Arts & Entertainment

QUIZ

You’re A Strange Animal

Test your knowledge of animal actors

By Sean Monkman
W.C. Fields is said to have uttered the infamous Hollywood adage, "Never work with children or animals.” But how could he lump animals in with tots? Sure, both of them can smell bad, be temperamental and deploy flashes of cuteness with a tilt of the head, but critters don't come with meddling and obsessive stage parents. Animal actors have given us some truly classic performances. A few of them have even managed to find a place among film and TV's biggest and most beloved characters. How well do you know our furry friends? 

1. What type of dog was London – the helpful, intelligent stray that starred in the iconic Canadian television series, The Littlest Hobo?
German shepherd
Chihuahua
Poodle
Dachshund
Dalmatian
2. Which of the following statements about the original Rin Tin Tin is false?
He was a shell-shocked pup found by an American serviceman in a bombed-out kennel in France in the late stages of WWI
The success of his films is often credited with saving Warner Brothers from financial ruin during the silent film era
Rin Tin Tin died in 1932 while, according to Hollywood legend, being cradled in the arms of blonde starlet Jean Harlow
In 1929, he had a lost weekend of partying with Charlie Chaplin, Clara Bow and Mary Pickford that resulted in him being charged for disorderly conduct
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
3. “I loved that cat. It was like holding somebody's ass in your arms” recollected Mike Myers on the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery DVD. The Myers character Dr. Evil had a hairless cat. What was its name in the movie?
Scratchy
Schrödinger
Mr. Bigglesworth
Mr. Jinx
Azrael
4. Animal actor Bart the Bear was Hollywood's go-to bear before passing away of natural causes at the age of 20. In which one of the following films did he not appear?
The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
The Great Outdoors (1988)
Legends of the Fall (1994)
The Edge (1997)
Bad News Bears (2005)
5. The TV series B.J. and the Bear featured trucker B.J. McKay traveling the roads and having adventures with his companion, Bear. What type of animal was Bear?
A brown bear
A chimpanzee
A cockatoo
An alligator
A cow
6. Which one of the following is true about TV’s famous talking horse, Mr. Ed:
He was not actually a horse but rather a zebra; since the program was in black and white, home viewers could not tell
He got his big break when Francis the Talking Mule was holding out for more carrots
A peanut butter type substance was applied to the inside of his mouth in order to get him to move his lips
He was twice nominated for Best Actor at the Emmy awards, prompting a rule change that excluded animals from consideration
He really could talk, but producers preferred to overdub a human voice that sounded funnier
7. The pig that played Arnold Ziffel, the incredibly intelligent pig character on the TV series Green Acres, actually won an acting award. Which one?
United States Pork Producers Ham of the Year Award
Golden Globe For Best Supporting Farm Animal
PETA's Put A Friendly Face Off Your Dinner Plate Award
The Humane Society’s PATSY Award (Picture Animal Top Star of the Year)
Teen Beat’s Yummiest Actor
8. One of the most famous dogs in cinema history is Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Which of the following statements about Toto is false?
The casting of a dog to play Toto took a long time because they were trying to match an illustration of a dog in the L. Frank Baum book but were unsure of the breed
The role was played by a Cairn Terrier named Terry, and the dog’s name was officially changed to Toto after The Wizard of Oz
Toto once stormed off the set when he returned to his trailer to find one of the flying monkeys eating his kibble
Toto received $125 a week during filming, more than double the $50 a week paid to the actors portraying the Munchkins
Toto was injured during filming when one of the witch’s guards stepped on her and sprained her paw
9. What product was endorsed by the partying bull terrier, Spuds McKenzie?
Campbell’s Scotch Broth
Bud Light beer
P.E.I. potatoes
McCain’s French Fries
La Senza lingerie
10. The chimpanzee Cheeta appeared as a furry companion (of the same name) in 17 Tarzan movies. What cannot be said about Cheeta?
He was said to have liked the two Tarzans he worked with, Johnny Weismuller and Ron Ely, but didn't get along with Maureen O'Sullivan, who played Jane
He recently celebrated his 74th birthday and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as being the World’s Oldest Primate
He is said to enjoy painting, and his work is sold to support the sanctuary he calls home
On his most recent birthday, he was presented with an award from the International Comedy Film Festival of Peniscola
He used to play cards and board games with his handlers but has become a deliberate violator of the rules and no longer enjoys such diversions