Some of the most famous lines in cinema history were never in the actual script. Actors just happened to say them while the cameras were rolling in a perfect moment of inspiration.
This quiz focuses on these improvised gems. You will see questions about classic crime dramas, intense horror films, and legendary performances where ad-libbing changed the final cut for the better.
If you enjoy learning about how movies come together, take a look at our most quoted lines, explore our directors and auteurs, or browse our Golden Age Hollywood archives.
Which iconic, improvised line did Humphrey Bogart speak in Casablanca?
You talking to me?
You talking to me?
Here’s looking at you, kid
Here’s looking at you, kid
Play it again, Sam
Play it again, Sam
I’m walking here!
I’m walking here!
In which horror film is Jack Nicholson’s line “Here’s Johnny!” an unscripted reference to a late-night talk show host?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Shining
The Shining
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange
Dr. Strangelove
Dr. Strangelove
Which classic mob movie features the ad-libbed line, “Leave the gun, take the cannoli”?
Goodfellas
Goodfellas
The Sopranos
The Sopranos
Scarface
Scarface
The Godfather
The Godfather
The “Here’s Johnny!” line in The Shining refers to the famous introductory catchphrase of which host?
Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
Jay Leno
Jay Leno
Conan O’Brien
Conan O’Brien
David Letterman
David Letterman
Which actor improvised the instruction to “take the cannoli” in The Godfather?
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
James Caan
James Caan
Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Richard S. Castellano
Richard S. Castellano
Robert De Niro famously ad-libbed “You talkin’ to me?” in which Martin Scorsese film?
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now
Platoon
Platoon
Which perfectionist director famously allowed Jack Nicholson to improvise the “Here’s Johnny” line?
Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
In The Godfather, which character was instructed by his wife to “take the cannoli” before leaving the house?
Clemenza
Clemenza
Michael Corleone
Michael Corleone
Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone
Sonny Corleone
Sonny Corleone
Who was the director of the film Casablanca, which features Humphrey Bogart’s signature ad-lib?
Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder
John Huston
John Huston
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Which 1975 film’s famous line “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider?
Alien
Alien
The Exorcist
The Exorcist
Jaws
Jaws
Halloween
Halloween
Dustin Hoffman improvised the line “I’m walking here!” in which 1969 film?
Easy Rider
Easy Rider
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy
The Graduate
The Graduate
Which actress costarred with Humphrey Bogart in the scene where he improvised a classic line in Casablanca?
Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall
Who wrote the novel on which The Godfather, containing the “take the cannoli” line, was based?
Ira Levin
Ira Levin
Thomas Harris
Thomas Harris
Stephen King
Stephen King
Mario Puzo
Mario Puzo
Who played the terrified wife of the character who delivered the “Here’s Johnny!” line?
Faye Dunaway
Faye Dunaway
Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow
Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall
Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek
In which film does the character Clemenza famously deliver the line, ‘Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.’?
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II
Casino
Casino
The Godfather
The Godfather
Goodfellas
Goodfellas
The show “Here’s Johnny!” referred to was the opening theme for which late-night program?
Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
The Dick Cavett Show
The Dick Cavett Show
What was Humphrey Bogart doing between takes when he ad-libbed the famous line “Here’s looking at you, kid” for Casablanca?
Rehearsing a dance sequence.
Rehearsing a dance sequence.
Teaching Ingrid Bergman how to play poker.
Teaching Ingrid Bergman how to play poker.
Discussing script changes with the director.
Discussing script changes with the director.
Practicing a magic trick.
Practicing a magic trick.
What is the primary origin of the famous line “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” in The Godfather?
It was suggested by a crew member for comedic effect.
It was suggested by a crew member for comedic effect.
It was a direct quote from the original novel.
It was a direct quote from the original novel.
It was scripted by Francis Ford Coppola.
It was scripted by Francis Ford Coppola.
It was an ad-lib by actor Richard Castellano.
It was an ad-lib by actor Richard Castellano.
Who was the famous sidekick who habitually shouted the “Here’s Johnny!” catchphrase on the talk show?
Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Letterman’s bandleader
Letterman’s bandleader
Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
How is Jack Nicholson’s “Here’s Johnny!” line delivered in The Shining?
Opening a window
Opening a window
Axe in the door
Axe in the door
Entering through a broken door
Entering through a broken door
Staring through a basement hole
Staring through a basement hole
Which film is set primarily in Morocco and features Humphrey Bogart?
The Shining
The Shining
Casablanca
Casablanca
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver
The Godfather
The Godfather
Why did directors like Francis Ford Coppola often allow actors to ad-lib famous lines like “take the cannoli”?
The script was completely lost on set.
The script was completely lost on set.
Actors were told to ignore the script entirely.
Actors were told to ignore the script entirely.
The studio demanded more humor in the script.
The studio demanded more humor in the script.
The director encouraged improvisation to add authenticity.
The director encouraged improvisation to add authenticity.
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For more behind-the-scenes stories, check out our pages on troubled film productions, classic horror thrillers, or our deep dive into book-to-film adaptations.
