Packet 7: Tossup 19

In a video interview for Criterion, this author speculates that Nicholas Ray wrote Walter Matthau’s character in Bigger Than Life as a subtle depiction of a gay bachelor. This American author discussed John Carpenter’s Hitchcock allusions in a book that calls They Live “probably the stupidest film ever made on the subject of ideology.” This author’s “obsession” with The Searchers (-5[1])informed the plot of his novel Girl in Landscape. (15[1])This author was able to write full-time after Alan J. Pakula optioned the film rights for his debut novel, the sci-fi noir (-5[1])Gun, with Occasional (*) Music. (10[2])Dylan Ebdus pitches a music biopic (10[1])idea (10[1])to Dreamworks in this author’s semi-autobiographical novel The Fortress of Solitude. (10[1])Robert Caro’s (10[2])The Power Broker (-5[1])inspired the setting and screenplay of a 2019 noir adaptation of a novel by this author about Lionel (10[1])Essrog, (10[1])a P.I. with Tourette’s syndrome. For 10 points, Edward Norton starred in his own adaptation of what author’s novel Motherless Brooklyn? ■END■ (10[1]0[5])

ANSWER: Jonathan Lethem (“LEE-thum”)
<AP, USA> | Spec-Script_07
= Average correct buzzpoint

Back to tossups

Buzzes


Summary

TournamentEditionMatchHeardConv. %Power %Neg %Avg. Buzz
2025 Spec Script - Canada2025-06-21250%0%0%158.00
2025 Spec Script - Online 12025-06-211070%10%30%102.57
2025 Spec Script - Online 22025-06-213100%0%0%116.67