Old Radio Westerns Trivia Quiz

Answer: Victor

"The Lone Ranger" aired for over almost 3000 radio episodes beginning in January, 1933 and ending, on radio, in September, 1954. Dan Reid appeared in several later episodes of the series. His horse, Victor, was said to be a colt from the Lone Ranger's horse, Silver.

There is some debate among "Ranger" fans about the name "Dan Reid." Some feel that this was the Lone Ranger's real name rather than his nephew's.

Answer: U.S. Borax Company.

"Death Valley Days" ran, on radio, from 1930 to 1945. It appeared as a television series in 1952 and became the longest running syndicated television series in history ending in 1975. Almost all episodes were sponsored by the U.S. Borax Co. which made 20 Mule Team Borax, Boraxo and other related products.

The association was a natural as the company mined borax in Death Valley. The "Death Vally Days" television series was notable for being hosted by Ronald Reagan, in his last show business appearance before entering politics.

Answer: The Six Shooter

"The Six Shooter" ran for 39 episodes from September 1953 to June 1954. It was an unusual show in that Jimmy Stewart was a major movie star at the time he undertook the project. However he was a good fit for the title character; laconic, slow talking, slow to anger, but fast with his gun, typical of the parts he played in western films.

The program itself, was a forerunner of the "adult" westerns to come in both radio and television.

Answer: Schulyer King

Schuyler, or as he was better known, Sky King flew, with his niece, Penny, his Cessna T-50 and, later in the series his Cessna 310B, Songbird from 1947 to 1953 on radio. The radio series of "Sky King" overlapped the successful television series which ran from 1951 intermittently to 1966.

Answer: Paladin

Paladin, the lead character of the series; "Have Gun, Will Travel", was portrayed as an intelligent, sophisticated individual who happened to live by his wits and his gun. The series lasted for 107 episodes starting in 1958 and ended in 1960. "Have Gun, Will Travel" was also one of the few series that started on television, September, 1957, and then came over to radio.

The radio Paladin was played by John Denher.

Answer: Matt Dillon

The classic "Gunsmoke", ran, on radio, from 1952 to 1961 and starred William Conrad in the role of Matt Dillon. Many critics consider the radio "Gunsmoke" to be the finest example of radio drama. From the production values of literate scripts to the sophistication of the sound effect, and the background atmosphere effects, it was the considered the "gold" standard of radio drama.

The series, of course, translated to television, 1955-1975, to become the longest running, prime time drama series in television history.

Answer: Little Beaver

"The Red Ryder Show" was on the air from 1942 to 1951. Red Ryder originated as a comic strip and spawned over thirty five movie serials and feature films. The actor, Robert Blake, portrayed Little Beaver on both radio and in several of the films.

Answer: Gene Autry

Gene Autry was probably the most financially successful "cowboy" in history. From 1940 to 1956, he sang and shot his way into the west from Melody Ranch with his side kick, Pat Buttrum. Already a major movie and recording star when he went on the radio, he became wealthy through astute purchase of several radio and television stations.

He crowned his holdings with the purchase of the California Angels baseball team.

Answer: Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers started in radio in 1944 in much the same way as Gene Autry. Rogers was also a successful movie and recording star and worked and at the same studio as Autry. He got his big break when Autry got in a contract dispute with Republic Studios.

The radio series format was also similar to Autry's, shooting and singing his way into the west. The radio series ended in 1955. Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evens, were extremely successful in their television series.

Answer: Fort Laramie

"Fort Laramie" lasted for 41 episodes, January to October, 1956. It was unique in that the western radio series featured a U.S. Cavalry Captain as the central character. Fort Laramie was produced by Norman MacDonnell, who produced "Gunsmoke."