spycraft...
Penning an action-packed cinematic screenplay that featured a volcanic villain lair and a autogyro named Little Nellie, which 1967 Technicolor blockbuster film marked Roald Dahl’s high-profile screenwriting adaptation of a classic spy novel? It was the fifth instalment in a legendary British espionage franchise.
I say, you may as well write one if given the chance!
YOLT!
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICEWeaving a terrifying real-life snake encounter from his African oil company days into his autobiography Going Solo, which highly aggressive, lethal elapid species did Roald Dahl watch a professional snake-man capture in Africa? It is often erroneously noted that the Dendroaspis polylepis actually did bite him - but this is false. The reptile’s name also inspired a deadly assassin codename in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, along with Cottonmouth, Copperhead, California Mountain Snake, and Sidewinder.
BLACK MAMBAFloating across the Atlantic Ocean powered by thousands of harnessed seagulls, which surreal 1961 children’s fantasy novel was Roald Dahl’s first major international literary success? The plot follows a lonely orphan boy escaping his cruel aunts Spiker and Sponge inside a colossal, magically enlarged stone fruit.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACHWinning seven prestigious Olivier Awards after adapting Roald Dahl’s work into a smash-hit stage musical, which brilliant Australian comedian and lyricist composed the soundtrack for Matilda the Musical - and played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar in the Australian production?
Tim MINCHINCoining a specific term for the destructive, mischievous mythical sprites that systematically dismantle military aircraft engines, which 1943 debut children’s book was written by Roald Dahl for Walt Disney? In the original, they initially cause trouble but eventually team up with British pilots to fight the Nazis. The 1984 movie is a little less war-esque... but still don’t stay up past midnight to watch it!
The GREMLINSAfter Dahl’s son Theo was struck by a taxicab, he sadly developed hydrocephalus. This led Dahl to collaborate with hydraulic engineer Wade and surgeon Till to create the Wade-Dahl-Till (WDT) valve - a shunt for which organ of the body?
The BRAINWhat does B.F.G. stand for?
BIG FRIENDLY GIANTHe wasn’t just a children’s author... publishing several of his dark, adult-oriented short stories like “The Visitor” during the 1960s and 1970s and introducing the character Uncle Oswald (ew), which infamous American men’s entertainment magazine was founded by Hugh Hefner? The prominent, glossy print publication was universally recognized for its iconic tuxedo-wearing rabbit logo.
PLAYBOY. Now I’m wondering if James and the Giant Peach was a rejected title…Winning an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for its brilliant 2023 cinematic adaptation, which whimsical Roald Dahl collection follows a wealthy gambler who masters yoga and learns to “see” without seeing? The title character uses this to see through the backs of playing cards, and was played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the flick.
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR
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