Horse Opera Heroes Part Two Quiz | Movie Mixture

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I am given credit for creating the western genre. I appeared in "The Great Train Robbery" playing three roles. My silent movies made me the most popular movie star of my time. What is my name?

Answer: Broncho Billy Anderson

"Broncho Billy" Anderson was born Gilbert Anderson. He went on to make nearly four hundred silent movie westerns, often making two or three a week. In 1958 he received an Academy Award for his life time achievements. He died at a home for retired actors in 1971. His image can be found on a postage stamp circulated in 2002.

2. I made 336 western movies but only nine were from the "talkie" era. I was known for my fast paced life style but I played a squeaky clean cowboy on the screen. My horse Tony was also popular. Bruce Willis portrayed me in the movie "Sunset". Who am I? .

Answer: Tom Mix

Mix was once sued for income tax evasion in 1929. His last screen appearance was in 1935 in a serial. At the height of his popularity, he left motion pictures to become a rodeo/circus performer. He had over 80 injuries as he preferred to do his own stunts.

He died at age 60 in an automobile accident. The Tom Mix radio program was on for 15 years but various actors supplied the voice not Mix. He served in the army and went AWOL but was never prosecuted.

3. My career as movie cowboy was interrupted by World War I and later curtailed by the advent of the singing cowboy. I did my own stunts and appeared in many rodeos. I spent money freely. My last name is also a name of a guitar. What is my name?

Answer: Hoot Gibson

John Ford hired Gibson for westerns he was directing in the 1920s. He died broke not only because of high living but also a series of bad investments. Near the end of his life, he worked as a greeter at a Las Vegas casino.

4. I was an anomaly in films as I was a skilled actor appearing in Shakespearean drama on Broadway. After I appeared in a couple of films in minor roles, I started making westerns in the 1910s. I chose not to participate in talkies and retired. Can you name me?

Answer: William S. Hart

At his death he donated his ranch as a public museum on the proviso that it be free to the public which is still open today. Hart's films had a rugged moralistic tone which fell out of favor in the 1930s. His popularity declined as the new generation of cowboys were flashier.

5. Do you know me? Think Dale, Trigger, Bullet, Pat, and Gabby.

Answer: Roy Rogers

Rogers (Leonard Slye) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the site of Riverfront Stadium. After living a drifting life, he formed a singing group called the Sons of the Pioneers which gave him an entrance into movie making, appearing first in a supporting role to Gene Autry. Dale was his wife, Trigger his horse, Bullet his dog, and Pat Brady and Gabby Hayes were, at various times, his sidekicks.

6. Do you know me? Think Champion, Smiley Burnette, Melody Ranch, and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".

Answer: Gene Autry

Autry suspended his career during WWII to become a pilot. He flew planes over the dangerous Hump between Burma and China. Autry is distinguished by having five stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in movies, radio, recordings, TV, and stage.

He worked under a strict schedule for many years, making a movie every six weeks. With his investments in baseball teams, TV stations, radio stations, and other businesses, he was many times over a millionaire. His first film appearance was a minor role as a singer in a Ken Maynard movie. Champion was his horse, Smiley was his comical sidekick, Melody Ranch was his ranch, and "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" was one of his popular recordings.

7. I had a varied career as actor, producer, and director. I was also skilled as a painter. I will always be remembered as that Latino western hero, the Cisco Kid. Most of the Cisco films were in the late 1940s and the character continued into the early years of television. Do you remember my name?

Answer: Duncan Renaldo

Although Gilbert Roland also played Cisco, Renaldo is most closely identified with the role. Renaldo never really knew where he was born but he claimed Spain. He entered the country illegally and was once imprisoned to await deportation. It is rumored that Franklin Roosevelt gave him a pardon at the urging of Eleanor Roosevelt.

After portraying Cisco in the movies, he continued with the role into television. When he was injured while doing a stunt, the studio used actors wearing masks to portray Cisco with Renaldo with doing the voice over.

8. Although I made a lot of westerns, I am the only actor to play Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and Tarzan in the movies. I was an Olympic swimmer in 1928 and 1932. What is my name?

Answer: Buster Crabbe

Born in Oakland but growing up in Hawaii, Crabbe became an outstanding swimmer. His good looks and athleticism lead him into movies. Although 75% of his movies were westerns, his roles as Tarzan (one movie), Flash Gordon, and Buck Rogers are the roles he is most identified today. After his movie career waned, he became a stock broker.

9. I was an All-American half-back at the University of Alabama, once scoring three touchdowns in the 1926 Rose Bowl. My physique and masculine appearance made me a natural for the movies. At first I was a leading man in the 1930s but a guy named Clark Gable got the roles I was up for. I switched to "B" westerns and went on to make 127 of them. What is my name?

Answer: Johnny Mack Brown

Brown had a steady career, lasting until 1953 when the genre died. Although he worked at second level movie studios, he was often in the top ten box office draws.

10. The Statler Brothers had a hit song with my name in it in 1973. Although I did not appear in Mel Brook's "Blazing Saddles", one scene depicts the reverence many fans had for me. This is only a rumor but the profile on the Oakland Raiders' helmet is said to be my likeness. For ten years my roommate was Cary Grant. I also made a lot of western movies. Who am I?

Answer: Randolph Scott

The song was "What Ever Happened to Randolph Scott?". In "Blazing Saddles" the cowboys take off their hats when Scott's name is mentioned. The football story is probably an urban legend. Scott's relationship to Cary Grant has been the subject of speculation.

Scott made 107 movies, most of which were westerns. His last, "Ride the High Country" (1962) is considered a classic. During part of his career, he starred in several adaptations of Zane Grey novels.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nannanut before going online.
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Horse Opera Heroes Part Two Trivia Quiz

In Part 1, a number of Horse Opera Heroes were overlooked. You will find many of them here. Sweet memories are here for the western movie fan.

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