A couple of days after Christmas 1964, my Dad took me to Manhattan for some post-holiday shopping. As we crossed Madison Avenue, my Dad pointed out Liberace who was window shopping.
Imagine if the mystery guests’ signatures were captured (on paper rather than a chalkboard) and kept - what an incredible collection that would be. Liberace’s clever grand piano sketch was terrific.
Arlene and Dorothy so often had a struggle with their blindfolds. And had to spend so much time readjusting hair and lashes! Love these shows!! Thank you so much!
I would agree an ad that it was not just an act for the TV audience but most people at that time tended to conduct themselves in that manner on a regular basis.
Thank you for pointing out such wonderful observations. Born in 1948, I was raised in the "classic" middle class 1950s home environment, which was a blessing unto itself; and in a family where my parents expected us to behave in the manner that your comments state and imply. Now you walk by people, and in my wish to at least acknowledge them with a "Hello" and a gentle smile, they don't acknowledge you (back) because they're looking at their d**m cell phones. How sad!
Hackett was a comic's comic... but he was also one hell of a game player, who had a really great grasp of the game. I always enjoy his guest appearances.
So glad I discovered "Rifleman" reruns. Buddy displayed a fine talent for portraying various characters. Mild-mannered, or the father of some brutes bent on shooting up North Fork, or some other interesting characters. I hadn't known he acted at all.
I agree with you that Buddy Hackett was a great game player on what's My Line, and he displayed his intelligence on Hollywood Squares and Password as well.
He really did ! He was a good sport ! It always irks me when the Mystery Guest doesn't bother to disguise their voice; defeats the whole purpose of the game !
That toll taker Mrs. Boone was so graceful and gracious. It seems like she should’ve been doing something else, but maybe during those times there just weren’t the types of opportunities that we of course have today.
When I saw what she did for a living, my first thought was she looks just like all the nice ladies we used to see manning the toll booths in NY. Funny how she was one of the first women to do this.
@Agent Fungus I remember seeing Liberace as a kid on a TV talk show where he said that he was once introduced in such a way that his name "rhymed with brass."
16:41: Dorothy asks Liberace, "Are you our leader, Vaughn Meader?" Having never heard of Vaughn Meader before, I had no idea what she was talking about when I first heard this, but in the very next episode, the mystery guest was, in fact, Vaughn Meader. Dorothy doesn't guess him but after his identify has been revealed, she mentions the fact that she had guessed him the week before. I just had to come back here to listen for that guess. :)
Indeed, Liberace had appeared live on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Sunday, 16 December 1962, before pre-recording this episode of WML? Other guests on the Sullivan show that evening were Y.A. Tittle, Barbra Streisand, Linon, Russ Lewis, Abbe Lane, Victor Julian and his dogs, The Goans, Xavier Cugat and his orchestra, and The Clancy Brothers. Wladziu Liberace did a great job of bringing his voice down into a full bass/baritone range, which fooled the panel for a while before Buddy Hackett's "stab in the dark." That voice would come in handy 4 years later for the role of Harry (a gangster) on two episodes of "Batman." (Liberace also played the pianist, Chandell, who was either Harry's brother or his look-alike, in those episodes.)
I was driving and flipping through radio stations and heard a female disc jockey for the first time. I turned up the volume in amazement. I grew up in Las Vegas. First time I saw a female black jack dealer, a same thing. For that matter the first time I saw a boy keno runner. Gender roles were rigidly fixed.
What a wonderful example of humility from Liberace when commenting about loving to go home during the "Holidays," in part, to decorate his Christmas tree. I loved that. And Buddy Hackett getting a chuckle when pronouncing Liberace's name a little bit differently, thus creating his boyish delight, was, indeed, something special to see. It's a real treat to watch these episodes of "What's My Line," in part because, being born in 1948, I grew up during the 1950s when so many of these shows, with their often simple plots, or designs, were truly elegant in a number of unique ways that still "outshine" today's c**p on TV...; (e.g. "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," eating "sketti" with the other ramshackled family members)! Plus I get to remember moments when I'm sitting in the living room with my mother in our home in Columbus 9, Ohio, and watching this program with her, while she smokes her one cigarette for the day, a Lucky Strike!" (L.S.M.F.T. ~ Yep, haven't forgotten that one, mostly thanks to "The Jack Benny Show," of course.)
Buddy thinking he'd get a laugh and getting it right reminds me SO MUCH of the Hollywood Squares where has to answer which country has the most doctors, he answered Israel as a joke because they have the most Jews, and it was right. NO ONE was more surprised than Buddy, lol.
The mystery guest appearances of Liberace in 1957, 1962, and 1964 all produced some of the biggest laughs in a mystery guest sequence. Paul Anka got his gender wrong in the 1964 appearance; Buddy Hackett got the pronunciation wrong in 1962, for a laugh -- but got Liberace. Hackett is highly amusing all the way around in this game - especially with Liberace. Hah Hah.
Actually, many mispronounced "Liberace" as Libber-ace when he was first starting out. He really worked very hard and struggled for years before heading West.
John Tomasello : Wow. What a neat memory! I had seen him twice in person in the late 70s/very early 80s when he had concerts in Milwaukee. He was walking around Downtown. Very friendly and genuine with that megawatt grin. Of course, he had bodyguards, but he always wanted to reach out and shake hands and say hi. He always paid homage to Milwaukee, having been born in West Allis, a very humble blue collar suburb of Milwaukee. He even had offered to buy an abandoned mansion in Wauwatosa (a well to do suburb) in the 70s and restore it, but the conservative farts in the Tosa gov't didn't want to taint their fair community by dealing with (gasp!) a "homo." They gave other lame reasons that were too easy to see through. He also offered to restore a Civil War era theater in Wood National Cemetery/VA Hospital grounds in West Milwaukee, but was turned down. Something about not allowing private funds being donated for Federal property(!) The theater is still standing, but has been in ruins for years. Lee used to give free piano concerts for the veterans in that theater before he moved away to seek fame and fortune. I wish Lee would come back now so he could enjoy his life and not have to be afraid of losing everything because of his lifestyle. Can you imagine how Millennials would love him? PS: If it's not obvious by now, I've been a lifelong fan of Liberace! He really was an amazing person. When I was a very little kid, my mother explained to me that he "liked men better than women." I didn't care then and still don't. My mother was very ahead of her time, rest her soul!
+Agent Fungus i'm using my fiance's account, and want to say that your mom and you are amazing too. she would be very proud of how accepting you are.God bless
soulierinvestments What a great Mom you had, John! I wish I had been fortunate like you! I was never accepted by her...and ended up supporting her and taking care of her for years!
Arlene is again wearing the fur-trimmed evening gown I have commented on before. This must have been her "Christmas dress," as I think the other episodes on which I've seen her wear it were also from around the same time of year. Also, this is the second episode in a row in which she is wearing no necklace at all. I know that both episodes were actually taped the same night, so she must have forgotten her diamond heart necklace that day. I think the gown she wore in the previous episode was one I've seen before also. Dorothy and Arlene both look particularly pretty in this episode.
Regarding the heart necklace, Arlene is wearing it as a bracelet wrapped around her left wrist. It is very blurry upon her initial entrance in this episode, but it can be seen very clearly in the previous episode (Dec. 16., 1962) at the 14:22 mark.
23:36 Cerf to professional stilt walker: "Can we rule out that you are not a clown?" Answer should have been "no" instead of the "yes" given. He could rule out that he's a clown - but he could not rule out that he's not a clown.
One more thing: Buddy Hackett is the sharpest guest panel member I have seen in these episodes. He was nearest to guessing the toll collector's line when he asked if she worked for a transport line. Well, not a line but a tunnel in fact.
I saw where an auction house sold Lucille Ball’s autographs for $6,750. According to the link, CBS had the autographs on a roll that were sprayed with lacquer to preserve them. Apparently many survived. It would be great to have one. Any of them.
As far as I know this is the first female Africa-America non celebrity guest on the show. The only man the was not a celebrity work at the White House. I'm hoping that there are more Africa-America guest from now on the show in 63.
Also, a woman who packaged band-aids, a lawyer, many female singer/actresses, President Johnson's secretary, sports players. Many male singer/actors, sports players, fellow who gave yours in a glass bottom boat called Arlene, a person who made credit cards. There are more just can't remember.
Mrs. Boone was very polished, refined, and quite personable. Seems like she should’ve been doing something different and better, but who knows-maybe she liked what she did.
"Cat calls" or "Wolf whistles"... depending on which dialect of English we're talking about, I have read in other comment sections of WML episodes, were usually reserved for young, blonde ladies. And unmarried pretty, young blonde ladies, at that, it appears. It's a "thing" in the comment sections, like the panelist's dresses, etc.
"My next engagement will be at the Latin Casino" - sigh. I live around the corner from the site of that fabled venue. It is Cherry Hill, NJ. The number of talented individuals/acts that performed there takes my breath away.
Scotts Valley CA near Santa Cruz was a Santa Claus themed amusement park. Opened iin 1956 closed in 1979. It's not in the wiki, but I'm wondering if Mr Carruthers supplied the park. Technical note: what comes from Alaska and northern Canada is caribou, which resemble reindeer and are generally wild. Reindeer are from northern Europe and are domesticated; the Lapps use them for both food and beasts of burden.
The theme park was called "Santa's Village"; our family visited there over the 1960-61 winter holidays shortly before I turned five years old. Exit 6 on northbound California Highway 17 is still labeled Santas Village Road, but that's just the name of a short section of frontage road now; all traces of the park have vanished under development. They did have reindeer, so I'm confident that Mr. Carruthers was associated with the park in some way.
Don't say that here - most people commenting on WML seem to think those were the good old days where everything was better than now. Of course they didn't live back then and have no idea how hard life was for most people.
Charles Dickens might as well have been talking about the years from the end of World War II to November 1963 as "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." Things were simpler, most people felt positive about the future, people were polite and considerate, and believe it or not, most people were comfortable in the roles assigned to them by society. But there were exceptions. Blacks faced major discrimination in most places in the U.S., whether it was education, jobs, housing, etc. Interracial marriage was still illegal in many states. Most LGBT people hid their identity or retreated to fringe communities. Women also faced limits in business and financial matters. So times were great if you fit into the system. And most people fit so they look back fondly and for them society has gotten worse. But for those who didn't fit, there is no reason to wax nostalgic.
+Agent Fungus Shredded cabbage and fake Spam in lime Jello? I'm sure glad I finished eating before reading that. And considering that Spam is basically fake meat (although I do like it), the idea of faking fake stuff is pretty wild. I wish my mom was still here. I'd be calling her right now to thank her for packing a lunch for me every day I ate lunch at school.
@@LarsRyeJeppesen I did and it was. In so many ways. Back then, people talked to each other. Now everyone has a cell phone glued to their head and can't live without it. While in a waiting room recently, a man and his 2 young daughters were waiting to be seen. All three had cell phones and did not say one word to each other. They were each in their own little world.
@@Pashasmom1 That's fair enough.. I agree.. not saying it's all better, but against polio, child death, child labor, blacks /women discriminated and many many other things, there is no contest. You know the world is better if all you have is that people look into their phones /s... at least they can communicate with loved ones living far away... back them you couldn't do that.
Second contestant...a non celebrity Black person! I think that was pretty rare. You would think Black's would appear more often, especially since this is New York City.
She looks quite nervous in front of the camera, but handles herself very well. Also I am quite fond of that sultry presence of hers. And she reminds me of someone, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Joe Postove There were a number of African American contestants who were not celebrities on this program. Both John and panelists (as well as the audience) were all very respectful.
I assume since I have never seen it here, that the episode where Liberace appears on the panel (as was mentioned during the Mystery Guest portion of this show) is one of the lost episodes?
Tuff Bud - This show had a few others. This program did their part for equality. I held my breath but this panel were gracious, as one would have hoped.
I love Dorothy. She tries so hard to be attractive and she may be serious sometimes, but she laughs all the time. I don't think Arlene would be nearly as attractive is she didn't have expert with hair, makeup and wardrobe. I love them all!
When they pre-taped a show, as this one is, would it be correct to assume that they did it at the same night as the airing of a live show (I think I'm starting to sound like Dorothy)!? How many would they pre-tape and would they do it after or before the live show, if indeed they taped on that night (which only seems to make sense...why do it another time)? Tape it when you have them there.
They usually did a pre-taped episode on the same night before the live one. Wait until we get to the final 1966-1967 season. It had a few of instances of episodes being taped on a day other than a Sunday. They were recorded on a Monday in October. Of the 47 color videotaped episodes, 16 of them were pre-taped. More than any other season.
Joe Postove In my own language, I think I've started to sound like John Daly! Maybe it would be good to take a pause/change the channel for a while? ;) (And to What's My Line? Thanks for all your effort anyway! :)
Robert Romero - Why? That's the correct pronunciation. This is brought to you by the same people who proudly call the town San Peeedro instead of San Paydro, which is not used by native speakers. For years the residents of Long Beach called the street spelled Junipero "Juanipero." I guess we humans pick a pronunciation we like and stick with it. When I lived in Nevada the natives called it Nevaaada(as in cat)instead of Nevahda, which is correct.
Buddy Hackett had a good recovery from his "libber-race" remark. Lady Bird Johnson read a lot of books about music and musicians. One day, she had the opportunity to attend a concert in Chicago. She was so happy that she finally was going to get to hear music by BEETH-oven.
Shirtless - I had a college roommate who had a friend who was taking an Intro to Music class; he studied Batch, Choppin and Bee-thoven.. and maybe Hi-den. Well, college was the place to get this all worked out.
I like Buddy Hacket a lot on this show. He's funny, but doesn't go over the top with jokes which take too much time out of playing the game like other people trying to be funny, like Victor Borge. He isn't funny and just delays playing time.
George Wilson - Still women did think he was attractive. Imagine having to hide who you really are in order to keep your role in the entertainment world. These fifties and sixties episodes seemed to be the epitome of graciousness and civility but that hid a lot of entrenched prejudice and bigotry. We have advanced quite a lot; now we need to work on the civility and manners in our lives.
Interesting that they don't dress the studio or adorn anything on view with tinsel or Christmassy props or even a tree for Christmas episodes (so far!). I quite like it without!! Bah. Humbug. :)
![What's My Line? - Liberace; Buddy Hackett [panel] (Dec 23, 1962)](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
