Detectives in Fiction Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Saint

The Saint, or Simon Templar, appeared in five films between 1939 and 1941. He appeared in a British TV series with Roger Moore in the title role and a 1997 movie starring Val Kilmer.

Answer: Sherlock Holmes

He was the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle, of course, and first appeared in literature in 1887. In four novels and fifty-six short stories, the only person to best him was Irene Adler, who was blackmailing a prince and to whom Holmes was strongly attracted. Basil Rathbone will be forever linked to the character due to his portrayal in numerous movies of the '30s and '40s.

Answer: Boston Blackie

In literature, Blackie was a jewel thief and safecracker. For the movies, he was made over into a former thief turned detective. Ably played by Chester Morris, he was immediately suspect when expensive jewelry was stolen. With his quick wits and ingenious disguises he managed to solve the crime and make the police look bad, just like every other detective of fiction.

He was portrayed by Richard Kollmer on radio and Kent Taylor in a 1951 TV series.

Answer: Nick and Nora Charles

Although the series of movies in the '30s and '40s are called "The Thin Man Series", only the first had anything to do with a thin man. His name was Richard Wynant and he was the victim in the mystery "The Thin Man".

Answer: Charlie Chan

Created by Earl Derr Biggers in 1919, Mr. Chan was played in the movies first by Warner Oland, then by Sidney Toler. His son, whom he always introduced as his "Number One Son" was played by Keye Luke for a long time. He appeared on radio sporadically from 1932 to 1948.

His method of detection often involved listening very carefully to witnesses and suspects and finding inconsistencies. Modern day critics have found him to be a one dimensional stereotype because of his improper English and unfailing politeness.

Answer: Philo Vance

Not a likeable character, Vance was intelligent and observant. He lived and worked in New York City. He was an expert fencer, golfer and avid breeder of dogs. He was also portrayed in the movies by Basil Rathbone and Warren Williams. A short lived radio series in 1945 was not well received.

Answer: Mr. and Mrs. North

Played on radio and TV in large part by Richard Denning and Barbara Britton, they seemed to almost unwittingly solve many a crime by sheer luck. They made one movie titled, strangely enough, "Mr. and Mrs. North.

Answer: Hercule Poirot

Played to perfection by David Suchet on British TV, he was described as short, (5'4") with a military mustache and military bearing. He has been played in movies by Peter Ustinov in "Death on the Nile". A long running BBC radio series starred various actors in the title role, including John Moffat.

Answer: Mike Hammer

There were nine films and fourteen novels with Hammer bludgeoning, shooting and stomping his way through bad guys. Bringing them to justice wasn't enough; he had to exact revenge. A toned down version of Mike Hammer was portrayed on a TV series by Stacy Keach from 1984 to 1987.

Answer: Nancy Drew

Many books have appeared over the years, but only five movies were spawned. In the late 1930s, four movies starring Bonita Granville were produced. The fifth was made in 2007 with Emma Roberts in the title role. The movies were not well-received, viewed as not at all true to the character as written. She was portrayed by Pamela Sue Martin on TV for a season and a half.