Growing Up With Radio Trivia Quiz

Answer: Inner Sanctum Mystery

"Inner Sanctum Mystery" was broadcast in 526 episodes between 1941 and 1952. The creaking door was actually a rusty desk chair. The narrator (first "Raymond" and then "Your Host") closed with an extended "Pleasannnt dreeeaamms, hmmmmmm." The show featured such stars as Boris Karloff, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Orson Welles, Claude Rains, and Helen Hayes.

Answer: The Green Hornet

With a couple of hiatuses, "The Green Hornet" aired from 1936-1952. Although the police thought him to be a criminal, the Green Hornet was, in reality, Brett Reid, newspaper publisher, who posed as an outlaw so he could fight crime from the inside, aided by his valet and driver, Kato. The opening narration usually included "The Green Hornet strikes again!"

Answer: The Aldrich Family

His mother's call "Henreeeeeeee! Henreee Aldrich!" introduced this radio program. Henry attended Central High School in Centerville, along with such friends as Homer Brown and Kathleen Anderson. Henry usually was shown stumbling into misadventures. He always had an answer, but seldom the right one, and he often ended up in the Principal's Office.

Answer: Gang Busters

"Gang Busters" was aired from 1935-1957. It presented FBI cases selected in association with J. Edgar Hoover, who insisted that only closed cases could be used. It had several sponsors, including Chevrolet and Tide. [I vividly remember the opening "Waterman's Pens and Waterman's Ink Present 'Gang Busters!'"]

Answer: Fibber McGee And Molly

"Fibber McGee And Molly" centered on the relationship between the two. Fibber McGee often had impossible schemes, such as drilling for oil in their back yard, while Molly patiently waited for the scheme to fail. Of note were the neighbors and friends who appeared on the program, including: Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, a pompous next-door neighbor; the almost deaf The Old Timer; and the Mayor of Wistful Vista, Mayor La Trivia (a play on Fiorello La Guardia).

Answer: Dr. Christian

"Dr. Christian" featured Hersholt as Dr. Paul Christian. Hersholt played Dr. John Luke (based on the physician who dealt with the Dionne Quintuplets) in the 1936 film "The Country Doctor". When he was unable to get the rights to play that role on the radio, he created his own country physician.

Answer: Captain Midnight

"Captain Midnight" aired from 1938-1949. Albright was recruited to lead the "Secret Squadron" to fight sabotage, espionage, and enemy aircraft throughout the world. Characters supporting Captain Midnight included Chuck Ramsey, Ichabod "Icky" Mudd, and Joyce Ryan. Enemies included Ivan Shark, Fang, and Admiral Himakito.

Answer: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

"Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" began with an insurance company asking him to investigate a strange claim. Each episode was recounted in flashback with Dollar listing and explaining every item in his expense account. The program aired from 1949-1962, some 809 episodes.

Answer: The Shadow

With a couple of gaps, "The Shadow" aired from 1930-1954. The Shadow was Lamont Cranston, who had "the power to cloud men's minds so they could not see him." The programs began with "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows," followed by sardonic laughter.

At the conclusion, listeners heard: "The weeds of crime bear bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows."

Answer: The Life Of Riley

"The Life Of Riley" ran from 1944-1951. Riley was a riveter at Cunningham Aircraft in California. In his private life, he often had to deal with unusual situations related to his wife, children, mother-in-law, and co-workers. A supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell, "the friendly undertaker," became famous for such phrases as "I must be shoveling off."