Burns & Allen were not only hugely popular on radio but also on TV. I just checked on Wikipedia and their radio show ended its run in February 1950 and their TV show started its run in October 1950 - although they had been regular performers on Guy Lombardo's radio show and replaced Lombardo on his CBS radio network radio show when Lombardo left CBS to work on the NBC radio network.
These two were such a wonderful couple and truly in love. I remember reading that when George Burns died, his last words were that he could finally be with Gracie again in Heaven. :')
Gracie was Classic, Burns when asked about his show business longevity said "I had one joke for 42yrs then she died and that was it". RIP George and Gracie
Actually they were married 38 years (1926-64, Gracie's death). When George died in 1996, he made sure he was buried in the crypt below Gracie because he wanted her to have "top billing."
Love George & Gracie. If you are in L.A. and go to Grauman's Theatre check out George's footprints, handprints, and the cigar print. A class act, these two. I had a big smile on my face while watching the fourth Star Trek movie, because the two humpback whales were named George & Gracie. Love it!
Although Gracie played a ditz, she was a brilliant person, and came up with most of their routines. In one of his books George gives all the credit to their success to Gracie. He admits that he was just a straight man for her jokes. He loved her enormously. Her routines are classics, and pretty much every comedian and sit-com on TV has stolen from her.
It's so sad too, George lived most of his adult life as a widower, and he used to visit Gracie's crypt right up until he died and talk to her out loud as if she was still alive.
@ladypictureshow66 If you like that book, you should also read, "All My Best Friends", by George Burns. There's a lot about Gracie in there, plus stories about their friendship with Jack Benny and Mary Livingston, as well as Bob Hope, Al Jolson, and many other stars from the Golden Era of Hollywood. ♥️
This was one of the funniest episodes--and proves what a brilliant comic Steve Allen was. Gracie--such a wonderful, lovable ditz--did you notice she waited for George's OK before answering each time?? He always said, though, the act was mostly her, that he just responded to her wonderful inanities. Daly always a class act--and funny--few 'gentlemen' like that these days.
Notable is their long marriage which ended only with Gracie's death (which George never really got over, though he went on to greater stardom and an Oscar). That was not unusual in the Hollywood of their time, witness Jack Benny and Mary Livingston, Fred Allen and Portland Hoffa, and Eddie and Ida Cantor. Also Irene Dunne, Roz Russell, Janet Gaynor, Jo Stafford, Joni James and Tony Acquaviva and many others.
I'm too young to have seen them in the 50s but I absolutely love them -- and this show too. It's addictive. Why can't they bring it back. instead to stupid regis.
I have to say how clever this is, and how funny it is, and how well they all perform it. It's completely reasonable to have George and Gracie "answer" with knocks, and then to have Gracie, completely in character as her usual clueless self, give their identities away as if she didn't realize she was doing it. And you can see what a payoff the line gets from the audience as well as the panelists!
@@poetcomic1 I'm sorry to hear that you are deaf (no pun intended). Yes you are correct that Gracie whispered to George after she said out loud to George, "Don't answer George".
I have been watching these shows for a few nights and they are great. You watch the shows now and some of the contestants look like they belong on skid row or something. Man did they have manners back then.
Bennett joined the show in 1951, about a year after What's My Line debuted. He stayed with the show until 1967. Only Dorothy Kilgallen was a panelist from the start, until her death in 1965..
This would have been a perfect clip if Steve Allen hadn't insisted on trying to get the last laugh. Gracie's "slip" was both charming and hilarious, and Allen basically shoehorned his joke in - which promptly fell flat. Normally I'm a huge fan of Steve Allen, but here it felt like he was auditioning for the cameras, when he should have just let George and Gracie have their moment.
GSN rebroadcast this 6 June 1954 episode on 8 June 2008. This episode featured a contestant that Gil Fates discussed in his book. The production staff sometimes sat around brainstorming amusing occupations that would be fun. At one session, someone wondered who makes fancy designs on manhole covers. A manhole designer of course. WML found Al Buta in Florida. The other contestant was a female French war correspondent working in IndoChina. All that plus Burns & Allen. Classic entertainment!
Hm, maybe I read it wrong then. Well, I know he said sometime that he would finally join Gracie in Heaven at his death. I guess they meant that in the newspaper article I read instead of that being his last words.
You never know, from her apparently comfortable demeanor, that Gracie had terrific stage fright, that caused her to mostly retire a few years after this episode of WML.
0:18. The way Gracie waved her hand before sitting down, it was like she was making sure the panelists couldn't see. 😆😆😆😆😆😆. But in one of his books George said she was smart enough to be the world's dumbest woman.
Sad to say I think you're probably right. But even that dumb Millionaire had some 'stars' at the end a couple of weeks ago. Of course they were only promoting their other ABC shows. The era of great conversation is over in this age of Twitter and text messaging replaced by the era of unabased plugging and personal stylists.
Excuse me, joanfontainefan...but um...how 'bout going into your little account there and getting GRACIE's name right in the title ? ( a little respect for one of the original funny ladies)
Except Gracie Allen never utterred the phrase "Goodnight Gracie". When George Burns was asked about it later, he said that she had never said it because they had never thought of it. We think it because Dick Martin used to say "Goodnight Dick"
![What's My Line? - George Burns; Martin Gabel [panel] (Jun 18, 1961)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V2dviBh7sPY/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - George Burns; Martin Gabel [panel] (Jun 18, 1961)](/img/tr.png)
Burns & Allen were not only hugely popular on radio but also on TV. I just checked on Wikipedia and their radio show ended its run in February 1950 and their TV show started its run in October 1950 - although they had been regular performers on Guy Lombardo's radio show and replaced Lombardo on his CBS radio network radio show when Lombardo left CBS to work on the NBC radio network.
A delightful clip from a wonderful and talented couple, who have been mostly forgotten. Their series is truly a classic.
"Don't answer George." - genius comedic answer, perfectly timed!
I enjoyed watching this. It’s a very rare thing to see or hear Gracie act or speak out of her zany character.
Gracie is hilarious. George adored her. What a wonderful couple. So talented too.
Don't answer George, it will give us away. Until now I never realized how sharp she was.
They were real gems from above for their time. We could really NEVER have the perfect/enuf words to describe these two. PERIOD!!
This is the best What's My Line visit of all time! Love the way Gracie plays it straight and deadpan through the whole thing.
These panelists and their guests were the epitome of class and sophistication. They would be welcome guests in any viewer's home.
Oh my GOD they are amazing and adorable.
I love Steve Allen!!! To bad we don't have this kind of entertainment today!!! Great show!
Brings back a lot of Memories, Thank you
These two were such a wonderful couple and truly in love. I remember reading that when George Burns died, his last words were that he could finally be with Gracie again in Heaven. :')
Love George and Gracie! Thanks so much for posting
Gracie was Classic, Burns when asked about his show business longevity said "I had one joke for 42yrs then she died and that was it". RIP George and Gracie
Actually they were married 38 years (1926-64, Gracie's death). When George died in 1996, he made sure he was buried in the crypt below Gracie because he wanted her to have "top billing."
Nice to find this. Say "Good night", Gracie!
Love George & Gracie. If you are in L.A. and go to Grauman's Theatre check out George's footprints, handprints, and the cigar print. A class act, these two. I had a big smile on my face while watching the fourth Star Trek movie, because the two humpback whales were named George & Gracie. Love it!
Although Gracie played a ditz, she was a brilliant person, and came up with most of their routines. In one of his books George gives all the credit to their success to Gracie. He admits that he was just a straight man for her jokes. He loved her enormously. Her routines are classics, and pretty much every comedian and sit-com on TV has stolen from her.
"Don't answer George"-- Classic Gracie Allen! :-)
I wish the GSN would show more of these classic game shows, instead of their current fare. And, I agree, such class and elegance. Wow!!
It's so sad too, George lived most of his adult life as a widower, and he used to visit Gracie's crypt right up until he died and talk to her out loud as if she was still alive.
I've been reading "Gracie: A Love Story" by George... and I find that I'm falling in love with both of them. Definitely a class act!
@ladypictureshow66
If you like that book, you should also read, "All My Best Friends", by George Burns. There's a lot about Gracie in there, plus stories about their friendship with Jack Benny and Mary Livingston, as well as Bob Hope, Al Jolson, and many other stars from the Golden Era of Hollywood. ♥️
TWO OF THE GREATEST!
@hajune Lovely memories--you had talent, too, writing for that great comic!! thanks for sharing!!
Man this looks like a fun show! This seems like a fun time in show business.
This was one of the funniest episodes--and proves what a brilliant comic Steve Allen was. Gracie--such a wonderful, lovable ditz--did you notice she waited for George's OK before answering each time?? He always said, though, the act was mostly her, that he just responded to her wonderful inanities. Daly always a class act--and funny--few 'gentlemen' like that these days.
Notable is their long marriage which ended only with Gracie's death (which George never really got over, though he went on to greater stardom and an Oscar). That was not unusual in the Hollywood of their time, witness Jack Benny and Mary Livingston, Fred Allen and Portland Hoffa, and Eddie and Ida Cantor. Also Irene Dunne, Roz Russell, Janet Gaynor, Jo Stafford, Joni James and Tony Acquaviva and many others.
Antanna TV broadcasts the TV Burns and Allen Show on a regular basis -- and it is still funny after all these years.
I'm too young to have seen them in the 50s but I absolutely love them -- and this show too. It's addictive. Why can't they bring it back. instead to stupid regis.
I have to say how clever this is, and how funny it is, and how well they all perform it. It's completely reasonable to have George and Gracie "answer" with knocks, and then to have Gracie, completely in character as her usual clueless self, give their identities away as if she didn't realize she was doing it. And you can see what a payoff the line gets from the audience as well as the panelists!
Loved them all. Steve Allen was always so funny
Gracie had the funniest line I ever heard on this show. "Don't answer, George, it will just give us away."
She gave it away herself.
She did, and what a great spoiler.
@ poetcomic1. Gracie actually just said, "Don't answer George". 😂😂
@@michaelbarlow6610 I am seriously deaf and a lip reader she whispers 'it will give us away'.
@@poetcomic1 I'm sorry to hear that you are deaf (no pun intended). Yes you are correct that Gracie whispered to George after she said out loud to George, "Don't answer George".
Gracie died so soon, so young. Very sad.
I have been watching these shows for a few nights and they are great. You watch the shows now and some of the contestants look like they belong on skid row or something. Man did they have manners back then.
He was a total gentleman. They were just terrific. ♥
Gracie proves she was the talent that George always said she was: 3:47 - 3:57.
Gracie is too cute!!
What a wonderful couple!
Fantastic, thanks.
I LOVE Steve A llen he crackes me up still today he was the funniest man i love him!
Amazing times... everything played on Broadway..
I love how the men stand to shake the ladies' hands on this show. You don't see respect like that on television these days.
Gracie was awesome! and Bennett..lighten up ...its just a show!
"Don't answer George!" HEE-LARIOUS!
John Daly was the best moderator ever!
Look up ua-cam.com/video/0jq_qjxqJnU/v-deo.html starting at 22:14
"Don't answer, George" Perfect!
Never realized how much GW Bush and George Burns sort of resemble each other.. actually i have read George Burns' books and they are really good..
@newseditor72 What a couple,along with Bob Hope and his wife & Paul Newman & Joanne.
1953....Has Bennet Cerf been longer on "What's My Line" than the pyramids been in the desert? Love this guy!
Bennett joined the show in 1951, about a year after What's My Line debuted. He stayed with the show until 1967. Only Dorothy Kilgallen was a panelist from the start, until her death in 1965..
I Love Gracie!!
"Don't answer, George" :0
Gracie's crypt is above George's, because he felt she deserved "top billing".
Gotta love that Cracie.
RIP George Burns and Cracie Allen
SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE CLASS ACT
@waynebrasler Don't forget Bob and Dolores Hope who were married for 69 years
gotta say to people who say gracie made a mistake... bless your heart...
Gracie (intentionally or not) knocked twice to Steve at the end when the answer was "no".
In the early days of their partnership, the roles were reversed and Gracie was the straight man. Wasn't long before George saw the light!
This would have been a perfect clip if Steve Allen hadn't insisted on trying to get the last laugh. Gracie's "slip" was both charming and hilarious, and Allen basically shoehorned his joke in - which promptly fell flat. Normally I'm a huge fan of Steve Allen, but here it felt like he was auditioning for the cameras, when he should have just let George and Gracie have their moment.
Yup. Bad taste on his part.
@zakspud can't simply appreciate the fact that the episodes are even here for us to see? wow. ungrateful much? it's a typo... it happens.
GSN rebroadcast this 6 June 1954 episode on 8 June 2008. This episode featured a contestant that Gil Fates discussed in his book. The production staff sometimes sat around brainstorming amusing occupations that would be fun. At one session, someone wondered who makes fancy designs on manhole covers. A manhole designer of course. WML found Al Buta in Florida. The other contestant was a female French war correspondent working in IndoChina. All that plus Burns & Allen. Classic entertainment!
Hm, maybe I read it wrong then. Well, I know he said sometime that he would finally join Gracie in Heaven at his death. I guess they meant that in the newspaper article I read instead of that being his last words.
It's good old GEORGE.
Until now I never knew it was seen 7:30 on the West Coast.
their show is on late nights in dallas area now
George always had a cigar.
It helped him with his timing for a laugh. Notice how he takes a puff on the cigar after a punchline. Clever prop use.
Gracie, no Cracie. :)
@jrsample0425 You think correctly. Margaret, daughter of "Give 'em Hell, Harry" and Bess.
So, five years since you uploaded this, and you still can't fix the "Cracie" thing. Brilliant.
You never know, from her apparently comfortable demeanor, that Gracie had terrific stage fright, that caused her to mostly retire a few years after this episode of WML.
When Hollywood was at its best...not the trash that are "stars" now
Awww!
0:18. The way Gracie waved her hand before sitting down, it was like she was making sure the panelists couldn't see. 😆😆😆😆😆😆. But in one of his books George said she was smart enough to be the world's dumbest woman.
Gracie was the act. George just fed her lines.
CRACIE. Remember that name
Hahahaha!!!😂
Were they a married couple?
Sad to say I think you're probably right. But even that dumb Millionaire had some 'stars' at the end a couple of weeks ago. Of course they were only promoting their other ABC shows. The era of great conversation is over in this age of Twitter and text messaging replaced by the era of unabased plugging and personal stylists.
I liked George a lot better as a younger man. It seems like he became a "dirty old man" in the last part of his life.
Looked like it was Eartha Kitt.
It's not "Cracoe", It's "Gracie"!
he died in his sleep according to his son.
@khtx Yes
Quit a temper Steve Allen seems to have..
quite
Is anyone EVER going to fix Gracie Allen's name?
Excuse me, joanfontainefan...but um...how 'bout going into your little account there and getting GRACIE's name right in the title ? ( a little respect for one of the original funny ladies)
Something horrible has happened to the sound since I last watched this - it sounds as if it was recorded underwater.
Why does George have to signal Gracie as to how many knocks to use?
Because shes dumb
Where's the sound?!
It's "Gracie, not "Cracie"!
Gracie not Cracie
Fix your title. It is Gracie not Cracie.
It;s GRACIE not CRACIE.
Except Gracie Allen never utterred the phrase "Goodnight Gracie". When George Burns was asked about it later, he said that she had never said it because they had never thought of it. We think it because Dick Martin used to say "Goodnight Dick"