Old Radio Mysteries Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Black Beauty.

"The Green Hornet" originated as a radio drama in the 1930, and subsequently expanded to movie serials, comic books, and a television series in the 1960s. Britt Reid, aka the Green Hornet, was the grand-nephew of the Lone Ranger. Both programs were created and developed by Fran Striker and George W. Trendle.

Originally to be called just "The Hornet", "Green" was added because green colored hornets were considered to be the angriest.

Answer: A-1 Detective Agency.

Starting in 1939, the three detectives appeared in the long running radio show; "I Love a Mystery". This popular mystery ran for 12 years on various networks and spun off 3 movies in the 1940s, a comic book and a television pilot.

Answer: Carlton E. Morse.

Carlton E. Morse was the creator of two very popular radio series; "I Love A Mystery" and "One Man's Family". "Family" was one of the longest running radio dramas, broadcast from 1932 to 1959. Fran Striker was the creator and chief writer for "The Lone Ranger". George W. Trendle was the producer of "The Lone Ranger".

Answer: "The Shadow."

Orson Welles was the original voice of "The Shadow" when it aired in its' final form in 1937. Although uncredited, his distinctive voice was easily recognizable. Best know for his Mercury Theater radio production of "War of the Worlds", Welles maintained a frenetic pace as a radio performer.

His style was not to rehearse but to go into a broadcast "cold" reading half a page ahead in the script while on the air. Welles voiced the role of Harry Lime in a radio reprise of his film, "The Third Man".

Answer: Johnny Dollar

"Yours Truly Johnny Dollar" was on the air from 1948 to 1962 making it one of the longest running detective shows. It was also the last drama to be broadcast on network radio.

Answer: Howard Duff.

Humphrey Bogart reprized his movie role as Sam Spade only once on the Screen Guild Theater's radio production of the "The Maltese Falcon" in 1943. Howard Duff was the voice of Spade from the series beginning in 1956 to 1960. He later went into films, appearing in over 100 movies and television programs.

Answer: "The Fat Man."

Originally a character created by Dashiell Hammett, the detective mystery show, "The Fat Man", aired from 1946 to 1950 and starred J. Scott Smart as Brad Runyon. The popularity of the program prompted a feature film called "The Fat Man" in 1951, also starring J. Scott Smart.

Answer: The Thin Man."

More characters created by Dashiell Hammett, Nick and Nora Charles first appeared in his novel, "The Thin Man". The very popular Thin Man movie series in the thirties came over to radio in 1940 as "The Adventures of the Thin Man". The series lasted until 1947.

Answer: "Boston Blackie."

"Boston Blackie" first appeared in a magazine short story in 1914. From 1914 to 1949 he was featured in 23 movies. The radio series started in 1944 and continued to 1950. In 1951, a 58 episode television series was broadcast.

Answer: "Phillip Marlowe."

Phillip Marlowe was the quintessential "tough guy" private eye. He was created by Raymond Chandler in "The Big Sleep". Marlow has been portrayed in films by Humphrey Bogart, Dick Powell and Robert Mitchum as well as others. The radio series aired as "The Adventures of Phillip Marlowe" from 1948 to 1951.