1950s Western Television Series Quiz

Answer: Bonanza

"Bonanza" is an American Western television program that aired on NBC throughout the period spanning September 12, 1959, through January 16, 1973.

The series is about the Cartwright family who own a very large farm called the Ponderosa. The main cast were Ben (The Father), Adam, Hoss, and the youngest brother, Little Joe. The show covered stories of how the family had to protect their ranch from outsiders, outlaws, and bandits. It also covered how the family helped other people in their community.

The first episode was originally broadcast on September 12, 1959, with season one having 32 episodes. The last original episode was aired on September 12, 1972. In total, there were 431 episodes spread over 14 seasons.

Answer: Gunsmoke

It is set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television.

The main story is about Marshal Matt Dillon, whose job is to maintain order and safeguard the local residents. Throughout each episode, an independent storyline follows where Matt and his associates catch criminals, help with local concerns, and provide help to individuals experiencing problems.

Answer: Hopalong Cassidy

The first episode of "Hopalong Cassidy" aired on June 24, 1949, and ran until 1952 on the NBC network. The series was written by the American Clarence E. Mulford.

During the initial phase of the series, episodes consisted primarily of edited segments derived from films spanning the mid-1930s through 1948. Subsequently, original content was commissioned specifically for the programme, featuring a newly introduced character who served as Hopalong's trusted companion.

Answer: Laramie

"Laramie" was an American Western television program that was broadcast on NBC throughout the period spanning September 15, 1959, through May 21, 1963. The Sherman brothers team up with a drifter named Jess Harper to run a stagecoach stop for the Great Central Overland Mail Company in Wyoming. Matt Sherman is killed by a man who wants to take over his land.

The main cast were Robert Fuller as Jess Harper, Robert L. Crawford Jr. as Andy Sherman (1959-1960), and Hoagy Carmichael as Jonesy (1959-1960). There were 124 episodes spread over four seasons.

Answer: Wanted Dead or Alive

"Wanted Dead or Alive" was an American Western television program featuring Steve McQueen in the role of bounty hunter Josh Randall. The series was broadcast on CBS across three seasons spanning 1958 to 1961. The first episode aired on September 6, 1958. Season one had 36 episodes. Season two was first broadcast on September 5, 1959, and had 32 episodes. The last season started on September 21, 1960, and had 26 episodes, which ran until March 29, 1961.

Steve McQueen was in every episode of the series, which paved the way for future movie stardom.

Answer: Maverick

In the television series, James Garner portrayed the character Bret Maverick, while Roger Moore assumed the role of Beau Maverick. The program aired on the ABC network from September 22, 1957, through April 22, 1962.

There were five seasons and 124 episodes. James Garner appeared in 52 episodes before leaving in 1960 over a disagreement over his contract. Roger Moore portrayed Bret's cousin Beau when Garner left. As professional poker players who frequently get into trouble, Bret and his brother Bart Maverick travel throughout the United States. However, they use their intelligence to negotiate their way out of difficulties rather than engage in a gunfight.

Answer: Cheyenne

Clint Walker played the part of Cheyenne Bodie, a physically imposing and robust cowboy characterised by his compassionate nature, who pursued justice throughout the American West during the post-Civil War era.

Episode one was broadcast on September 20, 1955. The series ran for seven seasons between 1955 and 1962. In total, there were 107 episodes. Clint Walker was the main character throughout the series, with a cast of guest stars. Clyde Howard, Lane Chandler, and Chuck Hicks each appeared in multiple episodes, portraying distinct characters across different episodes of the program.

Answer: The Lone Ranger

"The Lone Ranger" ran between September 15, 1949 until September 13, 1956. There were five seasons covering 221 episodes. John Hart played the role of "The Lone Ranger" between 1952 and 1953, when Clayton Moore had issues with his contract.

Chuck Courtney played the role of Dan Reid (Lone Ranger's nephew) and Jay Silverheels played the role of Tonto. "The Lone Ranger" is a classic story about two people who travel through the American Old West to help others who are in trouble. We have one masked lawman, "The Lone Ranger", and his sidekick Tonto, who is a Native American.

Answer: Have Gun - Will Travel

"Have Gun-Will Travel" was originally released on September 14, 1957, and ran until September 15, 1962. The series consisted of 225 episodes spread over six seasons. Richard Boone played the main character, Paladin, who was a hired gunfighter.

Paladin, who was a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the Civil War, conducted his professional activities as an elite investigator and gunfighter, maintaining his base of operations at the Hotel Carlton in San Francisco.

Answer: The Rifleman

"The Rifleman" was originally released on September 30, 1958, with season one having 40 episodes. The series ran for five seasons, ending on October 1, 1962. In total, there were 168 episodes, all running on the ABC network.

The main cast were Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain, Lucas's son, and Paul Fix as Micah Torrance, marshal of North Fork, New Mexico. The show is set in the 1880s. Lucas is well-known because he owns a sophisticated, bespoke Winchester rifle and he can shoot it very quickly. He uses the rifle to keep law and order when needed. The show is mainly about how Lucas and Mark work on the ranch and help people out when needed.