Q 01/05

Who created the original Fantasy Island series?

A) Gene Levitt

B) Aaron Spelling

C) Leonard Goldberg

D) Glen A. Larson

Answer · why

A) Gene Levitt

Levitt wrote the pilot film; Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg produced the show, which is why it is usually remembered as a Spelling series.

Q 02/05

On which US network did the original series air?

A) CBS

B) ABC

C) NBC

D) Fox

Answer · why

B) ABC

The regular series ran from January 28, 1978 to May 19, 1984, after two TV movies in 1977 and 1978.

Q 03/05

Who played the mysterious host, Mr. Roarke?

A) Fernando Lamas

B) Cesar Romero

C) Ricardo Montalbán

D) Anthony Quinn

Answer · why

C) Ricardo Montalbán

Montalbán, born in Mexico City in 1920, was already a familiar face from MGM musicals and television commercials.

Q 04/05

What was the name of Roarke's diminutive assistant, played by Hervé Villechaize?

A) Lawrence

B) Julie

C) Nick Nack

D) Tattoo

Answer · why

D) Tattoo

Villechaize had played a Bond henchman four years earlier and was a trained painter before he was an actor.

Q 05/05

What does Roarke's assistant shout from the bell tower at the start of each episode?

A) 'De plane! De plane!'

B) 'De boat! De boat!'

C) 'Dey here! Dey here!'

D) 'Welcome! Welcome!'

Answer · why

A) 'De plane! De plane!'

The line became a catchphrase largely because of Villechaize's distinctive French-accented enunciation.