NOTE: Clifton Fadiman is the substitute host for the second consecutive week. MYSTERY GUEST: Jane Powell [musical film actress, singer] PANEL: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dana Wynter, Bennett Cerf
Dana was a genuine goddess. I think one of the most horrifying moments in cinema was that famous scene near the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, when we discover that she had finally been taken over by the pod people. Kevin McCarthy's face in that scene said it all.
Jane Powell was just as pretty and Ms Wynter was too young to be aware to stand for a clergyman. I think she did well though since it's a pretty tight group
R.I.P. to the lovely Jane Powell, who died two days ago at the age of 92. What a charming and gorgeous movie star, one of the last ones remaining from Hollywood's Golden Age. Jane also excelled on the stage, especially with her beautiful singing voice. Very petite, at 5' 1", but she made a big and unforgettable impression, particularly if you got a glimpse of her striking pale blue eyes. Even here, in black & white, they stand out. Thanks for sharing your talent and charm with us all.
I was a child when I met Monsioner Behand before his death. He started one of the first TV live broadcast of a Catholic Mass at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The broadcast has been going on for almost 65 years.
Dana Wynter... WOW! I still remember her 1st scene in Invasion of the Body Snatchers in that white dress. Good Lord she was beautiful. And her voice. Even better!
@@nankerphelge3771 , Then there was a final “clunker” for poor Jane ; “Enchanted Island” where she was the most unconvincing blue-eyed Polynesian you could ever hope to see.I love her most in “Hit the Deck” and “7 Brides” where she proved her acting skills in the scene following the abduction by putting Howard Keel well and truly in his place.Good on you Jane.
I was searching for comments about her and I laughed because it was exactly what I thought and did! In fact Google did not do her justice at all! Her pictures were not as beautiful as she really was and then on top of it, she had such a great personality and her body movements were so glamorous I have no idea why she wasn’t a bigger star than she was!!!!
I expected Fadiman to be better filling in Daly's shoes, as Fadiman invented the whole panel moderator job on radio with "Information, Please". They're very different shows, though, and seeing Fadiman and Bennett Cerf try to Daly's job does, indeed, point up how truly exceptionally skilled John was at hosting the show.
In my opinion Daly was the one regular that was irreplaceable. Others could miss a show or two and it wasn't that much different, but when Daly was gone it was a totally different show. He was definitely the straw that stirred the drink.
What's My Line? -- Well, I think different kinds of shows needed different kinds of moderators/hosts. Alex Trebek is great on Jeopardy! but I'm not sure it would have been John Daly's forte if he'd done it. (For one thing, Alex has to rule on questions subject to the judges' reversing his decisions and I think the judges would reverse John Daly's decisions a lot given his lack of scientific knowledge.) On the other hand, no one had the gift of language the way Daly did, which included speaking extemporaneously in a humorous and witty way. I also like the fact that John Daly seemed to have a good time doing what he did for all those years from 1950 to 1967.
What's My Line? I too thought that Daly was replaceable when I first started watching the full episodes. Now I've come to respect him and realize not everybody can do the job he did.I do however believe that a big part of Daly success as moderator was that he knew the panelists personally as the show went on and there was a lot of friendly banter which added to the show, but I think mainly Daly was good at what he did.
Jeff Vaughn I'd have to disagree with that to a degree. There was something missing when each of them wasn't on. I agree that Daly was irreplaceable, but so was Arlene. She brought charm and fun to the panel. Dorothy brought her competitive nature. Bennett brought fun banter with John. For me, some of the episodes are boring without Arlene or either Bennett or Dorothy(Even though I'm not a big fan of hers). Also I don't think this guy was that bad for only hosting the show twice vs John's 8 years at this point? John wasn't that great at the beginning, but he was a huge part as well as Arlene, Bennett, Dorothy and some of the recurring guest panelist.
I honestly think Fadiman did a fine job, there's a touch of pomposity and affect, but no more than Tony Randall's panel appearances (and he does a killer John Daly imitation in the last episode!). Perhaps because of this, I kind of appreciated his more laid back anecdotes. Some here have commented on his coarser ribbing of the panel but we should remember that his familiarity with them was social, where as John's rapport was earned over time onscreen. I especially enjoyed his sparring with Bennett. Having said all that, I'm looking forward to the Daly's return in the following episode! As for this one, I thought the guests were great! Particularly Father Beahan, with the great radio voice, who really might have been able to guest moderate this show! He's very smooth, well spoken, and at ease up there, and with the panel.
+Jolar 70 I thought the same thing about Father Beahan. I found him very comfortable and affable. Actually, I would have enjoyed him more as the moderator than I did Mr. Fadiman. While Mr. Fadiman did a better job (he was smoother and a little more relaxed) on this second episode, I found his pacing tedious and his manner supercilious. While no one could match John Daly's wit and gracious charm, I found Father Beahan much more enjoyable to spend time with and his rapport with the panelists more comfortable than that of Mr. Fadiman.
The priest was a definite devotee of this show he had so many of John Daly's mannerisms at one point I thought he may have been related to John Daly like a brother or something
The question & emphatic answer between Bennett and the Father regarding "Rock 'n Roll" was hilarious to hear today, a reminder of how conservative our nation still was during those nascent years of Rock.
Father Beahan passed away in 1980 at the age of 60. He was part of a legacy of his local diocese's broadcasting and telecasting since 1953 when he was a part of those early shows.
Arlene was a master at taking direction based on audience reaction. She often said things out loud, but not directed at the contestant, just to see how the audience would respond.
Jeff Vaughn I couldn't agree more-- she was masterful at gauging audience reactions to seemingly casual, off-handed remarks. I've noticed Arlene using this trick regularly to get a lead on the line of the contestant.
+Jeff Vaughn She was as crafty and calculating as she was charming. Always amazed at her ability to deduce. A credit to the woman side of humanity in every way.
I suspect sixty years from now, people will have fun knowing MY FEELINGS on Hip-Hop music! I don't mind that Mr. Cerf dislikes rock&roll; what I find tiring is Mr. Cerf's affinity for broadcasting to the world his opinions on that genre.
Bennett at 8:40: "Father Beahan might teach people to grow carrots, which would be educational but not cultural." Yes, but it would be horticultural....
This is the first time I've seen her, and I was like, "Whoa! Who TF is she?! And how is it I never heard of her?!" Well, she had me mesmerized all episode long, and then I did a bit of research to find out the reason I didn't know her is because I've never seen her most famous work: the 1956 classic Sci-Fi thriller, "Invasion of The Body Snatchers". I'll have to watch that next time I come across it. She looks (and sounds) like a softer, I daresay, prettier Joan Collins. And that is saying a lot, because Joan was gorgeous!
Yes! Dana Wynter was one of the very most desirable babes who ever walked the earth, for all the reasons you mentioned. Such babes are in short supply now, virtually nonexistent, thanks to 50 years of "feminism."
@@Cosmo-Kramer It's a fair comparison. Joan Collins did look somewhat similar to Dana. As for who was more beautiful... oh man, I'd hate to have to make that choice. Both of them were goddesses.
The birth name of Roy Rogers, singing cowboy star, was Leonard Franklin Slye. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that he would have been related to the second challenger.
Fadiman was an excellent host. The guest panelist Dana Wynter is so beautiful and was in the original; ''' INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS '' AND Petite Jane Powell is so super cute. Arlene is cute and charming and has a clever way with words. P.S. I believe Dana is a German girl living in the U.K.
I really like Fadiman as a personality, I just don't think he was great filling in here. In my opinion, he took too much time telling his stories, entertaining though they were. And no one can split semantic hairs like John Daly can!
What's My Line? I think he was awful just because he tried to be funny and charming and just wasn't. He really talked down to all three regular panelists. The pace of the show threw him way off.
What's My Line? He never came back after this. That's really a negative sign that he gave a poor performance, unlike Mr. Andrews, who was also a guest panelist AND a guest host.
Ryan Schroer Of the three guest moderators I have seen, Eamon Andrews was the only one who was able to run the game seamlessly, perhaps due to his experience on the UK version. I'm sure everyone thought Bennett would do a fine job, but, unfortunately, he surprised us.
I had the privilege of seeing Jane Powell in My Fair Lady when I was about 13 years old. It helped to instill a life-long love of musical theatre. Sure wish I could remember who played Henry Higgins in that one.
+corner moose '...Theater's official premiere is this Tuesday with "My Fair Lady," starring Jane Powell, Michael Evans and Reginald Gardiner.' -- www.newspapers.com/newspage/53497814/ So I assume it's Gardiner...
Mr. Fadiman actually did a very good job being the host! He is very right about how it's such a difficult task to fill a role such as John Daly's. What an amazing show. :)
I really enjoyed the Priest. He was lovely, self confident with a reassuring voice. Would have liked him as my priest. He could have hosted the show lol.
Thanks for posting all these, they're rather addictive, aren't they? Maybe it's just me. I notice I've been watching a whole lot of these for 2 hours (not the first time it happens either). Pertaining to the 2 most recent uploads (as of Feb,4th) I must say Mr, Fadiman does a decent job of hosting it (Mr. Cerf was a bit ill at ease the only time I saw him filling in) but it makes me appreciate Mr. John Charles Daly even more.
Yes, it’s not just you, portugasque! After watching 2 shows (maybe even one!) almost everyone gets addicted to this charming show from yesteryear! And after 17 years of programming, there are plenty of shows to fuel our addictions! But, hey, if this is your only addiction, you’re not doing too badly in life! I don’t have to explain to the addicted as to why we are all addicted, but the show is THAT good! I guess just a few adjectives that could be used to describe it would be that this wonderful show was and is highly entertaining, pleasant to watch, intriguing, and even educational! I have learned so much about many entertainers that my mom used to mention while I was growing up, whose names I heard, but whom I knew little of, with some of whom I’d never seen before viewing on this show! What’s My Line actually causes me to wish that I had been born in my parents or grandparents time! It makes me feel so nostalgic! If you had divided this show’s timelines into quadrants, I was born during the time of the last quadrant of WML. I’m really grateful that these were uploaded, and in fact, one evening about three years ago, when I had crawled into bed after a long day at work, and having to go back to work the next day, I was in need of something comforting and relaxing, but interesting to watch, just for a half hour (if I could even stay awake that long!) so I went onto RU-vid, and what do I find…WML!!! At first, I wondered what they meant by “line”, but quickly figured it out. Line of work, of course. After that, every night, being a single mom, with no other adult in my home to communicate with, and being an elementary teacher, having been around only children all day, after I had gotten my own lovely children their dinner, I was eager to fall into bed and watch another WML episode!!! During the first month especially, this intriguing and delightful show had me hooked, even if I was only able to enjoy 5 minutes of it, before the next morning when the alarm rang and I’d wake up, disappointed that I had only watched 5 minutes of it, and wishing the day would go quickly by, so that I could attempt to watch another full episode of WML! Lastly, I’m going to add that my daughter’s 6th grade teacher used to get frustrated with her because my daughter would write essays that were especially lengthy…and now you know where she inherited that tendency from!!!
He understood how utterly despicable it is. Druggies, demon possession, sex, alcohol... That's coming from the rock and roll noise makers themselves. They're very bold and open about their sin. They're also very bold and open about how their noise is about rebellion and drawing the youth away from authority. Despicable.
@@mcjess9843 I agree completely. Unfortunately, contemporary "Christian" music is much the same: the, uh, "Christianization" of pagan musical forms. That was one of the big things that drove me out of the church years and years ago; it stinketh!!
@@ejflashfold8381 He has taste...it just doesn't agree with yours! I'm positive you would say the very same thing about MY opinion of hip-hop music...I just don't go out of my way to broadcast it.
I ,for one, enjoyed Clifton Fadiman's two weeks as a sub for John Daly. I've always respected Fadiman as an intellect, and a witty, urbane, broadcaster. I think he was right in the John Daly mode, perhaps a slightly more cutting prescence. But with all that, It will be good to have John back in his chair.
If you see pictures of him when he was young you might not think so. He was a very handsome and captivating actor, and I believe a great stage actor before he met her. At the time, it’s possible that Arlene was the one marrying up, but her beauty just grew. He aged well but not as well as his wife.
Probably not! Arlene evolved over time. She started out quite homely ( see episodes in 1959-51). She worked hard to elevate her style and appearance....with a lot of expensive help. She and Dorothy earned $750 per weekly show. ( About 10X what most Americans made at the time!). Arlene focused on climbing the social ladder as epitomized by Broadway and NYC.
That priest is very interesting. Very used to speaking before audiences, he is. Very comfortable hearing himself speak. I grew up in church with a minister like that.
I avoided Clifton Fadiman's episodes because I like the familiarity of John Daly. I was wrong to stay away, Fadiman was a great moderator and like a substitute teacher who would give you a free pass once in a while, but not let you take advantage of them. Surely if I'd known anything about him before I wouldn't have skipped these episodes for so long.
Arlene Francis had very good manners. When the disc jockey/priest Father Beehan met the panel, Arlene Francis stood up to shake his hand. (Dana Wynter didn't). On all the shows, Arlene and Dorothy Kilgallen sat when meeting guests, except for elderly people and members of the clergy. My parents at the time always commented to us kids what good manners Arlene and Dorothy had. (The male panelists stood up to greet everyone.)
How nice, America when it still had manners, before it became vulgar and the word a**s became part of the standard vocabulary. This was one of the most entertaining and intelligent shows. Mr. Fadiman edited two wonderful books of mathematical fiction : Fantasia Mathematica and The Mathematical Magpie. Mr Fadiman did a great job filling in for mr. Daly.
I didn't know her name was pronounced that way myself. I only know her from this show and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". What a classic beauty she was!
I think Clifton Fadiman did a good job moderating. Nevertheless, I missed John Daly for the several times in most episodes when he would throw back his head and laugh. That would have been his reaction, for example, if he had been present when Bennett Cerf said that the second guest spoke "barely above a whisker".
For many adults of the time, rock 'n' roll was associated in their minds with adolescent rebellion and juvenile delinquency. A prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Francis Braceland, called rock 'n' roll a "communicable disease" after disturbances at a rock 'n' roll show at the State Theater in Hartford, CT. in 1956 led to eleven arrests. Note that the priest on this show emphatically said that the percentage of rock 'n' roll he played was "exactly zero", while Clifton Fadiman smiled broadly.
The second contestant borrowed that necktie from Colonel Sanders. 18:45 Try forging THAT signature! In 1958, Jane Powell appeared in the movie "The Female Animal", playing Hedy Lamarr's DAUGHTER! A bit of a stretch, and it basically ended the movie career of both actresses.
The experience of having done a show seems to have helped Fadiman. Who knows, perhaps with even more chances, he might have continued to improve as far as what we've come to expect in a WML moderator. It's obvious that one of John Daly's skills was time management, and Fadiman doesn't seem to have that talent at all.
JANE POWELL IS A LADY WHO HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN CREDIT FOR ALL HER TALENTS...SHE IS NOW MOVING INTO 90 AND ABOUT THE LAST ONE AROUND OUT OF THAT TIME WARP CALLED THE 50'S AND 60'S...I HAVE BEEN HER FAN SINCE I FIRST SAW HER IN "THREE DARING DAUGHTERS"...IF YOU SEE THIS JANIE GIRL..I LOVE YOU....
I hate this show. I might glance at one for 5 minutes and BANG 2 hours later I still watching. It’s an additive as FORTNITE but I can’t seem to turn it off. 😃😃😃😄👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
![What's My Line? - Clifton Fadiman host; Jane Powell; Martin Gabel/Dana Wynter [panel] (Apr 20, 1958)](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
