Television In The 50's

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  • 1/24 Questions

    A bus driver and a sewer worker were the main characters on this comedy classic that debuts in 1955

    • My Best Friend
    • Home at Last
    • Best Friends
    • The Honeymooners
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About This Quiz

Explore the golden era of television with this quiz focused on 1950s TV shows. Test your knowledge on iconic series and characters that defined a generation.

Television In The 50s - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the __________.”

    Explanation
    George Fenneman (Groucho Marx's sidekick on “You Bet Your Life (1950)”) read the opening narrative on the original tv series and the radio version of Dragnet.

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  • 3. 

    This CBS western was the longest running in the history of television.

    • The Virginian

    • Gunsmoke

    • Wild, Wild West

    • The Rifleman

    Correct Answer
    A. Gunsmoke
    Explanation
    Gunsmoke is the correct answer because it is the longest running CBS western in the history of television.

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  • 4. 

    Name the half hour comedy detailing the adventures of Sergeant Ernie Bilko.

    • The Phil Silvers Show

    • Flipper

    • Invaders

    • Mod Squad

    Correct Answer
    A. The Phil Silvers Show
    Explanation
    "The Phil Silvers Show" is the correct answer because it is a well-known half-hour comedy that revolves around the adventures of Sergeant Ernie Bilko. The show, also known as "Sgt. Bilko" or "You'll Never Get Rich," aired from 1955 to 1959 and starred Phil Silvers as the cunning and scheming Sergeant Bilko. The show was highly popular and received critical acclaim for its humor and Silvers' performance.

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  • 5. 

    A journey from Missouri to California after the Civil War was the background for this western. The trips were led by Major Seth Adams and his assistant/scout Flint McCullough. Charlie Wooster was the cook.

    • Cheyenne

    • Death Valley Days

    • Rawhide

    • Wagon Train

    Correct Answer
    A. Wagon Train
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Wagon Train. Wagon Train was a western TV series that depicted a journey from Missouri to California after the Civil War. The main characters were Major Seth Adams, Flint McCullough, and Charlie Wooster. They led the trips and encountered various adventures along the way.

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  • 6. 

    The story of the life of the Jim Anderson family.

    • Leave It To Beaver

    • Father Knows Best

    • One Life to Live

    • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

    Correct Answer
    A. Father Knows Best
    Explanation
    "Father Knows Best" is the correct answer because it is a television show that depicts the story of the life of the Jim Anderson family. The show follows the lives of Jim Anderson, his wife Margaret, and their three children Betty, Bud, and Kathy. The series explores various aspects of family life, with Jim often offering advice and guidance to his children. The show was popular during the 1950s and 1960s and is considered a classic family sitcom.

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  • 7. 

    "Goodnight Chet, Goodnight _______"

    Correct Answer
    David
    Explanation
    Huntley and Brinkley always signed off with, "Goodnight Chet, goodnight David" or vice versus

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  • 8. 

    Zorro, a half-hour Walt Disney Productions TV series based on the well-known Zorro character, premiered October 10, 1957 on ABC.Who is Zorro?

    • Don Diego de la Vega

    • Miguel Demetrio Lopez Velasquez Garcia

    • Don Juan Ortega

    Correct Answer
    A. Don Diego de la Vega
    Explanation
    Zorro is the alter ego of Don Diego de la Vega. Don Diego de la Vega is a wealthy ranchero and a nobleman who fights injustice as Zorro. He disguises himself with a black mask and cape and uses his sword skills to defend the common people against corrupt officials and other villains. The TV series premiered in 1957 and is based on the well-known Zorro character.

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  • 9. 

    Viewers wanting to scare themselves half to death while having a smile on their faces could tune into this series of short stories.

    • The Edgar Allen Poe Hour

    • Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    • Fright Night

    • The Edge of Your Seat

    Correct Answer
    A. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
    Explanation
    Who can forget the music, the silhouette, the "good evening..." beginning of each episode of this series? The 'Master of Suspense' kept us biting our fingernails for ten years.

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  • 10. 

    "Captain Kangaroo" was on the air for many years. What was the name of the talking timepiece on the show?

    • Tiny Time

    • Grandfather Clock

    • Mr. Chimes

    • Miss Hour Glass

    Correct Answer
    A. Grandfather Clock
    Explanation
    You might also remember Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose and of course, Mr. Greenjeans.

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  • 11. 

    What television program had a carrot stealing rabbit and a sleeping/talking clock.

    • Mister Roger's Neighborhod

    • Captain Kangaroo

    • Ding Dong school

    • Romper Room

    Correct Answer
    A. Captain Kangaroo
    Explanation
    The children at home were often called upon to help awaken Grandfather Clock. Bunny Rabbit was always trying to trick the Captain out of his carrots.

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  • 12. 

    What was the name of the cantankerous old character who was a thorn in everyone's side on the early kids' favorite, It's Howdy Doody Time?

    • Phineas T. Bluster

    • Buffalo Bob

    • Norton Nork

    • Gheeba-Gheeba

    Correct Answer
    A. Phineas T. Bluster
    Explanation
    Buffalo Bob was the host but he wasn't grouchy. Other characters included Clarabelle and Princess Summer Fall Winter Spring. And where did all the kids sit? Too easy - the Peanut Gallery.

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  • 13. 

    Chief Dan Matthews' adventures with the California Highway Patrol provided excitement in this 1955 early action show.

    • The Desert Law

    • C.H.I.P.S.

    • Highway Patrol

    • California Cops

    Correct Answer
    A. Highway Patrol
    Explanation
    Oscar winner Broderick Crawford played the tough-talking Dan Matthews, who popularized the radio sign-off "10-4".

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  • 14. 

    Dale Robertson was agent Jim Hardie in this show that had its debut in 1957.

    • Tales of the Texas Rangers

    • Tales of Wells Fargo

    • High Chaparral

    • Bonanza

    Correct Answer
    A. Tales of Wells Fargo
    Explanation
    Dale Robertson played the role of agent Jim Hardie in the show "Tales of Wells Fargo," which premiered in 1957.

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  • 15. 

    The popular western, "Cheyenne", premiered in 1955. What was Cheyenne's last name?

    • Bodie

    • Jones

    • Bodine

    • Smith

    Correct Answer
    A. Bodie
    Explanation
    6'6" Clint Walker portrayed the womanizing adventurer.

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  • 16. 

     This show's leading character had an uncle named Tonoose.

    • Bachelor Father

    • Make Room For Daddy

    • My Three Sons

    • Family Affair

    Correct Answer
    A. Make Room For Daddy
    Explanation
    Hans Conried played Danny Thomas's Lebanese Uncle Tonoose. Danny Thomas actually had Lebanese ancestry. He was born Amos Alphonsus Muzyad Yakhoob.

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  • 17. 

     Bill Cullen was the original host of this game show which, in a different format, is still a daytime favorite.

    • Jeopardy

    • Password

    • The Price is Right

    • The Family Feud

    Correct Answer
    A. The Price is Right
    Explanation
    Bob Barker began "The New Price is Right" in 1972 and the format changed from a four person panel to the "come on down" audience participation.

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  • 18. 

    "Gunsmoke" star James Arness' brother Peter Graves was the owner of the Broken Wheel ranch in this 1955 series about a black stallion.

    • Tornado

    • Dynamite

    • Fury

    • Black Fury

    Correct Answer
    A. Fury
    Explanation
    Peter Graves had later television success as Jim Phelps on "Mission: Impossible".

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  • 19. 

    This television show had a dog named Fang.

    • Lunch with Soupy Sales

    • Sergeant Preston of the Yukon

    • The Gumby Show

    • The Howdy Doody Show

    Correct Answer
    A. Lunch with Soupy Sales
    Explanation
    The White Fang puppet was just one of several hand puppets. Other hand puppets were Black Tooth and Pookie.

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  • 20. 

    The sadder the story, the more applause for that person. The one with the saddest story was usually the winner.

    • You Bet Your Life

    • This is Your Life

    • To Tell The Truth

    • Queen For a Day

    Correct Answer
    A. Queen For a Day
    Explanation
    It was always interesting to watch the applause-meter as it was held behind each contestant's head, one at a time. The sadder the story, the louder the applause. The woman with the loudest applause was crowned 'Queen For A Day'.

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  • 21. 

    Who starred in the 1950-56 series 'The Cisco Kid'?

    • Ramon Navarro

    • Duncan Renaldo

    • Gilbert Roland

    • John Gilbert

    Correct Answer
    A. Duncan Renaldo
    Explanation
    Duncan Renaldo starred in the 1950-56 series 'The Cisco Kid'.

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  • 22. 

    What was the name of Zorro's silent sidekick?

    • Antonio

    • Renaldo

    • Fernando

    • Bernardo

    Correct Answer
    A. Bernardo
    Explanation
    Played by Gene Sheldon to Zorro's Guy Williams.

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  • 23. 

    Newlyweds Gus (Bill Williams) and Vickie (Betty White) were the stars on this half hour comedy.

    • Gidget

    • Date with the Angels

    • Keep It In The Family

    • I Love Lucy

    Correct Answer
    A. Date with the Angels
    Explanation
    "Date with the Angels" is the correct answer because the question states that Gus and Vickie were the stars of this half-hour comedy, and "Date with the Angels" is the only option that fits this description. "Gidget" is a sitcom about a teenage girl, "Keep It In The Family" is a British sitcom, and "I Love Lucy" is a classic sitcom starring Lucille Ball, none of which involve Gus and Vickie as the main characters.

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  • 24. 

    Child star Jackie Cooper played the lead in this sitcom where advice was often given by a basset hound.

    • Everyone's Hero

    • The Jackie Cooper Show

    • The People's Choice

    • Animal Crackers

    Correct Answer
    A. The People's Choice
    Explanation
    Cooper played Socrates 'Sock' Miller who was secretly married to Mandy, played by Patricia Breslin. Cleo was the opinionated canine.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Nov 27, 2008
    Quiz Created by
    Bhs1957
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