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A Truly Difficult "Hardy Boys" Quiz

This quiz is about the original "Hardy Boys" books including some of the unedited pre-1959 books. You'll have to be a die-hard fan to do well on this one.

A multiple-choice quiz by derickwjazz. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
derickwjazz

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
203,045

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
653

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Most everyone is familiar with the distinctive picture covers of the Hardy Boys books, but when the first three "breeder" books were released what color were the covers? Hint

Brown with color dust jackets

Brown

Red with color dust jackets

Red with black and white dust jackets

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which popular children's television show aired the first "Hardy Boys" serial in 1955? Hint

The Howdy Doody Show

Captain Video and his Video Rangers

Kukla, Fran and Ollie

The Mickey Mouse Club

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In 1970, a Hardy Boys comic book was released by which large comic publisher? Hint

Archie Comics

Marvel

Gold Key

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In 1967 a pilot show for a new "Hardy Boys" TV show was aired based on which "Hardy Boys" book? Hint

The Tower Treasure

The Sinister Signpost

The Missing Chums

Mystery of the Chinese Junk

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In the current version of "The Tower Treasure", Frank and Joe solve the mystery of Hurd Applegate's missing treasure. What was the "treasure" in the original, unrevised version? Hint

Coins

Stamps

Pictures

Civil War bonds

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. How many ghost writers have written the original 59 books in the series? Hint

More than two dozen

There were no ghost writers; Franklin W. Dixon wrote them himself

Only one

Definitely three but possibly four

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these popular children's series was the Stratemeyer Syndicate NOT responsible for publishing? Hint

Nancy Drew

Tom Swift

Bobbsey Twins

The Famous Five

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In the "Hardy Boys" television series from 1977 to 1979, who played Frank Hardy? Hint

Shaun Cassidy

Parker Stevenson

Parker Posey

Peter Parker

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these "Hardy Boys" characters does not have a boat? Hint

Phil Cohen

Biff Hooper

Joe Hardy

Tony Prito

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which regular "Hardy Boys" character is killed off in the first book of the "Hardy Boys Casefiles", published in 1987? Hint

Fenton Hardy

Chet Morton

Iola Morton

Callie Shaw

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Most everyone is familiar with the distinctive picture covers of the Hardy Boys books, but when the first three "breeder" books were released what color were the covers?

Answer: Red with color dust jackets

"The Tower Treasure", "The House On The Cliff" and "The Secret Of The Old Mill" were released on May 16, 1927. The brown covers were introduced in 1932 and the light tan, "tweed" covers in 1951. The recognizable picture covers were introduced in 1962.

2. Which popular children's television show aired the first "Hardy Boys" serial in 1955?

Answer: The Mickey Mouse Club

"Mystery Of The Applegate Treasure" was based on "The Tower Treasure". This series was responsible for the first of the Hardy Boys collectible items (games, rings, coloring books, etc.) In 1957 they aired a serial titled "The Mystery of Ghost Farm" which was completely original and not based on any of the books. These serials starred Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk.

3. In 1970, a Hardy Boys comic book was released by which large comic publisher?

Answer: Gold Key

Gold Key comics was a huge success in the 1950s and '60s, publishing comics with characters from Disney, Warner Bros. and Hannah-Barbera just to name a few.

4. In 1967 a pilot show for a new "Hardy Boys" TV show was aired based on which "Hardy Boys" book?

Answer: Mystery of the Chinese Junk

This series never made it to the air but two years later an animated version lasted until 1971. 1971 also saw the end of the Gold Key "Hardy Boys" comic book.

5. In the current version of "The Tower Treasure", Frank and Joe solve the mystery of Hurd Applegate's missing treasure. What was the "treasure" in the original, unrevised version?

Answer: Stamps

Some of the revisions had very minor changes such as turning a stamp collection into a hoard of treasure. Some others, though, were completely different stories altogether. Many of the changes made were to update out-of-date prose and sayings and to remove racial stereotypes which were abundunt in the early books.

6. How many ghost writers have written the original 59 books in the series?

Answer: More than two dozen

Although the name Franklin W. Dixon is indelibly associated with the "Hardy Boys" books, there were more than 24 people on the staff of the Stratemeyer Syndicate formed by Edward Stratemeyer.

7. Which of these popular children's series was the Stratemeyer Syndicate NOT responsible for publishing?

Answer: The Famous Five

While Edward Stratemeyer was responsible for bringing us Nancy Drew, Tom Swift and the Bobbsey Twins, "The Famous Five" is from British children's author Enid Blyton. This series chronicles the adventures of four children and their dog, Timmy.

8. In the "Hardy Boys" television series from 1977 to 1979, who played Frank Hardy?

Answer: Parker Stevenson

Married to actress Kirstie Alley from 1983 to 1997, Parker Stevenson has done numerous guest shots and has even dabbled in directing on occasion. His birth name is Richard Stevenson Parker but he had to change it because there was already a Richard Parker and a Richard Stevenson registered with the Screen Actors Guild.

9. Which of these "Hardy Boys" characters does not have a boat?

Answer: Phil Cohen

Joe, of course, is co-owner of the "Sleuth" while Biff owns a motor boat called the "Envoy" and Tony is the skipper of the "Napoli". The "Napoli" is owned by Tony's father.

10. Which regular "Hardy Boys" character is killed off in the first book of the "Hardy Boys Casefiles", published in 1987?

Answer: Iola Morton

Iola is blown to smithereens by a bomb planted in the boys' car, which was intended for them. Iola was Joe's longtime girlfriend but he apparently overcame his grief because he became quite the girl chaser later in this series.

Source: Author derickwjazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LilahDeDah before going online.
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