Special Sub-Topic: TV Couples of Early TV Click Here To Play: TV Couples of Early TV

"The Ruggles" - Who was the wife of Charlie Ruggles in this series?

Margaret. This situation-comedy series was one of the first to originate in Hollywood instead of New York City. Beginning in 1949 on kinescope, this series with Charlie and Margaret ended in 1952.

"The Aldrich Family" - Sam was wedded to a wife with what name, which was the same as a Jackie Gleason character's wife?

Alice. You may remember mother Alice screaming "Henreeeee, Henr-ee Al-drich" and he responded croaking like a teenager "Com-ing Mother". It began in 1949 on NBC with a different cast than on the radio version.

"The Cisco Kid" - The Cisco Kid had a LION of a partner. Who was he?

Pancho. Duncan Renaldo (Cisco) and Leo (ref LION) Carrillo (Pancho) teamed up for this half hour television western. They were Robin Hood like characters and Pancho added humor to each episode. Lasting from 1950-1956 it was the first TV series to be filmed in color and in 1955 was the most popular TV series among American children.

"The Life of Riley" - Chester A. was in a hole until he met what 'P' lady?

Peg. Believe it or not, the original series, only lasted one season but won an Emmy and the lead role was played by Jackie Gleason. From 1953-58, William Bendix starred along with Rosemary DeCamp as his wife Peg (ref HOLE). The show ranked in the top 30 during its run.

"The Goldbergs" - What was the name of Molly's husband?

Jake. Gertrude Berg as Molly and Philip Loeb as Jake Goldberg lasted for almost a decade beginning in 1949. Gertrude won an Emmy in 1950 as Molly. The series was interrupted in 1951 when Loeb was blacklisted and CBS cancelled the show. NBC however, picked it up but Berg, who owned the series, was forced to finally fire Loeb. Jake was subsequently played by Harold Stone and Robert H. Harris.

"Mama" - Who was the Scandinavian partner of Molly Goldberg?

Lars. This was a weekly comedy-drama series from 1949 to 1957. Katrin, the eldest daughter, supplies the narrative for her Norwegian family in San Francisco during the early 20th century. The family included older brother Nels, younger sister Dagmar, Mama Marta and Daddy Lars.

"Dragnet" - Sgt Joe Friday had many partners but who played his FIRST partner on TV?

Ben Romero. This series ran for most of the 50s and Ben Romero carried over from radio as his partner in the first 3 episodes. Unfortunately, he died and was replaced in order by Ed Jacobs and Frank Smith. In the 1967 remake, Bill Gannon played by Harry Morgan of "M.A.S.H." fame was cast in the role of Joe's partner.

"Flash Gordon" - Flash Gordon had two partners. Who was the FEMALE one?

Dale Arden. Flash, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov acted as a team of agents from the GBI (Galactic Bureau of Investigation) fighting the baddies in the year 3203. The series lasted from 1953-1955 and also in 2007. In between, it saw animated versions in the 70s ("The New Adventures of Flash Gordon"), the 80s ("Defenders of the Earth"), and with the original title in 1996.

"Father Knows Best" - This was one of America's favorite families. James (Jim) was the father and who was the mother?

Margaret. The series lasted from 1954 to 1960. It began on radio in 1949 and Robert Young was the only cast member who moved with it to TV. All characters had nicknames except wife Margaret. Daughter Kathy was called (Kitten), son James Jr. (Bud), and oldest daughter Betty (Princess). In reruns it was, along with "The Ann Sothern Show", to be interrupted on 22 Nov 63 for the first bulletin of Pres Kennedy's assassination.

"The Donna Reed Show" - Who was Donna's doctor husband on this show?

Alex. Donna Reed and Carl Betz (Dr. Alex) had 2 children: Mary (Shelley Fabares) and Jeff (Paul Petersen). In 1963, Donna won a Golden Globe as Best Female TV Star and Shelley and Jeff both received the "Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award" in 1994 and 1997 respectively. This show was unique in that Mama was considered the 'top dog' as opposed to dad in the early sitcoms. In fact, the show was originally going to be called "Mother Knows Best".