How Much Do You Remember About "Steel Magnolias"?

By: J. Reinoehl
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Much Do You Remember About "Steel Magnolias"?
Image: Rastar

About This Quiz

The 1989 film Steel Magnolias doesn't sound as hard nor as soft as the title's words may suggest -- because it is both! And this special quiz is no different. Directed by Herbert Ross, the film boasts of an ensemble cast of some of the most formidable women Hollywood has ever presented. There are also a few good and dapper men in the cast to support the fierce and funny women. Yes, this is indeed a drama as well as a comedy film, but the comedy is more about finding the humor in the situations that befall these female characters. While some may not have gotten the luck of the draw in life, some did, as all of them try their best to overcome the obstacles put in their way. Do you think you can identify some of these situations? We'll mention the important plot points for you to guess in the quiz! Perhaps what's more poignant than having these great female leads from different generations in one film is that they are all acting out a truly heartfelt story that really happened in, well, real life. See, the film is based on the play that carries the same title, authored by playwright Robert Harling. The material is actually his ode of sorts to his sister who died. The film is a dramatization of how his family's life was affected by this situation, before and after her death. So, without further delay, head on down South and take a stroll through this town where you can pick up some of these beautifully sturdy Steel Magnolias. Have fun with the quiz!

What was wrong with Miss Ouiser's dog?
It was upset because Miss Ouiser cut it out of her will.
It was nervous from all the shooting noise.
It was dying of cancer.
She thought Drum had given it rabies.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Whitey Black says that all this noise that you've been making around here for the last few days has been causing a nervous condition in my dog. Look at this: All his hair is falling out."

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What did Shelby find that her brothers were going to put on her honeymoon car?
Soup cans.
Condoms.
Old, smelly shoes.
Shaving cream.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On stage, the play took place entirely in the beauty parlor. There were no men in the original stage production.

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Why did Jackson come to see Shelby before the wedding?
He wanted to see her wedding dress.
He missed her.
So they could take photos together.
He wanted to know if she was going to marry him.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

They filmed most scenes on location in local homes, including the one where Jackson climbed into Shelby's room to see if she was going to marry him or not. The beauty shop was the only set they had to build because of its size.

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Which actress played Annelle?
Daryl Hannah.
Julia Roberts.
Molly Ringwald.
Meg Ryan.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Daryl Hannah (born December 3, 1960) was raised in Chicago, IL, but received her degree in theater from the University of Southern California. "Blade Runner," "Splash," "Roxanne" and "Grumpy Old Men" are just a few of the many movies in which she has appeared.

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What did Shelby do for a living?
She was a hairdresser.
She was a nurse.
She was a legal aid.
She was a teacher.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hospital scenes were filmed using real hospital crews. The extras were all nurses and doctors who had worked with Harling's sister in Natchitoches .

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What were Shelby's wedding colors?
Purple and white.
Pink and pink.
Pink and purple.
White and pink.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"They're Blush and Bashful." "Her colors are pink and pink."

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What shape was the groom's cake?
A giant octopus.
A guitar.
A cactus.
An armadillo.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The armadillo cake was purchased from a local baker. A groom's cake has been a tradition since the Victorian era. It was originally a fruit cake.

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Why didn't Annelle want to do M'Lynn's hair the day of the wedding?
She always made hair too pouffy when she was nervous.
She wasn't good with braids.
M'Lynn's hair was falling out, and she didn't want to make it worse.
She hadn't learned how to do highlights yet.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Today is a very special day, and my work tends to be too pouffy when I'm nervous… Does your dress have to go over your head?"

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What shocking news did Shelby give her mother at Christmas?
Jackson lost his job.
Shelby was pregnant.
They were moving back home.
Shelby had cancer.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The person on which based the character of Ouiser owned the house where they filmed the Christmas party. The woman is an extra in the scene where Drum announced he was going to be a grandfather.

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Which actress played Shelby?
Jodie Foster.
Julia Roberts.
Kyra Sedgwick.
Sandra Bullock.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Julia Roberts (born October 28, 1967) was a relatively new actress at the time the film was released. Herbert, Ross, the director, was difficult to work with and was reportedly hard on Roberts.

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After M'Lynn hid Drum's handgun, what did he do to scare away the birds?
He played some old band instruments.
He used a crossbow to shoot fireworks at them.
He cut down the tree.
He bought an air horn for him and the boys.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ouiser's dog was not well-trained, and throughout the film, she struggled with controlling it.

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"The sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with ____________."
Pepto-Bismol.
Grape juice.
Tomato juice.
Margaritas.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol."

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"He's a real gentleman. I'll bet ______________________________________."
"…He doesn't just call you, 'baby;' he also treats you like one.."
"…He slaps your [rear] while he opens the door for you."
"…He takes the dishes out of the sink before he pees in it.
"…He dragged you down the aisle by your hair."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"He's a real gentleman. I'll bet he takes the dishes out of the sink before he pees in it."

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Who did Shelby bring to the Christmas party to fix up with Mrs. Ouiser?
Mayor Van Meter.
Owen Jenkins.
Dr. Judd.
Sheriff Marmillion.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bill McCutcheon (1924-2002), who played Owen Jenkins in Steel Magnolias, started on the "Howdy Doody Show" as Leo the Leprechaun. He had a long career as a character actor, primarily on television, and won an Emmy for his work as Uncle Wally on "Sesame Street."

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Why didn't Shelby have to wait long for a kidney?
Her brother was giving her one.
Her father was giving her one.
Her mother was giving her one.
Truvy volunteered to give her one.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I don't have to wait anymore. Mama's going to give me one of her kidneys."

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What kind of drink did Sammy make for Annelle at the reception?
Champagne.
A screwdriver.
A Shirley Temple.
A cherry coke.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I'm Sammy, and this here is the best cherry Coke in the history of the world."

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Why was Drum Eatenton shooting in the front yard as Annelle walked past?
He wanted to shoot a rabbit for dinner.
He was trying to get rid of the birds.
He was celebrating his daughter's wedding.
He was angry with his neighbors.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Get out of them trees… Migrate south, will you?"

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What did Truvy do to Shelby's hair that upset her?
Changed its color.
Permed it.
Put in red highlights.
Cut it short.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I think I'll come with you. I want to get my hair cut—short—and I want Truvy to do it."

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What was the real cause of the bruises on Shelby's arm?
She fell on a nail.
Dialysis.
Jackson abused her.
She had a seizure and had bumped into things.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On average, it takes five to ten years to find a kidney for a transplant. The dialysis machine frequently causes bruises and welts, especially when people first start using it. In most cases, patients are hooked up to the machine three times a week for four hours each.

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During the summer when Jack, Jr. was one, what did Annelle keep doing that drove Sammy crazy.
Praying.
Wearing sexy clothing.
Asking for a baby.
Trying new hairstyles with his hair.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Olympia Dukakis (who played Clairee) spent days with a mayonnaise and egg mixture on her head. The local beauty shop used the homemade concoction to condition hair deeply, and it was used on her during the summer beauty shop scene.

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Why didn't Shelby and Jackson adopt?
They would not let them because of Shelby's health.
Jackson did not want someone else's children.
They did not want to be on a waiting list for five years.
They could not afford it.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Mama, no judge is going to give a baby to someone with my medical record. Jackson even put out feelers about buying one."

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"I'm not crazy; ________________________."
"I'm your wife."
"I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years."
"Everyone else is."
I'm just very passionate.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I'm not crazy; I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years."

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On which holiday did Shelby collapse?
New Year's Eve.
Halloween.
Independence Day.
Easter.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The director lost his wife just before filming "Steel Magnolias." It was very heart-wrenching for him to shoot the scenes in the hospital.

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Who did Clairee say M'Lynn should hit?
Drum.
Annelle.
Sammy.
Ouiser.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Here… hit her… We'll sell T-shirts saying, 'I slapped Ouiser Boudreaux!'"

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What had happened to Annelle's "husband" by Christmas?
He was in prison.
He came crawling back to her.
He wrote her a letter saying they were not married.
He died in a shootout.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Daryl Hannah begged for the role of Annelle to stretch her acting career. Prior to this movie, she had not done any character acting.

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Sally Field played which character?
Ouiser.
Truvy.
M'Lynn.
Clairee.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To sate, Sally Field (born November 6, 1946) has won two Academy Awards: one for "Places in the Heart" (1984) and one for "Norma Rae" (1980). Although nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in Steel Magnolias, she did not win.

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How did Shelby eventually die in the movie?
She had a stroke while in the coma.
One of the nurses accidentally gave her the wrong medicine.
The family decided to take her off life support.
There was a power outage, and the machines faltered.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In real life, Susan Harling died when she was given general anesthesia for minor surgery and had a heart attack. Much of the plot during her final illness—such as her husband coming home and finding her on the floor with the baby crying—was added for dramatic effect.

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Which of the ladies was married to Spud?
Annelle.
M'Lynn.
Truvy.
Ouiser.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robert Harling wrote the play so his nephew would not forget who his mother was after she died from complications of diabetes. The movie was filmed in Natchitoches, LA where the events had taken place in real life.

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What was Jackson getting Shelby for Christmas?
Designer clothing.
A romantic getaway.
Furniture.
Jewelry.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Furniture, well my, must be nice to be married to a rich lawyer. What's it for, the living room?"

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What did Owen Jenkins send Ouiser at least twice a week?
A new hat.
Chocolates.
Fresh flowers.
Tomatoes.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"I can report that the Sherwood Florist delivery truck stops by her house at least twice a week." "He knows I like fresh flowers."

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Why did the doctors say Shelby went into a coma?
She had a stroke.
She had gone into insulin shock.
She had an infection.
She rejected the kidney transplant.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"…rejection of her kidney… The coma may be irreversible."

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What holiday did they celebrate during the wedding at the beginning of the movie?
Christmas.
Thanksgiving.
Easter.
Independence Day.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Spud, turn off that stupid television. Spud, get in here and finish dyeing these Easter eggs."

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Why did Annelle say she believed Shelby died?
She sinned by having the baby.
She wanted to be a guardian angel.
God needed time with her more than her mama did.
The doctors were incompetent.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"…she just wanted to take care of that little baby, and of you, of everybody she knew, and her poor little body was just worn out… It just wouldn't let her do all the things she wanted to, so she went on to a place where she could be a guardian angel.

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Finish the quote "Well, that's why God invented ______________________."
"…hairdressers."
"…hot wax."
"…chocolate."
"…the A & P."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Well, that's why God invented the A & P… You gotta get the lead out."

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Who drove Sammy to the hospital when Annelle went into labor?
M'Lynn.
Louie.
Spud.
Owen.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jackson was Shelby's husband's name. Tommy and Jonathan were her brothers. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863) was a famous Confederate general.

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