Q 01/05

Which spy novelist wrote the book behind Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on bedtime stories for his son?

A) John le Carré

B) Len Deighton

C) Ian Fleming

D) Graham Greene

Answer · why

C) Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, wrote his only children's book in 1961 but died two months before its first volume was published.

Q 02/05

Which actress turned down Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as too similar to a role she had already played?

A) Julie Andrews

B) Audrey Hepburn

C) Petula Clark

D) Shirley Jones

Answer · why

A) Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews felt Truly was too close to Mary Poppins, so the part went to the actress who had replaced her in My Fair Lady on Broadway.

Q 03/05

Which New Zealand film director paid $805,000 at auction in 2011 for the road-going Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car?

A) Taika Waititi

B) Jane Campion

C) Lee Tamahori

D) Peter Jackson

Answer · why

D) Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings, bought the main road-going film car and said he would use it to raise money for charity.

Q 04/05

In Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Lord Scrumptious finally offers to market Caractacus Potts's whistling sweets as what?

A) Bird whistles

B) Dog treats

C) Cough drops

D) Party favours

Answer · why

B) Dog treats

Dog treats became the plan because the whistling candy had already lured a pack of hounds into the factory and ruined the first sales pitch.

Q 05/05

Which American star turned down Fagin in Oliver! before playing inventor Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

A) Danny Kaye

B) Dick Van Dyke

C) Gene Kelly

D) Donald O'Connor

Answer · why

B) Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke drove the car himself on screen and later said it was hard to manoeuvre, with the turning radius of a battleship.