Classic Radio Shows
Instructions: How well do you remember the golden age of radio?
- 1.
Which famous radio drama caused mass panic on October 30, 1938, when listeners believed Martians were actually invading Earth?
ALights OutBThe War of the WorldsCThe ShadowDSuspense - 2.
What was the opening line of the radio show 'The Shadow'?
A'Good evening, friends...'B'Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?'C'The Shadow strikes again!'D'Look out, evil-doers!' - 3.
Which comedy duo starred in one of radio's most popular shows from 1950 to 1965, later transitioning to television?
AMartin and LewisBLaurel and HardyCAbbott and CostelloDBurns and Allen - 4.
What long-running radio soap opera, which began in 1937, followed the lives of the Hughes family in the fictional town of Oakdale?
AMa PerkinsBThe Romance of Helen TrentCAs the World TurnsDThe Guiding Light - 5.
Which radio comedian was famous for his long pauses, penny-pinching persona, and claiming to be perpetually 39 years old?
AFred AllenBBob HopeCRed SkeltonDJack Benny - 6.
What Western radio drama featured the adventures of a masked former Texas Ranger and his companion Tonto?
AHave Gun – Will TravelBThe Cisco KidCGunsmokeDThe Lone Ranger - 7.
Which radio variety show, hosted by a former vaudeville comedian, featured the famous ventriloquist dummy Charlie McCarthy?
AThe Jack Benny ProgramBThe Fred Allen ShowCArthur Godfrey's Talent ScoutsDThe Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Show - 8.
What famous radio show, which began in 1929, featured the characters of Amos Jones and Andrew Hogg Brown?
AThe Great GildersleeveBAmos 'n' AndyCSam 'n' HenryDFibber McGee and Molly - 9.
Which radio show, debuting in 1947, began each episode with 'It's a beautiful day in Dogersville'?
AThe Phil Harris-Alice Faye ShowBOur Miss BrooksCThe Life of RileyDMy Friend Irma - 10.
What radio detective show, which debuted in 1949, featured a tough Los Angeles private investigator and later became a popular TV series?
ASam SpadeBRichard DiamondCDragnetDPhilip Marlowe - 11.
Which radio show featured a cluttered hall closet that became a running gag, with items crashing out whenever the door was opened?
AThe Burns and Allen ShowBThe Great GildersleeveCBlondieDFibber McGee and Molly - 12.
What radio adventure series featured the line 'Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane!'?
ACaptain MidnightBThe Green HornetCThe Adventures of SupermanDBuck Rogers - 13.
Which long-running radio Western was set in Dodge City, Kansas, and featured Marshal Matt Dillon?
AFort LaramieBGunsmokeCHave Gun – Will TravelDThe Lone Ranger - 14.
What was the name of the popular children's radio show that encouraged kids to drink Ovaltine and featured secret decoder rings?
AThe Adventures of SupermanBCaptain MidnightCLittle Orphan AnnieDJack Armstrong, the All-American Boy - 15.
Which radio horror anthology series, known for its graphic sound effects, was introduced with the sound of a creaking door?
ALights OutBThe WhistlerCSuspenseDInner Sanctum Mysteries
Answer Key
Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre broadcast of H.G. Wells' 'The War of the Worlds' was performed as a series of simulated news bulletins. Some listeners who tuned in late believed the alien invasion was real.
'Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!' This iconic opening, followed by an eerie laugh, made The Shadow one of the most memorable radio programs of the 1930s and 1940s.
George Burns and Gracie Allen were one of radio's most beloved comedy teams. Their show ran on radio from 1932 to 1950 before successfully transitioning to television, where it ran until 1958.
The Guiding Light began on radio in 1937 and transitioned to television in 1952. It became the longest-running drama in broadcast history before ending in 2009 after 72 years.
Jack Benny's radio show ran from 1932 to 1955 and was one of the most popular programs in radio history. His comedic persona as a vain, stingy man who was always 39 became legendary.
The Lone Ranger debuted on radio in 1933 on WXYZ in Detroit. The show's use of the William Tell Overture as its theme music and the cry of 'Hi-Yo, Silver!' became iconic in American pop culture.
Edgar Bergen's ventriloquist act with Charlie McCarthy was enormously popular on radio from 1937 to 1956. Ironically, ventriloquism on radio meant listeners couldn't see if his lips moved!
Amos 'n' Andy was one of the most popular radio shows in American history, running from 1928 to 1960. At its peak, it drew an audience of 40 million listeners, and some businesses adjusted schedules around it.
The Life of Riley, starring William Bendix (and later on TV, Jackie Gleason), was a popular radio sitcom about a well-meaning but bumbling family man. Riley's catchphrase was 'What a revoltin' development this is!'
Dragnet, created by and starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, debuted on radio in 1949. Its famous opening — 'The story you are about to hear is true' — and 'Just the facts, ma'am' became cultural touchstones.
Fibber McGee and Molly ran from 1935 to 1959. The hall closet gag, where Fibber would open the closet and an avalanche of items would crash out with elaborate sound effects, became one of radio's most famous bits.
The Adventures of Superman radio series ran from 1940 to 1951. Bud Collyer voiced Superman/Clark Kent. The show actually introduced many elements later adopted by the comics, including kryptonite and Jimmy Olsen.
Gunsmoke ran on CBS Radio from 1952 to 1961, with William Conrad as Matt Dillon. It then became the longest-running prime-time live-action series in television history (1955-1975) with James Arness.
Little Orphan Annie, sponsored by Ovaltine, ran on radio from 1931 to 1942. The show's decoder pins and secret messages became legendary. A Christmas Story (1983) famously referenced the Ovaltine decoder.
Inner Sanctum Mysteries (1941-1952) was famous for its creaking door opening, host Raymond's macabre humor, and spine-tingling stories. The creaking door sound effect became one of the most iconic in radio history.