Early Television Westerns Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Have Gun-Will Travel"

Generally the opening shot was a close-up of Paladin's holster and gun. He would draw the gun and give a brief blurb about what tonight's story would be about. His calling card was "Have Gun-Will Travel. Wire Paladin, San Francisco". His theme song was sung at the end of an episode.

The show was in the top four of ratings the first four years and Richard Boone had two Emmy nominations for Best Actor.

Answer: Clint Eastwood

Eric Fleming was lost in a boating accident while filming in Peru. Eastwood, of course, went on the acclaim as an actor and director.

Answer: Dennis Weaver

"Gunsmoke" ruled the airways for twenty years (1955-1975) and four times was the rating leader and was in the top ten in 13 of 20 years. When Dennis Weaver left his role as Chester Goode in 1963 to pursue other acting opportunities, he was replaced by Ken Curtis using the name Festus Haggen. The show also for awhile featured Burt Reynolds as the town blacksmith. Milborn Stone and James Arness are the only two who appeared in all 20 seasons, 635 episodes.

Anecdote: My Uncle Roy had little interest in television, although he bought a set to please my Aunt Lena. On Saturday nights, he would sit and watch "Gunsmoke", then go to bed. His only addiction.

Answer: Robert Culp

Robert Culp had a long career mostly as a television actor. His 'cool' Hoby Gilman set a standard for aloofness and realism that were followed by many actors both in television westerns and action series. Culp went on to co-star with Bill Cosby in "I Spy".

Answer: Steve McQueen

McQueen appeared in an episode of "Trackdown" as a bounty hunter and on the basis of that performance got his own TV western. "Wanted Dead or Alive" lasted three years and was followed by an illustrious film career: "Love with a Proper Stranger" (1963), "The Great Escape" 1963), "Papillon" (1973), and my favorite McQueen film "The Sand Pebbles" (1966).

Answer: Ward Bond and John McIntyre

Ward Bond died of a heart attack 1960. He had an unusual distinction of having appeared in eleven Academy Award nominated best picture films. He was in a number of John Wayne's movies.

John McIntyre replaced Bond. He was also destined to replace Lee J. Cobb in 1967 on the "Virginian". He frequently worked with is wife Jeanette Nolan.

Answer: Roger Moore

The 'funny talking' Englishman was never a favorite of Maverick fans. In 1960 he obtained the role of Simon Templar in the TV series "The Saint", making 118 episodes, sort of inheriting the role from George Sanders. When Sean Connery gave up the James Bond franchise, Moore stepped in and did seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985.

Answer: "Kung Fu"

There was a debate whether a Caucasian should play an oriental, a debate that hearkened back to the Charlie Chan and Mr. Moto movie series. David Carradine did carry the role well. His brother, Keith Carradine, played Caine as a teenager in flashbacks. The Bruce Lee family has maintained that the concept was stolen from Lee. It was a part that Lee himself intended to play.

Answer: "The Rifleman"

Connors was first a professional baseball player who turned to acting. The series ran from 1958-1963. Although anti-hero stars were the fashion of prime-time television at the time, "The Rifleman" appeal partly lay in its emphasis on 'old-fashioned' family values. The rifleman nearly always had a life-lesson for his son, regardless of the violence that may have occurred in the episode.

Answer: Michael Landon

Greene wore his hairpiece most of the time. Roberts used his only when on camera. Dan Blocker began to wear his during the 1968 season. Landon was blessed with a full head of hair.

Greene died of cancer at age 72 as did Landon at 54. Dan Blocker died of a blood clot to his lungs at 42.