The Night That Panicked America Quiz

Answer: Patrick Duffy

Vic Morrow and Eileen Brennan portrayed Hank and Ann Muldoon, a middle-aged married couple with three children. They were duped by the broadcast and tried to flee New York City. Tom Bosley played the radio station manager.

Answer: no

In fact when they were first introduced, Mr. Muldoon was packing in preparation of leaving his family. It is revealed that he is tired of the marriage and especially the children. At dinner, when the youngest daughter spilled a glass of milk, she visibly cringes, implying that such minor mishaps usually brought severe consequences.

However, at the end, when they were back in their apartment, the elder Muldoons hold hands, suggesting they may get back together and work out their problems.

Answer: a clergyman

Reverend Davis, played by Will Geer, had a daughter (Meredith Baxter) being courted by a Catholic man. Davis was staunchly against his daughter marrying "a Papist". However, when he was duped by the radio show, he went slightly insane showing how shallow his faith was.

Answer: a water tank

From the description of the Martians on the broadcast, one of the farmers crashes through shrubbery and, in the darkness, thinks a tall water tower on the property of his neighbor was an invader. He shoots it and water gushes out. The owner of the water tank is not amused and finally sets the marauding group of farmers straight.

Answer: Paul Shenar

Shenar started his acting career on the Broadway stage and gravitated to television. Many of his appearances were as a guest star on several action/adventure series such as "Hawaii Five-O", "Kojak" and "Mannix" amongst many others. Regrettably, Shenar passed away in 1989 at age 53.

Answer: the Secretary of the Interior

The flustered actor (Walker Edmiston) objected to the change, stating the he was hired to do Roosevelt. He then asked "Who does the Secretary of the Interior sound like?" The answer was "Roosevelt". In the actual broadcast, voice actor Kenny Delmar spoke for the Roosevelt-sounding secretary.

Answer: the maid and butler

The millionaires missed the beginning of the broadcast. However, the maid and butler had been listening before the party started and knew it was a play and not an actual news bulletin. The butler tried to warn his employer several times, but the people were getting panicky and not listening.

Answer: a canary

The neighbor said that having a canary with them was good because it could tip them off if there was any poison gas around. When the group was trapped in an underground tunnel and thought the aliens are closing in on them, the neighbor opened the cage to allow his canary to escape.

However, when he saw that the approaching flashing lights was a police car, he was able to close the door just in time before the bird got away.

Answer: Joseph Sargent

Born Giuseppe Danielle Sorgente, Sargent directed dozens of made-for-TV movies and other TV series. Some of his movies include "Man on a String", "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three", "MacArthur" and "Warm Springs".

Answer: no

Despite the numerous policemen and reporters shown crowding the broadcast booth, Welles was never arrested, in the movie or in actuality. In reality, Welles and the Columbia Broadcasting System were sued for "personal injury" and "mental anguish" by many listeners. All cases but one were eventually dismissed.

However, it forced legislation that, to this day, prevents broadcast programs to use the phrase "we interrupt this program" for dramatic purpose.