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About This Quiz
Do you know which film star played convict Frank Morris, or what the three escapees used to construct their raft? Remember what the warden secretly threw into the water at the end of the film? See if you have the know-how to earn a perfect score on this "Escape from Alcatraz" quiz!
A little over a mile off the coast of San Francisco sits Alcatraz Island. A former lighthouse and military garrison, it became a military prison in 1868, and the location was so perfect for confinement that in 1934, Alcatraz was transformed into a federal prison. Its remote location, surrounded by icy water and sharks gave the place a reputation as inescapable and made it an ideal spot for the government to send prisoners who were too difficult or out-of-control for other institutions.Â
In the nearly 30 years that Alcatraz housed prisoners, at least three dozen men attempted to escape. Almost all were killed or immediately captured, but in 1963, three men -- Frank Morris, Clarence Anglin, and John Anglin -- managed to slip away. Well ... maybe. The three were never found, and it's not clear whether they drowned in the frigid waters of the bay, or made it to freedom and lived out their lives.Â
A 1963 book about the daring escape became the hit 1979 film, "Escape from Alcatraz." Think you remember everything about this classic movie? Take our quiz to find out!
What common nickname do the inmates give Frank Morris when he first arrives at Alcatraz?
"The kid"
"Fresh fish"
The term supposedly goes back to the 18th century and is not unique to the film. Andy Dufresne's character in "Shawshank Redemption" is called "fresh fish" too, when he first arrives in the prison.
"Jail bait"
"Cupcake"
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What comment is made to Morris when he first arrives, and he also says this to a new prisoner later?
"Button your lip."
"Stand up straight."
"Button your collar."
Morris got reprimanded his first day for not buttoning his shirt up to the collar.
"Service with a smile."
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What is a nickname for the Alcatraz prison?
The Rock
Alcatraz is an island and made of almost solid rock. It is nearly impossible to tunnel out.
The Hammer
The Albatross
The Hearse
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What book is Morris often reading in his cell?
Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
The Bible
Morris hides a small chipping tool inside the bible. No one will question his reading material.
Mein Kampf by Hitler
Love poetry
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An inmate wants some of Morris' lunch for his pet mouse. What is the lunch item?
A hot dog
Pasta
Morris puts the mouse in his pocket later when he attempts to escape. An inmate with a pet mouse also appears in "The Green Mile."
Rice
Fishsticks
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The Warden tells Morris, "This where prisoners go when_______________________________________."
"they are on death row."
"they need to be tortured."
"they need a good talking to."
"they don't follow the rules of other prisons."
The Warden tries to exercise his control and power over the prison while meeting with Morris face-to-face in his office. Intimidation is his goal but he seems to fall flat.
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What are the prisoners allowed twice a %0Dmonth?
Phone calls
Visitors
Morris has no friends or family, but others take advantage of the privilege.
Hot meals
Movies
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What does Morris take from the Warden's office?
A shoe horn
Nail clippers
The clippers are on the desk and Frank shows his resourcefulness by stealing them. It also shows he can outsmart the Warden.
A quarter
A paper clip
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Who approaches Morris in the shower with a threat?
Wolf
Wolf is an aggressive inmate who likes to impose power over the others; he usually threatens with physical violence.
Litmus
Clarence
Charley
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What is an important detail in Frank's file?
He was shot by his wife
He has been through chemotherapy
He has a superior IQ
There is emphasis on the physical barriers of the prison, but little to bar intelligence; Morris comes up with a very well thought-out plan to escape.
He held a high political position once
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What city did Frank Morris arrive to Alcatraz from?
Detroit
Atlanta
Frank Morris actually spent time in prison in several states before Alcatraz: Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
New York
Los Angeles
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What comment prompted Morris to respond with "Good luck"?
"I am going to bust out of this place!"
"I am so glad it's hamburger for dinner."
"I'm looking for a new punk."
Wolf asks him this in the shower and gets rejected in front of other inmates. Morris puts soap in Wolf's mouth.
"I could use a cigarette."
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Where does Morris get his first prison job?
In the kitchen
In the library
Morris meets an inmate who runs the library and is of assistance to him later on in his plan to escape.
In the carpentry shop
In the laundry room
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Who is the inmate who runs the library?
English
English gets to know Morris and the two men grow a mutual respect for each other.
Charley
Litmus
John Anglin
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What is Doc's hobby?
He does crossword puzzles
He plays chess
He whittles
He paints
Doc excels in painting and uses it as a mental escape from the prison; he respects Morris.
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What does Doc tell Morris a chrysanthemum represents?
"Holiness"
"Youth"
"What's inside of me"
It shows he is still growing and thriving and despite being jailed, he still has hope.
"Friendship"
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English sits in the higher seats of the bleachers of the prison yard. What does this represent?
Inmates with contraband to sell
New inmates
Higher status
English invites Frank Morris to sit with him there and befriends him. It proves helpful to Morris later.
Inmates who snitch
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How much will Morris make in the carpentry shop?
5 cents an hour
The carpentry shop allows Morris to scheme and plot his escape. It offers opportunities for tools.
25 cents an hour
50 cents an hour
An extra meal per day
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How does Morris know Wolf is going to attack him in the yard?
Morris overhears a guard
Wolf tells him
Doc warns him
Morris makes friends in prison through subtle gestures. Doc's artwork and painting become valuable tools for escape.
Wolf told Charley, who then told Morris
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What is the punishment to both Wolf and Morris after they fight?
D Block
This is solitary confinement in the dark. No one wants to go to "D Block."
Working in the kitchen
No recreation time
Cleaning the latrines
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What are the Anglin brothers at Alcatraz for?
Robbery
The Anglin brothers (John and Clarence) were part of the real life escape from Alcatraz. They arrived at Alcatraz within months from each other.
Arson
Counterfeiting
Murder
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The mouse is sent to Frank's cell with a note. What does the note say?
"Welcome back, Litmus."
Litmus is a fan of Morris; he's also a very successful mouse trainer!
"Snoops change at 10pm."
"English has the goods."
"I'm IN!"
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Who becomes Frank's new cell neighbor?
John Anglin
English
Wolf
Charley Butts
Charley is a high-energy person who is befriended by Morris; he also acts as a look-out for Frank.
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Who is NOT in on the plan to escape?
Charley
English
English suspects Frank is up to something, but he does not get intentionally involved; he assists without realizing it.
Frank
John
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What does the Warden see in Doc's cell that he doesn't like?
A portrait of himself
The painting depicts the Warden with an expression that is not flattering. The Warden then orders all of Doc's painting materials to be removed.
A book about infamous convicts
Letters from his wife
A psychology book
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What tool does Doc say he needs at his carpentry table?
A hatchet
Doc is depressed and chops his fingers off in front of the other inmates; Morris witnesses the ordeal.
A level
A drill
A mallet
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What item does Doc put into the pocket of Morris while in the carpentry shop?
A key
A bookmark
A flower
The flower showed Doc's inner optimism; giving it away reveals his hopelessness.
A pen
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What was Butts sent to Alcatraz for?
Arson at a church
Robbing a bank
Killing his wife's lover
Stealing cars
Butts seems proud of his stealing experiences as he describes to Morris what landed him in prison.
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Who goes to visit English while he's in prison?
His daughter
English has a very compassionate side and it is clear that his family is important to him.
His mother
His wife
His sister
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What does John Anglin comment on that is served for lunch on Wednesdays?
"Hamboogers"
"Mystery Mounds"
There are frequent references to the sub-standard food provided in the prison. Probably not much gourmet dining is done there.
"Shoelace Surprise"
"Wednesday Wonderful"
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Which are NOT items used in the attempt to break out of prison?
Barbershop clippings
Raincoats
Newspapers
Orange peels
Morris employs several other inmates to help gather the necessary materials to carry off an escape. Their jobs in the prison provide some access.
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What musical instrument does Morris pretend to learn?
A harmonica
An accordian
Morris needs something large enough to cover the hole he is creating in the wall so he lays the accordian down in front of it.
A piccolo
A harpsichord
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Why does Morris need paint?
To make it look like blood on his clothes
For the face of his "dummy"
Frank needs to create a life-like dummy to put in his cot so he can test his escape route. The guards will think he is asleep.
To paint a symbol on the wall
For masking a smell
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What does Morris use as a makeshift drill?
A bent fork
A pen
A toothbrush
An electric fan
Morris discovers he needs to unscrew a metal covering that will lead him to the roof in his escape route; the fan will serve his purpose.
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What clue does the Warden find that indicates that Morris has successfully escaped?
A footprint
A flower
The Warden discovers that the flower is not indigenous to the area around Alcatraz. When he finds it, he recognizes it as the same type Morris had in the prison.
A serial number from a jumpsuit
A book from the prison
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You Got:
/35
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