what is inside?
zeph’s pop culture quiz #26
What is inside the armoured car so strongly guarded by the coppers? The rule is that every Monday I post one pop culture quiz question, but as the last times, and today, they were solved just too fast I decided to post a second one today. Obviously my riddles are too easy—now dig your teeth into this one!
Just leave a comment with your educated guess—you can ask for additional hints, too. [Leaving a comment is easy; just click the ‘Leave a comment’ at the end of the post and fill in the form. If it’s the first time you post a comment, it will be held for moderation. But I am constantly checking, and once I’ve approved a comment, your next ones won’t be held, but published immediately by the system.]
UPDATE and solution (27 April 2012):
Now that really was a tough one and it needed some hints from my side, but then Alexander Rabitsch ↵got the movie, and the very next moment ryoku ↵posted the solution :D Inside the armoured car is the crown of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, which is about to be driven from San Francisco harbour to the Fremont Museum. The scene is from the last of the Mr.-Moto movies starring ↑Peter Lorre, ‘↑Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation‘ (Foster 1939). Here is Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto with the crown:
>>Armored Car Robbery<<?? :D
No, it’s not ‘Armored Car Robbery’ (Fleischer 1950) … that would have been a bit too easy, don’t you think? :)
a play on words :>
but is it a film noir, too?
Well, that ultimately is a question of definition, but IMDb indeed has the movie tagged as ‘film noir.’ Still, the movie was made slightly before the period of classic film noir, lacks certain symptoms of canonical film noir, but features others. Then again the lead is played by an actor whose performances decisively helped to create film noir, and who forever will be associated with it.
So we have to expect either Bogart or Edward G. Robinson as actor ….
Neither nor … :)
Alan Ladd?
Nope, it’s not Alan Ladd.
So if you say the movie was made before the classic film noir era … it was made before 1940 ?
Featuring Robert Mitchum?
Yes, it was made slightly before 1940, very slightly before. But, no, not featuring Robert Mitchum. With Edward G. Robinson, Alan Ladd, and Humphrey Bogart you all already were on the right track concerning the actor’s body height.
John Garfield?
No, it isn’t John Garfield, sorry :)
Damn …. :) 1939 or 1938 the movie was made?
1939 it was. And here’s a little hint: In respect to the lead actor think about someone who has not always been in the US. And, by the way—I do like seeing you suffer :)
Of course …. :D László Loewenstein / Peter Lorre is the actor?
This is absolutely correct, yes, Peter Lorre it is! :)
o.k. that helps a lot ;)
One of the Mr. Moto movies?
mr. Moto takes a vacation?
…and the treasure inside the armored car is the crown of the queen of sheba.
finally! :D
Typing kind o´ faster than me! xD
The crown shall be taken to the Fremont Museum ….
congratz mr. rabitsch!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha :D This is just wonderful, ryoku beats Alexander Rabitsch on the finishing line! Absolutely correct, it is ‘Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation’ (Foster 1939) and the heavily guarded artefact inside the armored car is the crown of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, which is about to be driven from San Francisco harbour to the Fremont Museum. Congratulations to ryoku and Alexander Rabitsch!
:D ´t was a hard way …. gotta rest now!
Your rest is rightfully earned!
(-_-)zzz….
i wouldn’t dream of depriving alexander rabitsch of his much deserved win – i just couldn’t resist to sneak that comment in :))
I presented it on a plate … ;) Lets say: >>Action Simultanée<< :D