ZIV Television: Syndicated Memories Of The '50s Quiz

Answer: The Cisco Kid

"The Cisco Kid" was the first television show produced fully in color. Color receivers didn't come into wide use in the U.S. until the early '60s so few of us ever saw Cisco and Pancho in color until long after their first run. Frederick Ziv correctly anticipated the future value of syndicated reruns.

When stations began color broadcasting, "The Cisco Kid" stayed in demand long after its contemporaries filmed in black and white.

Answer: Communists

The major networks blacklisted writers and actors suspected of left wing leanings, but they generally ignored the subject on the air. Ziv brought the Red Scare into America's living rooms weekly from 1953-56.

Answer: Broderick Crawford

Winner of the Best Actor Oscar for his 1949 performance in "All The King's Men", Broderick Crawford was a hard drinker with a reputation for being difficult to work with. Ziv tolerated Crawford's quirks in "Highway Patrol" and other shows until the mid '60s. Later Frederick Ziv allowed that, "Broderick could be a handful."

Answer: Dial 999

Ziv's programs were so successful in England that Parliament passed protectionist legislation freezing his revenues until he spent some of his profits in the UK. Beginning in 1958, Ziv produced "The New Adventures of Martin Kane" and "Dial 999" in England.

Answer: Ripcord

"Ripcord's" two stars both moved on to roles in popular network programs. Ken Curtis portrayed Deputy Festus Haggan for 11 seasons on "Gunsmoke". Larry Pennell played the handsome Dash Riprock in 10 episodes of "The Beverly Hillbillies".

Answer: Lloyd Bridges

There wasn't much dialogue in "Sea Hunt" since virtually all the action took place underwater. At the end of each episode, Bridges came ashore to give a brief wrap up often accompanied by a plug for marine conservation, Bridges' favorite cause.

Answer: Waterfront

Preston Foster was one of several movie stars who played leading roles in Ziv productions. As preparation for the role of tugboat skipper in "Waterfront", Foster served in the Coast Guard in WWII, reaching the rank of Captain.

Answer: Thomas E. Dewey

When he moved to television, the title character's name was finally revealed - Paul Garrett. On radio, he was just "Mr. District Attorney" or "The Chief". Every episode opened with this modest declaration: "Mr. District Attorney, champion of the people, defender of truth, guardian of our fundamental rights--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Answer: Home Run Derby

Filmed at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, "Home Run Derby" matched sluggers such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Ken Boyer, Frank Robinson and Henry Aaron in "games" in which only home runs counted. In 1985, "Home Run Derby" became part of Major League Baseball's All Star Game celebration, aired live on ESPN and following rules almost identical to those used in Ziv's program.

Answer: Gene Roddenberry

Roddenberry was a spokesman for L.A.P.D. when he began writing TV scripts. The department consulted the Dragnet series where Roddenberry began learning scriptwriting technique.