Mr. Laughton never failed to give an outstanding performance. I particularly liked him in "Witness for The Prosecution", currently free on RU-vid. Marlene Dietrich also gave a stellar performance in that film.
Charles Laughton, one of THE greatest film actors ever! My favorite movies are "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Witness for the Prosecution" and of course "Mutiny of the Bounty" (*MR* Christian!!). He even directed one of the best movies of the 1950s "The Night of the Hunter" with Robert Mitchum, Shelly Winters and Lillian Gish.
Bennett's comment to Charles Laughton was such a lovely compliment and delivered with real admiration. 23:12 Charles seemed very appreciative. It was nice after John's (well- intentioned) blathering about Henry VIII.
Charles Laughton is incomparable for me the greatest actor ever. No one comes close, sad that he died far too soon, his readings are also a joy to listen to fabulous ❤️
Imagine being able to see Charles Laughton and Burgess Meredith in Major Barbara on Broadway. Mr. Laughton was also the director. Included in the cast was Glynis Johns, Eli Wallach and Cornelia Otis Skinner
That is more of the kind of role one might expect for Burgess Meredith than one that he was considered for in a picture that ultimately was not made. There were several attempts to make a film of TE Lawrence's life before "Lawrence of Arabia" but none worked out for various reasons. A 1949 plan had Burgess Meredith playing the title role. I don't think it would have worked. Can't really see him on a camel among other reasons.
Burgess Meredith was a fine actor. When I was a teenager, I first became acquainted with him as the second high school principal on the TV drama "Mr. Novak". Later on, when watching episodes of "The Twilight Zone", I discovered he'd starred in four episodes. He started out on the stage and did well, and then went into movies. Thanks to the Hollywood blacklist during the era of McCarthyism, he didn't work in film for ten years, but managed to get by doing radio and stage roles and eventually found a renewed career doing television. Of course, he played "The Penguin" on "Batman" from 1966-1968. He was on the small side, all of 5'6" tall, and could play any part. He was both a star and a fine character actor -- someone dedicated to his craft. I especially liked him in the hour-long episode of "The Twilight Zone" called "Printer's Devil" from 1963 -- in that episode, he had the title role. Of course, he played in all the "Rocky" pics as the old man who trained Rocky to be a prizefighter -- I only saw the first one of those films. Burgess Meredith was an actor's actor, so to speak and never was anything other than excellent in my opinion.
David Felperin -- Yeah, me too. James Franciscus was something to look at and I was in high school, so I had that same reaction. Also when it came to Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare. (In fact, James Franciscus was on the short list for playing Kildare, but Chamberlain was the ultimate pick.) Both totally handsome and young enough.
Loved your comment in tribute to the late great Mr Meredith ! So well said and so well put ! He really was one of our greatest actors, being equally good in both comedic and dramatic roles !
The first guest, W H Brett, Director of the U.S. Mint, had a father of the same name who was a Union Civil War Vet and the founder of Western Reserve University in northeast Ohio. His father was Pres of the American Library Association and a major innovator in the Public Library system in and around Cleveland Ohio.
He was regarded by many of his peers as a rather unpleasant individual with issues of insecurity, poor self esteem and often insanely jealous of other actors' abilities and fame. I guess that very much makes him a mere mortal. For further proof of his mortality....go visit his grave. 😀
Charles Laughton, a great actor was only 56 at this time. Sadly he looks much older. He directed an excellant movie (just one) called, Night of the Hunter which everyone should see! Brilliant in Mutiny on the Bounty , Hunchback of Notre Dame, and other films.
He always looked older and ugly - and he knew that. It's a bit different to make a believable, complex characters out of that mold than be Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and smile.
@@tylsimys67 Those are two good actors who don't mind and often excel from "uglifying" themselves a bit, as they are both strikingly good-looking. I think Tom Cruise' finest performance to date is Col. Stauffenberger in "Valkyrie"; I lost track of the fact that I was watching Tom Cruise 15 minutes into it. No arching of the eyebrows or wide smile; a very somber but determined slow burn from point a.) to point b.). Brad Pitt benefits from the mystifying, ghastly scar tissue around his neck in "Inglourious Basterds", not to mention obvious signs of aging. It lends a gritty realism to the Aldo Raine character that wouldn't be there if he'd hopped into the makeup chair each day for a beauty touch up like some hambones do.
When people on television had class...this wonderful program gives us the opportunity to see great actors and others out of their element and as very gifted and often kind and gracious people.
This is at least Laughton's 2nd appearance on this show and he never lasts more than a few minutes. His voice is so recognizable even when he mutters and tries to hide it.
Burgess Meredith did a lot of roles in his career. It is not so bad to be known as playing "Mick" and the "Penguin" as your two most known roles. He was great as both characters.
He was also great in The Story Of GI Joe, in which he played the famous war correspondent, Ernie Pyle. *Robert Mitchum was also played a lead role in this movie
People can't be defined by their pain alone: he had a loving a devoted wife (despite his conflicted sexuality) and a tremendous career. There was certainly a fair amount of joy in his life.
Arlene Francis was so darn good on this show. Notice at 20:48 after Charles Laughton responds to her question, she replies back, "Jolly good!" She obviously picked up on his English accent, even though he only replied with one word. That alone is amazing. And I think she threw out the "jolly good" as a signal to her teammates that the mystery guest is British.
the great charles laughton, what a treat to see him in person and out of character. hilarious line of questioning with burgess and the pub owners, starting with arlene 13:27, and the slow subsequent loss of control by john daley. good stuff.
I'm a bit surprised that Burgess didn't catch the couple who ran the pub considering the short film he made during World War II introducing American servicemen to the English pub culture. Maybe he was too focused on what was going on between the tie and the belt. 😂
If you have never seen Peter Ustinov's impression of Charles Laughton from the time when he was talking about the making of Spartacus, I highly recommend it.
Along with the other 25,000 people and things the Internet thinks are "national treasures'? At some point, the volume of national treasures makes the designation worth about a penny.
Being a child of the late 80's/early 90's I forever associate Mr. Meredith with Grandpa Gustafson in Grumpy Old Men - one of my favorites. How lovely to see him in younger days, what a ticket!
You are young. If you don't know, he is really best known playing the penguin in the 60's series "Batman", and most notably " Mickey", Rocky's trainer in the movie Rocky.
Oh yes, I've seen Rocky (of course!) but since Grumpy Old Men gets at least annual viewing in our house, that's the character I think of first. And what a character! Thank you for the info on Batman, though, I hadn't realized that and will look it up : )
+Jenny Brown I've never seen grumpy old men, but he was also known for being in the old "Twilight Zone" shows in the 60's. But I first remember him as the "Penguin" in Bat man. Not that I was a real Batman fan. For me he was Mickey.
I've looked up his filmography and he was in Of Mice And Men too! If you can stand a bit of cheesy-ness I highly recommend GOM and the sequel too, great repartee between Lemmon and Matthau (a la Odd Couple movie) and the still smokin' Ann-Margret and Sophia Loren : )
This is the second time the panel confused the mint with the Bureau of Engraving. The first time was when Ivy Priest, who is mentioned in this episode, was a contestant a year or two earlier. She was the person whose signature appeared on paper money and the panel thought for a time that she was with the mint.
one of the greatest actors ever and even rarer...one of the few i watch a movie etc..just because he is in it...amazing that he perhaps was at his best in light comedy though no one would list him that way...or rather few would.... Charles Laughton.....one of a kind!
Absolutely love to see the beautiful clothes and accessories worn by the ladies and gents! Ladies often wore gloves, carried handbags, and always wore the most beautiful jewelry. Classy, classy, classy, all the way. Stunning ~~~~~ (It was awful when a thief mugged Arlene getting out of a taxi and took her diamond heart necklace. Hope he got caught later at least, with something, and stayed years and years in prison for his crimes.)
Marvellous. Love the show and Charles, the panel and the contestants. Sad to think, these wonderful people passed long ago. So much better times than today. Family fun, with no profanity bad manners or filth. Thank you so much for posting my favourite game show.
Charles Laughton's brother was a hotelkeeper on the east coast of Yorkshire in England. A few years after I stayed there in the early '80s, the hotel had to be evacuated on account of its imminent slide into the North Sea., the ravages of coastal erosion taking its toll.
Watching this is very sadly nostalgic for me. I was not alive during this era but my Country was clearly in it's stride at this time. The game was won by using critical thinking skills and logic (a lost art) but putting the game aside for a moment; just listen to the beautiful use of the English language and the quaint and polite etiquette extended to every panelist. Now fast forward to 2014 and imagine how fascinated our culture is today with the vulgar Kardashian woman or the goon Kayne West or how young girls adore Miley Cyrus. This is all the evidence one needs as testimony to our Country's demise to the gutter in a short 60 year span. What brought that about? You and I know inside though it is unspeakable to discuss in polite society. Imagine the next 60! How terrifying is that thought?
You are correct. Our popular culture has become a sewer of vulgar exhibitionism and the celebration of mediocrity. Politeness has been gradually replaced by the cultural Marxism of political correctness.
Reggie1971la Please don't bother responding further to this user, Reggie. He or she will no longer be commenting on my videos due to many, many comments added of an aggressive and/or controversial nature, which I don't allow on this channel. You may continue to see notifications of comments from this person, but that's only because I have no way of controlling the Google+ content for linked posts that show up both there and on RU-vid. But rest assured, no more comments from this user will be seen on RU-vid from now on-- and practically no one pays the slightest attention to Google+ anyhow.
I' am binge watching all of these fine shows of WML, and you can learn a lot of the times and events of the 50's thru them. I also have featured some of them on My face Book page called Baby Boomers 1946 - 1964.
What's My Line? You learn so much about the times and see the changes in all involved and get to watch them age in a week-end of viewing, and get to see how current issues are talked about and history as it happens.
One thing in regards to the Mystery Guests. They are usually only in NYC for some other reason. All the people on the panel read the Theatrical Rags, so they know who is in town doing what.......what movie, what play, etc. So that gives them an edge up. That's why the panel usually guesses who the Mystery Guest is.
Yes. This. I don't know if you've seen the comments from folks who are convinced the show was rigged because of the quick guesses in the mystery guest segments. As if any producer would think it would be entertaining for the audience for the panelists to end the round after 3 questions. I kinda find it annoying that Bennett, in particular, ended the mystery guest segments so quickly so often. As I recall, he's the reason they decided to switch the format of questioning to one at a time per panelist, because he so often guessed on his first turn.
And they ask the same damn questions every show. How did it last this long? I suppose because the surprise guests were not only real movie stars, but craftsmen as well.
aspenrebel it seems to be kind of a shame that they always get it so fast. Why even bother to have the person show up??? Just have a picture and let them guess by asking John, who is in town this week, let's see... hmmm?????
According to a 1944 directory of London pubs, the Sussex Tavern was located at 668 Streatham High Road SW16. London. The building is still there, but it is now a kebab house.
That scene between him and Peter Ustinov! "Let's mix business with pleasure......" You know, you see these top actors fro the time of WML and you get a yen to see them onstage. Actually go into a theater and watch/listen to them interact under the guidelines of a finely crafted play. As opposed to jumping over each other in superhero leotards in front of a green screen.
In 1956, the U.S. Mint had three locations where circulating coins were struck: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. If a coin had no identifying letter on it, it was made in Philly -- and if it showed D, it was made in Denver and S meant it was made in San Francisco. Nowadays, the San Francisco Mint no longer makes circulating coins, but it's still there and still active. It makes special coins that are sold to collectors, especially "proof" coins whose backgrounds are finely polished and shiny like mirrors -- and even expensive proof coins made of coin silver alloy (90% silver content). I've noticed, in the past, that panelists on WML seem to have the mistaken idea that "the Mint" issues all U.S. money, which isn't true. The mint only mints coins, which is why it's known as a "mint" -- The U.S. Bureau of Printing & Engraving produces paper money, which is issued through the various regional branches of the Federal Reserve Bank. Paper money is printed, not minted. Arlene Francis seemed to be one of these people who is confused about what mints do -- and so did Burgess Meredith John Daly had it right when he informed the panel that the U.S. Mint has nothing to do with paper money but only makes coins.
Anyone notice this quirk. Without blindfolds, John Daly will announce a conference, but with blindfolds, never does. It always generates a question from the panel.
Two months earlier, Charles Laughton agreed to fill in for Ed Sullivan (who had been in a car accident) on his show. Not that important, but important because Charles introduced a special guest that night whose appearance would become iconic.
Look at all the fuzz and flakes on Laughton's lapel. They didn't have lint rollers in those days. I wonder if he was on a bender. The producers should have prohibited the question, "Are you appearing at the present time in the theater, or in a film that' currently playing?" It makes it too easy to guess.
@@PhilBagels As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point ! He had such a sour expression when he came out that I thought he was angry or in pain. But once the panel guessed who he was, a big smile appeared ! So I totally agree with you that the earlier dour expressions were there to help him disguise his VERY recognizable voice ! Thanks for your comment !! :-)
Rich Even the times when the contestants sign in using Chinese or Japanese characters! I think it's safe to say that he was briefed on the proper pronunciation of the guests' names before the show. Otherwise, you'd think he'd have to have gotten a name wrong every now and then at least, and he really never did.
I always figured he had a list of the names written in plain, clear English in the papers he's also looking through at his station, even though they are usually out of our view. I mean, what else would his "hosting papers" say on them? The schedule of the show, the commercial breaks... the names of the contestants seems like another obvious one. Like you said, he's probably been briefed before the show starts on their names on top of that.
Often, after the line is revealed, he talks as if he has met the contestant(s) earlier. I think he had a brief meeting with each of them just so he has a clearer understanding of exactly what they do so he can better moderate the game.
Laughton clearly was not amused. 😂 Still, I love him on film. I live far from “the legitimate theatre.” Thank You for posting this. Maybe he was tired, sick, or having a bad day …. ❤️
Indeed ! That was one of his best roles and greatest performances ! Of course I think he was wonderful in everything...my personal favorite is the barrister in "Witness for the Prosecution".
I've watched quite a few of these episodes and many of them Mr. Daly says, 'we'll be back in 30 seconds'...How I wish the commercials of today only took 30 seconds! The show interrupts the seemingly endless string of commercials!
Laughton seems to be fighting off misery--this is in the wake of his sole directorial masterpiece, NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, being released to crickets by a studio that didn't care about it to a '50's audience that didn't get it.
![What's My Line? - Charles Laughton; Burgess Meredith [panel] (Nov 25, 1956)](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
