Richard Diamond, Private Detective Quiz

Answer: Dick Powell

Born Richard Ewing Powell on November 14, 1904 in Mountain View, Arkansas, USA, second of three sons to Ewing and Sallie Rowena Thompson Powell., Dick Powell was a movie star during Hollywood's golden age. Even before being signed by Warner Bros. in 1932, he had already had a varied career as soda jerk, singer with the touring territorial band of Charlie Davis, and MC, to name a few. For several years in Hollywood, he was cast in lightweight singing rolls in musicals. Eventually, though, he made the move to "serious" acting, landing the part of Philip Marlow in 1944's "Murder My Sweet", produced by RKO. Throughout the rest of the 1940s to the mid '50s he continued to appear primarily in films noirs.

He starred on radio as the wise cracking, singing P.I. Richard Diamond from April 24, 1949 through September 20, 1953.

Dick Powell died January 2, 1963 in West Los Angeles, California of lung cancer.

Answer: By whistling the show's theme, "Leave It to Love"

"Leave It to Love" was written by Henry Russell. Powell whistled it at the end of every episode as well, under the closing credits.

Answer: New York City

On the radio, Richard Diamond lived and worked in New York. Indeed his girlfriend, Helen Asher, lived on Park Ave. By contrast, when the series moved to television in 1957, Diamond's base of operations shifted to L.A.

Answer: Singing a popular standard or Broadway number

The show usually ended with Rick at the piano serenading Helen. As Rick saw it, the only thing wrong with the beautiful and rich redhead was that she wanted him to marry her. His continuing refusal to do so didn't keep him from spending a considerable amount of time with her, borrowing her car or drinking her liquor.

Answer: $100 a day plus expenses

Despite how much he charged, somehow Rick was always broke. His office consisted of one room, though it did overlook Broadway. He had no employees and he sometimes had to hang up his washing between the door and his desk.

Answer: He was a police officer.

Rick's friend and former partner, Lt. Walter Levinson and Levinson's Sargent, Otis, were regularly recurring characters.

Answer: Bicarbonate and a spoon

Walt called plaintively for his bicarbonate whenever Rick phoned, and often when Rick turned up at the police station as well. Nonetheless, he was always reliable both as a source of information and as backup, rewarding Rick's trust in him.

Answer: Yes

Rick packed heat; but that never stopped him from getting beaten up or knocked unconscious, usually in the same episode.

Answer: Helen Asher

Virginia Gregg was the actress who played Helen Asher. Born in Harrisburg, Illinois on March 6, 1916, she was a prolific radio, television and film actress. She appeared on "Have Gun, Will Travel" and "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar", to name just two of her other radio credits. Virginia Gregg died of lung cancer on September 15, 1986 in Encino, California.

Velma Valento, aka Helen Grayle was played by Claire Trevor opposite Powell in "Murder, My Sweet".

Ellen Drew played Betty Casey opposite Powell in the 1940 Paramount Pictures film "Christmas in July".

Answer: True

Helen lived in a mansion, looked after by a doddering but faithful butler named Francis. Whenever Rick entered the house, he asked Francis for a drink of some sort. In due course Francis brought the drink, only to walk in on Rick and Helen kissing, at which he invariably exclaimed, "Oh, my goodness!"