Peter Gunn Trivia Quiz

Answer: Craig Stevens

Craig Stevens was born Gail Shikles, Jr. He originally planned on becoming a dentist. Craig changed his name early in his screen career and primarily starred in "B" movies and sci-fi flicks until getting the role of Peter Gunn. He was married for over fifty years to Alexis Smith. Jack Lord was Steve McGarrett, David Janssen played "The Fugitive" and Efram Zimbalist, Jr. starred on "The FBI."

Answer: Lola Albright

Lola Albright played the role of Edie Hart. She was constantly frustrated because Peter was non-committal. Lola was a model who made the transition to acting. She starred with Kirk Douglas in "The Champion." After "Peter Gunn," she was featured as Constance McKenzie in the 1960's night-time soap opera "Peyton Place." Edie Adams was married to Ernie Kovaks, Connie Stevens portrayed Cricket in "Hawaiian Eye" and Anne Francis was in many spy genre movies, most notably playing a character named Honey West.

Answer: Henry Mancini

Before composing such great songs as "Moon River" and "The Pink Panther Theme" Henry Mancini got his start doing television theme songs. He went on to write many movie scores garnering several awards. "The Peter Gunn Theme" has been covered by numerous artists and continues to be a favorite among jazz musicians. David Rose also wrote many television themes, such as "Bonanza." Horst Jankowski wrote "A Walk in a Black Forest," and Lalo Schifrin composed the memorable theme to "Mission Impossible."

Answer: 1958

"Peter Gunn" premiered in the fall 1958 lineup. It ran until 1961 and featured guest roles from many notable character actors of the day such as J. Pat O'Malley, Jackie Coogan, Shelley Berman, Gavin MacLeod, and Roxane Brooks. It ran for two seasons on NBC and was on ABC during the final season.

Answer: Mother's

Mother's was the night club where Peter relaxed and sometimes conducted business. The club featured smooth jazz being played by live musicians on the show. Craig Stevens personally enjoyed jazz and was instrumental in having it featured on the program. Peter's girlfriend Edie sang at the club.

Answer: Blake Edwards

Blake Edwards created the show. He directed and wrote many of the episodes. Like Henry Mancini, Blake also cut his teeth on television programs as a springboard to a great movie career. Edwards and Henry Mancini developed career long relationships in movies, an example being "The Pink Panther" movie series. Sam Peckinpah directed many epic western movies. Mike Nichols directed "The Graduate" and Hy Averback was one of the directors of the "M*A*S*H" television series.

Answer: Hope Emerson

Hope Emerson starred as the night club owner when the series premiered. She died in 1960 and Minerva Urecal assumed the role in the last year of the production for nine episodes. Hope Emerson made guest appearances on other early television shows and she was also the voice of "Elsie The Cow" on Borden Dairy commercials. Bea Benaderet starred in many country flavored TV shows such as "Petticoat Junction." Spring Byington was a staple of early television shows such as "The Flying Nun" and "December Bride." Irene Ryan played Granny on "The Beverly Hillbillies."

Answer: Herschel Bernardi

Herschel played Lieutenant Jacobi. He is well known for his starring roles in Broadway shows such as "Fiddler on the Roof" and playing the lead in the television show "Arnie." Bernardi was also in several films such as "Irma La Douce," "Love with the Proper Stranger" and "The Front." He was the original voice of Starkist Tuna's animated character, "Charlie the Tuna". James MacArthur was Danny Williams on "Hawaii 5-0." Ed Byrnes and Roger Smith were in the 1950's PI series "77 Sunset Strip."

Answer: It was never disclosed

The name of the city was never mentioned or disclosed throughout the run of the series. Rather than have the city be an instrumental part of the show, the producers and creators preferred to focus on elevating the role of a private eye from the traditional hard-boiled Sam Spade type of character to a smooth and suave professional.

The formula must have worked. The show, the music and the actors involved earned a total of eight Emmys in 1959.

Answer: Billy Barty

Billy appeared in the role of Babby in seven episodes. Billy started his movie career in 1933 and appeared in over 150 television and movie productions. He passed away in 2000. Jimmy O'Dea was in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." Herve is best remembered as Tattoo on "Fantasy Island" and James R. Fletcher is too young to have been in "Peter Gunn." He was in the 2006 feature "Bridge to Terabithia."