The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Quiz

Answer: Dwayne Hickman

Darryl Hickman is Dwayne Hickman's older brother and was the first of the two to enter showbiz as a child actor. His fourth movie, released when he was nine years old, is the classic "The Grapes of Wrath." He did appear on the show as Dobie's brother "Davey" occasionally. Earl Holliman has had a long career as a reliable character actor in films and television.

The late Earl Hindman played Wilson, the unseen neighbor behind the fence, in "Home Improvement." Earlier, he was a cast member for the entire run of "Ryan's Hope," a daytime drama that run from 1975-1989.

He died in 2003.

Answer: A statue of Rodin's "The Thinker"

Dobie assumed the famous "elbow on knee posture" of "The Thinker" when he pondered his own life. And, he never had a fancy car, though as is often typical of teenaged males, he coveted one.

Answer: Maynard G. Krebs, Bob Denver

Before getting stranded on that island, the Skipper's "Little Buddy" was Dobie's "Weird Buddy," Maynard. Armed with bongo drums and limited brain or word power, he often stole the show. Dennis Hopper was busy in films, Michael J. Pollard made one appearance as Maynard's brother, Jerome, and Allen Ginsburg was a great American poet identified with the "Beat" idiom.

Answer: Thalia

Among the Nine Muses, Clio represents history, Terpscichore inspires dance, and poets looked to Erato to guide their pens. Thalia Menninger, besides being beautiful, was also extremely intelligent which probably explains her last name: a reference to the famed psychiatric pioneer, Karl Menninger. With her looks and brains, Dobie never really had a chance.

Answer: Warren Beatty

Jack Nicholson was in the middle of his Roger Corman period during this time, and Peter Fonda hadn't yet joined the "family business" of the Fondas, although he made his first TV appearance in an episode of "Naked City" in 1962. Paul Petersen played son, Jeff Stone, in the Donna Reed show which ran from 1958-1966. Needless to say, Warren has never talked much in interviews about his stint on "Dobie"!

Answer: Grocers

Fantastic character actors Frank Faylen and Florida Friebus played Dobie's dad and mom, Herbert T. and Winnie Gillis. Often at his wit's end with his son's antics, Herbert often muttered: "I gotta kill that boy, Winnie, I just gotta." The actor is probably best known as Bert the Cabbie in "It's a Wonderful Life." (And Ward Bond played "Ernie," the cop in the same film!)Florida Friebus was later a recurring character as a member of the therapy group led by Dr. Bob Hartley on "The Bob Newhart Show."

Answer: Work

Every time anyone even uttered the word "work," Maynard jumped in fright and screeched "WORK"! Does that make him "ergophobic"?

Answer: Chatsworth Osborne, Jr.

Doris Packer was hilarious as Chatsworth's "mummy," and Steve Franken played the annoying "nasty" boy to the hilt. The other choices are indeed nasty rich boys, but they are from literature: George Babbitt, the ultimate businessman, is the title character of Sinclair Lewis' "Babbitt"; Dick Diver is the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's last completed novel, "Tender is the Night." Tom Buchanan, a supporting player in Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is Daisy's rich but ruthless husband.

Answer: William Schallert

William Schallert also played Martin Lane, Patty's dad, on "The Patty Duke Show" (1963-1966) and was ranked #39 in the "TV Guide" list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" in 2004. He has said he is most often recognized for his role in the original "Star Trek" episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" in which he played an official at the Department of Agricultural Affairs. Two of the others listed above also played teachers in 1960s television shows. James Franciscus was "Mr. Novak" and Lloyd Haynes was Pete Dixon in "Room 222." William Shatner was, of course, otherwise engaged.

Answer: Propinquity

Zelda believed in "propinquity," defined as "nearness in place, proximity." Since "Gillis" and "Gilroy" were usually seated next to each other due to alphabetical order, she believed their attraction was inescapable. Dobie thought differently (or pretended to)! In a 1987 reunion movie "Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis," Zelda and Dobie are married, and Thalia returns to try to break them up. Zelda was played by the redoubtable Sheila James, now Senator Sheila Kuehl in the California legislature, elected to a 2nd term in 2004.

Her causes have included the environment, child welfare, and gay and lesbian issues, among others. After a childhood and youth in show business, she attained a law degree and began her political career. However, she did return for the film to reprise her role as Zelda. Tuesday Weld did not; she was replaced by Connie Stevens.