Rusc Old Time Radio General Knowledge
Are you an old time radio expert or a nostalgia newbie?
Let's find out with these twenty general knowledge questions ranging from the simple to the sublime.
Good luck!
Ned
www. Rusc. Com
- 1.
Sound technicians regularly used a blown-up basketball bladder filled with BB shots to make the sound of rain and explosions on radio shows. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Sound technicians did indeed use a blown-up basketball bladder filled with BB shots to create the sound effects of rain and explosions on radio shows. This technique allowed them to produce realistic and convincing sounds without the need for expensive equipment or dangerous explosives. This method was commonly used in the early days of radio broadcasting when sound effects were created live during the performance.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The radio version of the quiz show $64 Question was called Take It Or Leave It when it was first broadcast on the radio. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The radio version of the quiz show "$64 Question" was indeed called "Take It Or Leave It" when it was first broadcast on the radio.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What did Phil Baker, Bob Hawk, Garry Moore, Jack Paar and Eddie Cantor have in common?
- A.
They all hosted the quiz show "Take It Or Leave It"
- B.
They all started on the radio as news readers
- C.
They all worked as sound effects technicians
- D.
They were in an amateur jazz band called "The Radioneers"
Correct Answer
A. They all hosted the quiz show "Take It Or Leave It" -
- 4.
Where did The Shadow learn the secret of how to make himself invisible?
- A.
The Orient
- B.
Egypt
- C.
India
- D.
Africa
Correct Answer
A. The OrientExplanation
The Shadow learned the secret of how to make himself invisible in the Orient. The Orient refers to the countries in East Asia, such as China, Japan, and Korea. These countries have a rich history of ancient martial arts and mysticism, which often include techniques for invisibility or camouflage. Therefore, it is plausible that The Shadow traveled to the Orient to learn this secret.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Who played the character of The Shadow the longest?
- A.
Bret Morrison
- B.
Orson Welles
- C.
William Johnstone
- D.
Frank Readick
- E.
Jack La Curto
Correct Answer
A. Bret MorrisonExplanation
Bret Morrison played the character of The Shadow the longest.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The Shadow was always broadcast at 9.30pm. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The Shadow was broadcast from 1930 through to 1954. During that time it was aired at a variety of times from as early as 5pm (1945 to 1954) and as late as 10pm (1931 and 1932).Rate this question:
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- 7.
Roy Rogers real name was Leonard Slye. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Roy Rogers' real name was indeed Leonard Slye. This information is accurate and true.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Basil Rathbone, who made many appearance as the famous British sleuth Sherlock Holmes, was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
He was born of British parents in 1892 who were living in South Africa at the time and didn't immigrate to England until 1912.Rate this question:
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- 9.
For how many years did the excellent mystery anthology series Quiet, Please run for?
- A.
20 years
- B.
10 years
- C.
5 years
- D.
2 years
Correct Answer
D. 2 yearsExplanation
Alas, this wonderful series only ran from 1947 to 1949 and yet during that short time it included some real classic broadcasts such as "the Thing on the Fourble Board"Rate this question:
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- 10.
Where was Vincent Price born?
- A.
Missouri
- B.
Georgia
- C.
California
- D.
New York
- E.
Illinois
Correct Answer
A. MissouriExplanation
Vincent Price was born in Missouri.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Before becoming one the TV's longest-running detective programs Perry Mason in 1957 the series was aired on CBS radio from 1953 to 1955. True or False?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
It is true that Perry Mason was broadcast on the radio before it became a TV show, but it first aired way back in 1943 and not 1953 as mentioned in the question.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Actor Jack Webb directed and starred in Pat Novak, For Hire before or after he starred in Dragnet?
- A.
Before
- B.
After
- C.
Trick Question - He wasn't in Pat Novak, For Hire
Correct Answer
A. BeforeExplanation
The correct answer is "Before" because Actor Jack Webb directed and starred in Pat Novak, For Hire before he starred in Dragnet.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What is the claim to fame of the old time radio show Clara, Lu and Em?
- A.
It was the very first radio show broadcast in 1920
- B.
It was the first radio soap opera
- C.
It was the longest running radio show of all time
- D.
It was first show to be taken of air due to a public petition
- E.
It was the first radio show to contain nudity
Correct Answer
B. It was the first radio soap operaExplanation
The claim to fame of the old time radio show Clara, Lu and Em is that it was the first radio soap opera.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which radio show has been broadcast continuously since 1950 up to the present day?
- A.
Red Ryder
- B.
Suspense
- C.
Unshackled!
- D.
Fibber McGee & Molly
- E.
The Twilight Zone
Correct Answer
C. Unshackled!Explanation
One of the very few still-running shows from the earlier era of radio is a Christian program entitled Unshackled! The weekly half hour show, produced in Chicago, Illinois by Pacific Garden Mission, has been continuously broadcast since 1950. The shows are created using techniques from the 1950s (including home-made sound effects) and are broadcast across the U.S. and around the world by thousands of radio stations. (Source: Wikipedia)Rate this question:
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- 15.
According to the March 1922 issue of Variety, how many radio sets were in use in the USA?
- A.
None
- B.
100,000
- C.
1,000
- D.
250,000
- E.
500,000
- F.
1,000,000
Correct Answer
F. 1,000,000Explanation
On March 10 1922, Variety carried the front page headline: "Radio Sweeping Country: 1,000,000 Sets in Use." (Source: Wikipedia)Rate this question:
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- 16.
In the old time radio show Calling All Cars, which city were the crimes based?
- A.
Chicago
- B.
New York
- C.
Los Angeles
- D.
Boston
- E.
Miami
Correct Answer
C. Los AngelesExplanation
The correct answer is Los Angeles. This can be inferred from the mention of the old time radio show "Calling All Cars," which was set in a specific city where the crimes took place. Among the given options, Los Angeles is the only city mentioned, suggesting that it is the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 17.
From which hotel were the early episodes of Amos and Andy broadcast?
- A.
El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs, California
- B.
The Sheraton, Manhattan, New York
- C.
Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas
- D.
The Knickerbocker Hotel, Los Angeles
Correct Answer
A. El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs, CaliforniaExplanation
The early episodes of Amos and Andy were broadcast from the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs, California.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Dragnet star Jack Webb named his first child after a frequent radio guest star. Who was it?
- A.
Stacy Harris
- B.
Harry Bartell
- C.
Martin Milner
- D.
Vic Perrin
Correct Answer
A. Stacy HarrisExplanation
Jack Webb named his first child after Stacy Harris, a frequent radio guest star.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Dennis Day, from the Jack Benny show, was married to the sister of which actress?
- A.
Ann Blyth
- B.
Loretta Young
- C.
Linda Darnell
- D.
Ann Margaret
Correct Answer
A. Ann BlythExplanation
Dennis Day, from the Jack Benny show, was married to Ann Blyth, who is an actress.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which old time radio regular made 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer' a hit?
- A.
Bing Crosby
- B.
Elvis
- C.
Dinah Shore
- D.
Gene Autry
- E.
Bob Hope
Correct Answer
D. Gene AutryExplanation
Gene Autry made 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer' a hit.Rate this question:
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Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 21, 2014Quiz Created by
Paul Smithson
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