Classic Radio Shows & Serials
Instructions: Before TV took over, radio was king! Test your knowledge of the golden age of radio entertainment.
- 1.
The Shadow, one of radio's most famous characters, opened each episode with what iconic line?
A'Return with us now to those thrilling days'B'Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?'C'The story you are about to hear is true'D'Good evening, friends' - 2.
On 'Fibber McGee and Molly,' what running gag happened every time Fibber opened a certain door in his house?
AA monster would growlBAn avalanche of junk would crash out of the closetCHis neighbor would pop in unexpectedlyDThe phone would ring - 3.
The Lone Ranger radio show began each episode with what famous musical piece?
AStars and Stripes ForeverBBeethoven's Fifth SymphonyCRide of the ValkyriesDThe William Tell Overture - 4.
Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of 'The War of the Worlds' caused widespread panic because listeners believed what was actually happening?
AA German bombing raidBA Martian invasion of EarthCA volcanic eruptionDA massive earthquake - 5.
George Burns and Gracie Allen's popular radio show relied on what comedic dynamic between the two?
AThey constantly argued and bickeredBGracie played the scatterbrained wife while George was the straight manCGeorge played the fool while Gracie was the straight womanDBoth played zany characters - 6.
On 'The Jack Benny Program,' what was Jack Benny's most famous comedic character trait?
AHis extreme stinginessBHis constant sneezingCHis fear of the darkDHis terrible singing - 7.
The radio show 'Amos 'n' Andy' was so popular in the early 1930s that some movie theaters would do what during broadcast time?
AClose their doors entirelyBStop the movie and play the radio show over speakersCOffer free tickets for the next dayDPlay the show before the feature film - 8.
The Green Hornet radio show, which debuted in 1936, featured a hero whose secret identity was Britt Reid. What was his relation to another famous radio hero?
AHe was the grandnephew of the Lone RangerBHe was the son of the Lone RangerCHe was the brother of the ShadowDHe was the cousin of Buck Rogers - 9.
The horror radio show 'Inner Sanctum Mysteries' opened each episode with what distinctive sound effect?
AChains rattlingBA wolf howlingCThunder crashingDA creaking door - 10.
The radio version of 'Dragnet' began with what famous four-note musical motif?
ABum-bum-bum-bahBDun-dun-dun-dunCDa-da-da-dumDDum-da-dum-dum - 11.
Eve Arden starred as a witty high school English teacher in which popular radio comedy that ran from 1948 to 1957?
AThe GoldbergsBOur Miss BrooksCThe Aldrich FamilyDMy Friend Irma - 12.
Before becoming one of the longest-running TV shows in history, 'Gunsmoke' originated as a radio program in what year?
A1947B1949C1952D1955 - 13.
Abbott and Costello's most famous comedy routine, first performed on radio, involved confusion over the names of players on a baseball team. What was it called?
A'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'B'The Baseball Mix-Up'C'Play Ball!'D'Who's on First?' - 14.
The radio anthology series 'Suspense' was known by what dramatic nickname?
A'Theater of Terror'B'The Scariest Show on Earth'C'Tales to Make You Tremble'D'Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrills' - 15.
The mystery radio show 'The Whistler' featured an anonymous narrator who introduced each story by saying he knew what?
A'The secrets of the night'B'What lies behind every locked door'C'Many things, for I walk by night'D'The truth that hides in shadows'
Answer Key
The famous opening was followed by 'The Shadow knows!' The show ran from 1937 to 1954, with Orson Welles voicing the Shadow in the early years.
The famous hall closet gag became one of radio's most beloved recurring jokes. Sound effects artists spent hours creating the elaborate cascade of crashing objects.
Rossini's William Tell Overture became synonymous with the Lone Ranger. The show debuted on WXYZ Detroit in 1933 and ran on radio until 1954.
The October 30, 1938 Mercury Theatre broadcast was so realistic that some listeners tuning in late believed Martians were actually invading Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
Gracie Allen's brilliantly ditzy logic and George Burns' bemused reactions became one of comedy's greatest partnerships. Their radio show ran from 1932 to 1950 before moving to TV.
Jack Benny's legendary cheapskate persona produced classic bits, including the famous robbery scene: 'Your money or your life!' followed by a long pause, then 'I'm thinking it over!'
At the height of its popularity around 1930, 'Amos 'n' Andy' drew an estimated 40 million listeners. Some theaters paused films to pipe in the broadcast so audiences wouldn't stay home.
Britt Reid was written as the grandnephew of the Lone Ranger (John Reid). Both shows were created by George W. Trendle and originated from radio station WXYZ in Detroit.
The eerie sound of a slowly creaking door became one of radio's most recognizable openings. 'Inner Sanctum Mysteries' aired from 1941 to 1952 and was hosted by Raymond Edward Johnson.
Walter Schumann composed the iconic 'Dum-da-dum-dum' theme. 'Dragnet,' starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, debuted on radio in 1949 and became famous for its realistic police procedural style.
Eve Arden's portrayal of the sharp-tongued Connie Brooks was so popular on radio that it successfully transitioned to a TV series and a 1956 feature film.
Gunsmoke debuted on CBS Radio on April 26, 1952, with William Conrad voicing Marshal Matt Dillon. When it moved to TV in 1955, James Arness took over the role.
'Who's on First?' debuted on the Kate Smith Hour radio show in 1938. The routine, built on wordplay with players named 'Who,' 'What,' and 'I Don't Know,' is considered the greatest comedy bit of all time.
Billed as 'Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrills,' Suspense aired from 1942 to 1962 and featured major Hollywood stars including Orson Welles, Humphrey Bogart, and Lucille Ball.
The Whistler's eerie opening — 'I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night' — captivated listeners from 1942 to 1955. The show specialized in ironic twist endings.