Arlene Herson Interviews Arlene Francis

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Was there ever a classier lady on television than Arlene Francis? Most people today would have no idea about the magnitude of her stardom back in the day - She was truly a giant.

[@grettageragi9598]

arlene francis was such a beautiful woman and so talented. there will never be anyone who could chalk up so many accomplishments. never heard a bad word about her, either.

[@greggoreo6738]

I concur .

[@annamarialeanyvari2091]

Her English pronounciation is just amazing especially the what’s my line shows! As a non native English speaker I found it very classy!

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

@@annamarialeanyvari2091 - Yes... her manner of speaking was referred to as the 'Mid-Atlantic' accent. Not quite Bostonian, and not quite English. But somewhere in between. A very elegant fusion.

[@safepethaven]

Yes, unlike the nasty Baba Wawa, Arlene Francis was a gracious and respected interviewer, Too bad the mind was slipping as she could not remember fellow panelist Fred Allen's name.

[@SaxonC]

Arlene Francis always had me smiling! What a beautiful and enchanting woman! ❤

[@alan-light]

What a treasure to find this rare interview. Arlene Francis herself was a treasure. In the 1950's she was the second most famous woman in America, after Eleanor Roosevelt. By the time she died of Alzheimer's in 2001 she was forgotten. Newspapers all over the country published a photo of another woman with her obituary by mistake and nobody noticed. This interview was done within 6 months of her husband Martin Gabel's death in 1986. You can still see the sadness in her eyes. I was surprised how mentally sharp is here because it is said on Wikipedia that she began exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's Disease in the mid-80's, right around this time. There is only a faint sign of it here, perhaps, when she can't remember Fred Allen's last name. ("How 'bout that?" she says, when she struggles and fails to remember a name she knew as well as anything.) It's also sad to hear her talk about the precious heart-shaped diamond pendant her husband gave her on their first anniversary, knowing as we do now that it would be snatched off her neck by a thief as she was exiting a cab two years after this interview, in 1988. She was a smart, kind, witty person. Watching her on very old What's My Line reruns on KZbin is a joy.

[@christinalw19]

I didn’t know about the theft of the ❤️ necklace. I’m new to watching WML here. I watched it as a child, if my parents let me stay up late on hot summer nights in CA. Arlene was quite lovely, gracious. Interesting she was born in Turkey, my son is half Turk. Blessings to All. 🙏🏼❤️

[@SirWilly77]

It's kind of fascinating how fleeting fame can really be. At the height of her show's popularity she was a household name and would probably have been treated like royalty wherever she went. But then you fast-forward one or two generations, and if you randomly asked 100 people on the street "Who was Arlene Francis?", you'd probably be lucky to get two correct replies.

[@alan-light]

@@SirWilly77 You're right. And the same goes for Arthur Godfrey. He was super famous and now forgotten.

[@alan-light]

@@SirWilly77 Johnny Carson's fame has also faded significantly and will continue to do so until he is completely forgotten.

[@stevekru6518]

@@alan-light But unlike Carson and Frances, Godfrey is deserves to be forgotten.

[@peggya.mobley3714]

Loved Arlene Francis. Arlene was rarely stumped on Whats my line (Celebrity part). Always guessed Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Carol Channing. I sure miss her. Broke my heart when mugger took her diamond heart shaped necklace given to her by her beloved husband ❤️

[@alan-light]

As a footnote to this interview, Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel's only child, son Peter Gabel, passed away on October 25, 2022 (aged 75).

[@RT-qd8yl]

Yes, it was in the news.

[@nandofigueira2005]

R.I.P.

[@Celisar1]

I don’t know why but that hit me right now. I have seen Peter since he was a teenager and mystery guest on „What‘s my line“. Has everything that reminded of Arlene now left this world? Or are there grandchildren? It is so saddening how time eradicates even the most lovable and wonderful people. You can be the biggest star and two generations later almost mo one knows who you were.

[@alan-light]

@@Celisar1 According to Wikipedia Peter Gabel has a son, Samuel, whose partner is Lisa Jaicks so maybe they could also have a child, if they haven't already, and keep the line going, genetically speaking. You're right that even the biggest stars become forgotten. Not just Arlene Francis today, but ask anyone under 50 who Arthur Godfrey was!

[@Hank13665]

I am glad to have come across this interview with Arlene Francis. My memories of her go back to my mother watching her on daytime television in the 1950s--I did not know her from WML yet--I was too young at the time to stay up late on Sundays. I had also known she had worked in the New York theater, but I had not known the extent of her Broadway career until I checked the Internet Broadway database--an amazingly long list of credits that spanned the late 1920s to the mid 1970s. What a wondeful career Miss Francis had!

[@Jaxoneer]

How wonderful to see this. Taped in NYC 1987

[@susanford2388]

She was then 80 years old. She looks so much younger.

[@dixietenbroeck8717]

Thanks for providing this information. I was - _JUST NOW_ - starting to look it up, but elected to read the comments first, fortuitously!

[@marybranicki3354]

Thank U soooooo much for giving the year…

[@hizgrase]

She was almost 80?

[@neilmcdonald9164]

Her husband had only died the previous year,Arlene still had over a decade to go...sadly,the heart necklace you see here and frequently on WML would be taken by a mugger as Arlene exited a taxi the year after this interview 🎩

[@wayneabraham6387]

Ms. Arlene Francis was a treasure to many including myself. She was a class act and would also be one today. She had such a delightful smile that was genuine. She was beautiful in so many ways. I could go on talking about Ms. Francis forever. God Bless You lovely lady and may you forever Rest In Peace. You are gone but in my heart you will never be forgotten. ❤❤❤

[@janfromnycsavesmoney8723]

A truly class act. Gone but never forgotten. RIP ❤

[@KeatShadows]

A wonderful lady plus a fascinating interview. After Arlene's passing, I contacted Peter Gabel about the Center he and his friends were constructing in honor of his Mother. Peter was a man of many accomplishments. Sadly, he passed away in October. One of Peter's dearest friends Jonathan Cerf spoke at Peter's funeral. He was the son of Bennett Cerf who also appeared on What's My Line. Peter and Jonathan had been friends since they were six years old. Martin and Arlene were wonderful parents.

[@buddamberg6242]

This was a wonderful interview, Arlene Francis was a true class act, very smart, hard working and a lot of fun too. You can pick up from What's My Line, she liked a good time. Love it when Martin was on the panel with her, they did have a great bond. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@xjAlbert]

Both Arlenes are wonderful. I'm grateful this interview is archived here on KZbin.

[@carlrudd1858]

She had more charm and charisma in her little finger than most people these days have at all.

[@marybarratt2649]

I’ve been binge watching What’s My Line and found her to be compelling viewing. A very clever and funny lady and such a beautiful personality. A very sad end to a fascinating life. I’m so glad that these videos exist so that her legacy for entertaining lives on. R..I.P. Arlene.

[@Sambxyz]

I also watch old editions of What's My Line? and especially admire Arlene Francis. Everyone is well-dressed, extraordinary polite and able to express themselves with any foul language, ever. What a contrast with the vapid, ignorant actresses that infest Hollywood these days!

[@marybarratt2649]

Too true.@@Sambxyz

[@derekstrain5209]

Arlene Francis was such a lovely lady. RIP, Arlene!

[@johnscanlan9335]

I grew up listening to Arlene Francis because my mother had her on her kitchen radio every day on WOR!

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

Ms. Francis was 80 years old there Amazing!

[@debjh8983]

Rest in peace Peter Gable. He passed away in October. He’s with his loving parents now.

[@HajimeIshii-dn6mz]

Arlene Francis was born too early. We could see her now had she been born at least 30 years later than she was actually born. I have been a huge fan of hers since I saw a clip of “What’s My Line” on KZbin about a decade ago. She was more fabulous than Dorothy Kilgallen. A number of videos featuring Arlene are great comforts to me. Thanks a lot for uploading this video, which I will treasure very much.

[@susanford2388]

I adore Ms. Francis. She is a darling classy lady.

[@hizgrase]

I agree. I just want to hug her.

[@770WT]

What year was this interview ?

[@770WT]

Arlene Francis was thinking of Fred Allen.

[@susanford2388]

@@770WT I think 1987 or 88. Arlene was 80 at the time. She passed aged 94 in 2001.

[@deboraholsen2504]

Arlene looks to be in her late 70s here. I just adore her!!! She is my favorite person on What’s My Line! …to think I never knew about her until about 6 years ago! :(

[@larryolson8619]

Sorry to interject, but my wonderful wife was named ‘Deborah Olson’ ❤️

[@tuner1972]

I discovered what's my line by accident, surfing around on prime it has the 1955 season after that I was hooked, I've now devoured everything WML.

[@OnDottedLine]

The collection of What's My Line ? on KZbin seems to cover most of the years it was on, now.

[@greggoreo6738]

Such a CLASSY Act! Truly refined and the epitome of kind heartedness. Gregg Oreo long Beach Ca

[@cgbdfb52]

Classy, beautiful lady. She was a national treasure.

[@stevie68a]

Arlene was a good natured person. She radiates it.

[@rosemarymagrino772]

She really was delightful! RIP Arlene Francis

[@Dios67]

Fred Allen had such a great delivery/timing and voice, very funny. He died of a heart attack out on a night walk.

[@lasuvidaboy]

Arlene Francis was such a remarkable lady. I could listen to her wonderful speaking voice for hours. What a shame a mugger stole her trademark diamond pendant as she was exiting a cab in NYC in 1988.

[@smdftb8495]

Yep. Heartbreaking.

[@faithmapstone9982]

@@smdftb8495Nasty & heart breaking She always held that necklace dear!

[@TheBatugan77]

I hope that mugger is extremely hot...sweating profusely...and all the water fountains are out of order... If you get my drift. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥😰😰😰😰🔥🔥🔥

[@smdftb8495]

I just hope someday it surfaces somewhere and gets to her family. Almost zero chance, but it's a nice thought.

[@deboraholsen2504]

Thank you so much for sharing and posting this show with Arlene as the guest! I’d never heard of this show until today!

[@fairlyvague82]

There’s a real sadness about Arlene Francis here 😔

[@hcombs0104]

She had lost her husband, Martin Gabel, the year before.

[@fairlyvague82]

@@hcombs0104 Oh bless, I didn’t know. No doubt she missed him tons because you could tell how much they loved each other 💔

[@johnflynn9619]

Arlene was Magnificent. RIP

[@patricebest545]

Martin Arlene Peter rip lovely family

[@paula127v]

Thank you so much for sharing, that's a great treasure ❤️

[@mollyquinn1823]

In 1988 as Miss Francis was getting out of a taxi a mugger raced up to her & snatched her precious heart of diamonds necklace away & it was never found. The gift from her hus band who died in 1986.

[@brianwilliams3438]

Hope karma got that thug. Makes me wonder where her diamond pendant is today.

[@hizgrase]

@@brianwilliams3438 me too

[@christinalw19]

She had the necklace since their first anniversary, so yes, God has got him already. Karma. They are together now. Lovely people. 🙏🏼❤️

[@hansendesigns]

Graceful. Under appreciated. Ms Francis. :)

[@geneeric-jones4610]

Under appreciated? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

[@frederickcombs8661]

It has been such a long time, but amazing how many views this has received. Arlene was just lovely.

[@JakeBurroughs-nw4de]

I absolutely adore Ms francis even though she was half Armenian

[@garfieldharrison510]

I'm of a fan of her work on What's My Line. Wow. Great American personality.. I never knew anything until KZbin recently. Never to late to discover talented people. She's no longer with us, but, she lives forever via the archives.

[@christopherjones1871]

Classy Lady, truly missed!

[@lindafurr2404]

I watch What’s My Line too see the mystery guests and what Miss Arlene & Miss Killgallon are wearing. They were so elegant . I wish it was colorized.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

The final season WAS in colour,but only B&W spare prints are known to exist😢🎩

[@stmilo]

I was so surprised when Arlene said that the studio audience did not know the contestant’s occupation. I had to listen to it three times. Of course the audience knew the occupations, that was half the fun.

[@sharon8312]

I thought that too and rewatched it, but she may have meant there were those in the audience who put their hand up in the view of where they showed the occupation so that they could guess along with the panel. At least it’s a possibility that some in the audience liked to be in the dark along with the panel. But it’s only a guess. Or she really did not remember.😊

[@richardstavrakakis218]

Wonderful!!! Thank you so much for posting!

[@pennymurphy5449]

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH ARLENE & MARTIN AS A BLESSED & VERY TALENTED COUPLE , WHO ADORED THERE SON PETER ! RIP !

[@renatojrreside268]

I love What's my Line. Arlene was the best panelist on that game show!

[@geneeric-jones4610]

No she wasnt....:>)

[@lloydthomas2896]

She was the highest paid, double what anyone else was paid.

[@susanford2388]

I think they all were wonderful. Kilgallen was so competitive & loved the camera on her. She was sharp & her early death was an absolute tragedy for her, her family & journalism. She was a cut above the rest. She stood out & did not back down when she felt she was right. Bennett Cerf was just so learned & polite & charming. I read his book At Random, I loved it so much I read it twice. Steve Allen was wonderful & wonderfully funny. Arlene was just always gracious & flattering & witty. I loved her risque digs at John Daly.

[@jetpilot3714]

She was the best. Incredible mind.

[@robertthornton559]

@@susanford2388 old l I

[@tonyishmael9666]

I love Arlene and dorathy and Bennet

[@johnmonkus4600]

Arlene became my hero from the Home show. Later, she was still a hero listening to WML on armed forces radio. What a charming lady of the media, who was losing it, a little, on her last 1975 series on the Match Game. She was told by other panelists that she didn't understand the matches.

[@debjh8983]

Boy Arlene hit it on the head when she talked about the presidency.

[@Celisar1]

What’s my line is my absolute favorite quiz show. I love Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen. Not so much Bennet Cerf and John Daly although Daly was indeed the perfect moderator. These people were amazing, intelligent, funny and classy to an unmatched degree. Without their enormous talent the in itself very simple show would have never made it. Imagine that I learned about these people only a few years ago when they all have been dead for a long time. Dorothy Kilgallen was murdered even 59 years ago, before I was born, and I still admire and appreciate her. Life is strange and terribly short.

[@CatherineAKennedy]

omg... Love Arlene Francis - heart aches for her broken heart that seems to have never mended after the death of her dear husband... TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING SOMEONE'S STORY TO ENSURE ONE MAINTAINS RESPECT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE ENDURED... Francis was born on October 20, 1907, in Boston, Massachusetts,[2] the daughter of Leah (née Davis) and Aram Kazanjian.[3] Her Armenian father was studying art in Paris at the age of 16 when he learned that both his parents had died in one of the massacres perpetrated by the Ottoman government in Turkey between 1894 and 1896, known as the Hamidian Massacres.[4] He emigrated to the United States and became a portrait photographer,[2] opening his own studio in Boston in the early 20th century. Later in life, Kazanjian painted canvases of dogwoods, "rabbits in flight", and other nature scenes, selling them at auction in New York.[5] When Francis was seven years old, her father decided that opportunities were greater in New York and moved the family to a flat in Washington Heights, Manhattan.[6] She remained a New York resident until she entered a San Francisco nursing home in 1993.[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Francis

[@tigger06]

Well her husband had only been gone about a year at the time of this taping...of course she wss still grieving ..but you are right..pretty sure she never got over it since they were married for 40 yrs

[@geneeric-jones4610]

I'll never understand how some people need other people to 'worship'.Celebs and entertainers are JUST PEOPLE! Many are more screwed up than the average person but their panties get stinky JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE'S DOES!

[@robertsamson4610]

We miss you Arlene! God bless.

[@yvonneheald6456]

The interviewer is so false and sycophantic. Whereas Arlene is so natural, open and genuine. Such a lovely, extraordinarily talented woman. RIP Arlene.

[@jeffearle8172]

The interviewer is clueless, just reading canned questions.

[@beatricepeter995]

Arlene to Arlene ❤❤ Much impressed 😮 My Favourite WML Panelist😊 So true to Herself as always May Her Great Soul RIP 😢

[@gregoryadkins2213]

Her Husband-Martin Gabel,worked with Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater.

[@cliffcarter6261]

Thank you for this interview

[@dennispearson9287]

The Definition of Lady...( From Websters Dictionary )...." See Arlene Francis "....

[@thezmanchar]

It’s so sad to see Arlene being interviewed. She was just full of life. She was beautiful. I’m sad that she got Alzheimer’s.

[@scottallen9947]

She’s wonderful.

[@randyacuna3248]

Francis was such a classy lady and so beautiful, she has a small part in the 1932 universal horror film Murders in the rue morgue starring Bela lugosi, she plays one of his victims. Just a though, Francis would have made a solid miss moneypenny behind lois Maxwell.

[@Steve-dg3md]

Total class.... women miss out on this today.

[@BellaFirenze]

(born ; October 20, 1907 - May 31, 2001). Francis died at the age of 93 on May 31, 2001, in San Francisco, California, from Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

[@robertcolfack26]

During What's my line Arlene was a stunning beauty with lots of sexuality and class.....

[@gvcarpenter60]

Sadly, she was mugged while getting out of her car in 1981 and the necklace was ripped from her neck and never recovered.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

1988🎩

[@stumack9755]

wish they talked bout Dorothy .

[@saugusguy]

You could see the start of her all simers Disease by forgetting longtime friend Fred Allen's last name and also the infamous diamond pendant was stolen from her by a Mugger when she was getting out of a cab in 1988 and it devastated her the rest of her life

[@randysills4418]

Fred Allen was the comedian she was trying to name...❤

[@2004mojo]

Arlene's son, Peter Gabel, was on "What's My Line" 3 times and no she never guessed it was him. But Soupy Sales did once.

[@debjh8983]

Peter Gabel past away in October 2022.

[@2004mojo]

@@debjh8983 Oh I didn't know. Thank you for the info. The 3 of them are together now. May Martin, Arlene & Peter Gabel forever rest in peace. 🙏

[@mthivier]

Sadly, Arlene's beloved diamond pendant would be stolen by mugger, as she was exiting a New York City taxi not too long after this interview.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

The following year 🎩

[@Talynn0725]

I don't like the hosts interviewing style but Arlene was lovely to watch and listen to.

[@joycefolsom130]

always thought that she was so pretty

[@Patrick3183]

She is still wearing her famous heart necklace!

[@vintagehollywoodstars]

The saddest event would come to her a year later when a robber ripped her heart pendant off of her neck when she was coming out of a NYC cab. Who would do such a thing to an 81 year old woman? I always wonder who has that pendant now.

[@nancyb2727]

You can see she panicked a bit when she forgot who Fred Allen was!

[@AI4QT]

I immediately wondered why they didn't edit this part out. Obviously, she was embarrassed and flustered in not remembering Fred Allen's name.

[@Celisar1]

Do you even know what panic means?

[@trentaccid2177]

Arline and Kitty Carlisle were two nice lady's and Im not old at all and when i met them years ago and had pictures with thern and both of them talked to me for like a half hour. It was a great talk i had with both.

[@julegate]

You are so right. I loved Kitty Carlisle and with Arlene... what a combination!

[@ThePriceIsRising]

Arlene was my favorite on WML.

[@eenusch9512]

She's wearing the heart pendent.

[@jerry550]

About a year after this interview, a thief snatched the heart pendant while she walked down a Manhattan street. She had worn it for more than 40 years, having been a first anniversary gift from her husband. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Francis?wprov=sfti1

[@neilmcdonald9164]

​@@jerry550getting out of a taxi🎩

[@joemartines3545]

What's My Line was a great show...

[@kingforaday8725]

The hair styles, clothes, comments just scream 1980's!!!!!!

[@HelloooThere]

They wore it well.

[@bettycogswell9851]

Loved her on WML.... She was the best...

[@hariseldon2450]

Arlene was amazing in What's my line. Sharp, witty and funny at the same time. Her son Peter was a mystery guest 3 times and she failed every time.

[@nelsonricardo3729]

Arlene Francis's voice sounds older, but her face has barely aged. Who is Arlene Herson? She doesn't even have a Wikipedia article.

[@MRVISTA-wz7vj]

What's My Line? Was huge in the early fifties!

[@geneeric-jones4610]

REALLY? WOW! Thanks for letting the secret out!!!!

[@thomasthompson6378]

This is not an interview, it's listening to Ms. Herson monopolize the conversation by asking the windiest questions in the history of television.

[@Catherine-u8l]

Why did this interviewer say “ You were just too rude to cut anyone off”? Who else caught that?!😮

[@melianna999]

Arlene Francis 1907 - 2001

[@wholderby]

This is before her diamond heart necklace was snatched off her neck getting out of a taxi :(

[@neilmcdonald9164]

The following year🎩

[@eenusch9512]

She forgot Fred Allen and would develop Alzheimer's soon after.

[@hcombs0104]

She didn't forget Fred, she just forgot his last name. But the sad truth is, she was already in the early stages of Alzheimer's by this point.

[@debjh8983]

The interviewer seems so ill prepared. Her questions are somewhat superficial and her understanding is limited.

[@garfieldharrison510]

She was talking about Freddie Allen.

[@josephkelley8641]

Now that Arlene can GO to China she'll stubbornly NOT go. -but don't blame Arlene down for turning down TODAY SHOW. It's also what makes Howard Stern so remarkable to me - decades of huge success at that way-early-a.m. time slot. Arlene, Howard and Barbara - three people ahead of their time. Great interview @ Arlene Herson. Just so relaxed perfect moment in time.

[@mikeklimczak9600]

Such a lovely woman.

[@Celisar1]

The voice, I never would have recognized her. She must have been a heavy smoker.

[@tennissir1986]

Arlene was talented - but remember we’re talking about mostly being on a game show panel - her acting career was inconsequential. She wasn’t doing Shakespeare.

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

I saw the episode with Ronald Reagan Arlene Francis referenced and Mr. Reagan looked handsome, and was charming, and the audience was quite appreciative. Reagan, like other mystery guests, disguised his voice. Francis attempts to minimize him. She fails, but exposes her bias and dislike, yet is enamored of JFK because he was “young.” Silly woman.

[@frankieaddams3937]

Was this interview taped in the 1980's?

[@kathrynfauble9053]

@FrankieAddams Yes. It was recorded in 1987.

[@timschmidt3784]

What was the approximate date of this interview?

[@Danimal77]

1986/1987

[@paulblatch01]

What year was this recorded?

[@sandrashevey8252]

Fred Allen!

[@kathyh4804]

She proved you can be feminine and still professional!

[@Celisar1]

That never needed proving.

[@hizgrase]

I feel like she’s so sad here.

[@gabesmith1933]

Sad that she couldn't remember Fred Allen's name. Even sadder to see the heart necklace knowing she would soon be mugged and have it taken from her. A classier and more talented and charming lady never existed.

[@dorothykilgallenwasmurdere1653]

People forget things, or things don't immediately come to mind. Big deal. Some day it will happen to you.