What's My Line (1953) (Bennett Cerf Becomes Full-Time) (Jackie Gleason MG)

This is the very first episode in which Bennett Cerf began the permanent replacement to Hal Block.
Dorothy Kilgallen, Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf

[@hopicard]

Steve Allen really knew how to play his role and how to interact with the audience. Great entertainer.

[@odineli6207]

InstaBlaster...

[@timothyhughes1904]

Arlene is always a class act, good-looking too.

[@robinmoore446]

Now I want to watch more Steve Allen - he's funny! Love Jackie Gleason - have memories of watching his show with my Dad. Live from Miami Beach with the June Taylor Dancers!

[@jrm8899]

Steve Allen was great...very quick witted

[@kidmarine7329]

Cavalcade of Stars.

[@satori03]

Jackie Gleason was one of the best things to ever happen to South Florida

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

The lady garbage truck driver received the best audience reaction of any contestant!😄😄😄

[@donnacook8994]

She was absolutely hilarious, and driving a garbage truck is no easy task. Kudos to her!!! 👏👏👏🥰

[@shanemike3070]

Dorothy is always very good at this show

[@willisknapick4405]

She is one sharp cookie.

[@markvicens5459]

“The Honeymooners” my all-time favorite show!

[@johnschaefer2238]

What a great show with Gleason and Allen. As far as comedy goes this is “When an immovable force meets an unstoppable obstacle!” Where are shows like this today?

[@Groveland64]

BTW, loved this show. My family would watch it together on Sunday nights.

[@karlakor]

In the early years of What's My Line the mystery guest was often dismissed rather curtly after the identity had been guessed. I wish John Daly had taken time to talk to Jackie Gleason for a minute or two.

[@anselmgolden8286]

Ms. Flory is so charming and intelligent. Beautiful as her handwriting, too. I hope she has had a wonderful life.

[@kenhenderson7999]

Jackie did become a serious actor in the late 50's and 60's, most notably in "The Hustler".

[@nycinstyle]

"Requiem for a Heavyweight", Gleason also gives an excellent performance in a serious role as an actor in a movie after this game show episode was first aired .

[@coloraturaElise]

@@NicoTineman Yes, in Gigot, he never spoke, so his experience in mime was invaluable. I find him absolutely astounding in his ability to communicate in this film, and remember this as the first serious movie I cried watching when I was little.

[@MrMenefrego1]

Besides being a genius reporter, Dorothy Kilgallen is a genius at this game!

[@leesher1845]

Dorothy Kilgallen was so smart.

[@jackkomisar458]

I used to watch this show live. Bennett Cerf was on the end and introduced John Daly. Here we see the first time that happened.

[@MyMagic111]

The last film Gleason made before his death was "Nothing in Common" with Tom Hanks. It was a drama that showed again Gleason's dramatic ability. The film gave us a glimpse of the greatness of Tom Hanks that was to come. Up to then, Hanks appeared in comedies. I really loved Gleason's performance in "Gigot" in which he played a mute who lived in sewers of Paris.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Lovers of 'Gigot' are a rare breed. Career car crashes for the Great One and for director Gene Kelly.

[@Ray3645]

Steve Allen is great in this show!

[@arbyfatbuckle1733]

I agree. I wish he'd been made a permanent panelist but he was to busy.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Jackie was about 38 years old here. Gee wiz!

[@alansorensen5903]

@M.J. C. I thought younger, but then, I'm older.

[@joe-vz6hx]

wow you can tell this was really EARLY TV...not much later and people would have brought the house down for Jackie Gleason, one of the all-time greats and as soon as "you're heavy" came into play it would be an easy guess.

[@jcneverquits]

100%! Place would've shook!

[@pamelaanis715]

Daly hinted “firmly anchored “!

[@ClarenceHW]

This was the classic panel, Steve Allen's irreverent wit is always a joy.

[@billkalivas9750]

This is my favorite lineup.

[@merryx-mart9943]

@@billkalivas9750 yes , i would agree with you . But when Steve got too busy with his own show I found Martin Gabel , Tony Randall admirable replacements. Fred Allen (pre Steven Allen ) was witty too.

[@billkalivas9750]

@@merryx-mart9943 All worthy panelists. Loved them all.

[@OCD450]

Kilgallen was an amazing Detective!!!

[@fintan3563]

Yes. And she was taken out for knowing the truth of the JFK assassination. 😢

[@tompaulcampbell]

@@fintan3563 Sadly, seems to be true!

[@nenapr5162]

Yes and she paid the price for it😨

[@robg9601]

No question this was the All time All-Star panel. We all know Steve went on to bigger things but always appreciate his many returns.

[@robg9601]

@@fintan3563 yes I posted a reply the other day...some people think she drowned accidentally in the shower or something!

[@terencedove5047]

This was one of the finest game shows ever created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. One of the very finest...

[@Tre404]

Yes, indeed!

[@draconiclady0610]

These are always so freaking hilarious

[@lisakane6708]

i just loved him in the smokie and the bandit movies.

[@kristic4472]

The camel guy is from where i grew up!!! Where Jungleland and other animal training lots were. In fact one of the housing developments there now is called Camelot, because it was the Camel Lot!!

[@4bibimimi]

Dorothy was red-hot on this one. Thanks for posting this classic.

[@donaldleroy6502]

This is another great episode, however my favorite of all time was with Walter Brennan, one of my all time favorite actors

[@coloraturaElise]

Ok, this was before The Honeymooners, which explains why it took so long for them to get it.

[@stul2224]

Although we have seen the Honeymooners reruns for 50 years . . . it actually aired only 39 episodes in its familiar sitcom format, running for just one season in 1955-56.

[@rickrick5041]

Stu L Why only one season?

[@mikezulim2567]

They integrated the Honeymooners into the Jackie Gleason variety show after the sitcom went off the air. It would be maybe 15 minutes of a one hour variety show.

[@jvcomedy]

To: Match Game Productions.......thanks so much for posting these. I could watch them all night. As far as the guy you addressed regarding his rudeness I guess I don't understand his comment at all since this show has everything to do with Bennett Cerf and Jackie Gleason. I find his comment ironic based on his observation and his insult. Thanks again for the "grate", oh I mean great posts!

[@stanochocki8984]

At 23:00, you can--though a bit faint---hear the Fire Trucks go past the Studio...that must have ticked-off the Control Booth Sound Technician...LoL..

[@Jarrob24]

Poor Steve with Mrs. Cooper he's lost. That's why they always ask first; do you provide a service, are you saleried? Not Steve's best talent on WML but he was a comedic genius. So funny...

[@libertyann439]

When a nervous contestant has to do the walk of shame at least they can offer their hands. That was awkward enough.

[@dejpsyd0421]

Steve Allen is the best!

[@billyshepard5514]

This was before the Honeymooners classic 39 episodes. He did have is own show with various skits.

[@M.R.29]

The funniest episode ever is with the lady driver 😀

[@es6986]

So how did I watch an episode of this airing in1967 with Steve Allen as a contestant selling motorcycles

[@kokagejones678]

Gleason (in disguised voice) really does sound like Clark Gable, at least Gable as Rhett Butler.

[@gsadventures678]

Jimmie Gleason. As if he wasn't famous enough!

[@donbagert]

The end was interesting, how they showed a picture of one of the contestants from the next show. I don't think I've seen them do that before.

[@Tre404]

It was part of every show in the early seasons.

[@zarowski1]

"Garbage on Rye" yum.

[@markmcnamara5067]

Fantastic show!

[@philippapay4352]

@MatchGameProductions - FYI, the above information is incorrect. Bennett had already been a regular panelist for some time prior to this show and it was Steve Allen who became the permanent replacement for Hal Block in March 1953. Bennett had replaced the poet Louis Untermeyer in 1951 as a permanent panelist. He just happens to have taken over Hal Block's seat/position at this time.

[@esmeephillips5888]

The producers wanted a New York guy who was in the swim, but Untermeyer (wrongly IMO) was deemed too gruff and heavy-handed. Cerf had been a devoted gladhander and literary paymaster of celebrities for more than 20 years, an easy conversationalist and a connoisseur of American humor. Intellectually he was a lightweight, but he was quick-witted and affable. G-T made an ideal pick to complement Arlene's warm charm and Dorothy's incisive quizzing.

[@philippapay4352]

@@esmeephillips5888 Yes, I was aware of the Bennett replacement for Louis at the time as a permanent panelist, but he sat in the seat Hal Block used for his duration on the show. Possibly they moved Bennett there when Hal left due to his position among writers, composers and the Broadway glitterati.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@philippapay4352 Also they wanted Cerf to be the one to introduce Daly teasingly, building up a mild antagonism between the two smart-alecks. Playful feuds were a popular broadcasting gambit then, like Fred Allen's with Jack Benny. Block was too crude to fit the classy atmosphere WML emanated.

[@MatchGameProductions]

Calling people names is not tolerated and results in you getting banned. This is the first episode Bennett Cerf began a Regular Panelist on the show. Jackie Gleason was the Mystery Guest. It's people like yourself who ruin it for others who enjoy the videos. You sir have ZERO appreciation for anything nice in life people take the time to share with others.

[@alansorensen5903]

@Mark M. Oldridge Ditto. I watched from '58 through my freshman year in college. I love it even more now. Thanks for the memories and the joys of great entertainment. You're a gentleman and a scholar, "What's My Line."

[@Nightturkey1]

I have binge-watched this show on Facebook for a good ling time. IO have just one question: Did Bennett Cerf EVER have hair?

[@sittinginthebasement]

The next year Steven Allen married Jayne Meadows -- 😊making him the brother-in-law of "Mrs. Ralph Kramden", the lovely Audrey Meadows.

[@zacharyjarrells7084]

Jimmy Gleason from Arlene and Al Carney from Bennett, lol.

[@dovbarleib3256]

Collecting the Garbage is not the same as Driving the truck. I would have asked for a specific aspect of garbage collection.

[@kokagejones678]

And then there's the question of whether she comes into contact with it. Well-really, she doesn't, right?

[@dovbarleib3256]

@@kokagejones678 right

[@Groveland64]

I thought his voice was unmistakable but the panelists were probably told to string it along. Otherwise, the segment would be ruined.

[@jrm8899]

This was before Jackie Gleason was really famous

[@gabriel.954]

What does he train camels to do? ---- To smoke. LOL

[@deboraholsen2504]

Steve Allen: "I wonder what sex is left?" ...in today's world, he wouldn't wonder! :'( (sorry!)

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Deborah Olsen - Funny!

[@albertseabra9226]

Gleason, a Camel "coach", funny show...

[@Jarrob24]

Oh man two in a row. I just knew she drove a garbage truck. Now I'm thinking if Dorothy had just given her hands a quick smell she might not have confused the pork smell with the garbage smell.. Too bad...

[@poetcomic1]

Didn't they realize what a BORE the walk of shame and the stupid goofy guesses were? It is such an obvious DRAG on the pace.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

poetcomic1 - They finally realized the "perp walk" and the free guesses were bad practices and also boring

[@josseppie]

How far we have come since then if they thought tobacco aided in digestion. In someways they were advanced and in some not so much.

[@stevekru6518]

In no ways were 1950s advanced compared to today. My suspicion is you are lauding the superficial polite manners which concealed a host of societal ills, ranging from racism to mutual assured destruction of the Cold War, the start of abuses in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Latin America, polio and other rampant infectious diseases, shortening lifespans. Technology has improved our lives such that the poorest person today has much more opportunity than the richest 70 years ago. In the past few months we have three space capsules orbiting Mars, multiple Covid 19 vaccines with 95% efficacy, and communication technology obviating the need to travel. And still there are 20% of Americans still killing themselves and others with tobacco.

[@markrpope3]

If you think it is low class to call people names what do you think of Cerf after listening to his slanderous comments about Dorothy in his oral history"Interview" when she was not even 3 years dead yet.

[@Michelle-jz8vl]

Are you heavy? Wow! Ya can’t get a way with telling that truth to folk today. You’ll probably get sued. Smh!

[@claudecall]

Gleason frequently used his size as a laugh line. If a comedian did that today I think they'd get a pass for asking. Granted, Allen did it to rule out someone else, but it definitely became the clue that led Arlene to the answer.

[@theblake5356]

Absolutely incorrect. Bennett was already a regular panelist at this point.

[@maryreinhardt8661]

I wonder why Dorothy closed the how wearing a chapel veil?

[@robinmoore446]

Boy I noticed that too

[@SOULRELIEF22]

St John 3:16! 💓 JESUS is Returning SOON! ALLELUIA! 🙏🙌

[@Lee90000]

you are heavy... are you Jimmy Gleason?

[@Claptonfan]

Wow!! Smoking a cigar might aid your digestion, huh. Could also put you under fast!!!

[@bencheshire]

5:00 breadbox

[@Jarrob24]

Ok, I've watched these for years.In fact I was watching in 1953 when I was 3. Of course I remember it vividly. not.. Great to find them here. Just was thinking I never heard or knew where they got the contestents from? Were they picked from the audience or did they write in to be on the show or wtf? Also John Daly flips those cards like crazy but they never say; ok you have won 50 dollars.He just says you got all the cards. Show me the money.And Steve Allen was always a genius. Thanks for th

[@libertyann439]

Jarrob24 People wrote in and asked to be on the show. Sometimes John gives the address at the end

[@pamelaanis715]

Supposed to get $. If celebrities they usually donated to a charity.

[@Jarrob24]

I think she makes cigars.

[@solarsoltice9075]

Wasn't Gleason in Requiem for a Heavy Weight ?

[@MrWindermere123]

I was puzzled by the huge laugh and shocked reaction which the garbage truck driver drew from the audience. Even allowing for the time in the early 1950s, surely a female truck driver was not alarmingly novel. I wonder if the audience was 'warmed up' by a comedian before the programme itself began, or were there cue cards to prompt a big reaction? In other episodes there were shouters and screamers in the audience but here there is mass merriment over a pretty mundane job. Odd!

[@denisefarmer366]

You are probably pretty young or maybe don't know history (?)... Female garbage truck drivers extremely rare at that time. I think audience laughed because it seemed a highly unlikely profession. These programs show how uncivil people have become over time, but even then double entendres were laughed at. In general People were more respectful and polite to each other regardless of their differences. 🥺

[@Lava1964]

It was Steve Allen who replaced Hal Block, right? Bennett had been on the show for a while.

[@Tre404]

No, Bennett replaced Hal.

[@theblake5356]

Yes. Steve Allen replaced Hal Block. Bennett, who had long been a regular panelist by this point, took over Hal’s seat.

[@theblake5356]

Tre404 No. Steve Allen replaced Hal Block.... Bennett simply took over his seat.

[@michellepost5232]

I always thought Jackie Gleason was good looking. His music is divine to the ear. He had such thick black hair, too. Steve Allen was funny and cute, and I wish he had been a panelist alot more times.

[@JohnMiller-uc6oc]

They don't give the panel enough time. It's suppose to be ten no answers. But many times they flip cards over because time ran out. That's probably the reason the show never really became a classic.

[@libertyann439]

John Miller It IS a classic. What are you talking about? It ran for 17 years in this version and at least 10 in others.

[@Tre404]

Millenials... so very clueless...

[@denisefarmer366]

@@Tre404 clueless and ignorant and..... Useful tools 😕

[@toddmccreary4579]

There are generally only three people including mystery guest. Usually he didn't throw them all over unless they went way off track.

[@arbyfatbuckle1733]

it must-have been before Gleason was famous. Arlene called Jimmy.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Arby Fatbuckle - Arlene was hilarious: I didn't think you'd be hanging in the Louvre!

[@Tre404]

@@shirleyrombough8173 .. Yes, that was the highlight of this show! Very quick-minded of her..

[@markrpope3]

Cerf didn't appear on the show until a panelist became the victim of the communist witch hunt. He didn't become a regular until Hal Block was fired, which in his oral history interview he admires he was a party to the firing decision. Opportunist.

[@fenwaypark1725]

The CPUSA during WW2 reached 50.000. And today Seattle and statues. Thank you professors.

[@theblake5356]

Wrong. Bennett had long been a regular panelist at the time of this episode.

[@dansanger5340]

@@fenwaypark1725 The Soviet Union provided assistance to CPUSA for decades. At one time, conservatives vigorously opposed this Russian interference in US domestic politics. Now, conservatives welcome Russian interference in US domestic politics. The similarities between the old CPUSA and today's GOP are disturbing.

[@arbyfatbuckle1733]

I would have thought the garbage lady's job would have been considered a service. gotten less laughs but more to the point.

[@kevklost]

Gary, you must be bed ridden for at least a few weeks after the Mueller report. As I said, good luck with that.

[@terryniblett9329]

Damn...not that funny!!

[@teeeeeveeeee314]

Bennett and Dorothy sacred no time in their cheating ways...

[@Tre404]

...in English, please?

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@Tre404 sc. 'spared'?

[@satori03]

The Great One and he really was..... JACKIE GLEASON! He was such a wonderful man as well as being a good actor