You Bet Your Life #57-14 Fenneman inhales helium (Secret word 'Water', Dec 26, 1957)

[@michaelpaulsmith4619]

What a beautiful, delightful, and talented woman Ketty Lester is. And yes, as of 2020, she's still thrashing those lungs at the age of 86. Great show and thank you, as ever, for posting.

[@Rhonda9199]

OMG, I loved her on Little House On The Prairie!!!!

[@m42037]

@@Rhonda9199 Wait that's Hester Sue?? No way! I'm watching season 7 on DVD, just finished 6

[@Jeffrey1344]

I cannot thank you enough for posting all of these episodes. The amount of time and devotion to this effort is beyond comprehension and appreciated in a way that I cannot ever thank you for. Absolutely fabulous and heartwarming.

[@greglauer]

Ketty was hilarious here...and that voice...beautiful, talented, and a hilarious attitude. A winning combo in any book.

[@rockvilleraven]

Hit the trifecta right there!

[@yannschonfeld5847]

Thank you for uploading this unique episode with Ketty Lester at the beginning of her career. A real jem, both this episode and Kelly Lester.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

My pleasure-- glad you enjoyed it.

[@jazzmanchgo]

Funny how she slips back into that Arkansas country accent when she's being funny. I wonder if she did that in her act.

[@dervogelselbsterkenntnis7730]

thank you for posting these videos. every single one of them is a treasure. I am from Austria and love to watch these shows, once I began I couldn't stop. as a non american I think I learned more about your society in the 50's from these videos as I possibly could learn from history books.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

They're a great time capsule, these shows! Same is true of "What's My Line?", in case you haven't checked out that series yet. Glad you enjoyed the videos-- and thanks for the comment!

[@gastropod557]

I remember watching Groucho as a child, and it wasn't until years later that I realized how good of a "Straight-man" George Fennemen was. You could not get away with Groucho's wonderful humor today, and that is terribly sad.

[@robertewing3114]

People must try to get away with Grouchos humour today if they have any talent to entertain, it is not right that society has its foot caught in the refrigerator door, and cigars never killed anybody in foot operations.

[@siggylloyd3566]

Wrong: Groucho's humor is near-timeless. I'm laughing at it today, which means it doesn't belong to the past, or that it can't be understood in the present. Groucho belongs to forever.

[@MrLaurak12]

How true. His flirting with the women would be “sexual harassment “ even though it’s all in fun. Nothing threatening

[@acousticshadow4032]

Just wanted to say how much I have been enjoying these Groucho blasts from the past!

[@leegately3540]

My grandmother is in this episode! I have all the paperwork and photos and even the check stub from her visit.

[@marions.120]

Who’s your grandmother?

[@leegately3590]

@@marions.120 Virginia in the first part. They missed the E Pluribus Unum / In God We Trust question, but she still got $300. A lot of money for her at the time.

[@marions.120]

@@leegately3590-Awesome! I was yelling at the video, In GOD We Trust! Hope your Grandmother’s toe and her arm was okay! Thanks for the info.

[@derekcoyle1147]

@@leegately3590They were right. E Pluribus Unum IS the motto.

[@jimmiedee2315]

Great, great episode. Ketty Lester rules! The nightclub singer, Revoyda Frierson, went on to become an active Hollywood actress from 1968 through 1998, under the name Ketty Lester. She had a hit single with "Love Letters" in 1962, peaking at #5. She's still alive today.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Thanks for the great info, Jimmie Dee.. I always appreciate it when folks add this kind of stuff in the comments. Glad you've been enjoying the videos!

[@ilanamillion8942]

She's a gorgeous woman with a 1000 watt smile and a great singer to boot.

[@doloridcurl1848]

@@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476 8

[@misonoresoconto]

What a great show! Groucho is terrific

[@jeanbean1390]

Ketty is gorgeous! 1000 watt smile.

[@sixstringmarauder]

And what a set of pipes.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

She really is! I looked her up and she’s still living (as of April 2021)! She went on to tour with Cab Calloway and a few other big names. She had a hit song a few years after her appearance on YBYL, that I believe went platinum. She acted on TV and stage. Do any of you seniors like me remember the hit TV series “Julia” starring Diahann Carroll? Miss Ketty was offered that role first! Many more facts can be found about her on Wikipedia. She certainly was one beautiful lady!

[@stepone6159]

What a great voice Ketty had !

[@CARLWISE2008]

Ketty Lester is awesome and Groucho is kind to let her sing live on his show

[@HappyLife693]

I love how Groucho treated her, giving her great leniency in playing and "winning" the game. 🥰

[@TowGunner]

Ketty Lester was Hester Sue on Little House on the Prairie

[@stonesinmyblood27]

ACS Shap holy crap, now I recognise her! Thanks

[@joeambrose3260]

And was in BLACULA

[@jimmiedee2315]

Another bit of trivia about Ketty Lester, also known as Revoyda Frierson: Because of her hit single, she made numerous appearances on music shows, such as "American Bandstand". "Shindig!", "Where The Action Is", and others. She acted in about 60 different movies and TV series, including 40 appearances as the character Hester-Sue Terhune on "Little House On The Prairie". Here are pictures of her from "Prairie": www.zunshine.com/prairiepics/hestersue.html

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

I had no idea this was the same person as the actress from "Little House", but yes, I see it now-- thanks for the info!

[@JSB1882]

That was a hysterical show!

[@sandrauhlein4317]

Grouch Marx the best comedian in history

[@robertewing3114]

The magnificent seven, very well done!

[@scottlahti1252]

Groucho @4:35: "What _is_ Up and At 'Em - is that a breakfast cereal with fallout?" Wicked "good one!" laughter from audience ...

[@stanochocki8984]

Miss Lester aside from great looks and style, has a very fine voice. She surely most have made quite a presence in the night clubs that she appeared in; as the TV Camera's of that time period could still capture her charm and looks. A classic 1950's female form,

[@rickhagedorn3036]

She was also very funny. She had the whole package and I'm sure she didn't stay single for long.

[@m42037]

@@rickhagedorn3036 Not past tense shes still with us and still singing at 86..

[@jimmyb1559]

I have a feeling no one messed with Ketty too much! She has a great personality and great sense of humor. Wonderful singing voice too. Glad to hear from other comments here she did well. Have to look her up online to hear more of her songs. Thank you.

[@wildbob]

The title and description of this video! "Couple 2 quite funny in their own right". Ketty Lester went on to international fame with her timeless version of "Love Letters". She is the star of this episode.

[@FF11Freshstep]

HO-LY CRAP... the episode before this is on the shout factory DVDs ( wild red berry joseph Interliggi) and this almost made my brain explode... 25 long years ago i had this episode on an audio cassette and still remember the pabst blue ribbon beer commercial on it... i sit here tonight and pop up an episode i found that havent watched yet.. and can you believe the same episode from 25 years ago and i am sitting here watching it DRINKING PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER!!!! Life is truly a circle!

[@alevine1951]

Holy mackerel, this may have been the moment when the helium vocal phenomenon became general knowledge.

[@DonnieReno]

If I hadn’t already known of Ketty Lester, I’d have been googling her. She’s wonderful and I’ve loved her singing for many years. Love her personality and humor.

[@pathenderson1651]

Ketty Lester, born Revoyda Frierson (born ; August 16, 1934) is an American singer and actress known for her 1962 hit single "Love Letters", which reached the top 5 of the charts in the U.S. and the UK. She is also known for her role as Hester-Sue Terhune on the American television series. Remember her on LHOP? Also the Waltons I believe.

[@marions.120]

Royverta (Ketty) it’s quite beautiful! Great singer also.

[@vincentrezende7690]

George is such a good sport! Love this guy, RIP.

[@keithnaylor1981]

Another brilliant show!

[@kevhollywoodgamer7634]

George is a trooper,funny when he makes jabs at marx lol

[@steppets25]

So sweet of Groucho to help them out😍👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@jdion79]

thank you so much for uploading these!!!

[@sdcafunnyguru]

A classic YBYL episode! Groucho was perfect for this show. His "ad libs" were always brilliantly delivered, even though the show used an overhead projector he'd glance up at, off screen, to retrieve them. There were a couple attempts to do remakes of YBYL over the years. One featured Buddy Hackett as host & another had Bill Cosby hosting. Neither worked anywhere near as well as the original, with Groucho. I think I read that another remake was considered, with Richard Dawson hosting, but it never went beyond the pilot stage, as I recall. By the way, I found quite a few tunes by Ketty Lester on Amazon Prime Music Unlimited, which I've added to my playlist. She's wonderful!

[@CherylBlack-s4t]

Groucho was always so generous. 🙏

[@martinjones5965]

17m50 oh, to have been in a nightclub where Ketty was singing .... sublime ! What a delightful bubbly character.

[@FF11Freshstep]

as a matter of fact.. upon reflection... that was also the very first episode of YBYL i ever heard... what a trip!

[@stevenwestern8199]

Terrific singer, loved the pastry chef who fought in a Mexican revolution and displayed an amazing knowledge of world capitals. I realize that the guests were prepped and interviewed,

[@HappyLife693]

Ketty Lester sounded fantastic with that 1950's microphone. Imagine how it would have sounded if they had the quality microphones for vocals that we have today.

[@FF11Freshstep]

and just because... Who killed Cock Robin? I, said the Sparrow, with my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin. Who saw him die? I, said the Fly, with my little eye, I saw him die. Who caught his blood? I, said the Fish, with my little dish, I caught his blood. Who'll make the shroud? I, said the Beetle, with my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud. Who'll dig his grave? I, said the Owl, with my little trowel, I'll dig his grave. Who'll be the parson? I, said the Rook, with my little book, I'll be the parson. Who'll be the clerk? I, said the Lark, if it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk. Who'll carry the link? I, said the Linnet, I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link. Who'll be chief mourner? I, said the Dove, I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner. Who'll carry the coffin? I, said the Kite, if it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin. Who'll bear the pall? We, said the Wren, both the cock and the hen, We'll bear the pall. Who'll sing a psalm? I, said the Thrush, as she sat on a bush, I'll sing a psalm. Who'll toll the bell? I said the Bull, because I can pull, I'll toll the bell. All the birds of the airfell a-sighing and a-sobbing, when they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.

[@bobthetvfan]

The show with Sandy Silence, who kept calling Fenneman "Fidderman" is available in its radio version at radioechoes. It's from 1958; composer Sammy Cahn was on the same show, and he and Groucho did a duet on "All the Way," which Cahn wrote and was made famous by Frank Sinatra. In his book "As Long As They're Laughing," Bob Dwan mistakenly dates Ms. Silence's appearance as in 1950 but the show airs during the period when "if you miss two in a row you're out; if you get four in a row right you win a thousand dollars." I don't know if the television version is available.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Bob Patrick No TV copy in circulation that I've ever seen, no.

[@JoePortly]

What a girl, what a show! And I can imagine Lincoln Mayorga watching this: and imagining sending Ms Lester Love Letters; but deciding to make it a song

[@rednab770]

Groucho is the best. Brilliant , amazing timing

[@sapho71]

Ketty Lester does the most moving version of 'Im a Fool to Want You'

[@LaurenceMily-ik9lk]

EXCELLENT ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂

[@joebob5888]

Oh man...supposed to be sleeping but laughing too much

[@helenellis]

Is that Chico in the audience at the beginning?

[@stonesinmyblood27]

Helen Ellis yes it is

[@firdausHITMAN]

The African lady is quite charming and reminds me of Jimi Hendrix. Thanks a ton for uploading.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

She is a charmer, all right. Quite stunningly beautiful, too. This one's a great show from start to end. I always appreciate your comments-- you're about the only one who adds any. :)

[@firdausHITMAN]

Groucho Marx - You Bet Your Life That is kind of you to say so. Thank you.

[@maryperez1235]

She played on several Little House on the Prarie Episodes.

[@Page-Hendryx]

She "reminds me of Jimi Hendrix" - what an utterly bizarre thing to say.

[@beatmet2355]

She sounds a little like Billie Holiday

[@joeambrose3260]

I haven't verified it, but I think that singer was in Blacula

[@B1970T]

Groucho thoroughly enjoyed Lester.

[@Brantley169]

Ketty was very good. Awesome

[@henrybrowne7248]

Another Groucho laugh: Fenneman on helium.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

what a riot

[@JJTownley_Classical-Composer]

I cannot find anywhere on the Internet where the complete YBYL collection is available. 10 years times roughly 35 episodes per season would be roughly 350 episodes and KZbin has only about what...70-80. The vast majority are missing. Where can I find the complete collection?

[@ecmcomichael1]

Let's be serious, friends, black/white relations were almost better then in many parts of the country than they are today. Yeah, I know there were places in the south where blacks had no equality, but most of the rest of the country, reasonable people everywhere, treated them with the same respect that they themselves would expect. What a shame that in recent years, what once was reasonable has now morphed into what it has today. Maybe that will change. I sure hope so. What a magnificent voice and style Ketty Lester has!

[@neonte13]

Lmao, no. I know we have cops murdering unarmed black men now, and a racist in the white house, but it was not hunky-dory in the slightest, back then. Now, we see the racism on a big stage, and immediately. Then, it was normal and everyday. Of course it was worse in the south, but it was everywhere and it was common. Yes, you get the worst of internet trolls spewing bile, now, but back then, they did it on the street, in restaurants, in businesses, on busses, in churches, in homes... everywhere, any time.

[@indetif839]

@@neonte13 Absolutely true. People who have NO history of racialized history think things were always better in the 'the good old days'

[@davidhigginbotham5451]

The helium guy is very similar to Ricky Nelsons friend WALLY, on Ozzie & Harriet.

[@dolcevito1]

The singer later became Ketty Lester.

[@FF11Freshstep]

ha! here is a page from the mexia, tx daily news febuaray 16, 1957 about when virginia got her arms stuck in the garbage disposal! www.newspapers.com/newspage/11426759/

[@eamonhannon1103]

Great entertainment .

[@sadiatmani376]

That line : when Groucho asked what made attracted to her ... He answered : she was a little low and now legged and I like them now legged Made really had a good laugh hahah

[@mattmexor2882]

bow legged. I assume he meant that she was easy for him to lay, but i'm not sure.

[@beatmet2355]

Ketty Lester sounds like Billie Holiday, at least when she’s talking. Singing, she sounds like no one else.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Check out Willie checking her out.

[@joeylocognato2198]

Hard to believe, she is lucky to be here!

[@MrLaurak12]

What the hell are they inhaling helium for 😂

[@rahkinrah1963]

Hilarious!

[@joelgrizzel8371]

What does kitty say at 22:14? What are you hearing? !!!

[@jdion79]

now there's a haircut you can set your watch to!

[@nedludd7622]

The last question was totally unfair. The slogan Groucho used was only adopted in 1956. Before that everyone would have thought it was "E Pluribus Unum" and probably still did in 1957.

[@solohoh]

They were almost right, the motto was E Pluribus Unum ("from many, one") but it was changed in 1956 to In God we trust..

[@ElaMongrella]

I think they should've gotten another chance. I'm sure at that time there were still some bills/coins around with "E Pluribus Unum" on them.

[@mattmexor2882]

@@ElaMongrella There are still coins and bills with e pluribus unum on them. The great seal has e pluribus unum on it. But 1) e pluribus unum was never made the official motto and 2) the act that made in god we trust the official motto was passed the year before this show, so it was a current event question.

[@musicrocksoffical]

❤❤❤Ketty❤❤❤

[@stevenwestern8199]

Cont- to then allow Groucho to ad-lib, regardless his timing was perfect in such a rapid fire way. Johnny Carson was maybe the other comedian most adept at pre-prepared ad-libs, which were placed on cards just like the monologue, for JC to read

[@FF11Freshstep]

20:35: "I KILLED KIRK ROBIN!" (stolen from The Three Stooges 015 - Disorder in the Court)

[@scottlahti1252]

One of their best - "Take off your hat!"; "Raise your right hand"; "Judgy Wudgy"; "Buck Wing", &c.

[@pfflyer3381]

Exactly, we trust no one !

[@frizzlefrap]

am I seeing things, or is that chico marx in the middle front clapping in the audience after groucho is introduced?

[@Sheriff_GrimLaw]

Man, it does look like him.

[@coronapapi]

De facto, apparently!

[@martinjones5965]

9m18s I was hoping George would say "The one and only Groucho Marx".

[@rseabrk1]

Great episode . . . do you have the episode that had Groucho's friend Irwin Allen? There are many episodes where you can see Irwin in the audience, but once or twice he appeared as a guest, not a contestant. Thanks for the great work!

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

No, I don't have any episodes with Irwin Allen, sorry! I've only managed to gather around 150 episodes out of over 400.

[@hogfarmersforjustice4804]

Helium was still a new invention in 1957.

[@roncote215]

Thanks for posting all these "You Bet Your Life" episodes.I've watched and enjoyed each one.Please keep posting them .One question for you,I've noticed that you don't post every episode from each season.Do you have every episode and if you do,can you post them as well?

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Glad you're enjoying the shows. :) I only have about 120 episodes, not counting the 36 episodes that were officially released on DVD by Shout! Factory 10 years ago (those I'll never post, I don't think it's legal, or, frankly, the right thing to do when the shows are available for purchase in high quality sets.) I'm posting everything I've got, believe me. The 120 episodes I've managed to collect have taken about 20 years of dogged collecting to find. This show has unfortunately been out of reruns for too many years, the same episodes showing up on public domain DVDs over and over again. I'm going in chronological order, so if I skip an episode, it's unfortunately because I don't have it (or because it's one of the 36 shows released by Shout! Factory)..

[@Eddie_Schantz]

Ketty Lester will turn 90 on August 16, 2024.

[@kenroman777]

so funny

[@ecmcomichael1]

How many today, primarily on the left, would freak out at our national motto being "in God we trust?"

[@alevine1951]

How many today, primarily on the right, would freak out if they had a blinding insight that there is no mythical supernatural being watching over us, and that they're going to have to rely on their own decency to do the right thing, rather than a reward in a fairytale afterlife?

[@neonte13]

The founding fathers would certainly freak out at the crowbarring in of an anti-democratic motto to replace the one about unity in spite of difference. But then, they're a bunch o' damn commies, right?

[@leegately3590]

The God reference was added the year before in the battle against communism. It was also added to the Pledge of Allegiance, which itself has a curious origin.

[@alwayswondering4051]

It's a wierd feeling, I suppose one that you can't really describe, when you think a long way back in time and think of people you know you'll never speak to or hold again. There's something so unsettling and incomplete about that. It's normal I guess, but it just feels so unnatural.

[@PrimeDirective101]

It's weird that when I watch these episodes, it's as if they still exist and I'm hoping they win big. The people from my past are frozen in time as if they are still there, looking and acting the same. People live in our memories.

[@m42037]

Why'd George give her answers??

[@youmustcreateachanne]

Sure is striking to see how soft spoken & even "mousy" so many of the women were that were on this show.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Do you happen to know the episode where a female contestant refers to George as 'Mr. Fidderman'?

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Not offhand, sorry! But I'm sure I have it, I remember exactly what you're referring to. Funny moment-- Groucho starts kidding the (as always) innocent Fenneman for making up the false name.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Yup. Groucho had two female contestants, and one of them could not pronounce 'Fenneman'. Poor George really got lambasted. They didn't seem all too bright though, one of them got fired from a cookie factory. Please let me know if you find it.

[@chrishorwege1433]

I saw the episode you're referring to several days ago (You Bet Your Life #57-25 Sammy Cahn / The Private Life of George Fiddeman (Mar 13, 1958)). The bit regarding "George Fiddeman" is hilarious.

[@waynebow-gu7wr]

I've never thought Robin Hood was a girls name !

[@coronapapi]

Huh, well what's E Pluribus Unum, then?

[@postal_the_clown]

Yeah, it was never REALLY the motto... kinda shows how underhanded the new official adoption was only a few years before. Not much of an effort to educate the public since they didn't have a say in it. That and the devicive 2 word addition to the pledge. Believer or non believer, it simply violates the separation clause..

[@leegately3590]

“Of Many, One” implying a diverse population that stands united. It was the motto from the start of the nation. In 1956, Congress changed it in reaction to Communism.

[@SecsSells]

Helium gives me a headache.

[@barryo9065]

Wow. Virginia was gorgeous

[@leegately3590]

Thanks! That’s my grandma! 1922-2006.

[@BudSchnelker]

She resembles Jackie Kennedy a bit. And what a sweet woman. Men were very lucky back then to have women like this.

[@jimlaguardia8185]

Poor Fenneman! Groucho bossed him around terribly. Groucho was incorrigible..

[@robertewing3114]

Twenty seven suicide attempts, Groucho got him into the Guinness book of Records, and was so sorry for him he administered the over-dose himself, to George I mean, what a friend will do when a friend in need!

[@henningandersen9027]

I, as a Dane, knew the answer> In God we trust. Btw. I can imagine the two getting together after the show. What did they answer btw? I didn't get it.

[@TowGunner]

Henning Andersen They stated "E pluribus unum" which is the traditional motto of the United States. It means, Out of many, one. In 1956, In God We Trust was made the official motto of the US.

[@leegately3590]

The year prior to this episode, In God We Trust was adopted, perhaps as a statement about atheism and communism. My grandma is the first woman contestant here. Very meek voiced. She said E Pluribus Unum, the motto on the money. On her paperwork, the In God... trivia was hand-written. She received a set of negatives, some postcards, and a few other bits which she saved and gave to me. The check stub shows she received $300, which was slightly more than the amount told in the episode. My grandma also got her toe stuck in her tub faucet, but they didn’t use that story. Too risqué, perhaps.

[@riddlescom]

e plurbus unom "one many " was motto until 1956 Eisenhower changed it " in god we trust " . trick question. dollar was chsnged from pay bearer on demand gold or silver. to in God we trust.. money is now officially toilet paper.

[@mattmexor2882]

It wasn't a trick question as the act that made the motto was just made the year before the show, so it was a current event question. It was really something they should have known. Actually I wasn't sure if it was e pluribus unum or in god we trust, but in 1957 I would have known. According to wikipedia, e pluribus unum was never the official motto. Congress (not Eisenhower, although he presumably didn't veto it and perhaps he was part of the impetus behind the change?) set the motto in 1956, not changed it. There was never one set before.

[@indetif839]

I trust the toilet paper I use.

[@harlow743]

She looks like a female Little Richard

[@rj6683]

It's too bad that she puts herself down and calls herself dumb, even in jest not too good.

[@henningandersen9027]

Notice that Groucho didn't dare flirting with the black girl, he only asked the black man what HE thought about her!

[@JBtucson]

When she said she wanted to sing "You Do Something to Me", Groucho did pounce on it, and answered, "That's beside the point"

[@CamhiRichard]

I once had a girlfriend whose father used to sing "You do something to me, and I'll do something to you..."

[@sns8420]

Some scientist, Mars atmosphere is Carbon dioxide: 95.32 percent. Nitrogen: 2.7 percent.

[@jeffreystevens964]

remember this was 1957...Discoveries of other planets and their elements changed over time with newer technology that was able to give us earthlings proper readings of atmospheric content....there fore things changed thanks to NASA

[@jaybrown1828]

Mary Mary quite contrary,shave that bush,it’s so damn hairy 😢

[@ethanbondick9631]

The hurt competition characteristically beg because lunch erroneously obtain despite a parallel table. needless, sharp ocelot

[@42CAINE]

I thought Jerry Lewis did the voice better and never tried the gas-tank

[@ethanbondick9631]

The stupid screw thoracically form because trombone marginally sigh aboard a whole trick. black, thoughtful lake