8-year-old symphony conductor Joey Alfidi on "What's My Line?" (November 17, 1957)

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  • Опубліковано 20 кві 2013
  • Eight-year-old musical child prodigy Joey Alfidi, "world's youngest symphony conductor", appears as a sort-of mystery guest on a 1957 episode of "What's My Line?" with host John Daly and panelists Dorothy Kilgallen, Jim Backus, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf.
    An earlier appearance by Joey (age 7) on "I've Got a Secret" can be seen as the first segment on the full episode here:
    • Robert Young and 7-yea...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 231

  • @jmccracken1963
    @jmccracken1963 11 років тому +81

    And, God be praised, Joseph Alfidi is still performing (piano) and teaching (piano) today. He currently resides in Belgium and teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Liege. He's had a great career.

    • @icturner23
      @icturner23 3 роки тому +20

      Sadly, he died a year or two after you posted your comment.

    • @julienielsen4462
      @julienielsen4462 2 роки тому +3

      He is so cute, I just read his biography.

  • @altonpitts5303
    @altonpitts5303 5 років тому +121

    I have always admired people who have a mastery of the English language such as Mr. Daly does.

    • @donnawoodford6641
      @donnawoodford6641 3 роки тому +2

      Right...such as Mr. John Daly!

    • @wincav
      @wincav 2 роки тому +3

      Great point. He is very good at this. I try to think who could do this if ever the show would be done today. I cant think of anyone.

    • @michaellord9
      @michaellord9 2 роки тому +1

      you mean Mr John Daly has...

  • @UnkoPiko
    @UnkoPiko 11 років тому +100

    Nobody can touch John Daly. He was the absolute best.

    • @janetmarletto6667
      @janetmarletto6667 2 роки тому +2

      I would say that William Buckley was on that level and possibly above Charles Daly.

  • @robinchanteusedylan8326
    @robinchanteusedylan8326 8 років тому +94

    I love when Mr. Daly busts out laughing. He was king of moderators.

  • @romankrassovsky226
    @romankrassovsky226 9 років тому +130

    RIP Joseph Alfidi Feb. 2, 2015

    • @drServitis
      @drServitis 5 років тому +18

      Just 65 years old when he died from a long illness in Belgium where he was teaching piano at the Royal Conservatory of Liege.

    • @xAlexZifko
      @xAlexZifko 4 роки тому +7

      @@drServitis ty very much for the context

  • @shnbwmn
    @shnbwmn 10 років тому +245

    I watch these mainly for John Daly ... probably the most intelligent presenter I've seen

    • @bundeligafan
      @bundeligafan 9 років тому +22

      John, Arlene, Dorothy, and Bennette were all intelligent, funny, and professional. A true legendary panel and presenter. R.I.P all.

    • @sevensolaris
      @sevensolaris 8 років тому +8

      +Shane Bowman I wish people still talked intelligently like he and the rest of the panel do on these shows.

    • @Gravydog316
      @Gravydog316 7 років тому +3

      Speak for yourself, thank you. I'm quite eriudite.

    • @Epitaph1334
      @Epitaph1334 7 років тому +12

      Both John and Dorothy were very witty and intelligent.

    • @tigergreg8
      @tigergreg8 7 років тому +10

      I was thinking the same thing. He had a way with words and explanations that blow me away.

  • @canyoubelievethis220
    @canyoubelievethis220 3 роки тому +17

    He went on to become really famous. He only recently died 6 years ago this past Tuesday. RIP, guy!

  • @valiyapurakkalNarayanankutty
    @valiyapurakkalNarayanankutty 4 роки тому +27

    I wish I had John Daley's way with words.

    • @helenamirian908
      @helenamirian908 2 роки тому +2

      The "Continental Accent" has gone by the wayside also.

    • @feraudyh
      @feraudyh Рік тому

      I wish there were a course entitled
      Speak English like John Daly

    • @douglasswicegood4420
      @douglasswicegood4420 10 місяців тому

      He sounds Californian to me our accents were much the same plain and unadorned! LOL. The others from the east like New York?

  • @bmh2004
    @bmh2004 5 років тому +17

    Good clean fun, wish they still have this type shows on television!

  • @tonycevallos7513
    @tonycevallos7513 6 років тому +40

    That little boy was so cute. How he must have made his parents so proud. So sad to read that he passed away at age 65 in 2015.

    • @kledhs2890
      @kledhs2890 5 років тому +7

      Are you serious? That made me sad RIP Joey

    • @mizofan
      @mizofan 3 роки тому +3

      On my birthday

  • @hollyking2580
    @hollyking2580 4 роки тому +15

    Dorothy was almost always dressed like she might have tea with the Queen of England after taping the show.

  • @timothymcdonald6913
    @timothymcdonald6913 5 років тому +27

    Mr. Daly's ability to work with the mystery guest's answers!. To redirect, rephrase or otherwise deal with a proper response to the panelists. This comment is made after viewing several different years of this program here on youtube. This was and is a very entertaining show. Thank You for posting it.

  • @oegroemov
    @oegroemov 5 років тому +59

    What a beautiful language English was in those days.

    • @HunterShows
      @HunterShows 5 років тому +1

      You are what you say.

    • @user-gq1sh4kf4w
      @user-gq1sh4kf4w 4 роки тому +4

      Be selective in your choice of books. Avoid slang: ain’t, wanna, cuz, etc. Never say “I am like...”.

    • @Amcsae
      @Amcsae 3 роки тому +3

      @@user-gq1sh4kf4w Exactly! People don't read real books anymore. Buzzfeed articles and Twitter won't expand your intellect in the same way.

    • @icturner23
      @icturner23 3 роки тому +4

      It’s still beautiful now. All the words that existed then still exist. Anyone is free to use them.

    • @patricia7823
      @patricia7823 Рік тому +1

      Indeed

  • @bme7491
    @bme7491 3 роки тому +10

    Joey: "I don't like rock and roll".....Bennett Cerf: "Good for you!".....A few years later rock and roll takes over the world.

    • @stevefowler5970
      @stevefowler5970 Рік тому

      it had already taken over the world by then, they just didn't know it....

  • @Retroscoop
    @Retroscoop 4 роки тому +6

    He was third in the Queen Elizabeth (of Belgium) contest in 1972, and apparantly remained in Belgium at a certain time of his life, where he also died in 2015.

  • @bneale
    @bneale 3 роки тому +8

    Cerf: What do you think of rock-n-roll.
    Kid: I don't like it. (thunderous applause)
    Good lord.

  • @ILBARONE45
    @ILBARONE45 5 років тому +35

    I KNEW JOSEPH (Joey) ALFIDI; Could play Piano and other instruments Very Gifted.. Knew Dad Frank better; owned a recording studio & conductor in my home Town YONKERS, N.Y. Made me a Singer and got me many occasions on Toast of the Town (Later Ed Sullivan show); whereby sang solo opera and many duets with young upcoming females.. Joey only 65 yrs young; than I. DIO BENEDICE JOSEPH ALFIDI

  • @mizofan
    @mizofan 3 роки тому +4

    Joey died on my 54th birthday at the age of 65. Interesting to read that he lived in Belgium, where my dear friend the world war 2 (Comet Line) resistance heroine Andrée Dumon, who survived 2 concentration camps after betrayal, is still an adorable marvel aged 98.

    • @greggoreo6738
      @greggoreo6738 Рік тому

      Wow! God bless Comet Line. Gregg Oreo long Beach Ca

  • @Lava1964
    @Lava1964 11 років тому +9

    John Daly is terrific!

  • @Rickshaw881
    @Rickshaw881 5 років тому +15

    That's Mr. Magoo before he became Thurston Howell III !

    • @Yowza78
      @Yowza78 2 роки тому

      And two years after Rebel Without a Cause.

  • @SheepdogSmokey
    @SheepdogSmokey 5 років тому +6

    Oh for TV like this to make a comeback.

  • @Ody-up6kg
    @Ody-up6kg 4 роки тому +5

    I was born in 1958. I love watching these old programs. People conducted themselves with such class. The ladies are just that 'ladies'. Beautifully dressed in an outfit that cannot be fit into a Band-Aid box, yet lovely. And, 90% of every statement is not hijacked into something sexual. Hollywood, you could learn a few things here.

    • @dansanger5340
      @dansanger5340 3 роки тому +2

      There was plenty of sexual innuendo on the show, just not as overt and frequent as it might be these days. Arlene was especially prolific. Also, the audience tended to issue whistles and catcalls at pretty young women, which I consider kind of rude, and would be frowned on today in the same context.

  • @cyndifoore7743
    @cyndifoore7743 5 років тому +8

    Daly is a brainiac!!! I love his inserted comments!
    Wow, this kid’s a brainiac too!

  • @ladyyuna2000
    @ladyyuna2000 11 років тому +8

    Joey is so adorable

  • @PROUDCANADIANGIRL
    @PROUDCANADIANGIRL 9 місяців тому

    I mean wow… my mind is blown! What a wonderful young fella and I wish I was alive back then to see him conduct! What an honour that would have been. Wow

  • @charmingjim
    @charmingjim 6 років тому +8

    Rock and roll is here to stay.

  • @theexperiment8498
    @theexperiment8498 3 роки тому +6

    So interesting to see this is the point in time where rock & roll was controversial.

  • @MollyT119
    @MollyT119 2 роки тому +4

    This is the gold standard of panel/game shows, right here. WML (and Password) always had such great gameplay and wonderful people on. The crown jewels of the G-T catalogue. And what a treat to see Backus as a guest panelist, he’s an absolute legend.

  • @allybee8926
    @allybee8926 8 років тому +8

    Pity more of his musical recordings are unavailable. He was an excellent pianist.

  • @MrJking065
    @MrJking065 3 роки тому +3

    Little guy is adorable.

  • @Rupertbear27
    @Rupertbear27 5 років тому +2

    LOVE watching all these old What's my Lines----watched the British version when I was younger but not many of those on UA-cam-- Eamon Andrews was a great presenter and had also presented Playbox and Crackerjack

    • @effyleven
      @effyleven 4 роки тому +1

      *"CRACK-ER-JACK!"*

    • @mikewrasman5103
      @mikewrasman5103 2 роки тому

      Ramon Andrews was the mystery guest on the U.S. version of What's My Line.
      He was the presenter of the British version of What's My Line.

  • @edithsymmans3273
    @edithsymmans3273 10 років тому +4

    WOW AWESOME LITTLE GUY……. LOVE JOHN DALY AND HIS COMMENTS THROUGH OUT….

  • @brunoantony3218
    @brunoantony3218 3 роки тому +4

    Cerf got it AGAIN.

  • @adamodeo9320
    @adamodeo9320 2 роки тому +1

    Joseph Alfidi died in 2015 at 65 may he be blessed.

  • @Galantski
    @Galantski 6 років тому +5

    Joey can also be seen the linked episode of "I've Got a Secret", where he's the first contestant and plays four instruments at age 7. He was a remarkable talent. RIP
    ua-cam.com/video/bdv2nJRVnaU/v-deo.html
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Alfidi

  • @Celisar1
    @Celisar1 5 років тому +5

    Such a cute and beautiful boy!

  • @melissajones210
    @melissajones210 11 років тому +21

    I'm trying to find the other parts of this episode as my mother was on and stumped them. She painted baby diapers for Sanger Harris. Bennet guessed she did something with diapers, then they ran out of time.

    • @robinh4
      @robinh4 3 роки тому +3

      I found the whole episode on here. That's very cool that your mother was on the show. ua-cam.com/video/PDcBnu1sphc/v-deo.html

    • @icturner23
      @icturner23 3 роки тому +2

      @@robinh4 I’m just replying, before watching it myself, in the hope that it makes it more likely that Melissa will get a notification about this thread.

    • @robinh4
      @robinh4 3 роки тому +1

      @@icturner23 Thanks! The notification system on here is terrible. Hopefully she'll see these notifications.

  • @onemercilessming1342
    @onemercilessming1342 4 роки тому +2

    While the $50 prize money might not seem much to us in 2020, consider: In 1957, when this aired, $50 was the equivalent to $460.28 in 2020.

  • @SMcCaskill
    @SMcCaskill 10 місяців тому

    Joseph (Joey) performed all over Europe in his younger years and became a very well established musician, composer, and conductor. He died in 2015 at the age of 65.

  • @TheCometHunter
    @TheCometHunter 6 років тому +18

    I think this comment page needs at least 7 more people telling us that Joey died in 2015

    • @TANTRUMGASM
      @TANTRUMGASM 4 роки тому

      joey Alfidi died in 2015 in Belgium

    • @su8483
      @su8483 3 роки тому

      Still dead.

  • @drServitis
    @drServitis 4 роки тому +5

    8:25 BENNETT SAYS UNDER HIS BREATH "HE'S A LITTLE SHAVER!" IN REFERENCE TO WHETHER JOEY WAS CONNECTED TO A PRODUCT LINE. Brilliantly done, Bennett!

  • @ElizaDolittle
    @ElizaDolittle Рік тому

    I love Arlene Francis' necklace

  • @DrdrGames
    @DrdrGames 5 років тому +9

    This kid died 4 years ago at the age of 65

  • @maudiepoot1
    @maudiepoot1 11 років тому +6

    no ones required to like rock and roll

  • @Homemovies1989
    @Homemovies1989 5 років тому +7

    11:00 Prophecy...and he died at 65 years old.

  • @nightmaster5593
    @nightmaster5593 5 років тому +1

    best show ever!! screw contemporary TV

  • @ThatsnewsTV
    @ThatsnewsTV 3 роки тому +1

    I was six months old, then.

  • @bangersmash1566
    @bangersmash1566 6 років тому +5

    8:30 o'clock said Daly referring to Joey's appearance at Carnegie Hall. I've never heard it said that way. I'd just say 8:30.

  • @Beson-SE
    @Beson-SE 11 років тому +4

    At 9:15 Arlene asks if he is the young boy with the little Fauntleroy suit. I believe she is refering to Pierino Gamba who was a child protegy.

  • @royharris8979
    @royharris8979 10 років тому +1

    touche!

  • @drbenkirk9119
    @drbenkirk9119 5 років тому +7

    Small Conference Please.

  • @yellowleaf28
    @yellowleaf28 Рік тому +1

    Could they clue us in on how some guessers know immediately or how they came to their crazy correct guesses?

  • @msilver4888
    @msilver4888 2 роки тому +1

    tv was so classy unlike the crap they peddle today

  • @marthafarquar
    @marthafarquar 11 років тому

    Love that thumbnail

  • @gaamatsu4dewin
    @gaamatsu4dewin 5 років тому +3

    August Rush comes to mind.

  • @julienielsen4462
    @julienielsen4462 2 роки тому +1

    MrDaly said I wish I had half your ability at 65, and he passed at 65 weird or just coincidence.

  • @kimfucku8074
    @kimfucku8074 5 років тому +2

    little boooyyyyssss, I love Alrene for how she talks!

  • @ronmcgill7402
    @ronmcgill7402 5 років тому +1

    Joseph Alfidi - Wikipedia
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Alfidi
    Joseph Alfidi (May 28, 1949 - February 2, 2015) was an American pianist, composer, and .... "JOEY ALFIDI, AGE 9, LEADS ORCHESTRA; Conducts Symphony of Air at Carnegie Hall Benefit for Italian Charities". "New York Times

  • @MyNamesNotLars1
    @MyNamesNotLars1 3 роки тому +2

    I wonder if he ever changed his tune on Rock n Roll?

  • @captainobvious5650
    @captainobvious5650 6 років тому +3

    10:13 - Thats funny because young Joey actually originally learned on rock-n-roll but his parents thought it was juvenille and banned him from playing it, thus his switch to classical mozart and his quest to fame. Shame he wanted to be like Elvis :(

  • @gunnarthorsen
    @gunnarthorsen 8 років тому +5

    Nice segment. Joey, by the way, died in 2015.

  • @over50andfantabulous59
    @over50andfantabulous59 9 років тому +6

    Joey Alfidi
    Date of Birth 28 May 1949, Yonkers, New York, USA
    Date of Death 2 February 2015, Brussels, Belgium

    • @phil2u48
      @phil2u48 9 років тому +4

      OVER50ANDFANTABULOUS RIP. He was considered a prodigy, if not a genius, and could play numerous musical instruments as well as speak several languages at a very young age. He found the cultural atmosphere of Europe more supportive and stimulating than the U.S; he lived and taught primarily in Brussels where he died this year (2015).

    • @44032
      @44032 8 років тому +3

      +Over50andFantabulous Meaning he died at 65, (note John Daly's comment at the end).

    • @sevensolaris
      @sevensolaris 8 років тому +2

      +Steven Chappell Eerie foreshadowing there

    • @davemattia
      @davemattia 8 років тому +3

      John Daly put a curse on the poor kid with the 65 years old remark.

    • @phil2u48
      @phil2u48 8 років тому +2

      He had that power...

  • @justanotheresperantolearne9246
    @justanotheresperantolearne9246 5 років тому +16

    11:00 Sort of Ironic that Jospeh passed at age 65.

  • @timothymcdonald6913
    @timothymcdonald6913 5 років тому

    This episode and I are the same age.

  • @donnawoodford6641
    @donnawoodford6641 3 роки тому +2

    Joey needed help answering some of those questions...but he knows that he doesn't like rock n roll.

  • @pukulu
    @pukulu Рік тому

    Joey Alfidi lived to be 65 years old.

  • @danielquill
    @danielquill 3 роки тому +2

    @7:54 It look like Dorothy has eyeholes in her mask and is simply keeping her eyes closed! Do my eyes deceive me???
    "You may take off your masks".... Dorothy, you may open your eyes.

  • @XMLarry
    @XMLarry 10 років тому +3

    Eddie Hodges also appeared on the shoe as a 12 year old

    • @XMLarry
      @XMLarry 10 років тому +1

      sorry, show, surprised spell check didn't catch that...

    • @XMLarry
      @XMLarry 10 років тому +1

      :)

  • @harryg6169
    @harryg6169 5 років тому +2

    6:54 Epic response from Daly

  • @quizmaster85
    @quizmaster85 10 років тому

    There was another reason that John gave (after the panellists took their masks off).

  • @Yowza78
    @Yowza78 2 роки тому

    The way Bennett Cerf says "known" with two syllables: know-un. Is that a New York accent? Philly?

  • @AlaskaBlueCat
    @AlaskaBlueCat 4 роки тому +3

    10:15
    Bennett Cerf: Joey, in the confidence of this room and 30 million people, what do you think of rock n' roll?
    Joey Alfidi: I don't like it.
    Bennett Cerf: Good for you! I love it.
    John Daly and everyone else: hahaha!
    Me 2020: LOL, sorry folks. I got bad news for you! hahaha!

  • @PEGGLORE
    @PEGGLORE 3 роки тому +1

    When it says "It shaves your hidden beard" what do they mean exactly?

  • @orhugs
    @orhugs 10 років тому

    Awesome!! I can't help though :/

  • @abradley2198
    @abradley2198 3 роки тому +1

    Maybe not tell us what the persons line is in the title of the video?

  • @sapanashri1334
    @sapanashri1334 10 років тому

    How many kids appeared as guests on the show? There's this one, and that billiards kid, Dorothy's kids ... any others??

  • @baby001000
    @baby001000 2 роки тому

    Joey made his name as a pianist
    And passed away in 2015

  • @seventus
    @seventus 5 років тому +1

    3:50

  • @Mysticinvestigations
    @Mysticinvestigations 3 роки тому +2

    Hopefully that pesky Rock And Roll is just a passing fad with those crazy kids!

  • @lmcdonald1879
    @lmcdonald1879 10 місяців тому

    still using my Remington rolectric

  • @navetdusang7472
    @navetdusang7472 5 років тому +1

    "Unreliable witness"

  • @bornyesterday21
    @bornyesterday21 8 років тому +7

    For a minute, i thought he was Eddie Munster.

  • @joaovitormatos8147
    @joaovitormatos8147 3 роки тому +2

    how creepy is it when John got his death age right at 11:00?

    • @brunoantony3218
      @brunoantony3218 3 роки тому

      He died at the age off 77, not 65.

    • @julienielsen4462
      @julienielsen4462 2 роки тому

      @@brunoantony3218 it’s saying 65 on Wikipedia.

    • @brunoantony3218
      @brunoantony3218 2 роки тому +1

      @@julienielsen4462 I was referring to John Daley’s death, not Joey’s. And John wasn’t referring to anyone’s death at 11:00

  • @tonyatmidnight
    @tonyatmidnight 2 роки тому

    John Daly wishes he had half of Joey's ability at 65 ... and Joey Alfidi would pass away in 2015 at the age of 65

  • @PepsiMama2
    @PepsiMama2 7 років тому +2

    John Daly always (maybe not always but) comes out with papers in his hand.. what are those papers???

    • @MICHGO1
      @MICHGO1 7 років тому +4

      PERHAPS INFO ABOUT THE GUESTS.

    • @TheBigMclargehuge
      @TheBigMclargehuge 6 років тому +3

      Dorothy Kilgalen's gossip rag, he's going to wipe his ass with it later.

  • @ProperLogicalDebate
    @ProperLogicalDebate 3 роки тому

    Sir Humphrey Appleby?

  • @royharris8979
    @royharris8979 10 років тому +5

    Regarding the question at time frame 6:22, "Are there any animals involved in your act..", are not humans in the "animal" kingdom?

    • @JustAFocus
      @JustAFocus 10 років тому +33

      As John Daly might have answered that question: "Although it is *technically* correct that humans, within scientific classifications, could be considered to be a part of the animal kingdom, nevertheless within the context in which the question was asked, and for the purposes of this game, we shall give you a NO."

    • @DwayneDeveaux1204
      @DwayneDeveaux1204 9 років тому +1

      JustAFocus Love that response in the context it was given.

  • @rvpstudioscanada3991
    @rvpstudioscanada3991 5 років тому +3

    I can’t believe that 8 year old is now 70. Does anyone know if he is still around?

    • @rrgomes
      @rrgomes  5 років тому +1

      Sadly, he passed away a few years ago.

  • @maudiepoot1
    @maudiepoot1 11 років тому +3

    You do realise that all of these people are long dead.

  • @starrbeatlesqueen
    @starrbeatlesqueen 10 років тому +1

    At the beginning, I was trying to figure out why the panel had blindfolds if Joey was unfamiliar at the time. I finally realized it's because John didn't want the panel to know the mystery guest was a child.

    • @MICHGO1
      @MICHGO1 7 років тому +6

      NO, HE SAID DOROTHY HAD INTERVIEWED HIM. THEY KNEW RIGHT AWAY HE WAS A CHILD.

    • @tugboat2030
      @tugboat2030 5 років тому +3

      It's possible they saw him on the news or a program. Symphony concerts were more often televised on networks than today (which is none).

    • @HunterShows
      @HunterShows 5 років тому +2

      Obviously hearing the first answer reveals he is a child.

  • @squallerrleon
    @squallerrleon 5 років тому

    0:15 just spat out my drink

  • @dennismolfese5847
    @dennismolfese5847 5 років тому +3

    Trump said no one knew Bennett was a surfer 🏄‍♀️

  • @paultheaudaciousbradford6772

    If he played Rock and Roll they’d let him wear pants!

  • @NotSuaveRico
    @NotSuaveRico 4 роки тому +4

    Did the kid ever end up liking Rock and roll?

    • @jasonmcdaniel345
      @jasonmcdaniel345 3 роки тому +3

      I'm curious as well. Rock and roll was in its infancy at that time. He would have been a teenager by the time The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

    • @paultheaudaciousbradford6772
      @paultheaudaciousbradford6772 Рік тому

      Rock and Roll is here to stay.
      It will never die.

  • @opiet8081
    @opiet8081 4 роки тому +1

    Brilliant musician but he's not paying attention to the questions.

  • @artygunnar
    @artygunnar 5 років тому +4

    Now it would be world youngest drug dealer

  • @Yowza78
    @Yowza78 2 роки тому

    Boy, Cerf had an ax to grind about rock and roll! Lots of older, white people dad back then.
    I keep this in mind when I hear folks grumble about rap or punk or Tik Tok or saggy pants or gender neutral pronouns.

  • @MrWmburr7
    @MrWmburr7 4 роки тому +1

    Oh no . . . I just make the "likes" go to 666, the "mark of the Beast". I know someone was bound to do it sooner or later, but why me? Yikes! :-)

  • @KL2010
    @KL2010 6 років тому

    This is why show biz people say 'never work with animals or children'.

  • @22grena
    @22grena 5 років тому

    Joey died in 2015