Who Played the Role on Radio? Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Dehner

John Dehner was an in-demand character actor who also had the lead role in the 1958 radio Western, "Frontier Gentleman". In addition to Dehner, the radio version featured Ben Wright as Hey Boy and Virginia Gregg in the role of Miss Wong, Hey Boy's girlfriend. When the radio series premiered the weekly episodes mirrored the television episodes but as the radio show became successful original scripts were written. The radio version was written and produced by Roy Winsor.
In addition to his work in television John Dehner was in several films including "The Boys from Brazil" (1978), "Slaughterhouse-Five" 1972)and his final movie appearance, "Jagged Edge" (1985).
Dick Simmons portrayed Sergeant Preston on "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon" on television from 1955 to 1958. Edgar Buchanan starred as as Judge Roy Bean in 1955 on "The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean". Dr. Bill Baxter was played by Rex Allen on the 1958 series, "Frontier Doctor".

Answer: William Conrad

William Conrad was Marshal Matt Dillon on the radio show. After a career in radio Conrad appeared in guest roles on many television shows until landing the role of Cannon on the show of the same name from 1971 to 1976. He went on to star in "Nero Wolfe" (1981) and "Jake and the Fatman" (1987). William Conrad was elected to the Radio Hall of Fame in 1997.

The "Gunsmoke" television series began in 1955 as a 30-minute show. It changed to an hour format and aired 635 episodes until 1975. Keith Larsen starred as Major Robert Rogers on "Northwest Passage" from 1968 to 1959. Buddy Ebsen starred as Sergeant Hunk Marriner and Don Burnett had the role of Ensign Langdon Towne on the same show.

Answer: Howard McNear

Howard McNear was a radio contract player for CBS when he landed the role of Doc Adams. He began working in television and portrayed a barber on an episode of "Leave it to Beaver" (1957). He ended up landing the regular role of Floyd the barber on "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960).

Although he suffered a stroke during the third season, he returned to the show after a hiatus to recuperate. He passed away in 1969. Jack Gilford had a major role in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1963).

He also had the role of Herr Schultz in Cabaret (1966) and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Phil Green in "Save the Tiger" (1973). Henry Jones has appeared in over 175 television and movies roles including "Support Your Local Gunfighter" (1971) and "Arachnophobia" (1990). Whit Bissell's early film career was mainly in horror movies.

He was a regular on the third and fourth seasons of "Bachelor Father" (1959).

Answer: False

Several actors had the radio role of "The Lone Ranger" when it began on radio in 1933. John L. Barrett had the role during pilot broadcasts. George Seaton (George Stenius), Earle Graser, Brace Beemer and Fred Foy were among the many men who had the role on radio shows between 1933 the final episode on September 3, 1954. Except for an occasional replacement, John Todd had the role of Tonto throughout the radio broadcasts. Repeated broadcasts were aired until 1956. Clayton Moore was among the cast of "Ghost of Zorro" (1949) when he was spotted by producer George Trendle. Trendle and writer Fran Striker were preparing to create a television series of "The Lone Ranger" when they saw Clayton and cast him in the lead role as ranger John Reid.

He would appear in 169 episodes until 1957.

Answer: Raymond Burr

Raymond Burr had worked with Jack Webb in "Pat Novak for Hire" (1946) on ABC radio before assuming role of Ed Backstrand on Webb's radio program, "Dragnet". Joe Friday's radio partner, Sergeant Ben Romero, was portrayed by veteran radio actor Barton Yarborough. George Fenneman and Hal Gibney shared announcing duties. Fenneman announced for Groucho Marx on "You Bet Your Life" on radio beginning in 1947 as well as on the television series. "The Defenders" featured E. G. Marshall and Robert Reed from 1961 to 1965. Between 1965 and 1971 Eddie Albert played a transplanted lawyer in "Green Acres".

Answer: Robert Young

Robert Young initiated his role as General Insurance agent Jim Anderson when the radio show premiered in 1949. His wife, Margaret, was first portrayed by June Whitley but was later replaced by Jean Vander Pyl. The Anderson children were played on the radio show by Rhoda Williams, Ted Donaldson and Norma Jean Nillson. Former Broadway and film actress Jane Wyatt earned three Emmy Awards for her role as Margaret Anderson on the television series.

After appearing in bit movie roles Elinor Donahue landed the role of Betty "Princess" Anderson.

She went on to play Tony Randall's love interest on "The Odd Couple" (1970). Billy Gray's mother was character actress Beatrice Gray. Billy played James "Bud" Anderson, Jr.

Answer: Andy Clyde

Gabby Hayes originally played Windy Halliday, Cassidy's sidekick on film. After Hayes left he was replaced by Britt Wood as Speedy McGinnis and finally Andy Clyde. Clyde made the transition from movies to the radio show with William Boyd in 1950. Andy Clyde's character was named California Carlson. Clyde began his film career in the silent Mack Sennett films.

In addition to his film and radio career he also had recurring television roles on "City Detective" (1953), "Lassie" (1964) and "The Real McCoys" (1957). Edgar Buchanan played his sidekick, Red Connors, on the television series. Andy Devine played Jingles Jones on the television series "Wild Bill Hickock" beginning in 1951. Leo Carrillo played The Cisco Kid's sidekick when the show began in 1950.

Answer: Guy Madison

Guy Madison's first film role was in 1944 in "Since You Went Away". In addition to a film career he appeared on several television series. "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" was his first regular role and he went on to have guest roles in shows such as "Death Valley Days" (1952) and "Wagon Train" (1957).

He later found success in Europe acting in Spaghetti Westerns. Hugh O'Brian played the leading role in "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" for 172 episodes from 1955 to 1961. Rory Calhoun was Bill Longley on "The Texan" from 1958 to 1960. Guy Williams starred in the television series, "Zorro", beginning in 1957.

Answer: Matt Crowley

Matt Crowley was the voice of Jungle Jim and Batman on radio. Crowley adapted to television in the fifties and appeared in several "Studio One" broadcasts beginning in 1950. He then went n to guest star in a variety of television shows and appeared in the Soap Opera "The Edge of Night" (1956). Gerald Mohr assumed the role of Jungle Jim in 1938. Juano Hernandez voiced the Hindu servant, Kolu. Johnny Weissmuller played the character from from 1948 to 1955 in movies and had the role for one season on television in 1955. Buster Crabbe starred in "Tarzan the Fearless" in 1933 and launched a career in which he appeared in over 100 films. Gordon Scott portrayed Tarzan in films during the fifties.

Answer: Basil Rathbone

Basil Rathbone was born in South Africa and got his start on the British stage in Shakespeare plays. He transitioned to film and after several years of actng in films he landed the role of Sherlock Holmes in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in 1938. This led to several more Holmes films as well as playing the character on radio.

His last Sherlock Holmes film was the 1946 release, "Dressed to Kill". Leslie Banks appeared in several films including "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934) and "Fire Over England" (1937). John Gielgud was an accomplished Shakespearean actor who also appeared as the butler in "Arthur" (1981). David Niven was awarded the 1958 Academy Award for Best Actor in "Separate Tables" and was in the cast of "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956) and "The Pink Panther" (1963).