@@alicemcknight6335 I can't stand Groucho either. He wasted so much time, is non-stop rude, and nothing is funny about his brand of "humor." 😖👎👎 *showed (?) *off color (?) 🙂
@@nancyhowell4505 Many people have different ideas of what's funny-- that's why they say it's subjective. His humor is not rude.... or should I stop that sentence and ask: do you think Don Rickles was rude, or was being rude part of his "shtick?
John Daly was a FABULUS host of WML for all those years! My father was a BIG FAN of WML and always watched it back in the years when it was on on Sunday nights at 10:30 PM!
“What’s My Line?” debuted on CBS in 1950. In the early years of network television in the US, the “Prime-Time” schedule started at 6:15 PM or 6:30 PM, with a 15-minute national news broadcast, and often ended at 10:00 PM. The networks at that time either had a hard time finding programming for the 10:00 PM time slot, or simply couldn’t afford to fill that time slot with programming. In those early years, that time slot was filled with local programming by the network affiliates, in the form of either staged dramas, or musical performances by singers and musicians hired by the television station. It was unusual in 1950 for CBS to try to attempt to fill the 10:00 PM time slot with network programming, and particularly on a Sunday night, when people had to go to bed early to get sleep before going back to work in the morning. “What’s My Line?” was successful, because they were able to attract and keep an older, more affluent, more highly-educated, audience, that were either retired, or were members of the professional class who often worked long hours into the night, and were still awake to watch the program at the then-late time of 10:30 PM at night. By the time the show ended in “Prime-Time” in 1967, society, social norms, and American demographics and work demands were changing greatly, and closer to that of the nation we live in today. For many people now, the night is just getting started at 10:30 PM.
Fun fact. The jail warden (guest #1) was convicted of perjury which stemmed from charges that he let prostitutes into the jail and also gave prisoners use of telephones that they were not supposed to have.
@@janepatterson6779 Bull. He made this episode especially hilarious because of his shenanigans. That's why they got him on the show in the first place.
@@Fardawg That may be so, but the fact is, Marx was annoying to a great number of viewers! Overkill and ego. Constant attention-demanding, like a bratty kid!
Arlene was one of a kind; and I have no doubt she was an absolute hoot at parties. I would take her grace and humor (and mischievousness) above anybody who tries to call themselves a comedienne in the 21st Century.
"What's My Line?" had went for 3 years with an empty seat on the panel at this point in 1959, since the sudden death of panelist Fred Allen. At this point in his TV career, Groucho Marx was approaching a crossroads, because the TV ratings for his NBC game show, "You Bet Your Life", were on a downward spiral. Marx and CBS decided to agree to do this appearance as a "guest panelist" on "What's My Line?", as a form of try-out, to determine if he would be successful as a full-time panelist on the show. I guess that it did not work out for either CBS, and/or Marx. Mr. Marx still made a few more appearances on the show as a "guest panelist", but that was it.
A late friend of mine was a steward with British Airways. One particular pilot with whom he flew regularly , always wanted to be informed of any famous passengers in first class. On one flight he rushed into the cockpit to tell the pilot that Claudette Colbert was right there in first class. " Who ? " said the pilot . " Why, Claudette Colbert ! ". " Never heard of her " said the pilot. The actress was quite elderly and was coming to London to perform in a play with Rex Harrison , the pilot was too young to remember her, however.
Sometime in the 50's Groucho and his son took a trip to Europe. Upon returning he had to fill out a US Customs card. Under "occupation" Groucho supposedly wrote "smuggler". I'd bet the customs people got a kick out of that.
That blond hair on this show! I've always loved how her eyes squint cutely when she laughs and smiles! Really warms you up! Reminds me of how Bette Midler's eyes do the same thing.
For those criticizing Groucho: the show's producers and regular panelists knew exactly how Groucho would act on the show and that's why they hired him. It doesn't hurt for the occasional show to go off the rails in a predictable way and John, Arlene and Dorothy had a really good laugh.
I wonder what color it was! The sheen and, to a certain extent, the style make me think of a dress that Diane Lane wore in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun (the wedding scene toward the end). Hers was peach colored and it was beautiful!
Classic Groucho. The panel had no problem with him blowing the thing up, because he was Groucho... it's why he was there, they knew what they were getting. LOL P.S. - Miss Grable was a cutie pie.
...remember, the Marx Brothers, and especially Groucho, were masters of chaos and anarchy in all of their stage plays and motion pictures; Groucho was attempting to prick the balloons of this program and its panelists and producers; just for fun, of course; he simply never knew when to stop, and many people found it annoying, which is why he was alone most of his life.
@@kelloggs5473, when you think how old Groucho Marx was 60 years ago, I'd be amazed this funny guy is still with us? Remember watching him and his brother's in their films while growing up.
So many prudes didn't appreciate Groucho. It might be fun to give the panelists and John the MMPI, The Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory, to see if there was any correlation between the degree of various personality traits and degree of appreciation for Groucho Marx.
@@shirleyrombough8173 Shirley, hello! Well, I am no prude, God knows (He/She *Really* knows!). And I think Marx was probably great in his own comedy format but here, though some of it Was funny, he basically was distracting and annoying to many of us. We watch WML specifically for its own type of presentation.
I mildly disagree. Groucho upstaged Bennett. Also, John Daly likes to be in control, and Groucho made that difficult. (Several times, while politely laughing, Daly looked off-camera, perhaps to note the time, which Groucho gobbled up, and at one point, John fluttered his eyes with what seemed to be annoyance.)
@@TheWriterWalkerNaah, they all knew what you get when you have Groucho on your show! The game plan goes right out the window! It's like having Keith Moon on a talk show. These guys are legends!
This was during an era when television personalities had class, news programs provided real news, schools taught, people read, and hatred of other Americans was not so blatantly sanctioned and encouraged. Yes, some groups were discriminated against. Yes, there was bigotry. But mostly, regarding the flaws, there was simple ambivalence. Now look at what we've become.
"...Yes, some groups were discriminated against..." But from your rose colored glasses fondness for the past, that wasn't really a big deal to you. You seemed to PREFER it that way. But THAT was hate in it's most pure form. So your ramble was just complete nonsense.
@@4seeableTV Your comment seems to be fraught with assumptions. But yes, you were right regarding the fact that, as a kid, that wasn't a big deal to me - at least up until junior high school. As an adult, though, I look back and can see where it was worse than now and where it was better than now. Is that such a sin? Is it wrong to admit that generally people were much more civil to one another back then, while also admitting that hate existed and was, in many parts of the country, institutionalized in law? In Chicago, for example, where there was much poverty and institutional corruption, there weren't 40-50 people being shot on some weekends. And "journalists" on television ("right" and "left") didn't blatantly lie (lie sometimes, yes - but blatantly, no) in every program. Back then, literacy was higher. And back then, too, the minimum wage was, relative to cost of living, MUCH higher. So it is possible to admit the problems of the past AND the present without denying, either. As for my "ramble" being "complete nonsense," I disagree.
@@timward3116 ---- dude this was literally the period of time when the Klan was running rampant and marital r##e was legal. Definitely not "simple ambivalence".
You must keep in mind that while this was a fun program that presented a positive face, the actual Holocaust had just happened. The real world was not like these gameshows.
@@virg0_lem0nade Point well-taken. I do keep those things in mind and never said that the game shows represented the real world beyond the fact that they were, themselves, a small part of the real world. Although the Holocaust AND WWII did precede this program by only a few years, the US did have the Korean War followed by the Vietnam War, and there was always at least an undercurrent of racism - though none of the racism seemed to be outwardly promoted on national TV news broadcasts. Post WWII, though, there was an era of prosperity, much less of a separation of economic classes, more economic justice, and somewhat more personal freedom in the US. There also appeared to be an attempt at journalistic integrity... something that we have definitely lost as the corporate masters of the news media have consolidated their power and ensured that their messages are consistent with the goals of the industries that pay their salaries through advertising revenue.
It must have been absolutely horrifying to be on any kind of a show with Groucho -- he was pure, unrestrained chaos and funnier than you were ever going to be.
1959 showed Arlene at her prettiest, even though she was already 51 or so. 😊 However, I’m really sorry about that invasive grab hug Groucho gave to Arlene!
Dennis James, who himself hosted a number of game shows for Goodson-Todman Productions, appeared in this live advertisement for Kellogg’s Variety Pack Cereals. It appears as if the camera faded out a little bit early by the camera operator, at the instructions of the show’s director in the broadcast booth, or at the instructions of the floor director. That was the nature of live network television at that time. A year or two after that, CBS would make the switch to videotaping episodes in advance, to allow the host, panelists, and the show’s staff to take Summer vacations, and to have an emergency episode in the can, should another panelist die unexpectedly once again. They ended up using one (the Colonel Harland Sanders episode) in 1963, to allow the panel more time to mourn the death of President Kennedy.
To all the fuss pots on here who said Groucho was out of line, I am only sorry that you did not enjoy his brilliance. He was great here. And everyone clearly had a good time.
I think that Steve Allen was a much better panelist than Groucho, because he was one of the few comedians who knew how to be funny without being disruptive.
Absolutely. I mean, Groucho is funny but all the same, his total lack of regard for the game is irritating. On the other hand, Steve Allen is one of my favorite comedians and actually asks thoughtful questions in addition to being hilarious
Groucho Marx couldn't possibly be part of a team like this. It drove him crazy. He was used to his own show and everything revolving around him. He constantly interrupts and dominates the conversation with drivel that only had the purpose of extending his air time. He destroyed the mystery guest segment because he couldnt stand for attention to be directed towards someone other than himself. Groucho Marx was the Godfather of Narcissism
LOL Yeah, really. I fail to see how anyone can watch this and not see that the entire cast is thoroughly enjoying Groucho's antics. Even Dorothy Kilgallen was cracking up.
I just did a Bing Search. Yes, Kellogg's still make 10-box Variety packs, but you may have to look around for them. They are sold out of them at the Wal-Mart web site. Target has 8-box "Fun Packs" available for sale at their web site. Kroger's still sell 10-box "Variety Packs" at their web site.
Groucho was a great comic in the hilarious Marx films of the 30’s & 40’s but his personality wasn’t suited to this type of format where panelists are expected to ask pertinent questions and listen to the answers, rather than look for opportunities to make a series of quick fire gags. I found his style of humour tedious and irksome. The problem here is that Groucho is not comfortable with following the normal agenda of a guest panelist because he would feel vulnerable and out of his comfort zone, hence the interminable gags. His mission was to attract the maximum attention which would cut the ground away from the other panelists. Sadly his presence marred the show, so I wasn’t surprised he wasn’t invited on the show again.
Groucho Marx appeared a few more times on the show as a "guest panelist", but this was his best performance on the show (or on network television, for that matter).
Groucho is so Obnoxious...I think the expression "attention whxore" was invented for him. Love Claudette who always manages to remain Cool and Unruffled...
Groucho was a quick wit, one of the funniest men of his era; but his schtick made him supremely obnoxious -- and a bad fit for a show like _What's My Line?_ Compare his annoying presence to that of Steve Allen, I guy I've admired all my life for being a talented comedian, songwriter, producer, and a very intelligent and stellar human being -- who brought both class and and an identifiable affability to humor appropriate for the atmosphere of this show. I think in this episode Daly was particularly annoyed by Marx and his attempts to steal the limelight from everybody including the contestants.
I totally agree. I find him to be someone who is always trying to steal the show. And in doing so, he ususlly ends up ruining it. By contrast, another superb wit... Steve Allen... always sprinkled just the right amount of humor into the mix, never overshadowing the purpose of the game. As a result, his appearances were entertaining AND meaningful to the program. What we're seeing here is a show-off... and one who is so unashamed of it that he's willing to destroy the show in search of a laugh. Probably the most overrated "entertainer" ever.
@@janepatterson6779 Frankly, I agree. I still have trouble finding comic genius there. Once in awhile, yes, he's funny. But compared to, let's say, Laurel and Hardy? Or Jack Benny? Or Sid Caesar? Etc. Oh my no!
Not a fan of fast talking, wise cracking Groucho, whose one line quips in films became his trademark. This sort of panel show was not his forte. Here, he tries too hard to be funny but doesn’t really succeed.
D Donner Funny it was annoying and not funny but annoying can be funny too so do you think it was funny because it was annoying or just annoying period?
Groucho was a brilliant one line comic in the marvellous Marx films, but this panel show required more subtle humour and wit. Groucho, by trying to hog the limelight, just comes across as a fish out of water!
Having Graucho on a live TV show is dangerous.
John had more fun than anyone here. I've never seen him laugh so much.
I was thinking the same. He had a ball.
I agree. Personally, I think they should have kept Hal Block and never slowed Marx on the program. I don't appreciate his off collar comments.😊
@@alicemcknight6335 I can't stand Groucho either. He wasted so much time, is non-stop rude, and nothing is funny about his brand of "humor." 😖👎👎
*showed (?) *off color (?) 🙂
@@nancyhowell4505Oh, you're no fun anymore.
@@nancyhowell4505
Many people have different ideas of what's funny-- that's why they say it's subjective. His humor is not rude.... or should I stop that sentence and ask: do you think Don Rickles was rude, or was being rude part of his "shtick?
Wow! I thought I had seen all the episodes. How fab to see Claudette Colbert!
Miss Colbert and Groucho Marx were old friends from their days at the Paramount Pictures studio in Hollywood.
John Daly was a FABULUS host of WML for all those years! My father was a BIG FAN of WML and always watched it back in the years when it was on on Sunday nights at 10:30 PM!
How did such a popular show survive with such a terrible time slot?
“What’s My Line?” debuted on CBS in 1950.
In the early years of network television in the US, the “Prime-Time” schedule started at 6:15 PM or 6:30 PM, with a 15-minute national news broadcast, and often ended at 10:00 PM. The networks at that time either had a hard time finding programming for the 10:00 PM time slot, or simply couldn’t afford to fill that time slot with programming. In those early years, that time slot was filled with local programming by the network affiliates, in the form of either staged dramas, or musical performances by singers and musicians hired by the television station.
It was unusual in 1950 for CBS to try to attempt to fill the 10:00 PM time slot with network programming, and particularly on a Sunday night, when people had to go to bed early to get sleep before going back to work in the morning.
“What’s My Line?” was successful, because they were able to attract and keep an older, more affluent, more highly-educated, audience, that were either retired, or were members of the professional class who often worked long hours into the night, and were still awake to watch the program at the then-late time of 10:30 PM at night.
By the time the show ended in “Prime-Time” in 1967, society, social norms, and American demographics and work demands were changing greatly, and closer to that of the nation we live in today. For many people now, the night is just getting started at 10:30 PM.
It was fun to witness how giggly everyone was within this episode.
Fun fact. The jail warden (guest #1) was convicted of perjury which stemmed from charges that he let prostitutes into the jail and also gave prisoners use of telephones that they were not supposed to have.
And that's where the expression "call girl" came from?
good for him
I don't think I've laughed so much watching something that was filmed over 61 years ago... Groucho is sorely missed!!
I could have sworn I heard Groucho say Claudette Colbert's name while she was signing in!!
He did.
Hope that was his last time on the show..it's about the guests including stars, NOT HIM!
@@janepatterson6779 Bull. He made this episode especially hilarious because of his shenanigans. That's why they got him on the show in the first place.
@@Fardawg That may be so, but the fact is, Marx was annoying to a great number of viewers! Overkill and ego. Constant attention-demanding, like a bratty kid!
@@Fardawg Exactly!
Groucho is so darn funny, probably the funniest game show I've ever watch.
These are the shows I live for. If everyone on stage is having a good time, so is the audience
Groucho was an ass and ruined the show!
Wow, Arlene Francis has an amazing look here, hair, smile, eyebrows, voice.
She was the best. Smart, sexy, classy - all at the same time.
Claudette Colbert was beautiful & Groucho stole the show!
Arlene was a knockout.
Absolutely stunning lady. Very elegant.
Arlene was one of a kind; and I have no doubt she was an absolute hoot at parties. I would take her grace and humor (and mischievousness) above anybody who tries to call themselves a comedienne in the 21st Century.
That was an awesome episode. I love watching "What's My Line."
Groucho is funny,, but he keeps interrupting the other panelists. When Colbert appeared, you can hear him say "It's Claudette Colbert."
Grouchy could not have cared less about the game. It was all about him being in the spotlight.
"What's My Line?" had went for 3 years with an empty seat on the panel at this point in 1959, since the sudden death of panelist Fred Allen. At this point in his TV career, Groucho Marx was approaching a crossroads, because the TV ratings for his NBC game show, "You Bet Your Life", were on a downward spiral. Marx and CBS decided to agree to do this appearance as a "guest panelist" on "What's My Line?", as a form of try-out, to determine if he would be successful as a full-time panelist on the show. I guess that it did not work out for either CBS, and/or Marx. Mr. Marx still made a few more appearances on the show as a "guest panelist", but that was it.
Which I never liked. You wanna do that, get your own show or stick to the one you have. Not fair to the other people on panel!
Idiot, Groucho.
@@LaptopLarry330 I'm glad (as are many others enjoying WML these days) that Marx was not hired permanently!
Agreed. You are there to be part of a TEAM, not do an ad lib of your own.
A late friend of mine was a steward with British Airways. One particular pilot with whom he flew regularly , always wanted to be informed of any famous passengers in first class. On one flight he rushed into the cockpit to tell the pilot that Claudette Colbert was right there in first class. " Who ? " said the pilot . " Why, Claudette Colbert ! ". " Never heard of her " said the pilot. The actress was quite elderly and was coming to London to perform in a play with Rex Harrison , the pilot was too young to remember her, however.
The play was "Aren't We All?" written by Frederick Lonsdale in 1923. Miss Colbert was 81 and Mr. Harrison was 76. The year was 1985.
@@BellaFirenze Many thanks for that information, I appreciate it.
@@brianrodney712 My pleasure.
Sometime in the 50's Groucho and his son took a trip to Europe. Upon returning he had to fill out a US Customs card. Under "occupation" Groucho supposedly wrote "smuggler". I'd bet the customs people got a kick out of that.
Yeah, I'd think that's when it would pay to be a well-known celebrity!
Love this program, this one was really great.
Dorothy: Would you deal with more sex? The world cracks up.
Did any female in films exude such genuine feminine charm as did Claudette?
Maybe Teresa Wright
or Greer Garson?
Audrey Hepburn
Happy to see this video because the ever beautiful Claudette Colbert R I P .
Thanks for bringing back the memories for me. I was 11 years old when What's My Line was on TV
Arlene was stunning!
I was surprised I recognized her. She definitely was.
She always is. The epitome of 1950s elegance.
I have thought her pretty in every Episode I've seen- but I agree-"stunning" is a great adjective for her in this episode !
That blond hair on this show! I've always loved how her eyes squint cutely when she laughs and smiles! Really warms you up! Reminds me of how Bette Midler's eyes do the same thing.
For those criticizing Groucho: the show's producers and regular panelists knew exactly how Groucho would act on the show and that's why they hired him. It doesn't hurt for the occasional show to go off the rails in a predictable way and John, Arlene and Dorothy had a really good laugh.
Just like Red Skelton flubbing up.
That's the only reason some folks tuned to watch.
He’s still annoying. Love Marx bros films, but can’t stand him here, talk talk talk.
@@lttlgregOh, you're no fun anymore.
Originally broadcast LIVE over the CBS Television Network on September 20, 1959.
"I hope we can fix it so that YOU will be chummy with our guest." Yea, John Daly.
Arlene and Claudette had the same sort of style; and Ido mean 'STYLE'. 10/2019
They were ladies in every sense of the word
Yeah, not like the sluts we have today. Nothing sexier than being a lady. Today's sluts will never understand that concept.
Love Claudette's dress. Wish I had it.
I wonder what color it was! The sheen and, to a certain extent, the style make me think of a dress that Diane Lane wore in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun (the wedding scene toward the end). Hers was peach colored and it was beautiful!
@@ElizaDolittle Hey! I remember that dress too, it really was lovely. And a great film, too!
"He's a charming fellow between sentences." About Nikita Kruschov.
Great lady
Classic Groucho. The panel had no problem with him blowing the thing up, because he was Groucho... it's why he was there, they knew what they were getting. LOL P.S. - Miss Grable was a cutie pie.
Bennette didn't think so
Did "Bennette" tell you this?
Good job Groucho! You got to John D, and made me laugh hysterically. 🤣😂
...remember, the Marx Brothers, and especially Groucho, were masters of chaos and anarchy in all of their stage plays and motion pictures; Groucho was attempting to prick the balloons of this program and its panelists and producers; just for fun, of course; he simply never knew when to stop, and many people found it annoying, which is why he was alone most of his life.
Love this show!!!❤
GROUCHO! GROUCHO! GROUCHO! GROUCHO!
He's hysterical!!!!
He doesn’t stop!
I was born the year this was aired, hard to believe it was 60 years ago, I expect all who appeared on it have passed away by now?
Arlene Francis lived past the age of 90. Other participants could have, too. “Dead” is a very easy word to use to describe someone you never met.
@@kelloggs5473, when you think how old Groucho Marx was 60 years ago, I'd be amazed this funny guy is still with us? Remember watching him and his brother's in their films while growing up.
Yes, they’ve all passed away. 🙏
John Daly (Host): (Age 77)
02/20/1914 - 02/24/1991
Bennet Serf: (Age 73)
05/25/1898 - 08/27/1971
Dorothy Kilgallen: (Age 52)
06/03/1913 - 11/08/1965
Groucho Marx: (Age 86)
10/02/1890 - 08/19/1977
Arlene Francis: (Age 93)
10/20/1907 - 05/31/2001
Claudette Colbert: (Age 92)
09/13/1903 - 07/30/1996
SUCH ANARCHY ON THIS PANEL...and leave it to Groucho to destroy everyone! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So many prudes didn't appreciate Groucho. It might be fun to give the panelists and John the MMPI, The Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory, to see if there was any correlation between the degree of various personality traits and degree of appreciation for Groucho Marx.
@@shirleyrombough8173 Shirley, hello! Well, I am no prude, God knows (He/She *Really* knows!).
And I think Marx was probably great in his own comedy format but here, though some of it Was funny, he basically was distracting and annoying to many of us. We watch WML specifically for its own type of presentation.
@@aileen694He's like Eggs Benedict here; you wouldn't have them often, but every once in a while, what the hell?
Groucho Mark was such a pain
Groucho was one of the funniest people alive. I loved his movies and I loved him here!
Dorothy Kilgallen with her ever present white gloves!
Groucho: outrageous, irreverent and funny as hell! The panel, Daly and the audience loved every disruptive minute of it.
I mildly disagree. Groucho upstaged Bennett. Also, John Daly likes to be in control, and Groucho made that difficult. (Several times, while politely laughing, Daly looked off-camera, perhaps to note the time, which Groucho gobbled up, and at one point, John fluttered his eyes with what seemed to be annoyance.)
Yeah, what an asshole. And then smearing Claudette Colbert with cigar smoke after ruining her whole appearance.
@@TheWriterWalkerNaah, they all knew what you get when you have Groucho on your show! The game plan goes right out the window! It's like having Keith Moon on a talk show. These guys are legends!
@@shuroom57 Lol. I hear you.
Grouch told them who it was
Dennis James: Pro-tee-in
Others: Pro-teen
Fascinating. Simply fascinating! 👊😊👊
Groucho adjusting his collar button: I feel like I'm being hung.
John's missed opportunity: Well, you've come to the right place(yuck yuck!).
This was during an era when television personalities had class, news programs provided real news, schools taught, people read, and hatred of other Americans was not so blatantly sanctioned and encouraged. Yes, some groups were discriminated against. Yes, there was bigotry. But mostly, regarding the flaws, there was simple ambivalence. Now look at what we've become.
"...Yes, some groups were discriminated against..." But from your rose colored glasses fondness for the past, that wasn't really a big deal to you. You seemed to PREFER it that way. But THAT was hate in it's most pure form. So your ramble was just complete nonsense.
@@4seeableTV Your comment seems to be fraught with assumptions. But yes, you were right regarding the fact that, as a kid, that wasn't a big deal to me - at least up until junior high school. As an adult, though, I look back and can see where it was worse than now and where it was better than now. Is that such a sin? Is it wrong to admit that generally people were much more civil to one another back then, while also admitting that hate existed and was, in many parts of the country, institutionalized in law? In Chicago, for example, where there was much poverty and institutional corruption, there weren't 40-50 people being shot on some weekends. And "journalists" on television ("right" and "left") didn't blatantly lie (lie sometimes, yes - but blatantly, no) in every program. Back then, literacy was higher. And back then, too, the minimum wage was, relative to cost of living, MUCH higher. So it is possible to admit the problems of the past AND the present without denying, either. As for my "ramble" being "complete nonsense," I disagree.
@@timward3116 ---- dude this was literally the period of time when the Klan was running rampant and marital r##e was legal. Definitely not "simple ambivalence".
You must keep in mind that while this was a fun program that presented a positive face, the actual Holocaust had just happened. The real world was not like these gameshows.
@@virg0_lem0nade Point well-taken. I do keep those things in mind and never said that the game shows represented the real world beyond the fact that they were, themselves, a small part of the real world.
Although the Holocaust AND WWII did precede this program by only a few years, the US did have the Korean War followed by the Vietnam War, and there was always at least an undercurrent of racism - though none of the racism seemed to be outwardly promoted on national TV news broadcasts. Post WWII, though, there was an era of prosperity, much less of a separation of economic classes, more economic justice, and somewhat more personal freedom in the US. There also appeared to be an attempt at journalistic integrity... something that we have definitely lost as the corporate masters of the news media have consolidated their power and ensured that their messages are consistent with the goals of the industries that pay their salaries through advertising revenue.
Best episode ever.
Graucho doesn't know when to quit
He slowed down the show .
@@770WTYou said it! Enormous ego. SO annoying!
The first contestant looks identical to the other Nikita. Nikita Khrushchev scared me to death when I was a kid when I saw him appear on TV!
It must have been absolutely horrifying to be on any kind of a show with Groucho -- he was pure, unrestrained chaos and funnier than you were ever going to be.
Well said…. Absolutely well said
1959 showed Arlene at her prettiest, even though she was already 51 or so. 😊
However, I’m really sorry about that invasive grab hug Groucho gave to Arlene!
Groucho was the bomb !!!! He was just being himself !!!! Groucho was put on the panel to boost ratings !!!!
Of course the producers knew what they were doing. And the fact that John thought it so hilarious gave everyone permission just to enjoy it.
Dennis James, who himself hosted a number of game shows for Goodson-Todman Productions, appeared in this live advertisement for Kellogg’s Variety Pack Cereals. It appears as if the camera faded out a little bit early by the camera operator, at the instructions of the show’s director in the broadcast booth, or at the instructions of the floor director. That was the nature of live network television at that time. A year or two after that, CBS would make the switch to videotaping episodes in advance, to allow the host, panelists, and the show’s staff to take Summer vacations, and to have an emergency episode in the can, should another panelist die unexpectedly once again. They ended up using one (the Colonel Harland Sanders episode) in 1963, to allow the panel more time to mourn the death of President Kennedy.
SUNBEAM . . What a great American company. Quality products that lasted decades.
Hysterical?Ive never seen them like that
To all the fuss pots on here who said Groucho was out of line, I am only sorry that you did not enjoy his brilliance. He was great here. And everyone clearly had a good time.
He was an arrogant show off-who couldn't stand not being the center of attention.
@@garydeblasio8810 Sounds like jealousy to me... Have you ever made anyone laugh? On purpose, I mean.
@@garydeblasio8810another jealous loser hater
"PRO-tee-in." Wow, never heard protein pronounced that way.
Me neither. Because of the two vowels next to each other he divided the word into three syllables: pro-tee-in.
There hasn't been as much hysteria on this program since Phyllis Diller!!!
Dorothy Kilgallen was by far the best at this game. She took it seriously despite all the joking around.
Note the Trans-Atlantic Accents on most of the Folks ( Except for Groucho ).
Thought that first guy was related to nikita Khrushchev
He well could have been. And I guess he had the right occupation.
Groucho Mark needs to keep his mouth shut.
When Groucho didn't put on his mask and said Claudette Colbert, the first panelist should have asked, _"Are you Claudette Colbert?"_
Groucho would never get away with all that lady hugging these das
yeah it made me uncomfortable when I saw that
@@eric_oleander I wonder if women were just as uncomfortable then I will never know
@@TowkayCC if I am to believe my gradmother they were, but they were brought up to be too "polite" to say anything about it
Groucho Marx was a total "Ad-Lib GENIUS." Perhaps the funniest man that ever lived.
The origin of the chaos theory ~ Julius 'Groucho' Marx.
Marx ruins it. Thinks it's his show.
NEVER could stand him .always thought he was funny.
King’s of Battle Creek
This was not a normal episode; I thought Groucho was too much a bully.
I think that Steve Allen was a much better panelist than Groucho, because he was one of the few comedians who knew how to be funny without being disruptive.
Absolutely. I mean, Groucho is funny but all the same, his total lack of regard for the game is irritating. On the other hand, Steve Allen is one of my favorite comedians and actually asks thoughtful questions in addition to being hilarious
A prison is not a non-profit making organisation.
It was, more or less, back then.
No, but it's supposed to be.
Groucho Marx couldn't possibly be part of a team like this. It drove him crazy. He was used to his own show and everything revolving around him. He constantly interrupts and dominates the conversation with drivel that only had the purpose of extending his air time. He destroyed the mystery guest segment because he couldnt stand for attention to be directed towards someone other than himself. Groucho Marx was the Godfather of Narcissism
I agree with you completely. Ruined the segment.
Galileocan g you must be fun at parties too
LOL Exactly, Elliott. There was a reason they invited Groucho on repeatedly, but I'm guessing not to appeal to the fun at parties crowd.
MisterMasterShafter1 must be part of the Margret Dumont crowd , she didn’t understand Groucho either lol
LOL Yeah, really. I fail to see how anyone can watch this and not see that the entire cast is thoroughly enjoying Groucho's antics. Even Dorothy Kilgallen was cracking up.
this episode is already available on you tube and is repeated.
The irrepressible Groucho!!!
Groucho didn’t wear a tuxedo. I wonder if he is the first panelist to do that?
Panelist Fred Allen (I think) wore a suit and bow tie.
All the women panelists never wore tuxedos.
The Kellog's variety pack no longer is sold, is it?
Kellogg's was still selling them in the 1980s. Our Boy Scouts troop bought them for the Scouts to eat on camping trips.
I just did a Bing Search. Yes, Kellogg's still make 10-box Variety packs, but you may have to look around for them. They are sold out of them at the Wal-Mart web site. Target has 8-box "Fun Packs" available for sale at their web site. Kroger's still sell 10-box "Variety Packs" at their web site.
Bought a variety pack in the UK recently
We sell one in my convenience store in UK
Being in the UK I don't know hardly any of these except for the famous guests what happened to Dorothy
She was murdered !!!!!!!!!!
All I can say is poor Mr. Daly. Groucho was worked up here. I bet all the judges were glad when this was over...
No. See my remarks above.
What was the producers thinking having Groucho as a panelist? He is a train wreck just waiting to happen…
Groucho's behavior was inappropriate and offensive. He was a great entertainer, but as a panelist he really sabotaged this episode.
He needed attention badly
Groucho was hysterical 😂 Get a life…
Groucho was more annoying than funny.
Thank you!!!! His "funny" behavior was not fair to the other people on the panel. It was not HIS show!!
Not every show had to the same.
I understand your point but I'd sure rather watch this than the first few shows in 1950. They were like watching trees grow.
As usual
Groucho was a great comic in the hilarious Marx films of the 30’s & 40’s but his personality wasn’t suited to this type of format where panelists are expected to ask pertinent questions and listen to the answers, rather than look for opportunities to make a series of quick fire gags. I found his style of humour tedious and irksome. The problem here is that Groucho is not comfortable with following the normal agenda of a guest panelist because he would feel vulnerable and out of his comfort zone, hence the interminable gags. His mission was to attract the maximum attention which would cut the ground away from the other panelists. Sadly his presence marred the show, so I wasn’t surprised he wasn’t invited on the show again.
Groucho Marx appeared a few more times on the show as a "guest panelist", but this was his best performance on the show (or on network television, for that matter).
AMEN! It hurt me watching him...
Geoff M / yes, John Daly didnt look too Pleased with HIM at one Point.
Groucho was too disruptive. He was funny and great back then, yes, but I think he forgot that this wasn't HIS show.
Now the world can see why this being absolutely loathes Groucho Marks ! !
John is laughing at Groucho ... Arlene usually so perfectly elegant is having problems with the shoulders of her frock ...
Nikita Chruechev
Groucho is so Obnoxious...I think the expression "attention whxore" was invented for him. Love Claudette who always manages to remain Cool and Unruffled...
Groucho was interruptive and added nothing to the game.
Wrong. He was hilarious.
Groucho ruined it
I guess Hollywood was perverted even back then.
@@prairieflower427Sadly, yes
Humor is one thing but Marx’s attention need is way too much
That was rather racy... all those sexual innuendos and even a slight homosexual reference! whoops! Groucho Marx completely stole the show here.
@@generalcomments1239very Racy for 1959.
Groucho made a homosexual reference? I missed that.
Groucho was a quick wit, one of the funniest men of his era; but his schtick made him supremely obnoxious -- and a bad fit for a show like _What's My Line?_ Compare his annoying presence to that of Steve Allen, I guy I've admired all my life for being a talented comedian, songwriter, producer, and a very intelligent and stellar human being -- who brought both class and and an identifiable affability to humor appropriate for the atmosphere of this show. I think in this episode Daly was particularly annoyed by Marx and his attempts to steal the limelight from everybody including the contestants.
Harpo would have been a more polite panelist
No shows today entertain and inform with class as the game shows of the past. Everything today is either mean spirited or trashy.
I guess it's easier to be crude than clever. 🙄
To me, Groucho is simply annoying here. A little on this type of show is quite enough. He carries it wayyyyyyy too far.
I totally agree. I find him to be someone who is always trying to steal the show. And in doing so, he ususlly ends up ruining it. By contrast, another superb wit... Steve Allen... always sprinkled just the right amount of humor into the mix, never overshadowing the purpose of the game. As a result, his appearances were entertaining AND meaningful to the program. What we're seeing here is a show-off... and one who is so unashamed of it that he's willing to destroy the show in search of a laugh. Probably the most overrated "entertainer" ever.
RMP, oh yes. Terribly tiresome. Not funny. Irritating.
@@oldwestguy I totally agree.
I'm 75 and NEVER in my life found him funny..and yes, SO IRRITATING on this program!
@@janepatterson6779 Frankly, I agree. I still have trouble finding comic genius there. Once in awhile, yes, he's funny. But compared to, let's say, Laurel and Hardy? Or Jack Benny? Or Sid Caesar? Etc. Oh my no!
Groucho cannot let the spotlight go to anyone else. He’s a boring egomaniac. Blah blah blah. Go away , Groucho.
He did that in August, 1977.
Who would you rather have, Groucho or Rodney Dangerfield?
I totally agree
Was he ever invited again?
Too bad there are many commercials, it ruins the show
Groucho was very rude and pushy at times and just couldn't shut his mouth for 5 seconds.
Not a fan of fast talking, wise cracking Groucho, whose one line quips in films became his trademark. This sort of panel show was not his forte. Here, he tries too hard to be funny but doesn’t really succeed.
Geoff M I agree. His comedy was more annoying than funny to me.
D Donner Funny it was annoying and not funny but annoying can be funny too so do you think it was funny because it was annoying or just annoying period?
Groucho was a brilliant one line comic in the marvellous Marx films, but this panel show required more subtle humour and wit. Groucho, by trying to hog the limelight, just comes across as a fish out of water!
Geoff M Racist
Let's see you be funnier.
Wow gaucho on was like a mistake