You Bet Your Life #59-26 My, how Melinda has grown. . . ('Door', Mar 17, 1960)

The highlight in this one is another "surprise" appearance by Melinda, who dances with contestant Gene Nelson to the song "Together" at 15:00.
COUPLE #1: Dorothy Love, a school teacher who likes to fish / Edward Kramer, social security agent for Beverly Hills
COUPLE #2: Elsie Zeskind, waitress in a deli / Gene Nelson, dancer
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Episode identification and basic description based on "Tell 'em Groucho Sent You", © 1997 by Mark Petty. Used by permission.

[@rosicrosslin1867]

So good to see real entertainment and fun. Melinda and Groucho love each other

[@joanofarc9438]

It gets me all choked up seeing Melinda's love for her Daddy and Groucho is a softy for Daddy's girl.

[@axiomist4488]

It's so nice watching these shows from my teen era . People were so decent and dressed nicely. A man wouldnt be caught dead without his jacket and tie on . There were no tattoos , no clown shoe type sneakers, no sexual inuendos . Just nice decent well dressed people having lots of fun . Groucho was a great host, always put on a good show and made people laugh . TV was fine .

[@PatchworkUSA]

It was fun wearing those dresses with the petticoats underneath. It felt comfy cozy.

[@markgroesbeck2717]

Many folks pine for those 1950’s values which were great… if you were white. I should know I’m a white male but have more progressive values. Let’s not fantasize how “wonderful” America was back then. The fashions were cool but c’mon. Society was oppressive. Having said that, I love Groucho! And BTW, his act was filled with sexual innuendos!

[@parsonscarlson7984]

@@markgroesbeck2717 Well put.

[@mehboobkm2018]

@@markgroesbeck2717 Axiomist was sarcastic!?🤪🤪🤪

[@alanna8983]

Groucho was one of the greats, but making fun of a woman's weight is crass and rude. Also, Groucho was the king of sexual inuendos, so I doubt you were ever really familiar with a lot of his shtick. If that's your idea of the greatness of the good old days, then that certainly signifies when the decline of American society started.

[@loutimmons3099]

Awe...Gene Nelson was delightful. For about five seconds, I thought the dancing with Groucho's daughter was spontaneous. HA. But it was darling. He was always a charming presence...and I saw him twice in Follies on Bwy in 1971. A FANTASTIC Buddy Plummer.

[@markgroesbeck2717]

The dance routine with Melinda is great She's sooo cute and talented. I'm reading a book about the show and Melinda is quoted as saying that she didn't mind making appearances on the show at first but as she matured (as she had in this episode) she was self-conscious and didn't like performing in front of people. Thanks for posting!!

[@Gravydog316]

She was on with Candace Bergen, & was wonderful; here, she is a teen...

[@robertpatrick5188]

@randall2020 "Sing Along With Mitch" replaced Groucho on Thursdays at 10 (Eastern) in the fall of 1961.

[@robertpatrick5188]

@randall2020 "Sing Along With Mitch" replaced Groucho on Thursdays at 10 (Eastern) in the fall of 1961.

[@dennishardy3869]

That's too bad how Melinda felt. She was very talented and a great dancer. And absolutely adorable.

[@amc042759]

Groucho was a loving father. Melinda very cute and talented.

[@trevormiles5852]

so , how many daddies are out there that know how groucho is feeling right now. I was always and are proud of my little girl

[@bobpeters9898]

Groucho Marx is an absolute icon he is a national treasure. his daughter is truly a talented wonderful young lady

[@rockvilleraven]

I remember there was some discrimation based on being Jewish back then, One Senator said that since he was half Jewish could he only play 9 holes at the local Country Club. Groucho said since Melinda was half Jewish could she go in the water up to her knees? I was born Jewish and it was in the the book "the Secret Word is Groucho!'

[@joanofarc9438]

Wonderful that Groucho showed off Melinda as he did.

[@ambiakhamaly9950]

It's so touching 2 c his daughter on screen with the brilliant Groucho

[@TheoHockeyton]

Isn't it lovely that some places which were so meaningful to people 50 years ago still hold so much meaning for people today, such as the Santa Monica Pier.

[@stevebutler812]

Gene Nelson, 1920-1996, was inspired to become a dancer by watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Appeared in dozens of plays & films. Directed The Rifleman, the original Star Trek, the first season of I Dream of Jeannie, Gunsmoke, Elvis Presley, taught at San Francisco State, & inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

[@jackkircher1755]

Melinda was the only child from his second marriage so they were very close. He half sister and brother are now deceased. She was very talented and sweet. She appeared on her dad's show with Candice Bergan who was almost the same age as Melinda. They actually played the game and won $1,000 which was a heap of money for a couple 14 year olds! They were both beautiful kids. Candice was an only child, as well.

[@unitedwestand5100]

They were 11, and their winnings went to The Girl Scouts of America. Milinda was acting at 14, and appeared on The Dating game with Groucho when she was 21. It was a Fathers day special I think. She had a singing career too, married 3 times, and at 75, shes still professionally active sometimes. A Muscian in an opera?

[@theresaholguin699]

Ohmygosh how cute and sweet is Melinda ❤❤as of 2020 Melinda is 73 years old of Groucho's 3 children Melinda is the only surviving child of Groucho

[@dennishardy3869]

I absolutely love watching Groucho's daughter Melinda. She was truly a very talented young lady. Groucho must've been very proud of her. Great shows. Can only imagine how wonderful she would be to watch today.

[@russellcampbell9198]

Gene was great in "Oklahoma" - "Kansas City" routine was outstanding.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Melinda obviously got her talent from the Marx gene pool. Fantastic dancer!

[@sweetitis]

Groucho really was a wonderful Father to dote on his lovely daughter who was always Cute as A Button! So nice to have lived in this era and now return to a memory from a much nicer time!

[@breezycovergirl]

Groucho, Groucho , Groucho 🤣😋😋😁🤩😎😆you have to love him.

[@emiltrees]

Groucho could be so Insulting; and that's why he was my favorite comedian.

[@JSB1882]

Groucho was 69 at this time - he could have been collecting Social Security. I forgot about Gene Nelson --- but Melinda was the highlight! She was an incredibly talented girl and later woman.

[@beatmet2355]

I don’t know what George gets paid, but it’s not enough! 😂 Groucho keeps him on his toes!

[@turnofevent8094]

Bet Groucho was very proud of his daughter .....

[@arttrombley7385]

Melinda was 14 in this episode, not 19 as Groucho said. Lol

[@Tenraiden]

He admits it later on, at around 15:48

[@arttrombley7385]

Groucho says 40 there jokingly.

[@yankee2666]

...Figured that out all by yourself, didja?

[@marilynwillett804]

why guy would know or even care.

[@df5295]

Teacher: I'd rather fish than eat! Groucho: It looks like you love to do both! 🤣

[@vincentrezende7690]

I thought that very cruel of Groucho to call her on her weight. I know this was a different time, but on national television! Wiki Groucho, and see what he was up too...... Young girls were always in his mind! 😎

[@SheriSoltes]

Thank you, Vincent. I agree!

[@user-mr8pw4xc6g]

No wonder all his wives became alcoholics. He was a nasty man.

[@PML4USA]

Just Love Groucho.He is so funny. :o)

[@siciliano66]

I love Groucho!!!

[@soylentteal]

Melinda got her mother's face but also her father's eyebrows!

[@bill2953]

A man named "Hillary" the first to conquer the tallest mountain. Poetic.

[@robertklose2140]

One correction: Edmund Hillary was not British, he was from New Zealand (21:33) (Although we could split hairs here because New Zealand was part of the British Commonwealth)

[@rbrucewilliams2924]

Some discussion during this one on age. Groucho first says that Melinda is 19. After she dances he revises to 14! Gene Nelson speaks of the hindrance to his career for looking younger than he was (at least as far as casting directors are concerned). Age is just a number, right? I’m approaching 60 now, and watching many of these shows from the early to mid 60s. I’m struck repeatedly with the impression that those of that decade looked much older than their actual age. Could be merely my vantage point from this century styles. But I’ve also often wondered if the culture of cigarette smoking then created a realistic difference in peoples’ fitness and appearance.

[@richardolson9360]

The age comment is an old line that Groucho used on most children. Melinda was a very brave person & great sport of her dad's mouth. Melinda also had no problem setting her dad strait.

[@johnderfler5183]

I now pronounce you man and wife, give her a kiss and hand over your paycheck. Classic.

[@henningandersen9027]

Nice of him to mention the sherpa first.

[@cherylvirden3073]

What a talentedyoung lady. And Beautiful! Groucho was a Proud father! I loved seeing her on the show. Can anyone tell me if shes still alive and did she go into entertainment!

[@sandrauhlein4317]

Love is daughter , Melinda

[@laurenceleadman4779]

Grouchy sure love his daughter

[@lancebaker1374]

I'm curious to know where a few of you read that Melinda didn't enjoy the spotlight and was "pushed" into show business by Groucho. She had a successful career until 1972.

[@trulywashington854]

Y tpo. Xx Tony martion

[@martinjones5965]

7m20s I wonder if George ever felt like crowning Groucho with the Question Box :)

[@jimmiedee2315]

One of Groucho's funniest jokes was aimed at the first couple. After discussing the short chubby woman's weight problem and the tall lean man's diet, he pronounced them "high protein" and "low fat". High=Tall / Low=Short / Protein=Lean / Fat=Chubby

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Any joke that elaborate is almost definitely a prewritten one, not ad lib. But it's a good one! :)

[@jessiejames7492]

he could be quite insensitive about peoples feelings

[@AventuraLuver]

jessie james I don't think Groucho would bring up any topic the guest didn't okay beforehand

[@peterklutinoty244]

The lean man said, " high protein, low fat diet. " That's where Groucho got the "joke!!" Pay attention to the contestants, ehh??!

[@SheriSoltes]

It was very rude.

[@sugarjoe50]

Groucho apparently pushed Melinda into showbiz but she was never comfortable with it. She made a few records in the 60s but not much else. A real cutie tho!

[@GeorgeSwift-qj1ik]

What a crass statement from Groucho. Should have been canned for that.

[@henningandersen9027]

The speech improvement teacher is hard to understand!

[@tutorlog7490]

He says Melinda is 19. She’s not 19 here in 1959!

[@robertklose2140]

He was joking. At 22:44 he gives her true age as 13 1/2

[@juslookin3]

I don't know why Groucho said Melinda was "around 19." She was 13 or 14 y/o here.

[@robertpatrick5188]

I think that was a setup, to make Gene think he was dancing with a young woman rather than a teenage girl who was, in fact, 14 at the time. Of course, the whole thing was a setup since Gene and Melinda had been rehearsing this. There's no way they could have been that good spontaneously.

[@KingVikram]

He does say that she is 13 and half @22:40 , so he must have been kidding the first time around.

[@lancebaker1374]

Groucho makes matches. That was his main focus on this show. He wanted to suggest a possible match between Gene and Melinda, so he had to pick an older age for her.

[@yankee2666]

You don'ttry to figure out Groucho - he's jst Groucho.

[@yankee2666]

Gee, ya think?

[@Wheelstar72]

So rude talking about dorothys weight

[@ApartmentKing66]

Somebody edited out where that Dorothy lady chides Groucho for something he said.

[@youtube-user73424]

What did she say?

[@frankstone3809]

We need this on Jimmy Kimmel ASAP

[@sugarjoe50]

Kimmel couldn't hold Groucho's jockstrap.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

@@frankstone3809. Nah. It would be a failure. Without Groucho, or someone like him, it would fail, and badly.

[@twinsonic]

Sir Edmund Hillary was NOT British..he was New Zealander!

[@lancebaker1374]

He was both British and New Zealander. As a member of the British Commonwealth, New Zealand is a British nation. Elizabeth II is Queen of New Zealand and New Zealand's head of state. Sir Edmond is Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

[@yankee2666]

New Zealand is still a UK colony, and he was knighted by the Queen. What you're contending is tantamount to saying, "She was not a New Yorker, she was a Staten Islander'.

[@ilanamillion8942]

@@yankee2666 New Zealand is not a colony of the UK but is a member of the Commonwealth.

[@Mutlap]

3:10 someone is snoring

[@laurnaleto4622]

Groucho seemed vengeful after Gentleman George's, probably saturated from years of Groucho's demeaning ways, failure to support his Dorothy (size 16?) bashing.. then waitress Elsie's dressing him down about his social impropriety...then Gene's offer to give him dancing lessons.

[@vanessabingley6608]

That man at around 9:37 is 39 yrs old and he supposedly looks younger! He looks much older than 39, more like 45.

[@yankee2666]

He looks like 45 to you because you're probably not accustomed to seeing young men act and dress mature beyond their years - as they once did.

[@a.brucemcdonald9038]

Is there really a difference between what a 39 and 45 year old look like? I don’t think so. There is enormous variability--a very wide and flat distribution of “appearances”.

[@aneamarlivana172]

"That man", as you refer to him, is Gene Nelson, the very best of the Hollywood film dancers, and also a gifted singer and actor. I don't know why you felt compelled to make that nasty comment about him. I've always felt that Gene Nelson looked younger than his years.

[@aneamarlivana172]

@@a.brucemcdonald9038 I think Ms. Bingley's comment is the result of something personal and not an objective comment.

[@wardka]

I think black and white photography and harsh lighting may age people, but I too thought he looked closer to 50.

[@karendeaton9297]

Strange weight question.

[@pugzlipigeon5906]

Grouchos rude af.

[@danielmoose1273]

How insulting of Groucho to comment on the lady being overweight! It would have been hilarious for Her to comment on Groucho's receding hairline, or his atrocious cigar breath, or that goofy bowtie ... Or, to ask if today's secret word was "Assshole" 🙂 ... But, since they're all dead now, I guess it doesn't matter.

[@worldnotworld]

What could be more refreshing in this woke age of "fat-phobia" than this? Wow.

[@stevep-iv4pq]

Probably rehearsed. But still good! Groucho was a wonderful papa.