MYSTERY GUEST: Eddie Cantor [vaudeville, Broadway, film, radio and television entertainer] & Marilyn [one of his 5 daughters] PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, Martin Gabel, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf
I'm very happy to see so many nice comments about Eddie Cantor posted here. Eddie was an enormously talented fellow who was liked by all. Unfortunately, as time has gone by he's been largely forgotten because he died in 1964...two years before I was born. As an aficionado of show business in the 20th century I've read a lot about Cantor and this past January, while in Los Angeles I visited Eddie Cantor in the mausoleum at Hillside Memorial Park. Eddie is interred next to his wife. Also at Hillside are Al Jolson, Jack Benny and George Jessel, all of whom were Eddie's pals.
"Is the gentleman the father of five famous daughters?" Much as I love and admire Eddie and his work, I guess I am not as familiar with him as so many of the other Legends, so I didn't know about the 5 daughters. But I asked my 91 year old mother, and before I said his name, when I said 5 famous daughters, she said "Oh Eddie Cantor, of course". Evidently his having five daughters was a very big deal in the media of the early-mid 20th Century. (And I am SO glad my mom is still around for these things!)
Oh yes, it was also one of the running gags about him on his radio show and whenever he guested on other people's programs. I've hardly heard a Cantor show where there wasn't at least one joke reference to his having five daughters. But the daughters weren't famous-- he was famous as the father of five daughters.
There's an old Merrie Melodie with Cantor swimming and bumping into a buoy. He hugs it and says, "At last, a buoy!" IIRC, Cantor wrote the lyrics to "Merrily We Roll Along," which was the theme of "Merrie Melodies."
What's My Line? One of his daughters was married to Robert Clary of Hogan s Heroe s, I believe she ws married once before him but their marriage lasted until her death
Specifically the running gag was that all the daughters were unmarriageable. They weren't all thrilled with that. Marilyn was married for many years, and at least some of the other daughters were also married, as has already been mentioned.
Yes, barstools often have moving parts -- if the seats swivel, they're connect to the base by a two-part steel swiveling bracket with ball bearings in it. As to contacting the body below the knees, barstools all have something upon which you can rest your feet since they're too high for the feet to reach the floor. Some merely have rungs for the purpose -- others have footrests designed for the purpose. As to sitting on a barstool at home -- we had a breakfast bar in our kitchen in the 1950's and 60's with four swiveling barstools and I knew of other homes that had such an arrangement.
When Eddie Cantor did a good deed for someone, another party said, "That was a Christian thing to do," and he answered, "No, it was a Jewish thing to do."
I remember in an early years episode they were sitting together and Arlene said goodnight to Martin and he made a joke about how he hoped he would still see her in the near future. And another time, Arlene said something along the lines of "goodnight Martin..well not goodnight but you know..goodnight everyone" I have been mostly watching from 1950-53 so I think that is when these are from, I remember at the time wondering of they had received letters about it or if they just thought it was funny. Happy you pointed it out in this episode!
Frances Willis was a graduate of Stanford University, actually, and, after getting her A.B. in history in 1920 (she was Phi Beta Kappa), she pursued graduate studies and received a Ph.D. from Stanford in 1923. So she should have been addressed properly as Dr. Willis. She actually held ambassadorial posts in Switzerland, Norway and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), after having held lesser posts in the Foreign Service in Chile, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, England and Finland. She also served as a U.S. representative to the United Nations in more than one capacity after her work as a U.S. ambassador ended. She was a college professor, too, as was pointed out, at Goucher College and then Vassar College before entering the Foreign Service, and she also served as Chairman of the University of Redlands Johnston College Board of Overseers and Long Range Planning Committee, which is what she was referring to when Bennett asked if she had anything to do with the University of Redlands. I'd say that Dr. Willis was both distinguished and accomplished. Both Arlene and Dorothy must have been impressed with Dr., Willis -- they both stood up to shake hands with her.
Addressing her as Dr. Willis might have given the panel a clue as to her occupation. I can remember several other PhDs and MDs who have appeared on the show, and I don't think any of them were addressed as "doctor" or "professor". There were also a few panellists who were addressed as "miss" when they were married (a bigger deal then than now), because signing in under their married name would have given something away.
The Bedol twins were ski troopers, as John mentioned, in the 10th Mountain Division, the only skiing division of the US Army. They distinguished themselves further earning the Bronze Star with clusters. One of their friends in that elite troop was future senator, Bob Dole. MarshAllan Industries once employed 500 people in Cleveland, and had additional factories in Venice, California, Wichita Falls, Texas, and West Haven, Connecticut. They made tray tables for many celebs and dignitaries, including Princess Diana & Prince Charles, and for JFK's inaugural ball.
Judging by her obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm, the Ambassador seemed likely overdue and in need of some fun and laughter, or a ‘night out on the town’, so to speak. Anyone else get that impression?
Dorothy asks "Is it solid!" and John immediately answers "Jackson!" A confusing answer but obviously the phrase "Solid, Jackson" was some beat slang in the 50s for something cool. 16:32
+Jeff Vaughn I guess they considered an ambassadress important enough to merit such a show respect. EDIT: Dorothy: Oh, is Arlene standing? I guess I'd better do so as well.
i dont understand why women standing to greet someone surprises so many people. it has always been, a lady does not stand to greet someone, a man does. the exception is if the seated lady feels the person she is greeting outranks or is somehow a more important person then she is. it is showing respect for that person, honoring them.
About 22:20, they mention Eddies autobiography "Take My Life " - I read it years ago, in the Ziegfeld Follies in the 1920s he was good friends with W.C. Fields and Will Rogers.
@@METALITHrevetments Also, at Redondo library they have their own hardback copy (like mine) of "Take My Life", but damn, their copy has Eddie's AUTOGRAPH in it, which was very tempting/ I almost wanted to switch copies. But no, I couldn't (could you)?
Eddie Cantor was my Mother's radio performer (somehow she loved him even more than Jack Benny, and I forgave her)...It is so sad that such an important figure in show business is better known as a character on the "Broadwalk Empire" tv series more than all of his years in the business.
When watching this as a boy of twelve, I did not find it very funny; now it's hilarious!! What happened? This show should be revived. I think it would do really well. Anyone out there think-so too? . : .
@James Miller: Sadly, I think there would be too much foul, sexual innuendos incorporated in today's TV programing. Watching later remakes as the likes of "Match Game" or "Hollywood Squares" for instance resorted to such content. I presume the producers at the time believed base humor is what the general public desired and subsequently the boosting of ratings.
The show may or may not do well if revived today. I say that with sincerity as I believe a great deal of the shows success was due to the level of grace, charm, wit and intellectual property this panel and moderator brought to the table. Some things are better remembered than resurrected.
Eddie wrote other books..including a second memoir"My Life Is In Your Hands"(both books"Take My Life & My Life is In Your Hands" have been reprinted and updated and sold once again).
A biography of Frances Willis that includes an image of the postage stamp issued in her honor by the USPS. adst.org/oral-history/fascinating-figures/frances-willis-the-first-career-female-ambassador/#.WjNEf1XtzIU
The thing I remember after reading his biography decades ago and hearing from people that knew and worked with him was that he was a workaholic and a perfectionist.
I don't see the comment you are replying too but I wonder if you mean Bennett Cerf? Although I would believe it about any of the men on the show, it's hard to judge someone from what you see on tv.
A great episode, and a bit of foreshadowing... The superimposed white letters WHAT'S MY LINE? that fade out when the first panelist enters are in the new typeface that will appear in the animated opening credits soon. Last week's program was the last to use the What's My Line? logo in upper and lower case letters, slightly random in their positioning.
I'll bet Frances Willis encountered Julia Child after Julia moved to Norway in 1959 when her husband, Paul Child, was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Dr. Willis served as our ambassador to Norway from 1957 to 1961. By the way, I note that Julia Child's first cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" (co-written with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle) was published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. -- and Random House acquired Knopf in 1960, so Bennett was, in a sense, actually Julia Child's first publisher, since Random House owned Knopf at the time of publication. (That cookbook, by the way, is still in print today and sells quite well.)
It is interesting in this episode they mention how they use the audience. Bennett mentions it directly, "I didn't get a reaction from the audience" Arlene says "I didn't get any feeling" about the same moment Bennett is soeaking of, and Dorothy says, "Bennett got no encouragement" about something he suggested. They speak a few times directly about how they get information from audience reactions but the other times I have noticed it they are explaining how they figured out an answer after it seems like they pulled an answer out of nowhere.
I know Janet Cantor... Eddie's youngest daughter... I knew her very well and she told me a lot about her dad... Who was one of the most wonderful human beings to ever live! But the sad thing is... that all of the daughters HATED each other! And Janet PARTICULARLY hated Marilyn! But Janet was a wonderful person.. like her dad...
I apologize for being gossipy but am I the only one who thought John Daly was quite short-spoken in his "good night" to Dorothy? Anyway I looked the date up and it seems that the episode is only 2 weeks after the Mike Wallace interview with Mickey Cohen (according to Bennett Cerf the week before DK gave a story to the Journal American about John being jealous of Wallace and thus not letting him appear as Mystery Guest) Thank you for letting us benefit from all those wonderful episodes! How on earth did you get them all??
i would say that his voice lacked the warm fuzzies it usually had. It might have been a better idea for the WML staff to arrange the seating (as they sometimes did) with Arlene in first chair and Dorothy in the third chair.
Sadly Marilyn Cantor or Margie, Eddie Cantors first daughter born in 1915, died of cancer 2 years after this show. She was a wonderful intelligent woman who helped her father in all aspects of his career for many years. That was her "career" for her whole life.
Did What's My Line, in their multi-year run, ever put out more than one chair? Was the only time, a second chair was provided, when Macy & Gimble were on the show?
Martin Gabel was considered one of the greatest catches when Arlene snagged him. She adored him and wore the heart shaped diamond necklace that he gave her every day. Unfortunately, a thief ran up and snatched it off her neck as she was getting out of a taxi in NYC.
I have heard of Eddie Cantor all my life but am not really familiar with his performances. Same with Al Jolson. I only heard him sing Mammy and Rockabye My Baby.
Both blackface performers but Eddie Cantor had a humanity in his. A few years ago I commented on Eddie Cantor meme... And I said just that. Eddie had a humanity that Al Jolson didn't have and that's evident in all of his performances...... Even those in the reviled black face. And shortly after... Janet Cantor's Sun contacted me and told me how they had appreciated what I wrote! From there I was put in contact with Janet cantor..... Eddie Cantor daughter! We stayed in contact for years and she told me many many things about her family and her dad! Eddie Cantor it was a wonderful human being... As I always thought... Enchanted Cantor was wonderful as well!
@@accomplice55 You are right! They also could have thought that they wouldn't be standing too long and could handle it. In any case it certainly was a great show. Cheers!
The bar stool was a great spot however a bit uncomfortable for those in the know.....as Dorothy Kilgallen was an alcoholic...God rest her soul....so am I some of us are just very high functioning.....sad for us but trying to quit
I cannot find any mention of Dorothy being either an alcoholic or a junkie. Yes, she died of “apparent” alcohol and barbiturate overdose, but the circumstances are very cloudy.
Alcoholic is an overused term, sometimes a person is a problem drinker , I don’t know about you or Dorothy. May God help you on your road to sobriety ❤️
Da;ly to Francis E. Willis : "You are a credit to your sex". Ouch! That surely comes off these days as being a "t ouch" sexist. But nobody in 1957 thought so.
Please remove this idiots comment. Unfortunately today's awful society is full of losers intent on ruining people's pleasure on using social media. Thank you.
Uncle Ruckus That's just propaganda by people with agenda. American women back then had more rights than women living in Saudi Arabia and Iran right now, lol.
![What's My Line? - Eddie & Marilyn Cantor; Martin Gabel [panel] (Jun 2, 1957)](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
