The Forgotten Kid Who Played "Huckleberry Finn" Quiz

Answer: I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door

Hodges recorded the highly recognized song, "I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door" in 1961, at the age of fourteen. He completed a lesser hit with a song written by Phil Everly, of The Everly Brothers, entitled, "(Girls, Girls, Girls) Made to Love". Before leaving Hollywood, California, he owned his own music publishing company, was a songwriter, record producer, and music publisher.

Although, no longer involved in the business, he continues to use his talent of song writing.

Answer: New York

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on March 5, 1947, Edward Samuel Hodges made his professional stage debut in the Broadway musical, "The Music Man", on December 19, 1957. The original hit opened in New York at the Majestic Theatre, and ran for 1,375 shows.

Answer: A Hole in the Head

In Eddie's debut, he was cast as Sinatra's son (Alvin "Ally" Manetta) in, "A Hole in the Head" (1959). It was in this film that he and Frank Sinatra performed, "High Hopes" (1959). James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn won an Oscar for "High Hopes" as the Best Original Song in the Academy Awards. Hodges did not appear in the Sinatra films, "Ship Ahoy" (1942), and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949).

"A Hole in the Head", was a comedy about a widowed father (Sinatra), who was broke and drowning in debt. He had a dream of opening a ritzy resort in Florida, but desperately needed the financial backing from his eldest brother (Robinson), who wanted him to marry and settle down. His son (Hodges) absolutely worshiped him and demonstrated faith in his father beyond reservation. Before his brother would lend him the money, he gave him an ultimatum. He was to either change his swinging lifestyle or give him custody of his son. Nevertheless, with his high hopes of a better life for the both of them, he would have to have a hole in his head (Hence the movie title), to give up such love and support.

Answer: John Glenn

John Glenn was the co-contestant with the ten-year-old Hodges on October 4, 1957. Glenn was a fighter pilot and Major in the Marine Corps when he was on the popular show with the young Hodges. It was 1962, when he became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard the Friendship 7. After successfully winning on the show, Eddie split the grand prize of $25,000 with the future NASA astronaut.

Answer: My Three Sons

In 1964, Hodges gave an amusing presentation as the lovesick teenager, Roger McChesney in, "The Dick Van Dyke Show".
He portrayed Skeeter Dexter in the western series, "Bonanza" (1965). In the television production, "Family Affair" (1969), Hodges played the pop star, Charlie Higgins. Eddie sang his own original music, "She's on My Mind", and, "Cissy, My Love", which was co-written by Kathy Garver, the series regular who played Cissy Davis.

Answer: Summer Magic

Mills and Hodges portrayed the roles of typical teen-agers in, "Summer Magic" (1963). Eddie played Gilly Carey in the classic Disney film.

After the death of her husband, a woman and her three kids moved from the city to a simpler lifestyle in the country. Unsuspected news came, when they found out that their cousin, Julia, would be living with them too. Nancy (Mills) met a young man at school, but her snooty cousin soon became her rival. Gilly (Hodges) was the piano player and entertainer in the family, who was not thrilled about the move to begin with. He soon became occupied with the new job he acquired as a chauffeur. As the movie concluded, the family was well adjusted to their country life with its relaxing activities, family fun, and love.

Answer: Elvis Presley

Though it was a short appearance, Eddie played the delivery boy, Woodrow.
I can only imagine how young Hodges must have felt to be on the film with the, "King of Rock 'n Roll", at the peak of Presley's career.

Answer: University of Southern Mississippi

Hodges was discharged from the Special Forces of the army in the late 60s. Upon his arrival back to California, he became disheartened with the changes in the film business. He returned to his native home state and enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received his B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Counseling. Afterwards, Hodges married, and he and his wife had twins. He has devoted his adult life as a mental health counselor in surrounding southern counties in Mississippi.

A note of interest: USM is also the Alma Mata of football great, Brett Favre, and Margaritaville's, Jimmy Buffett.

Answer: Henry Fonda

On December 14, 1960, the Broadway show opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The three-act play ran for 189 performances before closing in mid 1961. It told the story of a theatre critic, Parker Ballantine (Fonda), and his second wife, Angela, who wrote a dreadful play. Angela wanted him to review it for possible production, but the question came whether to critique the play honestly, or review it on a positive note for the sake of his marriage. Parker's son, John (Hodges), noticed this could be a repeat of what happened between his father and his mother, Parker's first wife, Ivy.

After a few threatening scenarios, it ended with Parker, Angela, and John, together and still happy. However, things would certainly be different should she write another play! "Critic's Choice", was made into a film in 1963, with Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.

Answer: True

The Eddie Hodges Scholarship Foundation Trust Endowment Fund was formed
as a project of the Jackson Symphony League (JSL). It grants scholarships to students desiring to resume, or advance their musical education.
The Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in May, 2008.