To my knowledge, Van Cliburn is the only really famous person who was born in the same town as I was. Sadly, he is not that well-known here. This is what he said after a NYC ticker-tape parade in his honor for winning the Moscow Tchaikovsky competition: "I appreciate more than you will ever know that you are honoring me, but the thing that thrills me the most is that you are honoring classical music. Because I'm only one of many. I'm only a witness and a messenger. Because I believe so much in the beauty, the construction, the architecture invisible, the importance for all generations, for young people to come that it will help their minds, develop their attitudes, and give them values. That is why I'm so grateful that you have honored me in that spirit."
Van Cliburn handled his overnight stardom very gracefully. The whole nation loved him. He's the only mystery guest that I've ever noticed that acknowledged the crowd _before_ he signed in
Love how at the mention of Christian Dior, Arlene and Dorothy in unison said "Yves Saint Laurent" who that year had taken over the house after the untimely death of M. Dior. They were practically swooning, as YSL was definitely the young hot shot breathing new life into Paris couture.
Van Cliburn was and still proves to be one of the greatests pianists of the modern era. There is a famous piano competition named after him in Texas. But the most prestigious piano competition is still held in Warsaw. I mean the International Chopin Piano Competition. Mr. Zimerman of Poland is now the best renowned pianist, Mr. Rubinstein used to be. Arthur has its own piano competition named after him in Tel Awiw as you may know. Anyway as an enormous piano afficionado must I say it was a great pleasure to see Mr. Cliburn in such a fantastic shape.
Yes, it's posted. You can watch it here (Cliburn's mother is the first contestant): th-cam.com/video/nddnvTyoSmk/w-d-xo.html And she also appeared on an episode of To Tell the Truth! That one's here: th-cam.com/video/aE9rAHIcIDE/w-d-xo.html
Bennett Cerf's comment about John Daly was interesting:. Daly was the FIRST national newsman to announce both the attack on Pearl Harbor and also FDR's death.
Week nine of the WML "Summer of Upgrades"! If you're not already a member of our Facebook group, now is a great time to join! Every Sunday evening (10:30pm NYC time, naturally) a bunch of us watch an episode at the same time so we can chat about it as we watch. We've been doing this all year, and it's always a blast-- the time ***flies*** by. If you're interested, please check out the group and join in the live chat tonight! And if you are interested in joining in, you'll probably want to delay watching this episode till the chat starts tonight! (There's more information in the group.) Link to the WML Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/728471287199862/ Please click here to subscribe to the WML channel if you haven't already-- you'll find the complete CBS series already posted, and you'll be able to follow along the discussions on the weekday "rerun" videos: th-cam.com/channels/hPE75Fvvl1HmdAsO7Nzb8w.html
+What's My Line? I could do this with every episode, but with the extra work of an upgrade, I feel compelled to offer my periodic thank you for all the work you have done to post these WML episodes in the best available quality, do extra work to update your remarks when errors are mentioned, and to police these boards for the (fortunately) only occasional prohibited topic, boorish comment or heated exchange. Based on the other comments, made by people ranging from regulars to those who were looking for a particular episode, your labor of love has brightened the day of many people: me included.
The very first time I ever saw or had even heard of Van Cliburn was on a rerun of a 1969 episode of MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD, so whenever I see old footage of the late Mr. Cliburn I'll think back to his appearances on "the neighborhood."
During the intro, Dorothy remarked about Bennett's study in the mid-West on the corncob pipe...and some episodes later, they had the corncob pipe maker on...and I'm thinking Bennett guessed him right off when he heard where the man was from.
Wow my grandparents hometown Norfolk Virginia, beautiful place. I lived there in the late 1950's and 1960's with my grandparents they may have crossed paths with him.
I never understand why Daly has such a problem with the specialized training question. Of course you require training to be a fashion editor (or any kind of editor for that matter). Even if the training didn't come from a formal education, but rather years of experience in journalism, that still fits the bill. Bottom line, if a job can't be done with just a small amount of instruction, then it qualifies as specialized training.
If you listened carefully, you'd be able to tell that that is exactly the point that Mr. Daly was arguing. Specialized training, on this show, more commonly referred to a FORMAL education which would result in a degree of some type. Mr. Daly further clarified that any job, if it were to be carried out correctly, would in fact require one form of training or another. He was asking for clarification of the intent of the question; should Mr. Poston be asking about something in the doctoral field, or could he be asking of something that could be done under apprenticeship. Mr. Daly didn't have "a problem" with it. He was doing his job.
From Kilgore, Texas. All the beautiful Russian girls adored and wished Van would have chosen one of them. But alas, he couldn't. And they didn't know that he couldn't.
What a great American Van Cliburn was. It's a dreadful shame our celebrities' now (2022-2023) don't have the same class and respect for our country that this man did.
People spoke so fluidly back then. Now it's all "Uh, um, I ..... like like like like like....like....like....I me my I me me me I I I I like...like like.....like....uh, um, uh, uh...." ad nauseum. Speech therapy in mass order!
I'm pretty sure they were provided for them. In those days, probably by a department store rather than one specific designer. Especially considering the styles varied so much, with no particular "signature" details one might recognize if they all designed by one person. I remember once on I've Got a Secret, another Goodson Todman production, it was mentioned the panelists dresses were provided for them. Also at some point (can't find the exact year) Arlene Francis became a board member (the only woman) at NYC department store Bonwit Teller. On the later syndicated episodes of WML, they were mentioned in the credits as having dressed Miss Francis.
Poor Mr. Cobb must have been desperate for work to take that job. He had been a police reporter and was now a ladies' fashion editor for the local rag in a Navy town. He could not have liked the work because he did not know that it was Yves Saint Laurent who lowered the women's hemlines to longuette or midi length, not the fashion house of Christian Dior. Someone related to the fashion industry and paying attention, as was his job to do, would have known that. I hope he did not get fired for that big public gaffe once he returned home.
Yves St Laurent started out working for Christian Dior and didnt open his own house till 1966, so to say that the house of Christian Dior lowered the hemlines is not incorrect. This show was in 1958. He'd be an "employee" of Dior's for another 7 or 8 years.
I hate the “do you require training or education for job?” as you need that for almost anything. I also hate “is your product useful?” (No, it’s pointless and I’m here on TV to say that.) Also if they work with people “do you talk to them?” Again, that will nearly always be a yes.
On the show they agreed terms of reference over the years. Special training means something beyond a standard education. A bank clerk wouldn't need special training as they can complete the majority of functions with the numeracy skills they learned at school. A human cannon ball on the other hand would need special training to complete the core function. "Is your product useful?" is opposed by the question, "Is it merely decorative?" A wall hanging may be lovely to look at but has no practical use. "Do you work with people?" means "Does the core function of your line require you to interact with people?" A writer, for example could complete their core function without significant human interaction. A nurse, on the other hand, couldn't function without human interaction. If these issues upset you so much, you may want to avoid watching anymore WML. The same questions appear on almost every episode.
@@zarabada6125 So well-said. Sometimes I wonder if people who kvetch about these questions understand anything beyond the garbage reality tv shows of today. You must engage your mind in order to appreciate this show, and it appears many folks fall short.
what was the "chemise dress" that Bennet was complaining about in 1958? today, I believe chemise refers to light casual clothing like beachwear or lingerie. nothing, except maybe bra and panties, is worn under it and nothing is worn over it. it hangs off the shoulders. It looks like she is wearing her boyfriend's T-shirt. I doubt this was what he was referring to.
Please remove this complete and utter troll from the comments section. Unfortunately today's awful society is full of pathetic losers intent on ruining other people's enjoyment of social media.
I think the team would have been totally shocked by the amount of leg showing in the late 60s and early 70s! No idea who the mystery guest was. A bit more info other than just his name would have been helpful.
@@bobbyshermanfan That happened in 1979, not 1958 when this episode was shown. So your comment should not have been texted. ALSO, IT IS MARTIN GABEL, NOT GABLE. You can't spell.
It would be great to know what the date is of the telecasts. Can you add that to the descriptions? I’m really enjoying these and thank you for making the effort to put these out
Not really. Those were the times. Our senior mistress at school measured out skirts to make sure they were 2” below the knee and we accepted it as normal.
what was the "chemise dress" that Bennet was complaining about in 1958? today, I believe chemise refers to light casual clothing like beachwear or lingerie. nothing, except maybe bra and panties, is worn under it and nothing is worn over it. it hangs off the shoulders. It looks like she is wearing her boyfriend's T-shirt. I doubt this was what he was referring to.
Do a Google image search for “1950s sack dress”. Dorothy wore one in an episode several months (?) before this and they were all joking about how brave she was. Bennet absolutely hated it, and in fairness, it’s hardly a flattering design!
Go to the March 2 1958 episode at around the 20 min mark he thanks the young lady for not wearing a chemise dress. He calls the dresses hideous and an insult to all me ( he hates that they hide the feminine figure) his statement caused a backlash from designers so in the March 30th episode as a peace offering to the NY designers Arlene and Dorothy wear two different types of chemise dresses. Dorothy’s dress was more extreme (I think it was unflattering) and Bennet comes out shaking his head in disgust and says “ I rest my case.”
![What's My Line? - Althea Gibson; George Sanders [panel] (Aug 10, 1958)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BNa2zMLzZMo/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Althea Gibson; George Sanders [panel] (Aug 10, 1958)](/img/tr.png)
![What's My Line? - Polly Bergen; Tom Poston [panel] (Aug 31, 1958)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/R2siE6NUY5Y/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Joe E. Lewis; Dana Andrews [panel]; Faye Emerson [panel] (Oct 12, 1958)](/img/n.gif)
To my knowledge, Van Cliburn is the only really famous person who was born in the same town as I was. Sadly, he is not that well-known here. This is what he said after a NYC ticker-tape parade in his honor for winning the Moscow Tchaikovsky competition:
"I appreciate more than you will ever know that you are honoring me, but the thing that thrills me the most is that you are honoring classical music. Because I'm only one of many. I'm only a witness and a messenger. Because I believe so much in the beauty, the construction, the architecture invisible, the importance for all generations, for young people to come that it will help their minds, develop their attitudes, and give them values. That is why I'm so grateful that you have honored me in that spirit."
Van Cliburn handled his overnight stardom very gracefully. The whole nation loved him.
He's the only mystery guest that I've ever noticed that acknowledged the crowd _before_ he signed in
Nope, Lauren Bacall did in 1953.
@@SueProvReading compression is not your strength.
Love how at the mention of Christian Dior, Arlene and Dorothy in unison said "Yves Saint Laurent" who that year had taken over the house after the untimely death of M. Dior.
They were practically swooning, as YSL was definitely the young hot shot breathing new life into Paris couture.
Van Cliburn was and still proves to be one of the greatests pianists of the modern era.
There is a famous piano competition named after him in Texas.
But the most prestigious piano competition is still held in Warsaw.
I mean the International Chopin Piano Competition. Mr. Zimerman of Poland is now the best renowned pianist, Mr. Rubinstein used to be. Arthur has its own piano competition named after him in Tel Awiw as you may know.
Anyway as an enormous piano afficionado must I say it was a great pleasure to see Mr. Cliburn in such a fantastic shape.
The Chopin Piano Competition was also won by an American once, by Garrick Ohlsson in 1970.
Did the same Mr Zimmerman also do “The Complete Works of Scott Joplin?”
Van Cliburn was an exceptional young man! 🥰
Thank you, Van! I was pleased to hear his last statements on this episode. He was a patriot.
Van was so poised at age 23!
Only 23? wow!
I wonder if we have the episode of WML that features his mother which he mentioned.
Yes, it's posted. You can watch it here (Cliburn's mother is the first contestant):
th-cam.com/video/nddnvTyoSmk/w-d-xo.html
And she also appeared on an episode of To Tell the Truth! That one's here: th-cam.com/video/aE9rAHIcIDE/w-d-xo.html
thanks!!
Bennett Cerf's comment about John Daly was interesting:. Daly was the FIRST national newsman to announce both the attack on Pearl Harbor and also FDR's death.
Van was a genius of the musical world... so enjoyable to witness his poise and charm in this episode, if not his amazing skills at the piano.
I know it's pretty off topic but do anyone know a good website to watch newly released series online ?
@Luis Leonard I would suggest FlixZone. You can find it by googling :)
@Kaleb Malik Definitely, have been watching on FlixZone for months myself :)
@Kaleb Malik Thank you, signed up and it seems to work =) Appreciate it !!
@Luis Leonard glad I could help =)
Week nine of the WML "Summer of Upgrades"!
If you're not already a member of our Facebook group, now is a great time to join! Every Sunday evening (10:30pm NYC time, naturally) a bunch of us watch an episode at the same time so we can chat about it as we watch. We've been doing this all year, and it's always a blast-- the time ***flies*** by. If you're interested, please check out the group and join in the live chat tonight! And if you are interested in joining in, you'll probably want to delay watching this episode till the chat starts tonight! (There's more information in the group.)
Link to the WML Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/728471287199862/
Please click here to subscribe to the WML channel if you haven't already-- you'll find the complete CBS series already posted, and you'll be able to follow along the discussions on the weekday "rerun" videos: th-cam.com/channels/hPE75Fvvl1HmdAsO7Nzb8w.html
+What's My Line?
I could do this with every episode, but with the extra work of an upgrade, I feel compelled to offer my periodic thank you for all the work you have done to post these WML episodes in the best available quality, do extra work to update your remarks when errors are mentioned, and to police these boards for the (fortunately) only occasional prohibited topic, boorish comment or heated exchange. Based on the other comments, made by people ranging from regulars to those who were looking for a particular episode, your labor of love has brightened the day of many people: me included.
@@loissimmons6558 Hear, hear!!
👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you for the links! I'm signing up!
Dorothy jumped right on the graceful movement of the bull fighter. She is amazing.
A legend while still in his 20's. A prodigy and a patriot.
I like how Tom and John both had a standup and lean-in q&a session.
This show was extraordinarily entertaining. What a beautiful time & place the entire world was in!
I love this program. Wish there was something as interesting to watch on TV 📺 in 2021.
Survivor has some of this shows elements. The everyman experience.
Agreed!
Jeopardy is pretty interesting, albeit it's not the same without Alex.
I love it too! It's 2023 now!
The very first time I ever saw or had even heard of Van Cliburn was on a rerun of a 1969 episode of MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD, so whenever I see old footage of the late Mr. Cliburn I'll think back to his appearances on "the neighborhood."
I am going to look for that!
Lots of bull fighters over the years.
Dorothy was very funny in this episode.
Nomadic Politics: Actually I thought Dorothy was inexplicably rude during the nurse's segment.
in these few episodes, Dorothy has been rude, particularly to John.
And I don't see how she was being rude at all to the nurse, who by the way kind of reminded me of the recently-deceased Jane Powell.
Arlene was at her most beautiful!
Lovely show.. panelists and host very smart people..wow.
Van Cliburn gave the top of the hour station identification at WRR-FM in Dallas until he died.
I would love to hear a recording of that! 💗
Dorothy, as always, is the smartest and the most charming!
During the intro, Dorothy remarked about Bennett's study in the mid-West on the corncob pipe...and some episodes later, they had the corncob pipe maker on...and I'm thinking Bennett guessed him right off when he heard where the man was from.
they have had a number of bull fighters on this.
Yes, there seemed to have a fascination with bull fighters. I skip those segments. I root for the bulls!
@@gabrielabate6020 🙄
@@thesweeples3266 That's right!
And a lot of dog catchers too.
Haha I was literally thinking this too, before I read the comments! They had a gazillion! Women and men. Rodeo folks too.
The Circumstances and Situations Concerning Some Of these questions are Interesting...
Wonderful...nice to go back to a gentler time...
It certainly is! 🥰
Except for the bulls.
Wow my grandparents hometown Norfolk Virginia, beautiful place. I lived there in the late 1950's and 1960's with my grandparents they may have crossed paths with him.
I have family in Roanoke, not far from there. Beautiful! ❤️
What is so unusual about a young and attractive nurse? I don't recall it being unusual in 1958.
I think it was because she was handy...from the area in case they needed the 4th contestant.
It’s unusual today not than
Sam James was a nice looking man! And Arlene thought so, too!
Boy, that nurse would make any man stay sick so he wouldnt have to leave the hospital ! She is gorgeous !!!
Identifying Van Cliburn was too easy because they had him on when he was in the news for a local appearance.
I never understand why Daly has such a problem with the specialized training question. Of course you require training to be a fashion editor (or any kind of editor for that matter). Even if the training didn't come from a formal education, but rather years of experience in journalism, that still fits the bill. Bottom line, if a job can't be done with just a small amount of instruction, then it qualifies as specialized training.
If you listened carefully, you'd be able to tell that that is exactly the point that Mr. Daly was arguing. Specialized training, on this show, more commonly referred to a FORMAL education which would result in a degree of some type. Mr. Daly further clarified that any job, if it were to be carried out correctly, would in fact require one form of training or another. He was asking for clarification of the intent of the question; should Mr. Poston be asking about something in the doctoral field, or could he be asking of something that could be done under apprenticeship.
Mr. Daly didn't have "a problem" with it. He was doing his job.
@@cuttersboi08
So well-said, KC wolf. Sadly, few people have any degree of listening skills these days.
From Kilgore, Texas. All the beautiful Russian girls adored and wished Van would have chosen one of them. But alas, he couldn't. And they didn't know that he couldn't.
Well said Mr Cobb!🤣🤣🤣
Tom Poston looks so incredibly young!
Van THE Man!
He sure was!!! 👏👏👏
What a great American Van Cliburn was. It's a dreadful shame our celebrities' now (2022-2023) don't have the same class and respect for our country that this man did.
I agree wholeheartedly! ❤️❤️❤️👍
I agree!
From the over sized suit to the Americanized name and a Google Search, it appears Sam James could have been all Bull, no Fighter.
He WAS a bullfighter in Mexico. He just wasn't that famous.
😂
People spoke so fluidly back then. Now it's all "Uh, um, I ..... like like like like like....like....like....I me my I me me me I I I I like...like like.....like....uh, um, uh, uh...." ad nauseum. Speech therapy in mass order!
and dressed so well, now everyone would be dressed in torn jeans and t-shirts.
Are you ever right. No I'm like...she goes...er...uh...
I hate hearing like, um like etc. 🙄
Is it me or is bullfighting the most represented line of work? it would be either that or women who are men's barbers.
Sdk ElMaruecan Women wrestlers are #1
I'd have said it was anything to do with corsets and girdles, but I wasn't actually keeping count.
There is a lot of repetition, for sure. Raising worms comes up a lot, too.
I fast forward these “lines”. I really cannot bear to think of such cruelty.
@@gilliankew 🙄
Regarding the bullfighter Bennett screwed up it's all yours Arlene
Sick of the bull fighters too. Why do they have so many of the SAME lines on here? Maybe I'm just grumpy lol
Martha Stewart had her 17th birthday the day this episode was shown. I wonder if she viewed it.
Ryan O'Brien do you know Martha?
@@henrygrove100 He lost money to her!!
She was busy baking cookies and practicing smiling
Tom must have all of a sudden not felt well & asked the nurse to make him better...lOl!!! 😉
Bennett Cerf and his darned chemise dress! Hahaha!
Wow, one could never guess that the Tom Posten would be the handyman man on Newhart, he looks like 2 different people.
I was wondering if the ladies clothes are from designers for show, or if they are the ladies personal clothing.
On the panel I meant.
I'm pretty sure they were provided for them. In those days, probably by a department store rather than one specific designer. Especially considering the styles varied so much, with no particular "signature" details one might recognize if they all designed by one person.
I remember once on I've Got a Secret, another Goodson Todman production, it was mentioned the panelists dresses were provided for them.
Also at some point (can't find the exact year) Arlene Francis became a board member (the only woman) at NYC department store Bonwit Teller. On the later syndicated episodes of WML, they were mentioned in the credits as having dressed Miss Francis.
@@todddepue681 p
Poor Mr. Cobb must have been desperate for work to take that job. He had been a police reporter and was now a ladies' fashion editor for the local rag in a Navy town. He could not have liked the work because he did not know that it was Yves Saint Laurent who lowered the women's hemlines to longuette or midi length, not the fashion house of Christian Dior. Someone related to the fashion industry and paying attention, as was his job to do, would have known that. I hope he did not get fired for that big public gaffe once he returned home.
Yves St Laurent started out working for Christian Dior and didnt open his own house till 1966, so to say that the house of Christian Dior lowered the hemlines is not incorrect. This show was in 1958. He'd be an "employee" of Dior's for another 7 or 8 years.
@@axiomist1076 That's true. It was so long ago and I was so young then. LOL. You are so very right.
Wish we knew what Dorothy shared with Van Cliburn
They exchanged beauty secrets
Sam James was very striking.
There was something "Norman Bates" about Van Cliburn's closeness to his mother.
I'm always amazed at how quickly they guess the mystery guest
Goodson and Todman must really have liked bullfighters.
Watching all these episodes, i'm convinced Bennett Cerf gets inside information before the show.
Or he’s just very quick and clever. You don’t get to build a publishing house from scratch by being g stupid or shy.
@@gilliankew Too quick Gillian... watch a few more and see if a red flag doesn't go up :)
@@Johnnyboy792: I've watched every episode since the beginning. No red flags. He's just smart and knows what's going on everywhere.
They simply paid attention to the entertainment/social scene in NYC.
No more mysterious than that.
@@thesweeples3266 I still think he peeked backstage LOL
hey
I hate the “do you require training or education for job?” as you need that for almost anything.
I also hate “is your product useful?” (No, it’s pointless and I’m here on TV to say that.)
Also if they work with people “do you talk to them?” Again, that will nearly always be a yes.
On the show they agreed terms of reference over the years.
Special training means something beyond a standard education. A bank clerk wouldn't need special training as they can complete the majority of functions with the numeracy skills they learned at school. A human cannon ball on the other hand would need special training to complete the core function.
"Is your product useful?" is opposed by the question, "Is it merely decorative?" A wall hanging may be lovely to look at but has no practical use.
"Do you work with people?" means "Does the core function of your line require you to interact with people?" A writer, for example could complete their core function without significant human interaction. A nurse, on the other hand, couldn't function without human interaction.
If these issues upset you so much, you may want to avoid watching anymore WML. The same questions appear on almost every episode.
@@zarabada6125
So well-said. Sometimes I wonder if people who kvetch about these questions understand anything beyond the garbage reality tv shows of today. You must engage your mind in order to appreciate this show, and it appears many folks fall short.
If it's not useful then it is decorative, adornment, or luxury. Talk to them means lecture, instruct, advise, more than simple greeting.
Do you see the family resemblance now?
Bull fighter is an unpleasant profession.
I suppose, it wouldn't be chosen today...
🙄
what was the "chemise dress" that Bennet was complaining about in 1958?
today, I believe chemise refers to light casual clothing like beachwear or lingerie.
nothing, except maybe bra and panties, is worn under it and nothing is worn over it.
it hangs off the shoulders. It looks like she is wearing her boyfriend's T-shirt.
I doubt this was what he was referring to.
The “chemise” was a style that was a bit fitted in the front and hung loose in the back!! I must say..I was there!!😁
*_Women's Fashion Editor_*
*_Bullfighter_*
*_Nurse_*
Please remove this complete and utter troll from the comments section. Unfortunately today's awful society is full of pathetic losers intent on ruining other people's enjoyment of social media.
Keep your comments respectful!
Again, Bennett should have been fired wtf.
17:40 Van Cliburn
I think the team would have been totally shocked by the amount of leg showing in the late 60s and early 70s! No idea who the mystery guest was. A bit more info other than just his name would have been helpful.
Where is Arlene's heart shaped pendent?
Stolen off her neck as she exited a taxi when she was a senior citizen. It was a gift from her husband Martin Gable
@@bobbyshermanfan That happened in 1979, not 1958 when this episode was shown. So your comment should not have been texted. ALSO, IT IS MARTIN GABEL, NOT GABLE. You can't spell.
It would be great to know what the date is of the telecasts. Can you add that to the descriptions? I’m really enjoying these and thank you for making the effort to put these out
They are at the top of the page.
Are you blind? The date is in the title of the episode.
I hate when the oversexed audience whistles and cat calls the guests. It's nerve-curdling.
It was worse when guys used to do that in person to unsuspecting females.
Well, ya, the whole affair is quite repulsive.
Only a feminist would say that.
I love it
Funny, I have email that says there are replies, but they are not showing. :/
What the fashion editor is talking about is truly horrific
Not really. Those were the times. Our senior mistress at school measured out skirts to make sure they were 2” below the knee and we accepted it as normal.
what was the "chemise dress" that Bennet was complaining about in 1958?
today, I believe chemise refers to light casual clothing like beachwear or lingerie.
nothing, except maybe bra and panties, is worn under it and nothing is worn over it.
it hangs off the shoulders. It looks like she is wearing her boyfriend's T-shirt.
I doubt this was what he was referring to.
Do a Google image search for “1950s sack dress”. Dorothy wore one in an episode several months (?) before this and they were all joking about how brave she was. Bennet absolutely hated it, and in fairness, it’s hardly a flattering design!
Go to the March 2 1958 episode at around the 20 min mark he thanks the young lady for not wearing a chemise dress. He calls the dresses hideous and an insult to all me ( he hates that they hide the feminine figure) his statement caused a backlash from designers so in the March 30th episode as a peace offering to the NY designers Arlene and Dorothy wear two different types of chemise dresses. Dorothy’s dress was more extreme (I think it was unflattering) and Bennet comes out shaking his head in disgust and says “ I rest my case.”