Trivia - Melody Anderson

When Flash Gordon rocketed into theaters in December 1980, I practically broke the sound barrier sprinting to my local multiplex. Thirteen years old, clutching popcorn like it was rocket fuel, I sat wide-eyed as Mongo exploded onto the screen. The costumes were dazzling, the sets were otherworldly, and the story had me hooked faster than you can say “Hail Ming!” For me—and millions of other fans around the galaxy—it was every bit as thrilling as seeing Star Wars for the first time. And four decades later, the Flash fandom still burns brighter than a rocket cycle tearing through the skies.

At the heart of it all was Melody Anderson as Dale Arden. Like Princess Leia’s intergalactic cousin, she wasn’t some helpless damsel in distress. She stood her ground, gave Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow in deliciously evil form) the cold shoulder, and even grabbed a blaster when the moment called for it. She was smart, fearless, and just the right amount of sassy—a true queen of cult cinema.

Now, in honor of my brand-new episodes of Hollywood Obsessed Podcast (Episodes 137 & 138), featuring the incomparable Melody Anderson herself, I’ve assembled a Trivia Challenge worthy of Mongo. From her days saving the universe alongside Flash, to portraying the ultimate Hollywood icon, Marilyn Monroe, this quiz will separate the casual viewers from the die-hard Dale Arden devotees.

So strap yourself in, power up your rocket cycle, and hold tight to your laser pistols. It’s time to relive the charm, the laughs, and the legacy of one of sci-fi’s most unforgettable stars. Let the trivia fun begin!

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Appeared in the very first Victoria’s Secret catalog in 1977.

Was the poster girl for Ridgid Tools.

Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario.

Worked briefly as an on-air reporter for CBC before traveling through Southeast Asia and Australia, where she continued reporting and interviewed celebrities at airports.

Holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both California and New York.

Made her first credited TV appearance as a “girl Sweathog” in “The Welcome Back Kotter Back-to-School Special” (1977).

Played Bonnie, Elvis Presley’s girlfriend, in John Carpenter’s 1979 TV biopic “Elvis”, starring Kurt Russell—the first of Carpenter and Russell’s many collaborations.

Achieved international fame as Dale Arden in the 1980 sci-fi cult classic “Flash Gordon”.

For the role of Dale Arden, her blonde hair was dyed brown to match the comic character’s look.

During the famous football fight sequence in “Flash Gordon”, she improvised Dale’s cheerleading "Go Flash, Go!", which went on to become one of her most memorable moments in the film.

A bizarre deleted scene from “Flash Gordon” had Dale transformed into a giant spider. Melody spent six hours in makeup and prosthetics—painted green, wearing fake eyes and fangs, and topped with a 20-pound headpiece—only for director Mike Hodges to scrap the idea at the last minute.

Not all of the surprises were scripted in “Flash Gordon”. In one scene, Brian Blessed, playing Vultan, unexpectedly groped her. Melody’s shocked reaction was entirely real, as the moment was improvised.

In the film “Dead and Buried” (1981) Melody Anderson's reactions to being shot were very authentic. One of the squibs set to explode under her dress actually flew upward very close to her ear and gave her a scare, it also caused her to lose hearing in her right ear for a few moments.

Was the female lead in the short-lived NBC superhero series “Manimal” (1983). The show centered on the character Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale), a shape-shifting man who can turn himself into any animal he chooses. He used this ability to help the police solve crimes. The series ended after an eight-episode run.

In 1983, she played the title role in a made-for-television film called “Policewoman Centerfold,” in which her character, a divorced police officer, is fired after posing nude for a men's magazine (based loosely on the true story of Springfield, Ohio patrolwoman Barbara Schantz, who was subsequently fired from her job after posing nude in Playboy magazine in the early 1980s).

The TV movie “Policewoman Centerfold” caused controversy after it aired because critics viewed the film as exploitative, though some noted it also focused on the woman's motivations and the aftermath of the incident. The controversy centered on the conflict between the officer's personal choice and public/departmental judgment in a conservative era, sparking debates about public morality, female agency, and the role of media sensationalism.

She costarred in the 1986 action-adventure comedy film “Firewalker” starring Chuck Norris, Louis Gossett Jr., Will Sampson in his final feature film role. The film was Norris' first comedy, even though it was still an action film.

In the film “Speed Zone” (1989), the characters of Margaret (Shari Belafonte) and Lea (Melody Anderson) were loosely based on Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs and James "Sonny" Crockett from Miami Vice given their appearance, clothes and the black Ferrari they drove.

Melody joined the cast of “All My Children” (1992–93) as Natalie Marlowe and briefly her twin sister Janet Dillon.

Played Edie Adams opposite Jeff Goldblum in the TV film “Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter” (1984).

She portrayed one of her childhood idols, Marilyn Monroe, in the 1993 TV movie “Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair.”

Following the release of “Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair,” controversy erupted. The film dramatized the rumored relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Robert F. Kennedy, sparking outrage from the Kennedy family over its fictionalized portrayal of such a sensitive subject. Despite a clear disclaimer labeling the film as fiction, critics and Kennedy family members alike condemned it as “offensive” and “reprehensible” for tarnishing Robert Kennedy’s legacy and presenting speculation as fact.

In my interview with Melody Anderson on Hollywood Obsessed Podcast, she revealed that she was blacklisted in Hollywood because of the controversy surrounding her role in the film. Although her performance as Monroe earned positive reviews, the project’s subject matter overshadowed her work. “Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair” ultimately became her final acting role.

Retired from acting in the mid-1990s to dedicate her career to mental health.

Today, she is also a certified EMDR clinician specializing in trauma and addiction, and a respected international speaker on recovery and family dynamics.

Remains a beloved cult figure, regularly appearing at fan conventions alongside her “Flash Gordon” co-star Sam J. Jones.

Fans frequently praise her for being generous with her time, posing for photos, signing memorabilia, and sharing memories from both her Hollywood and social work careers.

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Some of the facts in this post were sourced from IMDb and Wikipedia—because let’s face it, even the most devoted superfan sometimes needs a little backup when a career is this packed (and this fabulous).

But why settle for trivia tidbits when you can hear the cosmic scoop straight from the star herself? Don’t miss my brand-new two-part interview with the intergalactic icon Melody Anderson on the Hollywood Obsessed Podcast! These episodes are crammed with exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes mayhem, and more laughs than a Hawkmen pub crawl. Think of it as trivia night upgraded with the ultimate answer key.

So fire up your rocket cycle, grab your headphones, and blast off with us:

Episode 137 – HERE

Episode 138 – HERE

Because when it comes to Melody Anderson, the fun isn’t just in the past—it’s still traveling at warp speed.