Sunday, June 2, 2013

171 Quiz Answer

Here’s the answer to this week’s quiz.
Citizen Kane was directed by and starred Orson Welles. It was his first feature film. The motion picture was nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories. There are many critics, filmmakers and fans who consider the movie to be the greatest film ever made

(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "U" is for "ululation.")
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz question.

We had a tough quiz last week; there were only five “winners.”  Maybe this week’s will be easier.  I wrote the following scenelet, which may remind you of a well-known film.  Many say this was the best motion picture ever made.  Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is: name the movie.

“I’m sorry, sir, your wife has a pleasant light voice, a lyric soprano, but not a voice suited for grand opera.”

“But Signor Rossi, that’s what I’m paying you five hundred an hour for, to train her voice so she can sing opera.”

“Sir.  Her voice is too light.  Opera singing requires power, the ability to sing loud enough to be heard over an orchestra in large auditoriums, power to control the diaphragm so that very long phrases are possible.”

“Again, that’s why you’re here.  She just needs the training.  They told me you were the best, so get to work.  I’ll see to it that she practices hard.”

“But an operatic voice is something you’re born with.  You either have it or you don’t.  Your wife was born with a comparatively small voice.  I could perhaps train her for, say, groups in your living room where she would sing, accompanied by a pianist, various show tunes.”

“No, no, no!  My wife has a magnificent voice.  When I first heard her sing opera I was swept off my feet.  That ‘Samson and Delilah’ number?”

“Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s the one.  I thought, my God, this woman could be a great legitimate operatic star and I must make it my mission to see this happen!  I’m willing to spend what’s necessary.”

“I don't like to be damaging to her ego, but there’s also the question of pitch.  A professional singer of quality must have a keen sense of pitch – not necessarily perfect pitch, which is rare, but a solid sense of relative pitch.  Again, this is something you’re born with.  Unfortunately, your wife’s pitch is very shaky.  This results in a sort of voice ululation that is rather – special.”

“Well, good.  That gives you something to work with.”

“There are times when she drifts into a different key.  She has actually created some interesting effects that sound like twelve-tone dissonance, though that of course is not what we’re looking for.”

“Well, keep after it for another month or so; that should do the trick.  I think you’ll be surprised to see you’ve created a major opera star!”

(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings.)

39 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

I have no idea. If it were speaking, instead of singing, I'd think My Fair Lady. Ah, well.

Barbara Rogers said...

Terry Pratchett wrote these words in "Maskerade" which I didn't know had been made into any stage/screen production, though it's appropriate!

Kathe W. said...

I have no idea- My Fair Lady came to mind- but I know that isn't it.

The Blog of Bee said...

Husband, Wife and Friend.

Altonian said...

Shall we say: 'The Girl can't help it." Yes, let's say that!

Altonian said...

Let's not say that!

Tess Kincaid said...

Citizen Kane...

George S Batty said...

Well that movie certainly could be the answer...but why would you give us the answer..beats me...going to say "The girl can't help it" anyway

Berowne said...

FLASH! Hold the front page for replate! Tess Kincaid, of the Willow Manor Kincaids, has provided us with the correct answer. Who's next?

The Blog of Bee said...

Tess Kinkaid????? The poet!??

Berowne said...

The very one. (And so far the only one.) :-)

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this the husband's fierce support! I really quite enjoy opera singing though I haven't yet seen much opera my mom sings in an operatic voice (not good necessarily haha)to everything on the radio no matter what it is!

Kodjo Deynoo said...

Again that is why we are here, brilliant...

Berowne said...

I apologize; I had no idea this quiz question would prove so difficult. The film I had in mind was regarded by many as the greatest motion picture ever made. So I thought many would recall the scene where the rich guy was desperately trying to have his wife taken seriously as a great singer. Maybe this hint will help...

Silent Otto said...

I would have to say Rocky 1 through vii

Roger Owen Green said...

Based solely on the clues, Citizen Kane featured a rich guy, and it's considered a classic. The one time I tried to watch it, on video, I fell asleep!

Altonian said...

I'll admit this is a pure guess following your second clue. Greatest motion picture ever made? Well, it's not 'Carry on up the Khyber', for sure, so I'll go with 'Citizen Kane'.

totomai said...

I thought of Lie Vie En Rose but this is a new movie to be considered as best motion picture.

nice conversational poetry

Berowne said...

I'm pleased to add Altonian and Roger Owen Green to the list of those who have come up with the right answer.

Sasha A. Palmer said...

Citizen Kane?

Berowne said...

The Happy Amateur has made us all happy by coughing up the correct answer.

Sasha A. Palmer said...

ahem... :-)

Helen said...

I enjoyed the little scenelet .. looking forward to the answer later this week!!!

Lyn said...

Based on the best, I'd have to say, "Singing In The Rain". ?? This was delightful...

Unknown said...

Citizen Kane?

Berowne said...

Amother "winner" heard from; Frankie Jay has given us the right answer.

Kate said...

Is it Citizen Kane??

Berowne said...

The right answer has just been provided by Kate - congrats!

Carver said...

I don't have a clue but sounds like a film I might enjoy. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Martha said...

Oh, dear, I haven't a clue!

Anonymous said...

A Star is Born, Judy Garland version?

Sheilagh Lee said...

I have no idea

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Citizen Kane. Poor Marion Davies, made such fun of by Orson Welles. I could go on and on about her potential as a comedienne and how William Randolph Hearst wanted her only cast as queens and goddesses. She stuttered, which made talkies difficult enough; however, she was funny as hell, a real clown.

Sharp Little Pencil said...

...and I didn't read any comments first, so the hints were really blatant. Citizen Kane was a ground-breaking film, but sadly (perhaps because Orson Welles turned into such a sad sack), his genius is largely forgotten today.

The 20s, 30s, and 40s are my kind of movies!! Amy

Sharp Little Pencil said...

Berowne, I don't see my answer, nor do I see if I got it with Citizen Kane. I submitted hours ago, before reading further hints that convince me I was right - the allusions to Marion Davies in the film, etc. Amy

Berowne said...



Sharp Little Pencil has joined us with the right answer.












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Kathe W. said...

oh my gosh! the answer was right under our little noses! Have a great day!

Berowne said...

mywordwall wrote: "I'm not faniliar with Citizen Kane but your story is both charming and enthralling."

The Blog of Bee said...

Of course!

 
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