You Bet Your Life #60-13 Mr. Dempsey, the Amazing Talking Chihuahua ('Paper', Dec 15, 1960)

[@oz2strokeman116]

Groucho was so sincere when commenting about the love in Leona's eyes. I think everyone watching wished they had someone to look at them like that.

[@laurnaleto4622]

Charles Vespia settled into a successful singing career for 20 yrs in Las Vegas, preceded in death 12 yrs before by Leona (1938-2000) at 85, survived by 5 daughters, a son and 3 grandsons.

[@keithnaylor1981]

“my gang never lost a fight… until some boys moved into the neighbourhood” Brilliant!

[@iamseekingtheway]

The love in that woman's heart brought tears to my eyes. It is so rare these days to see such things. The guy could really sing, too.

[@terencedove5047]

Mario, Placido, Luciano...and, for this moment, Charles Vespia. He had Groucho's quiet respect - and his attention. Of course it helped tremendously that Charles's lovely wife, Leona, went to bat for him...

[@mizzury54]

The hairdos, clothes, the femininity !!! Bring back the 60's !

[@wearealldomed3565]

You maybe able to bring back the style of the 60s but not the woman. Polite and respectful, elegant woman have all gone.

[@johnnada1222]

Don’t want to be a sticker for facts but : this was a 50s show. not 60s .

[@ericreingardt2504]

@@johnnada1222 this was filmed in 1960

[@MrMenefrego1]

This is the obituary of, CHARLES VESPIA JR. the little guy with the hot wife... Charles Andrew Vespia Jr., of Las Vegas, passed away Aug. 17, 2012, peacefully in his home. He was 85. Charlie will be remembered for his amazing talent, generosity of spirit and sharp sense of humor. An entertainer and singer on the Las Vegas Strip for over 20 years, he spearheaded the Burlesque variety shows with his memorable "peanut vendor" act. Charlie was also an accomplished singer. His Italian opera rivaled some of the best in the world. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Leona, and they are now reunited together. He is survived by his daughters, Celestina, Claudina, Christina Antonia and Cynthia; his son, Christopher; and grandsons, Marcello, Max and Nicholas. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 1901 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas.

[@ziparis]

Thanks... the guy had talent... not "superstar" talent... but still enough to go pro and make me wonder where he got with it.

[@terencedove5047]

Oh, that passionate tenor...made me cry in just listening to him...

[@stonesinmyblood27]

j.d. di giusto they must’ve had a great life together

[@dotheyfloat9961]

Nice to know they were still together married after all those years

[@jamesowens2781]

I would love to have a woman look at me this way. Lucky guy

[@cubfann1908]

Awesome episode. That guy can sing! I wanna meet the sister and Mother. Lol

[@leslieackerman4189]

Great episode. Quite extraordinary for many reasons.

[@Really658]

Groucho is great rest in peace.

[@marions.120]

Leona look at him with such love when he was singing.

[@hogfarmersforjustice4804]

Charles and Leona had eight kids and a long marriage.

[@axiomist4488]

I would have loved to see the sister and the mother . The wife is unreal ! And she adores him ,

[@ferlenarab]

Could you imagine this show broadcast today?

[@miclazy-5m]

what a great singer.

[@sandrauhlein4317]

She is a real Stunner!!!!!!!!!!

[@mizzury54]

And the way she stands is compelling !

[@terencedove5047]

Believe it or not, man and wife complemented each other quite naturally and beautifully...

[@SheilaB]

Excellent episode, wonderfully entertaining!

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Sheila B Especially the spelling bee at the end! :)

[@terencedove5047]

@@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476 , thank you so much for maintaining this page. Whether or not an actual quiz was successful (as most of them were), Groucho's knack of presenting people in all walks of life to America at large cannot be equaled. His was the very funny and entertaining equivalent to CBS'S "On The Road" which took folks through the heartlands of America - and, then again, takes folk on a journey into America's heart...

[@sclogse1]

I recommend dropping in at 8:55 and sticking. Wow. And another wow.

[@oldhippie81]

Sir Robert (Bob) Menzies. Australia's greatest PM...

[@LaurenceMily-ik9lk]

EXCELLENT ❤❤❤❤❤

[@brunneng38]

Five month old daughter and looks like that. 😍

[@papagen00]

Today, a woman that looks like Leona would not give a guy like Vespia the time of day unless he's super rich.

[@blueskyz8097]

They looked good to me So I started FROM THE TOP....And AS ALWAYS THE BOTTOM ONE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL.LOOK AT THE LOVE IN HER EYES...

[@usapatriot3274]

Leona displayed total submission to her husband and a profound respect for her man. Groucho had no choice but to respect Leona. What a lady!

[@ecmcomichael1]

I know of no women today who are as awesome as Leona. Charles is a lucky, lucky man. Leona is stunningly beautiful, dresses so attractively, and adores her man. Again, this was a different day in age and how I wish we could relive these days somehow. Progress today? I think not. I call it regression. Nice job, Charles, on your wonderful voice. I did not expect that from him.

[@ballBozeman]

ecmcomichael1 a

[@MrMenefrego1]

Amen... we've sure lost a lot of our American culture since the 1950's, almost makes me ashamed.

[@sandrauhlein4317]

People are to busy being techno nuts.

[@m42037]

ecmcomichael1 That's because we lost much of our European culture today. Notice Groucho says "Guten Amend" means good evening in German. America is completely different now. Many women today don't wear makeup and wear black stretch pants and obese. Discusting.

[@m42037]

j.d. di giusto European culture, American culture is fat and eat off paper plates and drive crazy, and lazy. My fiancee lives in Berlin and i in Michigan and she's shocked we lost so much of our old European culture. No such thing as American culture, our old culture comes from the old country's, and they are located in Europe.

[@glennatkinson698]

The singers wife was’drop dead beautiful!!!’

[@yogasamrat]

you need script writers to produce such humour but we know it is all coming from Groucho and the talented folks who grace his show!

[@martinjones5965]

3m48s what a tasteless way to deliver secret word $$$s.

[@rerite2]

Groucho: "You didn't touch the grandmother at all?" ROFL. You're killing me, Groucho!

[@jimmiedee2315]

Charles Vespia passed away at his home in Las Vegas on August 17, 2012. He was 85. He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Leona. He was an entertainer and singer on the Las Vegas Strip for over 20 years. He spearheaded the Burlesque variety shows with his memorable "peanut vendor" act. Here's a link to his obituary: obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?pid=159637902

[@jimmiedee2315]

Jimmie Dee Here's a link to a "peanut vendor" promotional photo of Charlie Vespia. scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/399770_489974504348297_857903797_n.jpg?oh=14051e12e88196782802d62a9269bbd5&oe=56257E56

[@keithnaylor1981]

Not sure which was more beautiful - his voice or his lady! I hope he got a recording contract.

[@MichaelThorpeNJ]

He performed 20 years in Vegas

[@stevencohn922]

Eat your heart out Mario Lanza! Beautiful voice!

[@finnjosh9444]

Leona was just a superbly beautiful young lady. Very very few women today that would come anywhere close to her style, beauty and sheer class. Yes indeed, feminism has destroyed all things that were pure and beautiful in a woman.

[@m42037]

finn Josh Our old European culture is for the most gone

[@nefersguy]

She's stunning!

[@bovinedowie2803]

She is stunning and capable. Not some doll to played with by losers like the jackass finn Josh.

[@BudSchnelker]

And feminism made women angrier than ever. Notice how so many of the female guests on YBYL smile often and have a pleasant demeanor?

[@SheriSoltes]

Yeah, being dominated tends to make you play the game. Until you can’t. Then you die or fight.

[@tugginalong]

Charlie was an overachiever if I’ve seen one.

[@franklinnorth7708]

What is Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner like when you have dated Mom, the Sister, and married the other Sister?

[@PaulRoos-p3o]

ONE TIME MY WIFE AND I WERE WITH A LARGE GROUP IN A CLUB, MOSTLY WOMEN and a woman and her friend were sitting across from us and one said to the other ,"You can tell they're in love" this was decades ago and my wife has since passed but every once in a while i think back to that moment , just the way she said, " you can tell" when i saw leona look at charlie like that i remembered it again, and i love how he knew she was admiring him the way he reached out without looking and carressed her cheek.

[@papagen00]

Why did Leona die so young?

[@auletjohnast03638]

LEONA, CHARLE'S WIFE LOOKS LIKE THE TWIN SISTER OF SYLVIA SIDNEY, THE ACTRESS FROM THE 20'S, 30'S AND EARLY 40'S

[@frankomahony1874]

Charles Vespia, was magnificent.

[@janepatterson6779]

Mr Vespia, really into himself.

[@AventuraLuver]

I like the way Groucho says "Leona, how could I refuse you anything?" ... I want a man to say that to me someday!!

[@sclogse1]

Wait till I get my tax return...

[@jasontuck-smith3896]

Ur name is Leona too?

[@stonesinmyblood27]

Marla Singer Maria, how could I refuse you anything?

[@glennatkinson698]

I live alone; am very lonely, and won’t refuse you anything Marla🌹

[@christinalw19]

Don’t fall for it. 🙄

[@GetReady4LiftOff]

Very pretty ladies on show.

[@dennispine2603]

In regards to Mr. di Giusto's comments about Mr. and Mrs. Vespia's deaths, why did it say "2 years, ago". 2012 is, now, 9 years, ago. Has this video, been "being" aired, for 2 years, though I am, only, seeing it, now?

[@tessalette3231]

I hope they treated the chihuahua well and respectfully :'(

[@AventuraLuver]

The guy hanging with a noose around his neck is a little disturbing for 1960

[@evelynbanker2090]

Marla Singer i

[@DementedCaver]

....but for 2018 it is pretty cool. ;)

[@miclazy-5m]

for every year

[@sandrauhlein4317]

Huh

[@unzarjones]

Just silly and oddly surprising.

[@greek1237]

Mr Dempsey? So I guess Jack Dempsey never came on the show? I seen Marciano appear.

[@James41892]

Actually he did.

[@ReligiousZombie]

23:57 "[Whistling] is the finest accolade that can be paid to American womanhood." Boy, times have changed, haven't they?

[@theophilusthistle1988]

Women haven't changed as much as men have thought.....women love being noticed as much as they always have, and in fact get hurt and angry if they aren't. Feminist B.S. They may pretend to get angry as society has taught them to be. Don't believe it.

[@garyfrancis6193]

Have they changed for the better?

[@ReligiousZombie]

@@garyfrancis6193 That's a good question. It's hard not to see women's increased rights as a good thing. At the same time, women report a lower level of happiness now than they did in the old days. Also, the objectification of women has been replaced by self-objectification. Look at just about any young woman's Facebook profile, for example. They post tons of selfies, many of them in clothing that would be considered inappropriate in a professional setting.

[@shea086]

Why in the world would anybody want to "fix" a speedometer. I can't believe he'd be concerned about anyone's health or lifespan. I thought it was only policemen who bothered about speedometers. There's no doubt about it, quiz shows are a goldmine of information. Funny too.

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

Wow ...just wow

[@maryperez1235]

ElmwoodParkHulk illinois

[@BudSchnelker]

Gott in Himmel, what a woman. Charles surely went to the grave with a smile on his face.

[@RaziehMorvarid]

❤

[@EdWeibe]

wow-wi. Lucky man

[@judyharris6516]

Is that Joyce Bulifant?

[@baigandinel7956]

Imagine that thing squeaking it wants Taco Bell.

[@martinjones5965]

22m39s Being an ozzie this question as easy about Robert Menzies. Very unfair asking American about something on the other side of the world :)

[@E.Carrillo]

Wow that was good for not rehearsing. The band did excellent.

[@SuperWinterborn]

The most entertaining part of this episode was in my opinion the one with Mr. Vespa and his women. What an ego, and what a blind admiration from his wife! Wonder what that guy had, which I wasn't quite able to catch? He sang well, though. ;) Mr. Brooke who preferred to explain his business with the speedometers as being of pure traffic safety reasons, had an interesting point, and Ms. Rause's dog, "Mr. Dempsey" in fact uttered some clear words. :) Gosh! My comment looks like a paragraph from a gossip column... Thanks for posting! :)

[@westy40]

SuperWinterborn Here is the obit for Mr. Vespia. He passed away in 2012. It says that his wife, Leona, preceded him in death. Appears they were were married a long time. obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?pid=159637902 Looks like his family members have a Facebook page up too. facebook.com/Cvespia

[@SuperWinterborn]

westy40 Thanks for the links! Who could guess he would end up as a comedian! ;) he seemed to be a loving father too. Good to know. )

[@SuperWinterborn]

***** Yes, Groucho's wit was important, but in my opinion, this show couldn't have worked so well, without all the hilarious contestants that came on, during these years. ;)

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

westy40 Thank you SO MUCH for this info. I posted a link to this video on the Facebook page-- let's hope this is something "new" to the family. Unless they had a private recording of it, they probably haven't seen this for at least 25 years, when YBYL stopped being rerun. Maybe someone from the family will add a comment! :)

[@westy40]

Groucho Marx - You Bet Your Life You're welcome. It looks like one of the family members has commented. Would love to know the history of his family. Seems like they are a close family. Sadly, it appears that two of the sisters died young.

[@scottlahti1252]

Shirley reminds me a bit of Ana Gasteyer, formerly of Saturday Night Live.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Scott Lahti A bit, yes. I can see that.

[@rachelk7555]

That was mean to send the dark-haired woman out.

[@patriciamooney928]

Not enough microphones and he knew the guy was going to sing She got to sit down and watch

[@Page-Hendryx]

Like most of his kind in Hollywood, Groucho was obsessed with shiksas...In fact at the time of this show, he was married to one who was 40 years his junior.

[@SheriSoltes]

What do you mean by “ his kind”? Talented, smart, hard workers who came up from no where. What else do you “know” about his kind? So glad you’re blessing us with your knowledge. Do tell, sis.

[@goblueman]

The singers obit below

[@MrKinglizzie]

How did that Opera singer get a wife like that?

[@theophilusthistle1988]

Guess you've lived as a hermit and don't know that women love men who display musical talent in any way, no matter what they look like.

[@m42037]

Opera singers are some of the best singers in the world. Take a listen to "Anna Moffo" She was fantastic!

[@terencedove5047]

Oh, opera in the 40s, 50s and 60s was absolutely amazing! Small wonder that its stars at that time were so very highly regarded...and loved...

[@parsonscarlson7984]

@@theophilusthistle1988 How true. Just look at the early pics of the Beatles as a classic example.

[@amywalker7515]

I don't know about anyone else, but I thought the guy swinging from a noose was inappropriate.

[@ApartmentKing66]

I could swear that's Joyce Bulifant. Wonder what happened to "McCardigan."

[@johnlatour3453]

Amazing how he treats women. Like our beloved leader. When will it truly change?

[@marymarysmarket3508]

I think he treated women like they truly want to be treated...held up on a pedestal for their feminine beauty and charms. Ignore a woman and she'll never forget it. We really love strong manly men. Feminism is a lie.

[@woodinhead62]

Mary Mary's Market it's sad how the feminists hijacked the wolf whistle...lol The sexual harassment thing was way overplayed. A whistle was a compliment but is now an assault.

[@nefersguy]

When soyboys become real men.

[@Page-Hendryx]

Yeah Groucho was obsessed with shiksas but he wasn't as bad as his brother Chico. Chico apparently was some sort of sex addict who was able to use his celebrity status to procure them. Most show business women in those days were absolute whores.

[@dotsywotsy18]

@@Page-Hendryx harvey Weinstein?

[@alexvaliansky7707]

Charles Vespia had a very reedy voice. He certainly was no Mario Lanza-but neither was anyone else.

[@janethansen2431]

Verynlce

[@CSDDoug-p5k]

Ieona looks much like a white Eartha Kitt. More chipper though.

[@lala-gj4oo]

mario lamza he's not, but he's pretty good.

[@RSR423]

Man what a cad, mother, sister and then the other sister, very average singing voice though for that time period, up against the great crooners of all time like "Ole Blue Eyes." How great was it though a time when a woman in a bathing suit actually like it when men wolf whistled to her, and the men whistling didn't have to worry about a lawsuit or getting arrested on some ridiculous charge.

[@martinjones5965]

8m32 "T R E E" :)

[@ElaMongrella]

I always imagine they would faint, if one of the ladies walked out in a string tanga bikini.

[@sandrauhlein4317]

Ela Mongrella Grouco would

[@williamanthony9090]

Only in America does a guy date the Mom, a daughter, and then marries another daughter. Bizarre!

[@dennisurbina7570]

I date short time my wife aunt and her cousin too

[@blueskyz8097]

Can SHAME a NIGHTINGALE

[@trh1493]

its disgusting how groucho exploited women...

[@joeylocognato2198]

Maybe it's just me, but this guy is sick, PERIOD!

[@slade307]

I found the answer for the letter F joke. #4 on this page - www.braingle.com/brainteasers/teaser.php?op=2&id=24820&comm=0

[@hawkmaster381]

Beautiful model! Today, women become offended when they're whistled at. Too bad.

[@amirhanif4928]

The jittery car mathematically gather because parentheses fascinatingly signal pace a nifty request. mindless, dull trip

[@sandikennelly1357]

Jesus Loves You.

[@Finglesham]

This episode was surreal. The dog was weird.

[@myjeevie]

But he was adorable when he said he was a "chihuahua!"

[@jvcomedy]

Mr. Vespia and his wife can't be real. He's a plain little guy that's unemployed yet his "wife" is absolutely gorgeous and could pass as a fashion model. Plus he said he dated her mother and sister? He might have been married, but I've got to think this gal was paid to pose as his wife for this show just to draw some attention to himself. If not, I'd love to know the details of this story!

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Jeff Vaughn They're for real. Really.

[@SuperWinterborn]

Jeff Vaughn Check out the links *@westy40* has posted on this page. ;)

[@jvcomedy]

Wow, that's amazing! She was just gorgeous and he wasn't. Plus he was unemployed and had dated her mother and sister. It sounded (and looked) like a bad joke. Would love to have known the full back story on this. I looked up some stuff on her and found she died in the year 2000. She was born in 1938. Thanks for the info!

[@cvespia]

Jeff Vaughn There was nothing "plain" about dad at all.

[@jvcomedy]

So sorry, but in the process of complimenting your mother I fear I slighted your father I guess my point was that your mother was gorgeous and looked like a fashion model and just didn't physically look like a fit with your father. Obviously looks are misleading and he had much to offer as I've now learned they were a great match. My sincere apologies for the unintended slight.

[@optitom9033]

I pray groucho in yhe afterlife has this show so I can enjoy life again