As an octogenarian, I watch two Episodes of WML EVERY night, and I swear they effect my dreams (in a NICE way, of course..!) AT LEAST three nights a week..! So THANKYOU, Dorothy & Co . . . !
And over one year later, I'm still doing the same, but now SEVEN nights a week..! And needless to say, this pleasant experience is something which really helps to get me through these sometimes very difficult times, so THANKS AGAIN, my frivolous friends . . . !
I’ve never had so much fun with Arlene Francis as I’ve had tonight! Such a clever, happy gal. My favorite panelist. My gratitude to all the hands in the past who participated in the creation, production and broadcasts of WML, and those today who make this delightful program available to UA-cam watchers and to the future caretakers who (I hope) will carry it forward. 9:07 - 16:24
This episode is absolutely delightful thanks to Arlene’s questioning skills! Hilarious! Sweet, cute, not over done, perfect balance between legitimate questions and polite flirtation with that handsome young man who was able to play off her comments! One of my top 5 programs! I love this show! Thank you so much for your hard work posting them for us to enjoy!
James Mason was a wonderful actor and I have enjoyed several of his films over the years. A favorite Mason film of mine is "Georgy Girl," from 1966 - this was very different from a good many roles he played, and this picture still greatly holds up in 2023. Incidentally, Mr. Mason always said that "A Star is Born," from 1954 (with Judy Garland) was a favorite film of his - calling Judy the most talented co-star with whom he ever worked.
Wasn't Miss Arlene utterly, UTTERLY delightful with young Mr. Thorpe? So witty, charming and flirtatious (in absolutely the nicest possible way).She was such an asset to the show throughout its entire run.
@@cassiemoira I thought she was totally obnoxious, and that it is quite a double standard that it's apparently OK if a woman treats a man like that, but terrible if a man flirts with a woman.
@@barbarak2836 I take your point, it is a double standard. For me as Arlene wasn't a serial flirter (word?) to guests, so this outlier made it rather charming and unusual. I think she was genuienly trying to get at the answer and then between her, John and the guy's embarrassment it became a thing. See what your saying though!
Another very entertaining episode ! Delightful to see James Mason, one of my favorite actors, as the Mystery Guest ! He should have disguised his voice more ! I'm afraid I have NO idea who Roger Price was ! Never heard of him at all before watching this. THANK YOU so much for sharing these wonderful "blasts from the past" with us ! CHEERS !!
Another fun episode - thanks again. Gotta love George Thorpe - not only a killer cutie, but so polite: "Yes, sir. Yes, Ma'am." And +cassiemoira comment about Arlene's amusing, but still appropriate, flirtatiousness is spot on.
George Thorpe was handsome and so well mannered. He was quick witted just like Arlene, and I was laughing just as much as the panel. He was very funny! 🤣 Loved it!!!!
Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Robert Donat, Claude Rains, Cedric Hardwicke, George Sanders. All gained extensive experience on the boards before stepping before the camera*. You had to make your lines audible in 'the gods' or the back stalls of a big, echoey suditorium. Not all US stars had a stage background, but almost all Brits had paid those dues. When talkies arrived it was easier to adapt from plays than the other way round, as some movie names found when they tackled Broadway. *Exceptions: David Niven and Errol Flynn.
Herman, love Herbert Marshall's voice and usually love the characters he plays. Like Cedric and George, also. Cedric was in the Heiress with Olivia. He was her movie father. A great movie. George had a slightly off putting accent to me but still loved his roles.
Wonderful episode; I agree with others who've said so. Also interesting to see James Mason speak of "Bigger than Life," his movie that was about to open. It may contain my favorite performance of his. He really went for it.
I had never heard of Roger Price prior to watching this episode. According to his bio, he was well-acquainted with panel shows, both as a host and as a moderator starting in 1951. It's no surprise that he was comfortable with the format. And since much of his life's work suggests someone quick-witted, he would be able to learn a new game without much trouble. For whatever reason and whoever made the decision, this was his only appearance on WML.
Yeah, this episode was Arlene Francis at her best. I just love her voice. That's the soothing voice I want to hear as I'm slipping from this mortal coil.
@@m.e.d.7997 Attractiveness is subject, but if you were a casting agent sent to find an attractive woman, returning with Dorothy would get you on the unemployment line.
Well, this is still early in the show, but when you get to the mid-1960s you will learn about her tragic death. For now, enjoy her contribution to this show. She and Arlene were both very smart, and humorous, ladies.
Bennett asked if James Mason had a daughter named for someone who was very dear to the panel, to which Mason answered "yes." They were referring to Mason's daughter Portland, who was named for Fred Allen's widow Portland Hoffa. 19:12
+Johan Bengtsson I very much appreciate the trivia that you provide for WML. I now scan the comments section to see if you've posted a comment. Thank you for enhancing this UA-cam channel.
+Jack Decker That is very kind of you to say! :) I write the comments that I would have appreciated to read myself. But don't expect miracles for every comment. They are a mix of mostly spontaneously ideas and occasionally some pearls of wisdom and knowledge. To paraphrase a line from "My Fair Lady", Credit where it is due, a lot of the glory goes to ... many others here who write very entertaining, brainy and well-informed comments. But once again, I thank you for your compliment. It means a lot. :)
+What's My Line? The chance for that is "once in a blue moon". :) I have not changed my mind concerning Facebook, I can't see any reason for me to join it. I miss, of course all stimulating conversations with other WML-fans and I ask you to give them my salute. :)
I had no idea Roger Price was the co-creator of Mad Libs. Staple of my childhood, those. (For those unfamiliar, you had to provide a few nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs into an unseen sentence, then read it aloud. It's best if you're with a group that's already mildly silly.) Arlene and this cornfed youth was somethin'. And I admit that if Peter Lind Hayes, or Hal, were doing it I would likely object to his leering. But Arlene was being bawdy while mildly embarrassed about it, which does provide a bit of a difference.
+juliansinger I have enjoyed playing Mad Libs at parties or as an ice breaker at a meeting. But for me, it was one of those things that I lost interest in fairly quickly if it was played more than a couple of times in one sitting.
I'm a Frank Zappa fan and never understood the album cover pun on his "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" album. Now I know---- it's a Roger Price 'droodle', and it's hilarious.
I do recall from my youthful days in the 50s and 60s that egg shampoos were considered to be beneficial. Something about the protein in the eggs being good for the protein in the hair. Never tried it myself, though.
Noteable edition for three reasons: Bennet Serf looking very awkwardly dressed in non-matching trousers James Mason having a futile attempt to disguise his unique clearly identifiable voice and Arlene Francis having a hilarious ON and OFF encounter with one of the guests.
To all our non UK viewers of this excellent series, and despite Bennett's repeated mis-pronounciations, Glasgow is pronounced 'Glaz-go', & people from Scotland are Scots, (ie:- Scotsman) or Scottish, not Scotch. Scotch is a drink! It surprises me that with Bennett spending a lifetime working with words, he continually gets this wrong.
@@carolv8450 A humorous sketch artist, creator of several books of "Droodles": simple cartoons of just a few lines, with imaginative descriptions. His sketch of octopus playing bagpipes or vice versa is a representative example. I remember one with two vertical lines, maybe an inch apart, and four nearly-round ovals touching the outer edges of the vertical lines, slightly staggered - upper left, a bit lower on the right, lower left, another a bit lower on the right. The caption: Bear climbing up the other side of a tree. At least I thought it funny as a boy over fifty years ago, and obviously it stuck in my head.
Not ever having heard of Roger Price I thought Wally Cox had emerged from backstage and was pleasantly surprised ( relieved 🙄) to find it was this very good panelist instead
I still have vivid memories of James Mason playing Rommel in the movie, The Desert Rats, but I think that to me, his finest role was that of Captain Nemo. That does include his role in North by Northwest as well.
Dorothy was stunning- she loved the logic and the questionong hunt, a true reporter looking for the truth. But I wish she let the game go on a bit, it never seems fair to the guest when she gets it right off.
24:49 John Daly's comment is instructive in a couple of ways. First, the 1950s weren't the perfect, idyllic time that some people would like to believe. But second, at least they still had some sense that a divorce is usually a tragedy, and not something to be celebrated or treated lightly.
@@jenniferyorgan4215 Got it. I always knew it as a bedroom community for many who commute to Chicago. Kenosha is the last stop on the commuter line that goes to all the suburban north shore communities.
Roger Price was the creator of Mad Libs. And he just kind of looks like the kind of guy who would be the creator of Mad Libs. Or maybe he just looks like Harold Lloyd. Fun panelist
Sorry, forgot you can't read my mind. Bennett's outfit caught my attention. I'm working on the whole complete thought in one comment thing. I'll get it right one of these days.
Dixie Alexander That's allright with me. I have had some interesting moments, by your comments so far, in trying to figure out what your complete thought about the issue was, so just keep on, in your own way! ;) Ps. I do love crosswords as well!
I thought the same. But in another episode John also said "me" and then corrected himself to "I" and even apologized. I only can think that the rules were different back then.
Hal Block did it without fail, but it wasn't funny. We all knew Arlene was joking, but Hal was not and enjoyed doing it to the women, it sure seemed to me. If I'm wrong, I certainly apologize.
Roger Price in a tux or at least a suit. Bennett in a sports coat and slacks - very atypical for him. I wonder if there was a last minute wardrobe malfunction that was too late to fix any other way.
+Neil Midkiff It wasn't surprising for the time of year, but it was unusual for the male panelists to dress that casually, at least by 1956 standards. This would be especially true for Bennett, who had been a fixture on the panel since close to the beginning of the show.
James Mason was about to release his first film as a producer, in which he starred as well as redrafting the screenplay. 'Bigger than Life', about a poor and cortisone-addicted schoolteacher, is a remarkable film, directed by Nicholas Ray of 'Johnny Guitar fame'; but perhaps it was too downbeat a picture of suburban America to appear when Ike was headed for re-election. Audiences saw Mason as a hero-villain, not a victim. It flopped and Mason quit his production deal with Fox, henceforth sticking to acting.
People have commented that there are risqué things on I Love Lucy, but What's My Line has it beat by a mile because WML was usually a live show, and mainly because it wasn't scripted and there are tons of examples of risqué comments.
He was alive as of Dec. 2015. Here's an interview with him from a local publication (Chadds Ford. PA from where he moved because of a new job and where he eventually became town supervisor for many years until choosing to not run for reelection in Nov. 2015). He is an interesting character for sure. He mentions his appearance on WML and says that he has a video of his appearance among his possessions. chaddsfordlive.com/2015/12/03/from-salon-attendant-to-supervisor-thorpe-has-seen-much/
@@loissimmons6558 Thanks, It was fun to read about Thorpe these days. I wonder about the offending signs he's talking about ? Sometimes you need signs. I'm 78, one year older than him. He's looking good for 77. I wonder about that black hair ?
@@dancelli714 I'd guess he means the kind of temporary posters for real estate open houses, garage sales, concerts, and so forth that people staple or tape to utility poles and the like, then forget to take down after the event.
If a man did to a young women what Arlene did to this young man there would be 100 comments deep of women shouting inappropriate behavior by a misogynistic pig! My how times have changed. Incidentally I thought it was fantastic
Astonished that a talented actor like James Mason, made such little effort to disguise his voice. It’s as if he couldn’t be bothered to at least mislead the panel. Some celebrity guests are truly entertaining, hamming up a false accent, but Mason was a huge disappointment. His one note expression to the questions from the panel suggested that he was uncomfortable with the whole thing.
One of the most useless questions on WML I think is, "Do you use your hands in your job"? Now tell me what job doesn't require the use of the your hands unless you bob for apples as a career!
There is always " do people feel happier/satisfied after seeing you?" if one goes for a serivce then there is the expectation of satisfaction once the aim has been achieved. Otherwise, why engage in the service?
What was the answer (at about 14:20) to Arlene's question about music?? It seems to have been great, but I've tried and tried and can't make out what he's saying, and the captions don't help either. I'm hoping SOMEONE can hear it!
orgonko the wildly untamed The English language is not so easy to force into silly little straitjackets as you think it is. Have you never visited the Department of Motor Vehicles? At least in many states, that has been the official name long before electric cars were common. I'm old enough to remember gas station slogans like "Happy Motoring!" Even today we refer to motorboats and motorcycles rather than engine boats and engine cycles. Your distinction is correct in a strictly engineering sense, but to claim that the popular usage of a century is wrong just makes you seem out of touch with the language as it is used in practice.
because the verb is "motoring" there is no such word as "engining" so therefore the noun motor is used; there are dozens of expressions based on incorrect maybe that level of misuse is good for you but not for me
orgonko the wildly untamed Based on the "wildly untamed" collection of words in your reply (I really can't call it a sentence) I see no need to retract my final comment of a month ago.
I found it interesting watching the last contestant because she said that she's from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Very recently, Kyle Rittenhouse was rightfully acquitted from all of the charges against him. I praise God that the jury didn't let the commies, including MSNBC intimidate them. Judge Schroeder and the jury received several death threats from the commies. But, in the end they came through and made the correct verdict. The video very clearly show that Kyle Rittenhouse shot those criminals protesters in self defense. Anyone who says otherwise is a flat out liar. All 3 of the men that were shot were white. We true Conservative Patriots cheered because real justice was served! God answered our prayers. 🙏🙏🙏🕊🦅
He is a murderer who had no business being there, groomed to be a killer from an early age. He went there looking for trouble, looking to shoot his gun. Maybe you should actually read your bible for a change, thou shalt not kill.
@Willem Verheij You're a bold face liar!! I watched the videos several times and Kyle Rittenhouse was definitely NOT a murderer! For you to say that he was makes me think that YOU are a cold-blooded murderer! You sure sound like one! It was his business to be there. He has a relative who owns a business in Kenosha, Wisconsin and those CRIMINALS that tried to KILL Kyle Rittenhouse were literally destroying Kyle's relative's business! They set it on fire! You obviously condone the Satanic behavior of those criminals, but you don't think that Kyle Rittenhouse had the right to shoot those criminals in self defense. Since you feel that way, then you should move to China, you moron. 😡👎🤮.
![What's My Line? - Mayor Richard J. Daley; Carol Morris; Paul Winchell [panel] (Aug 5, 1956)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LjqKUdItzsM/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Mayor Richard J. Daley; Carol Morris; Paul Winchell [panel] (Aug 5, 1956)](/img/tr.png)
![What's My Line? - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale; Judy Holliday; Robert Preston [panel] (Mar 17, 1957)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ejmc5STZ3yg/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Dimitri Tiomkin; Shelley Winters; Martin Gabel [panel] (Dec 9, 1956)](/img/n.gif)
As an octogenarian, I watch two Episodes of WML EVERY night, and I swear they effect my dreams (in a NICE way, of course..!) AT LEAST three nights a week..! So THANKYOU, Dorothy & Co . . . !
And over one year later, I'm still doing the same, but now SEVEN nights a week..! And needless to say, this pleasant experience is something which really helps to get me through these sometimes very difficult times, so THANKS AGAIN, my frivolous friends . . . !
These shows really are perfect at the end of the day, a lighthearted half hour with pleasant and witty friends.
i'm 81 and hooked on wml , it makes my evening here in spain. delightful
That's our habit as well, two per night seems to set things right.
HOOAH!
I’ve never had so much fun with Arlene Francis as I’ve had tonight! Such a clever, happy gal. My favorite panelist. My gratitude to all the hands in the past who participated in the creation, production and broadcasts of WML, and those today who make this delightful program available to UA-cam watchers and to the future caretakers who (I hope) will carry it forward. 9:07 - 16:24
This episode is absolutely delightful thanks to Arlene’s questioning skills! Hilarious! Sweet, cute, not over done, perfect balance between legitimate questions and polite flirtation with that handsome young man who was able to play off her comments! One of my top 5 programs! I love this show! Thank you so much for your hard work posting them for us to enjoy!
I totally agree 👍 😊
He (James) had The most beautiful voice of any actor, i.m.h.o.
a great voice indeed but leave us not forget the golden voice of Ronald Colman ... :-)
@@anneroy4560 Or Robert Preston!
the best are his scenes with Cary Grant in North by Northwest. There are the two greatest male voices ever in the movies.
@@anneroy4560 Or Alice Cooper
He and Gregory Peck 🥰
So nice to see the politeness and good manners on this show. And especially from the celebrities.
James Mason was a wonderful actor and I have enjoyed several of his films over the years. A favorite Mason film of mine is "Georgy Girl," from 1966 - this was very different from a good many roles he played, and this picture still greatly holds up in 2023. Incidentally, Mr. Mason always said that "A Star is Born," from 1954 (with Judy Garland) was a favorite film of his - calling Judy the most talented co-star with whom he ever worked.
Yes, recently watched Georgy Girl and along with the script, James Mason's acting goes a long way in making his character sympathetic in the movie.
One of the most wonderful enjoyable actors of all time..could listen to him all day!! Handsome man
James Mason... just can't disguise that voice!
No, because He always plays God, lol according to Eddie Izard
Wasn't Miss Arlene utterly, UTTERLY delightful with young Mr. Thorpe? So witty, charming and flirtatious (in absolutely the nicest possible way).She was such an asset to the show throughout its entire run.
Mandeley100 Totally agree, charming and flirty without being so creepy overly aggressive cougar type. Love her! (and her clothes)
Best WML interview ever!
Well, he was awfully good looking; who can blame her?
@@cassiemoira I thought she was totally obnoxious, and that it is quite a double standard that it's apparently OK if a woman treats a man like that, but terrible if a man flirts with a woman.
@@barbarak2836 I take your point, it is a double standard. For me as Arlene wasn't a serial flirter (word?) to guests, so this outlier made it rather charming and unusual. I think she was genuienly trying to get at the answer and then between her, John and the guy's embarrassment it became a thing. See what your saying though!
Another very entertaining episode ! Delightful to see James Mason, one of my favorite actors, as the Mystery Guest ! He should have disguised his voice more ! I'm afraid I have NO idea who Roger Price was ! Never heard of him at all before watching this. THANK YOU so much for sharing these wonderful "blasts from the past" with us ! CHEERS !!
Another fun episode - thanks again.
Gotta love George Thorpe - not only a killer cutie, but so polite: "Yes, sir. Yes, Ma'am." And +cassiemoira comment about Arlene's amusing, but still appropriate, flirtatiousness is spot on.
He's still alive... chaddsfordlive.com/2015/12/03/from-salon-attendant-to-supervisor-thorpe-has-seen-much/
James Mason trying to change his voice was so funny. I think he was going for casual American
Got to love Arlene ! The way she laughs throwing her head back is adorable.
I made the exact same comment 2 years ago. She was smart, witty, and had a wonderful sense of humor. ^_^
James Mason trying to disguise his voice for 5 minutes was absolutely hilarious
I cannot still believe someone was so horrible as to rob Arlene for that heart broach only two years after her husband died.
She was getting out of a taxi, and the driver snatched it from her neck😢
“Bigger Than Life” was a flop at the time, but is now considered one of the best films of the 1950’s.
I could listen to James Mason talk for hours. ❤
This was a wonderfully entertaining episode! Thank you so much for uploading. Miss Arlene is so engaging and entertaining and such a pleasure to watch
And a gorgeous woman 😊
and a scamp.
Arlene is the queen of the double entendre.
I love the way the ladies watch the goodlooking guys all the way off the floor. Love the show
Yes, true.
What a voice! Great actor!
George Thorpe was handsome and so well mannered. He was quick witted just like Arlene, and I was laughing just as much as the panel. He was very funny! 🤣 Loved it!!!!
in a better world, Arlene and Dorothy will be forever alive!
I just love these panelists.
Tough to beat the cultured voices of the Brit actors, Mr. Mason, Richard Burton, Herbert Marshall, etc etc.
Enunciation
Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Robert Donat, Claude Rains, Cedric Hardwicke, George Sanders. All gained extensive experience on the boards before stepping before the camera*. You had to make your lines audible in 'the gods' or the back stalls of a big, echoey suditorium.
Not all US stars had a stage background, but almost all Brits had paid those dues. When talkies arrived it was easier to adapt from plays than the other way round, as some movie names found when they tackled Broadway.
*Exceptions: David Niven and Errol Flynn.
Gregory Peck
Herman, love Herbert Marshall's voice and usually love the characters he plays. Like Cedric and George, also. Cedric was in the Heiress with Olivia. He was her movie father. A great movie. George had a slightly off putting accent to me but still loved his roles.
@@lisamichelle8413He was American not British
Great episode! The panel was having lots of fun.
That was brilliant, even trying to disguise it, he still had that distinctive sexy voice. Brilliant actor and man.🥰
Wonderful episode; I agree with others who've said so. Also interesting to see James Mason speak of "Bigger than Life," his movie that was about to open. It may contain my favorite performance of his. He really went for it.
Mason would have made a great James Bond.
YES !!!
I had never heard of Roger Price prior to watching this episode. According to his bio, he was well-acquainted with panel shows, both as a host and as a moderator starting in 1951. It's no surprise that he was comfortable with the format. And since much of his life's work suggests someone quick-witted, he would be able to learn a new game without much trouble.
For whatever reason and whoever made the decision, this was his only appearance on WML.
That's too bad. I think he would have made an interesting regular panelist.
Yeah, this episode was Arlene Francis at her best. I just love her voice. That's the soothing voice I want to hear as I'm slipping from this mortal coil.
I would love to visit Scotland and I adore their accent
Dorothy looked more wholesome in earlier episodes than she does in the later ones. She looks kinda hardened later on, to me.
Well Google her marriage. There it is.
@@clearfield2009 … Thanks! Will do.
IMO her looks improved and she got more glamorous and pretty.
@@m.e.d.7997 Attractiveness is subject, but if you were a casting agent sent to find an attractive woman, returning with Dorothy would get you on the unemployment line.
Well, this is still early in the show, but when you get to the mid-1960s you will learn about her tragic death. For now, enjoy her contribution to this show. She and Arlene were both very smart, and humorous, ladies.
Bennett asked if James Mason had a daughter named for someone who was very dear to the panel, to which Mason answered "yes." They were referring to Mason's daughter Portland, who was named for Fred Allen's widow Portland Hoffa. 19:12
+Johan Bengtsson I very much appreciate the trivia that you provide for WML. I now scan the comments section to see if you've posted a comment. Thank you for enhancing this UA-cam channel.
+Jack Decker That is very kind of you to say! :) I write the comments that I would have appreciated to read myself. But don't expect miracles for every comment. They are a mix of mostly spontaneously ideas and occasionally some pearls of wisdom and knowledge.
To paraphrase a line from "My Fair Lady", Credit where it is due, a lot of the glory goes to ... many others here who write very entertaining, brainy and well-informed comments. But once again, I thank you for your compliment. It means a lot. :)
Now if only we could get you on Facebook, Johan!!! :)
+Johan Bengtsson Spoken like the true gentleman that you assuredly are. Again, thank you for your contribution to this UA-cam channel.
+What's My Line? The chance for that is "once in a blue moon". :) I have not changed my mind concerning Facebook, I can't see any reason for me to join it. I miss, of course all stimulating conversations with other WML-fans and I ask you to give them my salute. :)
James Mason played Captain Nemo in the Jules Verne novel made into a movie "20000 Leagues Under the Sea" that came out in the early to mid 1950s.
I wish I had known my father better. Roger Price.
I had no idea Roger Price was the co-creator of Mad Libs. Staple of my childhood, those. (For those unfamiliar, you had to provide a few nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs into an unseen sentence, then read it aloud. It's best if you're with a group that's already mildly silly.)
Arlene and this cornfed youth was somethin'. And I admit that if Peter Lind Hayes, or Hal, were doing it I would likely object to his leering. But Arlene was being bawdy while mildly embarrassed about it, which does provide a bit of a difference.
+juliansinger
I have enjoyed playing Mad Libs at parties or as an ice breaker at a meeting. But for me, it was one of those things that I lost interest in fairly quickly if it was played more than a couple of times in one sitting.
I'm a Frank Zappa fan and never understood the album cover pun on his "Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch" album. Now I know---- it's a Roger Price 'droodle', and it's hilarious.
que gran actor !!!!!!!!!!!!!
4:07 - Mrs. Doonan gave a very sweet and endearing smile when the audience applauded her for her occupation.
Shampoo plus egg! Loving the product at the beginning.
Great in the shower and the frying pan!
I do recall from my youthful days in the 50s and 60s that egg shampoos were considered to be beneficial. Something about the protein in the eggs being good for the protein in the hair. Never tried it myself, though.
@@mikejschinmy guess is they used the white of the egg.
Noteable edition for three reasons:
Bennet Serf looking very awkwardly dressed in non-matching trousers
James Mason having a futile attempt to disguise his unique clearly identifiable voice
and Arlene Francis having a hilarious ON and OFF encounter with one of the guests.
50 years of classics
This aired on my mother's 20th birthday
My two favorite actors are James Mason and Jason Robards.
Jason Robards and Humphrey Bogart were Lauren Bacall's favorite actors.
Roger Price asked some odd questions: "Mr. Thorpe, does this work entail pretty good judgement on your part." Thorpe: "No."
I think it's THE WAY he asked the question, so aggressive like he was prosecuting someone.
Sequence two "Off and on!" LOL
To all our non UK viewers of this excellent series, and despite Bennett's repeated mis-pronounciations, Glasgow is pronounced 'Glaz-go', & people from Scotland are Scots, (ie:- Scotsman) or Scottish, not Scotch. Scotch is a drink! It surprises me that with Bennett spending a lifetime working with words, he continually gets this wrong.
I am very impressed by Roger Price's almost perfect drawn heart when he introduces Arlene. 1:10
Who IS Roger Price?
@@carolv8450 A humorous sketch artist, creator of several books of "Droodles": simple cartoons of just a few lines, with imaginative descriptions. His sketch of octopus playing bagpipes or vice versa is a representative example. I remember one with two vertical lines, maybe an inch apart, and four nearly-round ovals touching the outer edges of the vertical lines, slightly staggered - upper left, a bit lower on the right, lower left, another a bit lower on the right. The caption: Bear climbing up the other side of a tree. At least I thought it funny as a boy over fifty years ago, and obviously it stuck in my head.
@@neilmidkiff 'Ships leaving a sinking rat'. LOL.
Not ever having heard of Roger Price I thought Wally Cox had emerged from backstage and was pleasantly surprised ( relieved 🙄) to find it was this very good panelist instead
Fortunately, we were only subjected to Wally Cox on the WML panel twice!
Lol, Wally Cox was so bad as a panelist, I still have bad dreams about him :)
+Lars Rye Jeppesen
You have a "Rye" sense of humor, don't you Lars?
Gary, amen. Can't stand Wally. He was a Casper Milquetoast.
I LOVE Wally Cox. He appeared on the FUNNIEST of the episodes. LOVE LOVE LOVE him.
I've actually read a book by the indomitable Bennett Cerf, abd it was truly one of the funniest i ever read. They're not kidding!
Arlene's dress tops anything she has worn, definitely flatters her petite figure.
Petite figure ? No. !!
Attractive, yes.
Arlene just fantastic with George Thorpe.
I don’t think he was prepared for Arlenes attention. I think he was nervous to start with as inferred by John Daly. He was only 18 years old.
@@m.e.d.7997 Do you know anything more about him?
I still have vivid memories of James Mason playing Rommel in the movie, The Desert Rats, but I think that to me, his finest role was that of Captain Nemo. That does include his role in North by Northwest as well.
A Touch of Larceny was a fun film.
All the hands the panel got to shake!!..
Arlene is absolutely adorable in this episode.
Dorothy was stunning- she loved the logic and the questionong hunt, a true reporter looking for the truth. But I wish she let the game go on a bit, it never seems fair to the guest when she gets it right off.
Dorothy was a investigative reporter for years 😊
24:49 John Daly's comment is instructive in a couple of ways. First, the 1950s weren't the perfect, idyllic time that some people would like to believe. But second, at least they still had some sense that a divorce is usually a tragedy, and not something to be celebrated or treated lightly.
Kenosha is a suburb north of Chicago. I wonder why none of the panelists ever heard of it?
@TheCandidCounterbalance Kenosha is a city in Wisconsin, it is not a suburb.
@@jenniferyorgan4215
Got it. I always knew it as a bedroom community for many who commute to Chicago. Kenosha is the last stop on the commuter line that goes to all the suburban north shore communities.
Roger Price was the creator of Mad Libs. And he just kind of looks like the kind of guy who would be the creator of Mad Libs. Or maybe he just looks like Harold Lloyd. Fun panelist
I can tell that last contestant was from Wisconsin just by the way she said "No".
How's that ?
It's her distinctive accent 😊
Hal Simms is the announcer.
Having a best seller went to Bennett's head!
Sorry, forgot you can't read my mind. Bennett's outfit caught my attention.
I'm working on the whole complete thought in one comment thing. I'll get it right one of these days.
Dixie Alexander That's allright with me. I have had some interesting moments, by your comments so far, in trying to figure out what your complete thought about the issue was, so just keep on, in your own way! ;) Ps. I do love crosswords as well!
Clan Campbell here. I guess we're the souper Scotts!
A very rare grammatical error on Arlene's part ("Could you teach Dorothy and I?"..should be "me")
+james joyce Yes, yes, yes!!! Thank you for stating what I was thinking!
I thought the same. But in another episode John also said "me" and then corrected himself to "I" and even apologized. I only can think that the rules were different back then.
@@teddytodorova: It depends entirely on whether the first person pronoun was subjective or objective. The rules haven't changed. :)
Hardly anyone says-for you and me which is correct. It bothers me more than it should.😊
@@teddytodorovaExactly 😊
amazing and Ironic - Arlene gets away with what they criticized Hal Block for.
@Michael Nivens.
Good on her!
One rule for one.....
Hal Block did it without fail, but it wasn't funny. We all knew Arlene was joking, but Hal was not and enjoyed doing it to the women, it sure seemed to me. If I'm wrong, I certainly apologize.
Arlene was very flirtatious with many handsome men, young and older. Many of the panelists were. IT was fun. I LOVED it. Everyone should flirt!
@@donnacook8994Hal was a man, with a teenager mindset 😊
Roger Price in a tux or at least a suit. Bennett in a sports coat and slacks - very atypical for him. I wonder if there was a last minute wardrobe malfunction that was too late to fix any other way.
Lois Simmons Well, it was summertime in NYC, so sport coat and slacks are not too surprising.
+Neil Midkiff
It wasn't surprising for the time of year, but it was unusual for the male panelists to dress that casually, at least by 1956 standards. This would be especially true for Bennett, who had been a fixture on the panel since close to the beginning of the show.
I was a bit surprised. Although he looked as dapper as ever.
James Mason was about to release his first film as a producer, in which he starred as well as redrafting the screenplay.
'Bigger than Life', about a poor and cortisone-addicted schoolteacher, is a remarkable film, directed by Nicholas Ray of 'Johnny Guitar fame'; but perhaps it was too downbeat a picture of suburban America to appear when Ike was headed for re-election. Audiences saw Mason as a hero-villain, not a victim. It flopped and Mason quit his production deal with Fox, henceforth sticking to acting.
Nicholas Ray a great director.
Great actor-Lolita,Rommel, The Verdict ,Nemo and I also enjoyed him In The Marriage -Go-Round with Julie Newmar
Nobody mentions North By Northwest???
James Mason would have a great James Bond.
"Mr. Kaplan, you make this very ROOM a theater."
He overplays his various roles
Didn't seem like much dumbing down in the 50s.........
This was the dirtiest episode Ive seen in awhile,especially for the 50s lol
People have commented that there are risqué things on I Love Lucy, but What's My Line has it beat by a mile because WML was usually a live show, and mainly because it wasn't scripted and there are tons of examples of risqué comments.
MATHHEW TOMPKINS as I understand it it was aired quite late in the evening, so wasn't meant as a family show.
@@steveliveshereI believe it aired at 10:30 pm.
@rtusuian Nothing considered risqué 70 years ago😊
Portland? I was hoping James Mason's daughter was named Arlene or Dorothy.
James started out disguising his voice and then stopped ???
He gave hints to the panel to catch him I suppose 😊
I like Arlene's hair in this episode.
I adore the whole package 😊
She looked beautiful in this epi
Impossible to disguise that voice!
Some MG would use an alternative item etc to give the panel an answer without speaking at all😊
Bennett - it is GlasCO not "COW".
Alas, Bennett was very adept at mispronunciation.
@@mikejschin And yet he published a dictionary.
his line is read siege
i love Dorthy's print dresses.
🎂James Mason 05-15-2022
The 2nd contestant - the personal trainer - was so young here, there's a good chance he's still alive...
He was alive as of Dec. 2015. Here's an interview with him from a local publication (Chadds Ford. PA from where he moved because of a new job and where he eventually became town supervisor for many years until choosing to not run for reelection in Nov. 2015). He is an interesting character for sure. He mentions his appearance on WML and says that he has a video of his appearance among his possessions.
chaddsfordlive.com/2015/12/03/from-salon-attendant-to-supervisor-thorpe-has-seen-much/
Lois Simmons thank you! Very interesting!
He passed away May 3, 2016 age 81.
@@loissimmons6558 Thanks, It was fun to read about Thorpe these days. I wonder about the offending signs he's talking about ? Sometimes you need signs. I'm 78, one year older than him. He's looking good for 77. I wonder about that black hair ?
@@dancelli714 I'd guess he means the kind of temporary posters for real estate open houses, garage sales, concerts, and so forth that people staple or tape to utility poles and the like, then forget to take down after the event.
If a man did to a young women what Arlene did to this young man there would be 100 comments deep of women shouting inappropriate behavior by a misogynistic pig! My how times have changed. Incidentally I thought it was fantastic
Apparently you're from another era newbie. 70 years ago it was acceptable to mention someone's thoughts, without being crass😊
Sometimes the audience didn't like the mystery guests with their disguised voices and made their disappointment known.
Astonished that a talented actor like James Mason, made such little effort to disguise his voice. It’s as if he couldn’t be bothered to at least mislead the panel. Some celebrity guests are truly entertaining, hamming up a false accent, but Mason was a huge disappointment. His one note expression to the questions from the panel suggested that he was uncomfortable with the whole thing.
I would say this... would commenters kindly preface their comments with “I would say this”. I would say this.. thank you.
No doubt that JM's ego would not allow him to go unnamed which is no fun for viewers.
One of the most useless questions on WML I think is, "Do you use your hands in your job"? Now tell me what job doesn't require the use of the your hands unless you bob for apples as a career!
Soccer player!
Another one: is it a USEFUL product?
@@lorihansen8674 You are right! I stand corrected!!
There is always " do people feel happier/satisfied after seeing you?" if one goes for a serivce then there is the expectation of satisfaction once the aim has been achieved. Otherwise, why engage in the service?
You don't use your hands to sing.
Arlene flirting with George. 😗.
What was the answer (at about 14:20) to Arlene's question about music?? It seems to have been great, but I've tried and tried and can't make out what he's saying, and the captions don't help either. I'm hoping SOMEONE can hear it!
"Off and on." Arlene repeats it a few seconds later.
@@laura1000 Ahh, ok. Thanks!!
So tell me are you reaching for grunch, but the eggplant over there?
It's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide.
Which way you going willy?
Was Roger Price a cartoonist or other type of artist?
Neither😮
actually the answer for if there a "motor" involved should have been answered "no"
it's an engine--two different things
orgonko the wildly untamed They probably didn't know that then.
orgonko the wildly untamed The English language is not so easy to force into silly little straitjackets as you think it is. Have you never visited the Department of Motor Vehicles? At least in many states, that has been the official name long before electric cars were common. I'm old enough to remember gas station slogans like "Happy Motoring!" Even today we refer to motorboats and motorcycles rather than engine boats and engine cycles. Your distinction is correct in a strictly engineering sense, but to claim that the popular usage of a century is wrong just makes you seem out of touch with the language as it is used in practice.
because the verb is "motoring" there is no such word as "engining" so therefore the noun motor is used; there are dozens of expressions based on incorrect maybe that level of misuse is good for you but not for me
orgonko the wildly untamed Based on the "wildly untamed" collection of words in your reply (I really can't call it a sentence) I see no need to retract my final comment of a month ago.
@neilmidIkiff totally agree absolutely 😊
17:35
18:22 Good Borat impression
I found it interesting watching the last contestant because she said that she's from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Very recently, Kyle Rittenhouse was rightfully acquitted from all of the charges against him. I praise God that the jury didn't let the commies, including MSNBC intimidate them. Judge Schroeder and the jury received several death threats from the commies. But, in the end they came through and made the correct verdict. The video very clearly show that Kyle Rittenhouse shot those criminals protesters in self defense. Anyone who says otherwise is a flat out liar. All 3 of the men that were shot were white. We true Conservative Patriots cheered because real justice was served! God answered our prayers. 🙏🙏🙏🕊🦅
He is a murderer who had no business being there, groomed to be a killer from an early age.
He went there looking for trouble, looking to shoot his gun.
Maybe you should actually read your bible for a change, thou shalt not kill.
@Willem Verheij You're a bold face liar!! I watched the videos several times and Kyle Rittenhouse was definitely NOT a murderer! For you to say that he was makes me think that YOU are a cold-blooded murderer! You sure sound like one! It was his business to be there. He has a relative who owns a business in Kenosha, Wisconsin and those CRIMINALS that tried to KILL Kyle Rittenhouse were literally destroying Kyle's relative's business! They set it on fire! You obviously condone the Satanic behavior of those criminals, but you don't think that Kyle Rittenhouse had the right to shoot those criminals in self defense. Since you feel that way, then you should move to China, you moron. 😡👎🤮.
Some contestants don't even qualify as dumb. They are beneath even that.
Way to accentuate the negative.
@@thesweeples3266 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Arlene fllirted to much 🤭
70 years ago it was acceptable for a woman to flirt with a man! 😊
francis was irritating
Perhaps to you, but not the millions of people who enjoyed her😅
George Thorpe was born in 1938 so he was 18 years old there.
I would have thought he was in his mid to late 20s. I guess he's been around the block.
@@jerrylee8261 Late 20s??? He looked like an 18 year old.
Arlene was the original cougar. Look for her to flirt with a lot of the good looking young male contestants.