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Saturday Matinee Serials Trivia Quiz

Back in the 1930s and 40s kids would go to the Saturday matinees to see a serial, or chapter play. Here are some of the more famous for your trivia pleasure.

A multiple-choice quiz by richicago. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
richicago

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
192,873

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
710

Last 3 plays: Guest 173 (2/10), colbymanram (10/10), Guest 73 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "The Phantom Empire" was a stepping stone to stardom for this actor. Hint

Sterling Hayden

Gene Autry

Bruce Bennett

Chester Morris

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Question 2 of 10

2. "Flash Gordon" was so popular that it spawned a serial sequel in the 30s, and a full length feature sequel in 1980. Who was the arch villian in each?

Answer: (One Word (4 Letters))

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Question 3 of 10

3. "The Whispering______" was an exciting serial that took place in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Hint

Ghost

Skull

Shadow

Spirit

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which famous bad guy was incorrectly suspected to be the villain in a serial? Hint

Peter Lorre

Boris Karloff

Bela Lugosi

Lon Chaney

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Question 5 of 10

5. "The Lost Jungle" starred this world famous lion tamer. Hint

Ned Beatty

Clyde Beatty

Warren Beatty

Robert Beatty

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ray Corrigan starred in this Republic serial about "The _________Stallion". Hint

Painted

Black

Wild

Comanche

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Question 7 of 10

7. Ken Maynard was the star of a serial about this kind of mountain. Hint

Magic

Secret

Hidden

Mystery

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who played "Dick Tracy" in the serial of the same name? Hint

Ralph Bellamy

Robert Livingston

Walter Pigeon

Ralph Byrd

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Question 9 of 10

9. Reed Hadley played the role of Zorro in "Zorro's _____Legion". Hint

Foreign

Fighting

American

Gallant

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Question 10 of 10

10. Harry Carey starred in a serial based on which novel? Hint

The Way West

Westward Ho

The Last Of The Mohicans

The Alamo

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 29 2024 : Guest 173: 2/10
Oct 28 2024 : colbymanram: 10/10
Oct 13 2024 : Guest 73: 3/10
Sep 26 2024 : Guest 90: 4/10
Sep 15 2024 : Guest 203: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "The Phantom Empire" was a stepping stone to stardom for this actor.

Answer: Gene Autry

This 1935 Mascot release was the story of the land of Murania, located thousands of feet below the earth, and a singing cowboy named Gene Autry who overthrew evil Queen Tika!

2. "Flash Gordon" was so popular that it spawned a serial sequel in the 30s, and a full length feature sequel in 1980. Who was the arch villian in each?

Answer: Ming

Ming the Merciless was portrayed by Charles Middleton in the 30s, and by Max Von Sydow in 1996. I must admit that I had a crush on Priscilla Lawson, who played his daughter, Princess Aura, in the 1936 version.

3. "The Whispering______" was an exciting serial that took place in Los Angeles in the 1930s.

Answer: Shadow

This exciting serial, starring Malcolm McGregor, was about a truck line being threatened by a sinister villian trying to put it out of business, using electrical waves. Ouch!

4. Which famous bad guy was incorrectly suspected to be the villain in a serial?

Answer: Bela Lugosi

Bela Lugosi was an all-purpose monster back in the 30s, but not in the Whispering Shadow! Playing the seemingly guilty professor Strang, he was exonerated in the last chapter. His character was what is known as a "red herring."

5. "The Lost Jungle" starred this world famous lion tamer.

Answer: Clyde Beatty

This 1934 classic featured Beatty's adventures with the circus and, yes you guessed it, bad guys trying to sabotage it and take it over! (Boo Hiss)!

6. Ray Corrigan starred in this Republic serial about "The _________Stallion".

Answer: Painted

This 1937 serial starred Ray, Hoot Gibson, Duncan Renaldo and a beautiful "Painted Stallion". Renaldo went on to play "The Cisco Kid" on TV.

7. Ken Maynard was the star of a serial about this kind of mountain.

Answer: Mystery

This was a big hit in 1934, and Mascot Pictures wanted Ken to do "Phantom Empire". Ken said no, and that's how Gene Autry got his big break.

8. Who played "Dick Tracy" in the serial of the same name?

Answer: Ralph Byrd

Ralph Byrd was the quintessential Dick Tracy, with square jaw and slick black hair.

9. Reed Hadley played the role of Zorro in "Zorro's _____Legion".

Answer: Fighting

This was another great Republic serial made in 1939. Reed Hadley went on to star in the TV series "Racket Squad" in the 50s.

10. Harry Carey starred in a serial based on which novel?

Answer: The Last Of The Mohicans

This serial was made in 1932. Carey was a father figure to John Wayne. Duke patterned his famous way of walking after Harry.

Source: Author richicago

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