Few films left a deeper impact on the horror genre than the 1978 original. Its low-budget approach and iconic mask changed how filmmakers handled suspense and masked villains forever.
This quiz focuses on the technical production details and behind-the-scenes stories of the project. You will answer questions about the famous mask origins, filming locations, and the specific choices that made the movie a classic.
If you enjoy this, check out our collection of horror thriller trivia, explore facts about legendary movie villains, or browse our production design history.
In which iconic 1978 horror film does a mask based on William Shatner’s likeness first appear?
Halloween (1978)
Halloween (1978)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Friday the 13th (1980)
Friday the 13th (1980)
What character did Jamie Lee Curtis portray in her feature film debut?
Nancy Thompson
Nancy Thompson
Sidney Prescott
Sidney Prescott
Laurie Strode
Laurie Strode
Alice Hardy
Alice Hardy
What is the name of the fictional town where most of the 1978 horror film’s events take place?
Woodsboro, California
Woodsboro, California
Haddonfield, Illinois
Haddonfield, Illinois
Springwood, Ohio
Springwood, Ohio
Crystal Lake, New Jersey
Crystal Lake, New Jersey
Who co-wrote the screenplay that was reportedly completed in just one week?
Sean S. Cunningham and Victor Miller
Sean S. Cunningham and Victor Miller
John Carpenter and Debra Hill
John Carpenter and Debra Hill
Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson
Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson
Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel
Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel
The mask used for the killer in the 1978 classic was a modified version of a store-bought mask representing which famous actor’s character?
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great
Captain Kirk
Captain Kirk
Denny Crane
Denny Crane
T.J. Hooker
T.J. Hooker
What was the famously low production budget for the film that featured the William Shatner mask?
$325,000
$325,000
$300,000
$300,000
$375,000
$375,000
$350,000
$350,000
Who was the production designer responsible for purchasing and modifying the $2 mask used in the movie?
Rick Baker
Rick Baker
Tom Savini
Tom Savini
Stan Winston
Stan Winston
Tommy Lee Wallace
Tommy Lee Wallace
Adjusted for inflation or not, about how much did the original mask cost when purchased at a toy store?
$4.98
$4.98
$12.98
$12.98
$9.98
$9.98
$1.98
$1.98
What primary aesthetic modification was made to the rubber mask during its transformation for the film?
Added fangs
Added fangs
Removed the wig hair
Removed the wig hair
Dyed it green
Dyed it green
Spray-painted it white
Spray-painted it white
Despite the film being set in Illinois, in which state was it primarily filmed?
Indiana
Indiana
Georgia
Georgia
Illinois
Illinois
California
California
Jamie Lee Curtis is the daughter of which legendary ‘Psycho’ actress?
Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Janet Leigh
Janet Leigh
Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint
In the film’s credits, what was the character wearing the mask officially listed as?
The Specter
The Specter
The Phantom
The Phantom
The Shape
The Shape
The Shadow
The Shadow
Which person was the primary actor to wear the mask and play the role of the masked killer on screen?
Nick Castle
Nick Castle
Dick Warlock
Dick Warlock
Tony Moran
Tony Moran
George P. Wilbur
George P. Wilbur
What type of iconic musical score accompanies the scenes featuring the masked killer?
Driving electric guitar riff
Driving electric guitar riff
High-pitched violin screeching
High-pitched violin screeching
Deep synthesized static noise
Deep synthesized static noise
Dark and foreboding piano melody
Dark and foreboding piano melody
On which specific holiday does the film’s primary narrative unfold?
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve
All Hallow’s Eve
All Hallow’s Eve
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
In what year was the film that introduced the world to the “Shatner mask” released?
1982
1982
1976
1976
1978
1978
1980
1980
What was the name of the mask manufacturer that originally created the prototype used in the movie?
Fun World
Fun World
Rubies Costume Company
Rubies Costume Company
Don Post Studios
Don Post Studios
Tully’s Novelties
Tully’s Novelties
Before settling on its final title, what was the working title of the film mentioned in early production?
The Babysitter Murders
The Babysitter Murders
The Night of the Ripper
The Night of the Ripper
The Suburban Stalker
The Suburban Stalker
The Halloween Killer
The Halloween Killer
Besides painting it white, what other structural modification was essential for the actor to see through the mask?
Using a different wig
Using a different wig
Expanding the eye holes
Expanding the eye holes
Adding a zipper to the back
Adding a zipper to the back
Adding synthetic blood
Adding synthetic blood
Which veteran actor played the psychiatrist hunting the man in the mask?
Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Vincent Price
Vincent Price
Donald Pleasence
Donald Pleasence
What technique was used for the film’s signature POV (point-of-view) tracking shots while wearing the mask?
Back-projection
Back-projection
None, it was a practical effect
None, it was a practical effect
Matte painting
Matte painting
Digital compositing
Digital compositing
Approximately how long was the total scheduled filming time for the original 1978 project?
30 days
30 days
10 days
10 days
40 days
40 days
20 days
20 days
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
Did you survive this quiz? If you want to keep going, see what else we have. Take a look at our film scores, read about cult classics, or dive into troubled film sets.
