That Was Then, This Is Now

Some references to money have become iconic because of their place in popular culture. We've taken some mentions of money from years past and, using an inflation calculator, updated what those sums would be worth in 2016, after adjusting for inflation. See if you can guess how inflation has affected some well-known amounts of money!

(Of course, it's important to remember that over time, average incomes and average savings have risen much faster than inflation. People who save and invest their money generally do better than those who bury their money in the backyard.)

1. After premiering in Germany in 1928, "The Threepenny Opera" was first performed on Broadway in 1933. What would the 1933 show be called today?
The 37-Penny Opera
The 56-Penny Opera
The 64-Penny Opera
2. In the 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life," Uncle Billy loses an $8,000 bank deposit, endangering his family's business. How much would he have lost today?
$73,081
$86,389
$98,727
3. The Million Dollar Quartet—Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley—recorded their session in 1956. What would the quartet be called in 2016?
The $6.5 Million Dollar Quartet
The $8.8 Million Dollar Quartet
The $10.1 Million Dollar Quartet
4. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" was a 1932 hit for Bing Crosby. How much money would the singer be asking for in 2016?
$0.76
$1.76
$2.76
5. Musician Travis Tritt had a 1991 hit with "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)." What would that pay-phone call cost today?
33 cents
44 cents
55 cents
6. In 1936, "Pennies from Heaven" was a hit movie, and it showcased a hit song by Bing Crosby with the same title. What would a penny in 1936 be worth in 2016?
17 cents
26 cents
32 cents
7. "The Six Million Dollar Man" television series premiered in 1974. What would he be worth in 2016 dollars?
$18 million
$23 million
$29 million
8. In his 1965 hit "King of the Road," Roger Miller sang about "rooms to let, 50 cents." What would those rooms rent for today?
$1.74
$2.51
$3.82
9. In 1943, the movie studio employing actress Betty Grable insured her legs for $1 million. What would that insurance policy be worth in 2016 dollars?
$9.7 million
$13.9 million
$18.3 million
10. "You're the Top," a 1934 Cole Porter song from the musical "Anything Goes," includes the lyric "you're a Coolidge dollar." What would that dollar be worth today?
$9.71
$13.93
$17.96