I think we associate it with a simpler more wholesome time because we were young then. 1967 was in the midst of the Vietnam war and civil rights struggles. Not so simple or wholesome
I didn't know. This is so saId, It has been almost a year since he died. I wonder whether his remains were buried with his parents. His mother, Arlene Francis, died in her 90s.
It's easy to see how disappointed Jonathan Cerf is when Mr. Cerf says, "I'm afraid I'll have to disqualify myself." The boy just shakes his head sadly. He was planning to have some fun fooling his father.
I love the bantering between John & Bennett. If you didn't know you'd think they didn't care for each other. But it also appears they had the greatest respect for one another.
I agree. If they hated each other, they wouldn't give the time of day or attention to the other person. It is wonderful to see the mutual respect that is evident to those who can pick up the subtle energies. It's pure brotherly love, and I love it!
@@donaldstanfield8862 Not so sure a mutual admiration society exists between Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence, though. There was evidently a clash over Lawrence having continued her role of "Thelma Harper" from Burnett's "The Family" sketches after Burnett and longtime husband-business partner Joe Hamilton divorced and Hamilton continued as producer of the first-run syndicated 'Mam's Family'. Burnett never reprised her role of "Eunice" after her divorce from Hamilton and once the show was canceled by NBC and went into non-network syndication. I read someplace online that tension exists between Burnett and Lawrence over this matter. But perhaps the situation has since been resolved. Burnett seems to have little sense of humor in reality and has even sued over a parody of her scrubwoman caricature in an episode of the animated 'Family Guy', even though most celebrities' shrug off such parodies as a kind of honor, commonly practiced on such TV series' as 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Simpsons'. Burnett's own long-running sketch-comedy show was famous for its send-ups of classic films. But evidently what is good for the goose is not so for the gander. By contrast, I once saw video of Lawrence amiably chatting up paparazzi while waiting for her luggage at the baggage carousel at LAX airport. Lawrence handled the situation, which may often lead to confrontation, just perfectly, behaving with the cameramen like a normal friendly gal, not relying upon any handlers or entourage to serve as buffers, just getting by with her own good wits. I doubt Burnett would ever have even allowed herself to be in such a situation.
Sadly, Bobby Morse died on April 20, 2022 at age 90. In my youth, I loved him for his comedy and musical-comedy work, particularly as Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Modern audiences best know him as the quirky head of the Sterling Cooper ad agency on "Mad Men."
David Thomas And the question he asked ... useful general information for every other panelist, rather than an “I know you personally, wink, wink” statement ... very classy indeed.
There is someone on here who says Bennett was always told who the MG was and played anyway. He is wrong. The only two occasions where it happened, he disqualified himself, very unhappily.
@@preppysocks209 The other time was when his wife blurted out to him that Frank Sinatra was going to appear as an MG. So good to know that it wasn't true he knew who the MG was but played anyway pretending he didn't.
In 1963 she played Arlene's daughter, with James Cagney, in 'One, Two, Three'. That's probably why she got the panel gig, certainly not for her intellect.
I felt so bad when Bennett had to disqualify. I also thought it was cute how Bennett gave his son a little arm punch when he greeted him. I love watching how the panelists greet their family members when they appear as mystery guests.
What a wonderful episode! The nostalgia these WMLs satisfy, seeing the celebs of those great times really enjoying what they are doing and enjoying each other! Put Arlene Francis and Robert Morse in the same room, you instantly have warmth and charm and love for and from everyone around them. Two of the most adorable personalities of the era, and long after. And of course Mr. Morse was and still is one of the most talented actors in American theatre history, from The Matchmaker (on stage and screen), through How to …(ditto), with a long very bumpy period until he won his Best Actor in a Play Tony for Tru. A man who has amused and endeared himself to millions.
Sorry, Cerf was annoying, pretentious, and control-hungry and often ruined the game by guessing the celebrity too quickly. Re: who 'informed' Cerf that his son would be on, the implication is that it was Jonathon himself or else his peer Peter Gabel, as a joke. Cerf's 'genuine' disappointment -- another one.
Goodbye Robert, thanks for allowing me to be a Facebook friend. Was disappointed to find you have passed but I will keep saying a prayer for you as repayment for the fun you brought to the world. RIP
For all those who claim that the show is rigged, why would Bennett have disqualified himself once again (like he did on the Frank Sinatra episode). On a rigged show, he could have simply played along (the way Mark Goodson did on the Sinatra episode, the only instance when something really was rigged and it was immediately fessed up to).
+Johan Bengtsson We saw Bobby as Cap'n Andy in 'Showboat' in Toronto back in the 80s. He was, as always, delightful and after the show, came down front to thank the audience. A long queue formed to meet him. Rather than the usual perfunctory nod and handshake, he greeted each admirer warmly and took in their compliments as though hearing them for the first time as tears of joy ran down his face. I've never seen any other performer do anything like that and have no idea how long he stayed because we had to leave for a dinner reservation.
This is an actor I hadn't seen in a long time, good thing about these videos it brings back memories. Sad to only find out about his death. Robert Morse Born: May 18, 1931, Newton, Massachusetts, United States Died: April 20, 2022, Los Angeles, California, United States
For me, WML is an opportunity see celebrities of the past. I say "see" because in their effort to disguise themselves, they try to be very different from who they normally are so we really don't get to know them better. Bobby's appearance here is a notable exception. He adopted a funny voice but clearly wanted to engage and "help" the panel which led to one of the most amusing games I've seen.
I just found Peter Gabel’s UA-cam channel. Quite a shock to go from seeing him here to seeing him in his 70s! I have no idea why I expected him to currently be in his early 50s other than wishful thinking 💭
I wish someone had warned me not to google to see what Peter Gabel wound up looking like. I could perceive great intelligence in both Arlene and Martin, but not the slightest hint of insanity.
Suzanne Cott (born Suzanne Oksman in 1934 - died 14 March 2021), who, in the 1950s and 1960s, appeared on television shows such as What's My Line as Sue Oakland, and for many years afterward, was Director of Editorials for WCBS-TV in New York. She had three stepsons, Patrick Cott, James Cott, and Thomas Cott.
Very much so -- Peter looked liked like his father. Even in his 1964 appearance at 17, he reminded me a lot of his father, especially around the Pear-shaped tones.
I just finished watching the I've Got a Secret with Jonathan Cerf, Peter Gabel and Kerry Kommel... there were all little boys, and Kerry was so cute sitting on Gary's lap
I love Robert Morse in that movie but the competition for Best Actor was loaded that year: Rod Steiger (In the Heat of the Night), Warren Beatty (Bonnie and Clyde), Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate), Paul Newman (Cool Hand Luke) and Spencer Tracy (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) - posthumously. Other than Tracey (who was going to get nominated because of his health and everybody in Hollywood loved him), who would you have removed from the list for Morse (and I don't think anyone was going to beat Steiger - or an even bigger injustice - not nominating Sidney Poitier)
@@jamesrawlins735 - Excellent point....every one of those films has achieved classic status, but of the nominees, only Poitier was lead actor in two classics from 1967, and he ended up being the only one not nominated - how's that possible? I believe Rex Harrison was in 'Doctor Dolittle' in 1967 as well. This list of movies makes you wonder how the rest of 1967's movies compared with those from 1939, which is always sited as Hollywood's best year.
@@waldolydecker8118 You also had Ulysses, In Cold Blood, Wait Until Dark, Belle de Jour, Two for the Road, and my favorite lesser known film, Point Blank - and my favorite popcorn movie, Dirty Dozen.
Robert Morse truly enjoyed appearing on WML more than any other guest I can recall. He obviously had a lot of fun here. Seems like a fine person & personality.
What a fun episode! I thought was very neat that Arlene&Mr. Gable’s son and Bennett’s son were in school and in the same activity together. That anonymous writer ruined the surprise for Bennett. What a shame. When this episode was aired, I was in 7th grade and age 13. I do not remember our family watching this show Sunday evenings. We watched “The Wonderful World Of Disney” every Sunday night.
She was a pretty bad panelist, but I have to feel sorry for her being stuck in that first "Mystery Guest" segment that was geared towards Arlene, Martin and Bennett, with no possible way for her to have any clue who Jonathan and Peter were.
Other than "How to Succeed in Business," his other films I saw sucked. How he got stuck in that kind of garbage, I could never fathom. That was so disappointing, and the plays aren't available to see again. He was my Idol-I've been in love with him and his gape-tooth smile since I first saw him in "How to Succeed..."
You need to watch How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - Morse is amazing. That said, Morse was much better as a theater actor than in the movies.
Great show! When "Mad Men" debuted some years back, and I saw that Robert Morse was in the cast, I wondered which part he was cast in. I watched and waited. Pretty soon the end credits came up. Did I blink and miss him? I hadn't seen him in anything in years, but I thought that surely I'd recognize his famous face. Boy was I shocked when I discovered that the fat old man with the beard, who looked like Col. Sanders and made everyone take their shoes off upon entering his sanctum sanctorum was Bobby Morse! I know that I don't look the same at 59 as I did when I was in my 20's. But WOW! Anyway, once the initial shock wore off, I really enjoyed his performances in all the later episodes. His disguised voice during the mystery guest spot sounded somewhat similar to the one he used for "Bert". What a talented guy he is!
Bobbie Morse! Personally friends with every single panelist and everyone in New York.. And a spectacular actor - check him out later in life doing a one man show of Truman Capote it is completely on UA-cam and it is called 'Tru'.
Yes. Robert Morse was brilliant in his one-man show 'TRU', first on stage in 1989 and then on PBS' 'American Playhouse', preceding Phillip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote in the biopic by over a decade. And Morse won Tony and Emmy Awards for each of those performances. I like to watch 'TRU' at Christmastime, because of the setting of the play and that it includes The Supremes' rendition of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'My Favorite Things" (originally from 'The Sound of Music') from the 'A Motown Christmas' album. Morse was born in Newton, MA, next to my hometown of Waltham. I also recall Morse having been good friends with the late Senator Robert Kennedy, another youthful "Bobby" from that time period of the late 1960s. I remember a photo spread from 'LOOK' magazine in that era showing Morse, Kennedy, comedian Tommy Smothers, then-Los Angeles Rams tackle (and later actor) Rosey Grier, singer Andy Williams and actress Lauren Bacall, all among RFK's celebrity supporters, playing a game of "Charades" at Kennedy's Hickory Hill mansion in McLean, VA. Bobby Morse was also a panelist on 'What's My Line?' on both the original CBS (1950-67) and syndicated (1968-75) versions, as well a Mystery Guest again on the syndicated version. I think he also appeared as a panelist on 'To Tell the Truth'. For sure Morse was a good Broadway friend of the Goodson-Todman game show family. I also watched Morse in the short-lived, ABC musical-comedy TV series 'That's Life' back in 1968-68, which co-starred E.J. Peaker. Good times and a great guy. I was saddened to read of Morse's death last year. I have yet to see his role in 'Mad Men'. But at least those will give me some more stellar Robert Morse performances to which I may look forward to watching.
EJ Peaker ... a name I haven't seen or heard in a long time. Cute. Got a lot of work, especially on "Love American Style" but never made it big. Looked somewhat like a cross between Barbara Eden and Lois Nettleton.
Yes, I recall having watched 'That's Life' in ABC with Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker circa 1968. That was a little television oddity compared with other sketch-comedy shows, in that more of the show was a musical, including with dancing, than only sketches with music.' Although 'The Danny Kaye Show' also broached similar territory and was far better than the average sketch-comedy series. I think my earliest viewing of comedian Rodney Dangerfield was also in 'That's Life'. The show should have lasted longer than its single season, given the talent involved and its more unique production style.
When I look at Martin Gabel seated at the panel desk, asking questions, I can't help but think of his first scene in the outstanding 1952 20th Century-Fox film DEADLINE: U.S.A., when his character, gangster Tomas Rienzi, is answering questions at a Kefauver Committe-like hearing, rather than asking them.
Robert Morse was one of the few Broadway actors who got to repeat his success on film. To most of the American public, Mr. Morse was unknown, but the movie ("How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying") was a smash hit (as was the musical).
Far better in that than in The Loved One, where he was miscast as an Englishman and overplayed. His success in How To Succeed was an example of a one-off; a Broadway stalwart may not normally be a marketable movie actor, but can win through in the perfect part. Robert Preston in The Music Man is a famous case. Some stage favorites never did it, e.g. Tommy Tune, Sutton Foster, Harve Presnell and Mary Martin. Fanny Brice and Ethel Merman rarely clicked on film. Stage stars can be too 'big' for the screen. They project too much and cannot dial it down when facing a lens instead of a packed house.
@piustwelfth But Jack Warner didn't want to cast Preston in Music Man. He didn't consider him an A-lister. One of the actors Warner wanted to cast as Harold Hill said not only would he refuse the role, but if Jack Warner didn't cast Robert Preston he would refuse to see the picture.
Pamela Tiffin co-starred with Arlene in the movie "One Two Three". She later was in the same cast with Arlene in the Broadway revival of "Dinner At Eight".
I don't think by the looks of your profile picture, you were old enough to know much about the women of that time. My father is in his 60s and even he wouldn't really know, because he was either just born or a young child. He would know more about the hippy chics and bee hive haired "working women".
@@audreymai2773 I'm in my 60s, I've seen most episodes of this program, I paid attention during that epoch, and I know. Elegant could apply just as easily to Bennett Cerf as Arlene Francis. America was a happier place because everyone had a good job, the CEO's salary a small multiple of the laborer. Entertainment came from moguls with taste, not social media. Pamela Tiffin, here the replacement for the late, self-possessed Dorothy Kilgallen, gave up modeling because she did not want "to sell herself," and then acting too. Cerf had everyone from Faulkner to Capote under contract. But even he would admit that Arlene and Dorothy, elegant in their evening dresses, asked the most trenchant questions.
Central Park Zoo is not a bad name for a Sixties rock band. Also, I have seldom seen a mystery guest enjoying their time on the show like Mr.Morse. He really didn’t want to leave the stage.
I hope that whomever reads my comment here takes a moment to read it in its entirety. To be honest, I recognize the danger in writing long comments, and I usually think long comments are a waste of time, but I do have a few relative points to make, and I honestly think they will be worth your time, if you would be so kind as to read this to the end. First of all I am thankful of the opportunity to see these great episodes of WML on UA-cam, so...a heart felt thank you for that to the Whats My Line? poster. I was moved to comment by the claim by many here that Pamela Tiffin was a nobody, or 'merely' a pretty face, or was one of the worst panelists of all time on WML. I am a fan of classic movies and television, and I can tell you that she was very well known by the general public at the time of this appearance. Aside from the theater, she acted in a number of popular films prior to this appearance on WML. My personal favorite of hers is "State Fair" in which she was excellent, aside from, yes, being very attractive. In regards to her not being up to the performance of past guest panelists on WML, this is part of one problem that we have as humans (yes me too), as we tend to be more judgmental of others than ourselves. We need, in life, to try to be more understanding of other people. In this particular case, for all we know, she had some horrible personal experience earlier that day, such as finding out a loved one had a stroke or somesuch, and was greatly distracted, but yet felt contractually obligated to still appear and do her best. Even if it were, as some claim, that she was not 'witty' enough to be on the panel. Big deal. So what. The idea of this show is not to be witty and intelligent, per se, the purpose first and foremost was to entertain. The wittiness that came out was a side effect. The main purpose was not to figure out the "line" of the guest by being clever - the main purpose was to entertain the audience. I happen to LOVE watching these WML programs simply because they so often make me laugh, and just plain have a good time. However, at times, the comments for WML on UA-cam are so critical of clothing, or hair, or critical of comments by the panelists, or how much they hate Wally Cox (fill in X panelist name here), or whatever else we feel like putting down in whatever particular segment. For gosh sakes, it is only game show, and meant to be entertaining. It is not meant as a target for us to throw serious petty attacks at our fellow human beings. The things that we should be critical of in this world are when people get hurt by others actions, like wars or starvation or oppression or wife beating, etcetera. That is what we should attack. We should save our vitriol for those who hurt others. Imagine for a moment that you yourself were a panelist on this show. Could you imagine yourself forgetting what to do for a moment, or forgetting what to do next, or saying something 'stupid', or wearing something or having your hair in some fashion that others would criticize or make fun of? How would those critical comments make you feel? I would be lacking if I did not end these words by saying that overall, I do commend you people who take the time to write comments on these WML shows, because you guys do show much more general respect and consideration than the vast majority of UA-cam commentators on other types of videos who often devolve into political or personal mudslinging, or outright vulgarity and personal attacks on each other. I love it when people here say things to the effect of how respectful and loving they were of each other on WML and wish it were that way in the world today, as I totally agree. To me, part of what I love of WML, aside from the laughter, is the sort of family atmosphere by the panel and host, and part of that is the introductions of each other, and the saying of goodnight, and the gentle ribbing they give each other at times. I agree that we seem to be devolving socially in the past few decades, which is too bad, because in the end, we are ALL brothers...or sisters...in the greater family of man. We should be evolving closer socially, not further apart. We need more of the ability to put ourselves in others shoes and to be more understanding of others humanity, mistakes, and needs (as long as we are not hurting others...but just being the schmucks that we all are and trying to get by the best we can), and in that way we will truly have a kinder, gentler, more peaceful world. I do want to thank once more the What's My Line? poster of these videos, as I love them dearly as they bring us into their tv family, as it were, after you start watching more than just a few episodes. And, I want to thank all who comment here for your general civility, and I hope you take my honest critical feedback in the spirit in which it was written, which was to hold up a mirror to help you to perhaps see things in some small way in a somewhat brighter light.
Gene J I pretty much agree with what you are saying. Many commenters appear to be teenagers who just want to fuss about something or be crude. As for evolving socially, that takes eons and seemed to be on the right track until 10 or 15 years ago when public rhetoric went crazy and mean. We are going backward rapidly. When public figures can encourage violence against other public figures and be cheered for it, when most tv humor has been reduced to mean and snarky comments, when opponent’s young innocent children are drawn through the mud, when haters accuse non-haters of hating, when the accusation of Racist and NAZI is slung at everyone with a differing view, then, yes indeed, we have gone back societally several hundred years. My (older) generation was taught manners and decorum in school and at home. It saddens me to see the world my well-mannered and respectful grandchildren live in now. I hope there are enough of us left to help turn the tide of self-centered nastiness around. God bless you, and merry Christmas.
Arlene must be very proud to have such a good son. This was way before my time but I always enjoy these shows cause I love how American people was so proper and well manner then.
Of the guest panelists through March 1967, the ones still living in 2020 are Woody Allen, Paul Anka, Joanna Barnes, Harry Belafonte, Jeannie Carson, Dick Cavett, Joan Collins, Anne Douglas, Jane Fonda, Anita Gillette, George Hamilton, Jack Jones, Aliza Kashi, Steve Lawrence, Pia Lindstrom, Sue Oakland, Mort Sahl, William Shatner, Marlo Thomas, Pamela Tiffin, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White.
Robert Morse was best known for starring with Michele Lee and Rudy Vallee in the film version of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". He also appeared on the Syndicated era of WML.
He was also very well known for his role in the original *Broadway* production of "How To Succeed...," for which he won a Tony, and which I believe he was starring in during his previous appearance on WML. I'm sure it was the film version of this show that they were all talking about when they complimented Mr. Morse on how great he was in his recent film. His other 1967 film was: "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad," also a film adaptation of a stage play, which I somehow doubt received similar acclaim. I do remember our WML panelists talking about that show when it was on Broadway too, though. I think maybe one of the guest panelists was in it or something...?
It had to be "How To Succeed....." It had just opened three days before this episode, on Thursday, 9 March 1967. "Oh Dad....." (in which he co-starred with Rosalind Russell, Barbara Harris, and Hugh Griffith) had opened a month earlier, on 15 February 1967. His stage debut was in "On The Town," in 1949. His TV debut was in 1954, as part of the original cast of "The Secret Storm" (he played Jerry Ames). His movie debut was in an uncredited bit part in THE PROUD AND PROFANE, in 1956; his first movie credit would come in 1958, as Barnaby Tucker in THE MATCHMAKER.
Shirley Booth was a Mystery Guest 3 times on WML? Others in the cast of THE MATCHMAKER (besides her and Robert Morse) who appeared on WML? are Paul Ford, who played Horace Vandergelder (and was a two-time Mystery Guest on WML?) and Anthony Perkins, who played Cornelius Hackl (several times as Mystery Guest, several times as panelist on WML?).
Pamela Tiffin was married to Clay Felker, one of the most influential magazine publishers in NYC at the time. Case closed as to why she would be asked on the show as a guest panelist instead of many other attractive starlets of the day.
Yep - Felker was great friends with Cerf. I'm also guessing that she was friends with Arlene Francis (and Martin Gabel) because she had starred with Arlene in DInner at Eight (or one of the play's producers pushed Arlene and Martin into it).Ironically shortly after this show she left the US for Italy to revive her film career
I was surprised that WML used the Mystery Guest method of questioning for the first segment. Jonathan & Peter were known to three of the panelists, but they weren't celebrities at this time. When the panelists were blindfolded because they might recognize something that would give away the line or the identity but the challenger wasn't considered a celebrity, WML usually used the normal method of questioning. Could Arlene & Martin have been thrown off in part because they were looking for someone with a greater celebrity status?
Oh man Ms Tiffin was awkward. I wonder if they tried to make her feel comfortable before hand? Just nervous energy. The boys are so cute, and Robert Morse is a trip!
RIP Dorothy Killgallen. Now I realize why she’s not on the show in this video. Unbelievable. She was a CLASS act and a great questioner. They are all so graceful.
I thought this might been pre-'65. It isn't (the airdate was 12 March, ' 67), and the film they're talking about (20:20) is How to Succeed (I thought it might've been The Loved One, which I love. '... Succeed' is very good, as well)
Arlene Francis and Pamela Tiffin had worked together on "One, Two, Three." One would think Arlene would have been consulted about the idea of her appearing as a guest panelist.
+Joe Postove W/o doubt it would have been bleeped. This was at a time when women in polite society were "shocked & insulted" if the words "Hell" or "damn" were used as expletives in their presence. And these words were removed. Tiffin's use of the word "God" here was considered "using God's name in vain." 1967 was only the 2nd year of real hippie incursion, which, of course, came to change things.
If indeed Bennett got a letter, then my $1.14 a pound theory is this: one of the guys told a fraternity brother in confidence about what was about to happen on Sunday night, and the little ba. . . . well -- I didn't quite say it . . . decided to spoil everyone's fun. [Was it Shaw who said you can't expect a boy to be truly vicious until he has gone to a good school?} Again, facts would be useful.
Certainly no one will confuse Pamela Tiffin with a Mensa member after her performance on this program. The worst is that she has no clue what she is to do after she is introduced. Other than that, with all the mentions of how bad she was in comments on previous episodes, I have to say that I didn't find her to be as terrible as advertised. I'd rather have her on the panel than Wally Cox or Victor Borge. She was better than Frank Sinatra as a panelist. At least she was facile in the English language and understood American terms, unlike Aliza Kashi (who really was a relative unknown, whereas Miss Tiffin was certainly not having co-starred with Arlene Francis, James Cagney, Paul Newman, Robert Wagner, Lois Nettleton, and other luminaries in the show biz world). And I know there were others on the panel who were truly lost up there, whose appearances have mercifully been hidden from memory. In the bottom 20% of guest panelists, certainly, but not in the bottom 5.
I like to watch the challengers and then google them to learn about their lives. And the panelists too for that matter. Mr. Robert Morse is one of the few who appeared on the show who is still with us here in 2020. He reminds me a bit of Jim Carrey.
In the category of questions that probably cannot be answered, was the letter writer truly anonymous or was Bennett either: a) not revealing the name of the guilty party to spare that person of embarrassment, especially so soon after the accidental revealing of Frank Sinatra as the MG by Phyllis Cerf? b) did he accidentally come upon a letter that Jonathan had written to his mother to let her know?
Poor Pammy was definitely out of her element. Not entirely her fault - it was definitely an insider's night. Would have been better to have a "regular" like Jayne or one of the others. Someone else mentioned her performance in The Fugitive. I also enjoyed her in One Two Three (She's a really good comedianne!!) and State Fair. Panel shows - not her thing. I don't mind that she had to be reminded of the rules. It must have been an uncomfortable 30 minutes for her from the get go.
Some other "well worth the view" movies of hers are: Summer and Smoke Come Fly With Me For Those Who Think Young The Lively Set The Pleasure Seekers The Hallelujah Trail Oggi, domani, dopodomani Harper Viva Max
Her NY Times obit story last week was complimentary. Many like director Billy Wilder thought highly of her. She admitted she worked "slowly," too slow for television as she surmised during"The Fugitive."
Congratulations Pamela Tiffin on the most unremarkable, uninformative, and lobotomized introduction of Bennett Cerf, in the history of recorded television
Ms. Tiffin died last week. Her lengthy NY Times obit stated that she gave up modeling so as to not "sell herself." And then acting too. She had self-knowledge, but admitted she worked very slowly. Perhaps she was ill-suited for this gig. But she was not dumb. Director Billy Wilder thought highly of her. So did many others, particularly in Italy.
How unkind some people are. Miss Tiffin was clearly very nervous and out of her depth. I felt sorry for her, surrounded by 4 of the wittiest, most intelligent people on TV at the time.
I am wondering whether the "anonymous letter" has been discussed in the WML Facebook group since at least one of the people associated with this incident is part of that group. Now that I have FINALLY broken down, joined FB and sent a request to become a member of that group (AHEM), maybe I'll find that out soon. :-)
Some observations on this one: - I wonder who spoiled the first segment for Bennett? What could this person have been thinking, telling Bennett that Peter and Jonathan were going to be on the show that week? I could sort of understand someone blurting it out in conversation without thinking, but in a written letter??? - Other than Pamela Tiffin having been in "One Two Three" with Arlene, I've never heard of her. What was going on in her mind while she stared silently at the camera during the introductions? She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Also, who was her husband, and where had Bennett appeared with him? Poor choice of guest panelist. Being pretty should not have been sufficient reason to be invited on the panel. - There's a rare instance of a conference being called during the second segment. At this stage in the show's run, there were hardly ever conferences called for, I suppose because it was usually Dorothy that requested them.
What's My Line? Wikipedia says that Pamela Tiffin was married to Clay Felker (1962-1969), and is currently married to Edmondo Danon (1974-present). Edmondo is son of Italian movie producer Marcello Danon (don't forget that Pamela also had a career in Italian movies of the sexplotation genre).
Joe Postove Clay Felker is better known as founding editor of New York Magazine. Oh, yes- I live in Brookline and grew up in Newton, so I know exactly what and where John and Bobby were talking about!
![What's My Line? - Carol Burnett; Buddy Hackett [panel] (Feb 16, 1964)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jm43KfECBDk/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Carol Burnett; Buddy Hackett [panel] (Feb 16, 1964)](/img/tr.png)
For some reason, it is so comforting to watch these shows. Maybe it is the association to a simpler and relatively more wholesome era.
I think we associate it with a simpler more wholesome time because we were young then. 1967 was in the midst of the Vietnam war and civil rights struggles. Not so simple or wholesome
Overall; I find this a form/permutation of Asmr. 🫶
That is very true…. Back to a better, more comfortable time.
Rest In Peace, Peter Gabel. You are now together again eternally with your wonderful parents, Arlene and Martin!
I just learned about Peter’s passing. I read he had a heart attack. Didn’t Martin have a heart attack too?
@Brian Williams wikipedia says amyloidosis which can affect different organs. The obit I saw also mentioned Covid. So sad.
I didn't know. This is so saId, It has been almost a year since he died. I wonder whether his remains were buried with his parents. His mother, Arlene Francis, died in her 90s.
Awful disease. His Parents were spared that experience.
I can't wait for the day I get to meet all three of them
It's easy to see how disappointed Jonathan Cerf is when Mr. Cerf says, "I'm afraid I'll have to disqualify myself." The boy just shakes his head sadly. He was planning to have some fun fooling his father.
I love the bantering between John & Bennett. If you didn't know you'd think they didn't care for each other. But it also appears they had the greatest respect for one another.
I agree. If they hated each other, they wouldn't give the time of day or attention to the other person. It is wonderful to see the mutual respect that is evident to those who can pick up the subtle energies. It's pure brotherly love, and I love it!
It was great seeing the panel as friends over the years, the cast of Carol Burnett's show was similar in that respect.
@@donaldstanfield8862 Not so sure a mutual admiration society exists between Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence, though. There was evidently a clash over Lawrence having continued her role of "Thelma Harper" from Burnett's "The Family" sketches after Burnett and longtime husband-business partner Joe Hamilton divorced and Hamilton continued as producer of the first-run syndicated 'Mam's Family'.
Burnett never reprised her role of "Eunice" after her divorce from Hamilton and once the show was canceled by NBC and went into non-network syndication. I read someplace online that tension exists between Burnett and Lawrence over this matter. But perhaps the situation has since been resolved.
Burnett seems to have little sense of humor in reality and has even sued over a parody of her scrubwoman caricature in an episode of the animated 'Family Guy', even though most celebrities' shrug off such parodies as a kind of honor, commonly practiced on such TV series' as 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Simpsons'. Burnett's own long-running sketch-comedy show was famous for its send-ups of classic films. But evidently what is good for the goose is not so for the gander.
By contrast, I once saw video of Lawrence amiably chatting up paparazzi while waiting for her luggage at the baggage carousel at LAX airport. Lawrence handled the situation, which may often lead to confrontation, just perfectly, behaving with the cameramen like a normal friendly gal, not relying upon any handlers or entourage to serve as buffers, just getting by with her own good wits. I doubt Burnett would ever have even allowed herself to be in such a situation.
Sadly, Bobby Morse died on April 20, 2022 at age 90. In my youth, I loved him for his comedy and musical-comedy work, particularly as Pierpont Finch in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Modern audiences best know him as the quirky head of the Sterling Cooper ad agency on "Mad Men."
One of my favorite films, and I usually don't care for musicals.
Mr. Bennet Cerf was certainly very honorable with disqualifying himself. It shows true honesty and integrity on his part.
David Thomas And the question he asked ... useful general information for every other panelist, rather than an “I know you personally, wink, wink” statement ... very classy indeed.
There is someone on here who says Bennett was always told who the MG was and played anyway. He is wrong. The only two occasions where it happened, he disqualified himself, very unhappily.
@@preppysocks209 I agree.
@@preppysocks209 The other time was when his wife blurted out to him that Frank Sinatra was going to appear as an MG. So good to know that it wasn't true he knew who the MG was but played anyway pretending he didn't.
Yea it did, but they always did that
R.I.P. Pamela Tiffin (died December 2, 2020 at age 78), so memorable in such films as State Fair, Come Fly with Me and Harper.
In 1963 she played Arlene's daughter, with James Cagney, in 'One, Two, Three'. That's probably why she got the panel gig, certainly not for her intellect.
I felt so bad when Bennett had to disqualify. I also thought it was cute how Bennett gave his son a little arm punch when he greeted him. I love watching how the panelists greet their family members when they appear as mystery guests.
What a wonderful episode! The nostalgia these WMLs satisfy, seeing the celebs of those great times really enjoying what they are doing and enjoying each other! Put Arlene Francis and Robert Morse in the same room, you instantly have warmth and charm and love for and from everyone around them. Two of the most adorable personalities of the era, and long after. And of course Mr. Morse was and still is one of the most talented actors in American theatre history, from The Matchmaker (on stage and screen), through How to …(ditto), with a long very bumpy period until he won his Best Actor in a Play Tony for Tru. A man who has amused and endeared himself to millions.
Really enjoyed all the interaction between John & Robert. It reminded me of my college days or just life in general before smartphones.
Bennett Cerf was my absolute favorite. He appeared genuinely hurt that he didn’t get to take part in his son’s segment and that made me sad for him.
What an SOB to ruin the game for him and for everyone.
I don't know about that and I think Cerf was annoying sometimes...
No big deal really
Sorry, Cerf was annoying, pretentious, and control-hungry and often ruined the game by guessing the celebrity too quickly. Re: who 'informed' Cerf that his son would be on, the implication is that it was Jonathon himself or else his peer Peter Gabel, as a joke. Cerf's 'genuine' disappointment -- another one.
His son told him he was going to be on the show I think he shouldn't have told his fatherc
Goodbye Robert, thanks for allowing me to be a Facebook friend. Was disappointed to find you have passed but I will keep saying a prayer for you as repayment for the fun you brought to the world. RIP
Robert Morse is one of the greats. Super talented to this day.
He and Pamela Tiffin are gone now. Hard to find an episode of WML any longer with any living participants
I just heard that Mr. Morse passed away recently, he was 90 years old. He was absolutely delightful in this episode of WML? Rest in Peace Mr. Morse🌹
For all those who claim that the show is rigged, why would Bennett have disqualified himself once again (like he did on the Frank Sinatra episode). On a rigged show, he could have simply played along (the way Mark Goodson did on the Sinatra episode, the only instance when something really was rigged and it was immediately fessed up to).
Robert Morse was an excellent MG, witty and relaxed. He enjoyed his appearance so much he almost didn't want to leave. :)
+Johan Bengtsson
We saw Bobby as Cap'n Andy in 'Showboat' in Toronto back in the 80s. He was, as always, delightful and after the show, came down front to thank the audience. A long queue formed to meet him. Rather than the usual perfunctory nod and handshake, he greeted each admirer warmly and took in their compliments as though hearing them for the first time as tears of joy ran down his face. I've never seen any other performer do anything like that and have no idea how long he stayed because we had to leave for a dinner reservation.
+YouzTube99 He must be the perfect example of a genuine star who enjoys performing and really cares for his audiences.
There is something so adorable about the young Robert Morse!
He would also be a mystery guest six years later in 1973 on the syndicated version.
Robert morse is so adorable he loved his mystery guest segment so much he gave himself away !!!
This is an actor I hadn't seen in a long time, good thing about these videos it brings back memories. Sad to only find out about his death.
Robert Morse
Born: May 18, 1931, Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Died: April 20, 2022, Los Angeles, California, United States
Some of Robert Morse's facial expressions are like Jim Carrey.
Many thanks for these wonderful episodes of WML.
For me, WML is an opportunity see celebrities of the past. I say "see" because in their effort to disguise themselves, they try to be very different from who they normally are so we really don't get to know them better.
Bobby's appearance here is a notable exception. He adopted a funny voice but clearly wanted to engage and "help" the panel which led to one of the most amusing games I've seen.
I just found Peter Gabel’s UA-cam channel. Quite a shock to go from seeing him here to seeing him in his 70s! I have no idea why I expected him to currently be in his early 50s other than wishful thinking 💭
I wish someone had warned me not to google to see what Peter Gabel wound up looking like. I could perceive great intelligence in both Arlene and Martin, but not the slightest hint of insanity.
Bennett could have faked it but his honesty helped support the wonderful credibility and integrity of this fabulous game show.
Peter Gabel = One of the best WML Mystery Guests of all time.
Robert Morse was a fantastic actor and Terrific Entertainer!!!!!
Enjoyed Robert In How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying - he was excellent In that role - also really good In Guide For the Married Man
Morse had that incredibly mischievous look.
many years ago ran into Mr. Morse on the beach in Tel Aviv . He was very nice and we spoke for awhile .
Met him too. At the Studio City, California Post Office about 15 yrs ago. Charming, pleasant & oh so talented!
Suzanne Cott (born Suzanne Oksman in 1934 - died 14 March 2021), who, in the 1950s and 1960s, appeared on television shows such as What's My Line as Sue Oakland, and for many years afterward, was Director of Editorials for WCBS-TV in New York. She had three stepsons, Patrick Cott, James Cott, and Thomas Cott.
Thanks for posting this. Sue Oakland is my favorite of the Post-Dorothy guest panelists. She was extremely smart and also very beautiful. RIP Sue!
Back when there was class in the entertainment world
I think Bennett's integrity was being tested in order to see if he would be honest enough to disqualify himself or not. He did the right thing.
At c 20, Jonathan and Peter are still both fairly adorable. And what fun to work on the Lampoon.
Very much so -- Peter looked liked like his father. Even in his 1964 appearance at 17, he reminded me a lot of his father, especially around the Pear-shaped tones.
+OutdoorFamilyLife New And what's wrong with that? Women call other women adorable and that doesn't make them lesbians.
Jonathan's older brother Christopher worked for a while as an editor on the National Lampoon.
I love the 'family' guests
I just finished watching the I've Got a Secret with Jonathan Cerf, Peter Gabel and Kerry Kommel... there were all little boys, and Kerry was so cute sitting on Gary's lap
Robert Morse should have won an Oscar for How To Succeed. What a great play and movie...
I love Robert Morse in that movie but the competition for Best Actor was loaded that year: Rod Steiger (In the Heat of the Night), Warren Beatty (Bonnie and Clyde), Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate), Paul Newman (Cool Hand Luke) and Spencer Tracy (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) - posthumously. Other than Tracey (who was going to get nominated because of his health and everybody in Hollywood loved him), who would you have removed from the list for Morse (and I don't think anyone was going to beat Steiger - or an even bigger injustice - not nominating Sidney Poitier)
@@jamesrawlins735 - Excellent point....every one of those films has achieved classic status, but of the nominees, only Poitier was lead actor in two classics from 1967, and he ended up being the only one not nominated - how's that possible? I believe Rex Harrison was in 'Doctor Dolittle' in 1967 as well. This list of movies makes you wonder how the rest of 1967's movies compared with those from 1939, which is always sited as Hollywood's best year.
@@waldolydecker8118 You also had Ulysses, In Cold Blood, Wait Until Dark, Belle de Jour, Two for the Road, and my favorite lesser known film, Point Blank - and my favorite popcorn movie, Dirty Dozen.
Mr.Morse hope your well. Thks for the SMILES!
Young Robert Morse answers that he has sung at times. And I am thinking of that beautiful 'last scene' of a singing Old Robert Morse in Mad Men.
Ohhh Peter Gabel inherited Arlene's looks! 💟
you swine!
Robert Morse truly enjoyed appearing on WML more than any other guest I can recall. He obviously had a lot of fun here. Seems like a fine person & personality.
Robert Morse, wish we could have seen more of him. Very talented and very likable.
He really enjoyed hamming it up in this episode!
What a fun episode! I thought was very neat that Arlene&Mr. Gable’s son and Bennett’s son were in school and in the same activity together. That anonymous writer ruined the surprise for Bennett. What a shame.
When this episode was aired, I was in 7th grade and age 13. I do not remember our family watching this show Sunday evenings. We watched “The Wonderful World Of Disney” every Sunday night.
WML aired at 10:30 Sunday nights eastern/9:30 central
Pamela Tiffin. Well. What planet was she on, and how close is it to Earth? She seems to be functioning from another time zone.
She was a pretty bad panelist, but I have to feel sorry for her being stuck in that first "Mystery Guest" segment that was geared towards Arlene, Martin and Bennett, with no possible way for her to have any clue who Jonathan and Peter were.
good point. Like being in a room of inside jokes.
+soulierinvestments Valley of the Dolls?
She certainly hesitated before introducing Bennett Cerf. Too many martinis, perhaps???
Pamela was the worst panelist ever, hands down.
I love Robert Morse. Wish he had made more films.
Other than "How to Succeed in Business," his other films I saw sucked. How he got stuck in that kind of garbage, I could never fathom. That was so disappointing, and the plays aren't available to see again. He was my Idol-I've been in love with him and his gape-tooth smile since I first saw him in "How to Succeed..."
Bobby Morse was in a memorable episode of Night Gallery with Rudy Valee
How to succeed...the movie. One of my all-time favourite musical comedies with Robert Morse giving a definitive performance.
Wish the camera had stayed so we could have seen Martin's reaction when he saw who the first guests were!
Aw man... I admit I'd never heard of Robert Morse before his brilliant performance in Mad Men. So it's very interesting to see him here.
Gosh Ive had the biggest crush on him for decades. Starting with this young man HERE. Yikes, little boy adorable. Siigghh.
You need to watch How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - Morse is amazing. That said, Morse was much better as a theater actor than in the movies.
Great show!
When "Mad Men" debuted some years back, and I saw that Robert Morse was in the cast, I wondered which part he was cast in. I watched and waited. Pretty soon the end credits came up. Did I blink and miss him? I hadn't seen him in anything in years, but I thought that surely I'd recognize his famous face. Boy was I shocked when I discovered that the fat old man with the beard, who looked like Col. Sanders and made everyone take their shoes off upon entering his sanctum sanctorum was Bobby Morse! I know that I don't look the same at 59 as I did when I was in my 20's. But WOW!
Anyway, once the initial shock wore off, I really enjoyed his performances in all the later episodes.
His disguised voice during the mystery guest spot sounded somewhat similar to the one he used for "Bert". What a talented guy he is!
Morse played Bert Cooper on "Mad Men".
Bobbie Morse! Personally friends with every single panelist and everyone in New York.. And a spectacular actor - check him out later in life doing a one man show of Truman Capote it is completely on UA-cam and it is called 'Tru'.
Yes. Robert Morse was brilliant in his one-man show 'TRU', first on stage in 1989 and then on PBS' 'American Playhouse', preceding Phillip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote in the biopic by over a decade. And Morse won Tony and Emmy Awards for each of those performances.
I like to watch 'TRU' at Christmastime, because of the setting of the play and that it includes The Supremes' rendition of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'My Favorite Things" (originally from 'The Sound of Music') from the 'A Motown Christmas' album.
Morse was born in Newton, MA, next to my hometown of Waltham. I also recall Morse having been good friends with the late Senator Robert Kennedy, another youthful "Bobby" from that time period of the late 1960s. I remember a photo spread from 'LOOK' magazine in that era showing Morse, Kennedy, comedian Tommy Smothers, then-Los Angeles Rams tackle (and later actor) Rosey Grier, singer Andy Williams and actress Lauren Bacall, all among RFK's celebrity supporters, playing a game of "Charades" at Kennedy's Hickory Hill mansion in McLean, VA.
Bobby Morse was also a panelist on 'What's My Line?' on both the original CBS (1950-67) and syndicated (1968-75) versions, as well a Mystery Guest again on the syndicated version. I think he also appeared as a panelist on 'To Tell the Truth'. For sure Morse was a good Broadway friend of the Goodson-Todman game show family.
I also watched Morse in the short-lived, ABC musical-comedy TV series 'That's Life' back in 1968-68, which co-starred E.J. Peaker.
Good times and a great guy. I was saddened to read of Morse's death last year. I have yet to see his role in 'Mad Men'. But at least those will give me some more stellar Robert Morse performances to which I may look forward to watching.
EVERYONE adored Bobby Morse. Check out is complete one man show 'TRU' the award winning and incredible impersonation of Truman Capote.
Bobby Morse played Barnaby Tucker in the 1958 non-musical "The Matchmaker" (forerunner to "Hello Dolly") starring Shirley Booth. Worth seeking out!
Arlene is wearing a lovely dress!
Johnathan Cerf actually spoke at Peter Gabel’s funeral last year. They remained friends their whole lives.
I love Bobby Morse! As for Miss Tiffen, she often played dim-witted character in her comedies, on this instance it is life imitating art!
Hey now!
Pamela Tiffin never heard of her. She s beautiful but air headed.
Obviously type-casting.
Robert Morse was in a delightful but short-lived musical comedy TV series called "That's Life! " with EJ Peaker (if anyone remembers her).
EJ Peaker ... a name I haven't seen or heard in a long time. Cute. Got a lot of work, especially on "Love American Style" but never made it big. Looked somewhat like a cross between Barbara Eden and Lois Nettleton.
She was in Hello Dolly!
Yes, I recall having watched 'That's Life' in ABC with Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker circa 1968. That was a little television oddity compared with other sketch-comedy shows, in that more of the show was a musical, including with dancing, than only sketches with music.' Although 'The Danny Kaye Show' also broached similar territory and was far better than the average sketch-comedy series.
I think my earliest viewing of comedian Rodney Dangerfield was also in 'That's Life'. The show should have lasted longer than its single season, given the talent involved and its more unique production style.
When I look at Martin Gabel seated at the panel desk, asking questions, I can't help but think of his first scene in the outstanding 1952 20th Century-Fox film DEADLINE: U.S.A., when his character, gangster Tomas Rienzi, is answering questions at a Kefauver Committe-like hearing, rather than asking them.
I loved watching Peter Gabel and Johnathan Cerf as mystery guests. Someone about this show process me with happiness and comfort.
Could Bobby Morse be any more adorable?!!!
Robert Morse's imposter voice sounds like most people's imitation of Johnny Carson.
Cris43130 Or Orson Welles.
Robert Morse was one of the few Broadway actors who got to repeat his success on film. To most of the American public, Mr. Morse was unknown, but the movie ("How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying") was a smash hit (as was the musical).
Far better in that than in The Loved One, where he was miscast as an Englishman and overplayed. His success in How To Succeed was an example of a one-off; a Broadway stalwart may not normally be a marketable movie actor, but can win through in the perfect part. Robert Preston in The Music Man is a famous case. Some stage favorites never did it, e.g. Tommy Tune, Sutton Foster, Harve Presnell and Mary Martin. Fanny Brice and Ethel Merman rarely clicked on film.
Stage stars can be too 'big' for the screen. They project too much and cannot dial it down when facing a lens instead of a packed house.
@@esmeephillips5888 FYI, Robert Preston had a very successful and long career in films. He does not belong in the list above.
@piustwelfth But Jack Warner didn't want to cast Preston in Music Man. He didn't consider him an A-lister. One of the actors Warner wanted to cast as Harold Hill said not only would he refuse the role, but if Jack Warner didn't cast Robert Preston he would refuse to see the picture.
Pamela Tiffin co-starred with Arlene in the movie "One Two Three". She later was in the same cast with Arlene in the Broadway revival of "Dinner At Eight".
god, thee people are so sophisticated, so smart, so elegant....miss that..
A different America.
And nicer.
I don't think by the looks of your profile picture, you were old enough to know much about the women of that time. My father is in his 60s and even he wouldn't really know, because he was either just born or a young child. He would know more about the hippy chics and bee hive haired "working women".
@@audreymai2773 I'm in my 60s, I've seen most episodes of this program, I paid attention during that epoch, and I know. Elegant could apply just as easily to Bennett Cerf as Arlene Francis. America was a happier place because everyone had a good job, the CEO's salary a small multiple of the laborer. Entertainment came from moguls with taste, not social media. Pamela Tiffin, here the replacement for the late, self-possessed Dorothy Kilgallen, gave up modeling because she did not want "to sell herself," and then acting too. Cerf had everyone from Faulkner to Capote under contract. But even he would admit that Arlene and Dorothy, elegant in their evening dresses, asked the most trenchant questions.
@@wholeNwon An America some us greatly miss!
Central Park Zoo is not a bad name for a Sixties rock band. Also, I have seldom seen a mystery guest enjoying their time on the show like Mr.Morse. He really didn’t want to leave the stage.
I hope that whomever reads my comment here takes a moment to read it in its entirety. To be honest, I recognize the danger in writing long comments, and I usually think long comments are a waste of time, but I do have a few relative points to make, and I honestly think they will be worth your time, if you would be so kind as to read this to the end.
First of all I am thankful of the opportunity to see these great episodes of WML on UA-cam, so...a heart felt thank you for that to the Whats My Line? poster.
I was moved to comment by the claim by many here that Pamela Tiffin was a nobody, or 'merely' a pretty face, or was one of the worst panelists of all time on WML. I am a fan of classic movies and television, and I can tell you that she was very well known by the general public at the time of this appearance. Aside from the theater, she acted in a number of popular films prior to this appearance on WML. My personal favorite of hers is "State Fair" in which she was excellent, aside from, yes, being very attractive.
In regards to her not being up to the performance of past guest panelists on WML, this is part of one problem that we have as humans (yes me too), as we tend to be more judgmental of others than ourselves. We need, in life, to try to be more understanding of other people. In this particular case, for all we know, she had some horrible personal experience earlier that day, such as finding out a loved one had a stroke or somesuch, and was greatly distracted, but yet felt contractually obligated to still appear and do her best.
Even if it were, as some claim, that she was not 'witty' enough to be on the panel. Big deal. So what. The idea of this show is not to be witty and intelligent, per se, the purpose first and foremost was to entertain. The wittiness that came out was a side effect. The main purpose was not to figure out the "line" of the guest by being clever - the main purpose was to entertain the audience. I happen to LOVE watching these WML programs simply because they so often make me laugh, and just plain have a good time.
However, at times, the comments for WML on UA-cam are so critical of clothing, or hair, or critical of comments by the panelists, or how much they hate Wally Cox (fill in X panelist name here), or whatever else we feel like putting down in whatever particular segment. For gosh sakes, it is only game show, and meant to be entertaining. It is not meant as a target for us to throw serious petty attacks at our fellow human beings.
The things that we should be critical of in this world are when people get hurt by others actions, like wars or starvation or oppression or wife beating, etcetera. That is what we should attack. We should save our vitriol for those who hurt others.
Imagine for a moment that you yourself were a panelist on this show. Could you imagine yourself forgetting what to do for a moment, or forgetting what to do next, or saying something 'stupid', or wearing something or having your hair in some fashion that others would criticize or make fun of? How would those critical comments make you feel?
I would be lacking if I did not end these words by saying that overall, I do commend you people who take the time to write comments on these WML shows, because you guys do show much more general respect and consideration than the vast majority of UA-cam commentators on other types of videos who often devolve into political or personal mudslinging, or outright vulgarity and personal attacks on each other. I love it when people here say things to the effect of how respectful and loving they were of each other on WML and wish it were that way in the world today, as I totally agree.
To me, part of what I love of WML, aside from the laughter, is the sort of family atmosphere by the panel and host, and part of that is the introductions of each other, and the saying of goodnight, and the gentle ribbing they give each other at times. I agree that we seem to be devolving socially in the past few decades, which is too bad, because in the end, we are ALL brothers...or sisters...in the greater family of man. We should be evolving closer socially, not further apart.
We need more of the ability to put ourselves in others shoes and to be more understanding of others humanity, mistakes, and needs (as long as we are not hurting others...but just being the schmucks that we all are and trying to get by the best we can), and in that way we will truly have a kinder, gentler, more peaceful world.
I do want to thank once more the What's My Line? poster of these videos, as I love them dearly as they bring us into their tv family, as it were, after you start watching more than just a few episodes. And, I want to thank all who comment here for your general civility, and I hope you take my honest critical feedback in the spirit in which it was written, which was to hold up a mirror to help you to perhaps see things in some small way in a somewhat brighter light.
Gene J I pretty much agree with what you are saying. Many commenters appear to be teenagers who just want to fuss about something or be crude. As for evolving socially, that takes eons and seemed to be on the right track until 10 or 15 years ago when public rhetoric went crazy and mean. We are going backward rapidly. When public figures can encourage violence against other public figures and be cheered for it, when most tv humor has been reduced to mean and snarky comments, when opponent’s young innocent children are drawn through the mud, when haters accuse non-haters of hating, when the accusation of Racist and NAZI is slung at everyone with a differing view, then, yes indeed, we have gone back societally several hundred years. My (older) generation was taught manners and decorum in school and at home. It saddens me to see the world my well-mannered and respectful grandchildren live in now. I hope there are enough of us left to help turn the tide of self-centered nastiness around. God bless you, and merry Christmas.
@gcjerryusc That is the devil, trying to keep you down. You need to go back to your youth, engage with others. The devil loves to isolate people.
You may be right, but no one likes to be preached to..and yes, I read ALL THE WAY to the end.
Arlene must be very proud to have such a good son. This was way before my time but I always enjoy these shows cause I love how American people was so proper and well manner then.
Robert Morse really knew how to schmooze n lay it on THICK!! 🤣
Of the guest panelists through March 1967, the ones still living in 2020 are Woody Allen, Paul Anka, Joanna Barnes, Harry Belafonte, Jeannie Carson, Dick Cavett, Joan Collins, Anne Douglas, Jane Fonda, Anita Gillette, George Hamilton, Jack Jones, Aliza Kashi, Steve Lawrence, Pia Lindstrom, Sue Oakland, Mort Sahl, William Shatner, Marlo Thomas, Pamela Tiffin, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White.
AND Robert Morse, of course.
Update needed.
Robert Morse was best known for starring with Michele Lee and Rudy Vallee in the film version of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". He also appeared on the Syndicated era of WML.
He was also very well known for his role in the original *Broadway* production of "How To Succeed...," for which he won a Tony, and which I believe he was starring in during his previous appearance on WML. I'm sure it was the film version of this show that they were all talking about when they complimented Mr. Morse on how great he was in his recent film. His other 1967 film was: "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad," also a film adaptation of a stage play, which I somehow doubt received similar acclaim. I do remember our WML panelists talking about that show when it was on Broadway too, though. I think maybe one of the guest panelists was in it or something...?
SaveThe TPC RM's MG segment was one of the more entertaining recently!
It had to be "How To Succeed....." It had just opened three days before this episode, on Thursday, 9 March 1967. "Oh Dad....." (in which he co-starred with Rosalind Russell, Barbara Harris, and Hugh Griffith) had opened a month earlier, on 15 February 1967.
His stage debut was in "On The Town," in 1949. His TV debut was in 1954, as part of the original cast of "The Secret Storm" (he played Jerry Ames). His movie debut was in an uncredited bit part in THE PROUD AND PROFANE, in 1956; his first movie credit would come in 1958, as Barnaby Tucker in THE MATCHMAKER.
jmccracken1963 The *Matchmaker* with Shirley Booth (before her days working for the Baxters)
Shirley Booth was a Mystery Guest 3 times on WML?
Others in the cast of THE MATCHMAKER (besides her and Robert Morse) who appeared on WML? are Paul Ford, who played Horace Vandergelder (and was a two-time Mystery Guest on WML?) and Anthony Perkins, who played Cornelius Hackl (several times as Mystery Guest, several times as panelist on WML?).
Pamela Tiffin was married to Clay Felker, one of the most influential magazine publishers in NYC at the time. Case closed as to why she would be asked on the show as a guest panelist instead of many other attractive starlets of the day.
Yep - Felker was great friends with Cerf. I'm also guessing that she was friends with Arlene Francis (and Martin Gabel) because she had starred with Arlene in DInner at Eight (or one of the play's producers pushed Arlene and Martin into it).Ironically shortly after this show she left the US for Italy to revive her film career
John Daly could confuse a rock!
I was surprised that WML used the Mystery Guest method of questioning for the first segment. Jonathan & Peter were known to three of the panelists, but they weren't celebrities at this time. When the panelists were blindfolded because they might recognize something that would give away the line or the identity but the challenger wasn't considered a celebrity, WML usually used the normal method of questioning.
Could Arlene & Martin have been thrown off in part because they were looking for someone with a greater celebrity status?
Very good point! I hadn't thought of that, but I'll bet you're right.
Oh man Ms Tiffin was awkward. I wonder if they tried to make her feel comfortable before hand? Just nervous energy. The boys are so cute, and Robert Morse is a trip!
I felt really bad for Bennett, having to explain why he disqualified himself. Tough break on that one.
One of my favorite mystery guests was Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy nailed her quickly, but her schtick was hilarious!
In the early portion of Robert Morse's segment he sounded like Art Carney did when he disguised his voice.
RIP Miss Tiffen.
Robert Morse was 35 here. He's still alive and kicking.
Robert Morse looked one year out of teen-age here!
Robert Morse reminds me a little of Hugh Laurie.
Oh my gosh ,Mr Robert Morse has the mannerisms and looks of Jim Carey.
Peter would become an activist against police treatment
He would graduate law from Harvard
He has been an activist for many causes, as well as having distinguined himself as a law professor, magazine editor and more.
His parents must be proud
RIP Dorothy Killgallen. Now I realize why she’s not on the show in this video. Unbelievable. She was a CLASS act and a great questioner. They are all so graceful.
Great to see a young Bert Cooper!
I thought this might been pre-'65. It isn't (the airdate was 12 March, ' 67), and the film they're talking about (20:20) is How to Succeed (I thought it might've been The Loved One, which I love. '... Succeed' is very good, as well)
Robert Morse was the boss on Mad Men! I love that role.
Robert Morse - one of the few people on these recordings who is still alive.
many of the MGs are still living, as an absolute number, though as a percentage, the vast majority are dead
A cutie.
Still going at 90 now!🙉
I did not know until searching him that Peter Gabel died at 75 on Oct. 25, 2022.
Nice to see their sons! 😋
Pamela Tiffin was a brilliant questioner!
Haha!
God bless Robert Morse. So talented. Loved him in Mad Men!
Arlene Francis and Pamela Tiffin had worked together on "One, Two, Three." One would think Arlene would have been consulted about the idea of her appearing as a guest panelist.
how to - apply for a job
how to - advance from the mailroom
how to - sit down at a desk
how to - dictate memorandums
Lordy! Miss Tiffin said "oh God" at about 12:40 in frustration. I wonder if this had been a taped show they would have bleeped that out?
Joe Postove I don't think the word "God" was considered vulgar at that time.
+Joe Postove W/o doubt it would have been bleeped. This was at a time when women in polite society were "shocked & insulted" if the words "Hell" or "damn" were used as expletives in their presence. And these words were removed. Tiffin's use of the word "God" here was considered "using God's name in vain."
1967 was only the 2nd year of real hippie incursion, which, of course, came to change things.
I'm glad Pamela Tiffin was on, but not surprised that she wasn't on often.
yep, nice decoration but functionally useless here
If indeed Bennett got a letter, then my $1.14 a pound theory is this: one of the guys told a fraternity brother in confidence about what was about to happen on Sunday night, and the little ba. . . . well -- I didn't quite say it . . . decided to spoil everyone's fun. [Was it Shaw who said you can't expect a boy to be truly vicious until he has gone to a good school?} Again, facts would be useful.
Certainly no one will confuse Pamela Tiffin with a Mensa member after her performance on this program. The worst is that she has no clue what she is to do after she is introduced.
Other than that, with all the mentions of how bad she was in comments on previous episodes, I have to say that I didn't find her to be as terrible as advertised. I'd rather have her on the panel than Wally Cox or Victor Borge. She was better than Frank Sinatra as a panelist. At least she was facile in the English language and understood American terms, unlike Aliza Kashi (who really was a relative unknown, whereas Miss Tiffin was certainly not having co-starred with Arlene Francis, James Cagney, Paul Newman, Robert Wagner, Lois Nettleton, and other luminaries in the show biz world). And I know there were others on the panel who were truly lost up there, whose appearances have mercifully been hidden from memory.
In the bottom 20% of guest panelists, certainly, but not in the bottom 5.
I thought maybe the boys would get hugs from their Dads. Maybe too early, male interfamily hugging on network TV, huh?
I like to watch the challengers and then google them to learn about their lives. And the panelists too for that matter. Mr. Robert Morse is one of the few who appeared on the show who is still with us here in 2020. He reminds me a bit of Jim Carrey.
In the category of questions that probably cannot be answered, was the letter writer truly anonymous or was Bennett either:
a) not revealing the name of the guilty party to spare that person of embarrassment, especially so soon after the accidental revealing of Frank Sinatra as the MG by Phyllis Cerf?
b) did he accidentally come upon a letter that Jonathan had written to his mother to let her know?
*_EDITORS OF THE HARVARD LAMPOON (JONATHAN CERF AND PETER GABEL)_*
*_GETS SAWED IN HALF (MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT)_*
Poor Pammy was definitely out of her element. Not entirely her fault - it was definitely an insider's night. Would have been better to have a "regular" like Jayne or one of the others.
Someone else mentioned her performance in The Fugitive. I also enjoyed her in One Two Three (She's a really good comedianne!!) and State Fair.
Panel shows - not her thing. I don't mind that she had to be reminded of the rules. It must have been an uncomfortable 30 minutes for her from the get go.
Some other "well worth the view" movies of hers are:
Summer and Smoke
Come Fly With Me
For Those Who Think Young
The Lively Set
The Pleasure Seekers
The Hallelujah Trail
Oggi, domani, dopodomani
Harper
Viva Max
Her NY Times obit story last week was complimentary. Many like director Billy Wilder thought highly of her. She admitted she worked "slowly," too slow for television as she surmised during"The Fugitive."
Congratulations Pamela Tiffin on the most unremarkable, uninformative, and lobotomized introduction of Bennett Cerf, in the history of recorded television
And her performance as a panelist was unimpressive too
Ms. Tiffin died last week. Her lengthy NY Times obit stated that she gave up modeling so as to not "sell herself." And then acting too. She had self-knowledge, but admitted she worked very slowly. Perhaps she was ill-suited for this gig. But she was not dumb. Director Billy Wilder thought highly of her. So did many others, particularly in Italy.
How unkind some people are. Miss Tiffin was clearly very nervous and out of her depth. I felt sorry for her, surrounded by 4 of the wittiest, most intelligent people on TV at the time.
I liked her!
I am wondering whether the "anonymous letter" has been discussed in the WML Facebook group since at least one of the people associated with this incident is part of that group. Now that I have FINALLY broken down, joined FB and sent a request to become a member of that group (AHEM), maybe I'll find that out soon. :-)
Some observations on this one:
- I wonder who spoiled the first segment for Bennett? What could this person have been thinking, telling Bennett that Peter and Jonathan were going to be on the show that week? I could sort of understand someone blurting it out in conversation without thinking, but in a written letter???
- Other than Pamela Tiffin having been in "One Two Three" with Arlene, I've never heard of her. What was going on in her mind while she stared silently at the camera during the introductions? She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Also, who was her husband, and where had Bennett appeared with him? Poor choice of guest panelist. Being pretty should not have been sufficient reason to be invited on the panel.
- There's a rare instance of a conference being called during the second segment. At this stage in the show's run, there were hardly ever conferences called for, I suppose because it was usually Dorothy that requested them.
What's My Line? Wikipedia says that Pamela Tiffin was married to Clay Felker (1962-1969), and is currently married to Edmondo Danon (1974-present).
Edmondo is son of Italian movie producer Marcello Danon (don't forget that Pamela also had a career in Italian movies of the sexplotation genre).
***** Now the question is who the heck Clay Felker was.
***** Clay Felker was the publisher of Esquire at one time. Is he still alive and if so, active?
Joe Postove Clay Felker is better known as founding editor of New York Magazine. Oh, yes- I live in Brookline and grew up in Newton, so I know exactly what and where John and Bobby were talking about!
Bennett wanted to win and Pamela's questions weren't any help, that's why he called for a conference I think.