As a matter of historical perspective, this show aired four days before President Kennedy discovered missiles in Cuba.
Tony Randall is a panel guest, having returned from shooting a film in Greece. Arlene Francis has just begun filming in New York City with Doris Day. Arlene's introduction of Bennett Cerf begins with, "Now there are those people who write in and say that we have had too much to say about the people we introduce. I would like to make a statement now that it would be impossible to say enough about the man I am about to introduce..." Later, Arlene gives one of her witty remarks when she says to the first guest, a female racetrack announcer, "That's the first time I heard of a Philly calling the race!" When the second guest, a 12-year-old boy, signs in, Arlene says, "Now we have a jockey!"
I find it interesting that by mentioning the contents of letters to the show, we get a feel for the public's temperament. Years before, this show changed it's format of letting guests shake hands with the panel prior to their questioning...all due to the public writing in and suggesting how to speed up the show and let more guests appear.
The second guest was a 12-year-old Canadian boy who wrote a newspaper advice column for parents carried by 35 papers in Canada and the U.S. entitled, "Ask Henry." He also wrote a book by the same title. Although Tony Randall (the second to ask questions) guessed that Henry wrote a column, Henry stumped the panel. Arlene guessed that if it was a gossip column he was starting too young. Dorothy Kilgallen asked if the column was for the lovelorn. Arlene then guessed that it would be about how to be president because he was young enough.
At the end of the questioning Bennett Cerf asked if "children today in Canada and the U.S. are kind enough to their parents...that they give them a square deal." Henry smiled broadly and said, "If parents are okay, then their kids will be okay too." Dorothy kept Henry for a moment when he shook hands with the panel...I guess commenting on his column. Henry even went the wrong way to exit the stage and had to backtrack past the panel.
Henry was energetic and charismatic. He is one of the few surviving guests from the old What's My Line? black and white era. I was able to find him, a PhD with a successful web site and blog following. Ironically, he did not remember being on the show! He remembered being on another show with Garry Moore (probably I've Got a Secret) and speaking about Carol Burnett who would be one of Garry's guests on his variety show.
I would have found it nice to learn what it was like to be on the show, to drink in every detail to better understand broadcasting techniques back then and all of the errors that were broadcast with live television. Bennett mentions during this episode that the last time they put on their blindfolds someone ran across the stage. Bennett also explains to the audience what the term "runaway production" means since it was mentioned when Joan Crawford appeared as the guest celebrity.
I'm a year younger than Henry and met President Kennedy the previous day in Pennsylvania during the President's visit...which I vividly remember. I wish Henry would have remembered the show and shared the moment. At least he has this tape to view.
Tony Randall is a panel guest, having returned from shooting a film in Greece. Arlene Francis has just begun filming in New York City with Doris Day. Arlene's introduction of Bennett Cerf begins with, "Now there are those people who write in and say that we have had too much to say about the people we introduce. I would like to make a statement now that it would be impossible to say enough about the man I am about to introduce..." Later, Arlene gives one of her witty remarks when she says to the first guest, a female racetrack announcer, "That's the first time I heard of a Philly calling the race!" When the second guest, a 12-year-old boy, signs in, Arlene says, "Now we have a jockey!"
I find it interesting that by mentioning the contents of letters to the show, we get a feel for the public's temperament. Years before, this show changed it's format of letting guests shake hands with the panel prior to their questioning...all due to the public writing in and suggesting how to speed up the show and let more guests appear.
The second guest was a 12-year-old Canadian boy who wrote a newspaper advice column for parents carried by 35 papers in Canada and the U.S. entitled, "Ask Henry." He also wrote a book by the same title. Although Tony Randall (the second to ask questions) guessed that Henry wrote a column, Henry stumped the panel. Arlene guessed that if it was a gossip column he was starting too young. Dorothy Kilgallen asked if the column was for the lovelorn. Arlene then guessed that it would be about how to be president because he was young enough.
At the end of the questioning Bennett Cerf asked if "children today in Canada and the U.S. are kind enough to their parents...that they give them a square deal." Henry smiled broadly and said, "If parents are okay, then their kids will be okay too." Dorothy kept Henry for a moment when he shook hands with the panel...I guess commenting on his column. Henry even went the wrong way to exit the stage and had to backtrack past the panel.
Henry was energetic and charismatic. He is one of the few surviving guests from the old What's My Line? black and white era. I was able to find him, a PhD with a successful web site and blog following. Ironically, he did not remember being on the show! He remembered being on another show with Garry Moore (probably I've Got a Secret) and speaking about Carol Burnett who would be one of Garry's guests on his variety show.
I would have found it nice to learn what it was like to be on the show, to drink in every detail to better understand broadcasting techniques back then and all of the errors that were broadcast with live television. Bennett mentions during this episode that the last time they put on their blindfolds someone ran across the stage. Bennett also explains to the audience what the term "runaway production" means since it was mentioned when Joan Crawford appeared as the guest celebrity.
I'm a year younger than Henry and met President Kennedy the previous day in Pennsylvania during the President's visit...which I vividly remember. I wish Henry would have remembered the show and shared the moment. At least he has this tape to view.
