What's My Line? - Betty Hutton (Mar 4, 1956)

MYSTERY GUEST: Betty Hutton [film actress, mostly in musicals]
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Fred Allen, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf

[@gingerhaydon4693]

Betty Hutton was a wonderful performer and person. She overcame many difficulties, and found peace later in life.

[@gatewayski1]

What a wonderful memory - Betty Hutton was simply great! Mr. Allen passed away 13 days after this episode.

[@theblake5356]

Terribly sad that Fred Allen passed away just 13 days later. He was a natural fit on the panel.... loved him.

[@dianawardrip5171]

Agree, I am sure that he needed a stent or two, they wouldn’t be available for 35-40 years.

[@drednm]

This was 1956. Betty Hutton starred in one more film, SPRING REUNION (1957) with Dana Andrews, Jean Hagen, and Laura La Plante. She also starred on Broadway in ANNIE many years later.

[@deboraholsen2504]

How intriguing that babies born on the same day this show aired had a birth date of 3-4-56! I love Mrs. Hartley's hair, and how many women wish that they had her face!

[@jacquelinebell6201]

In Australia it's 4/3/56 so doesn't work lol. It will on 3rd April.

[@robertsprouse9282]

@@jacquelinebell6201, I have never understood why Brits/Aussies, and Euros reverse it. What is more important to convey first, the month or the day? First, everyone knows the year, of course. But, to say the day's number first in a date or schedule is to say that its more important to know the day than to know the month. So, I can say meet me on the 4th., not in JULY, and that conveys more specific info than saying meet me next month or two months down the road, with me then giving the number of the month to differentiate the fourth of the month that I am in from the month I am referring to, and then giving the day's number. No one says: Meet me on the seventh if they mean a different month. They say meet me on August 7th, if its any other month in the present that they give the request in. The month goes first. If one says meet me on the 7th of August, its not as terse if they need the month first as they normally would.. August 7th. Therefore, giving the number of the month first is more important than giving the day until the month is expressed. Only in languages read right to left would writing the month's number coming from the rightside before the day's number which is found moving further left, and in some of those languages they do not use the same calendar, would it make sense to( as one looks at it in U.S. English, read= left to right) list the day number first on the left.. Maybe, there is something I am missing. If so, explain it to me and educate me so that I then can see the reason for it. Thanx..

[@ross_spirou_photography]

John got something wrong by saying there's something masochistic about him when in fact, a masochist is a person that enjoys pain while a sadist is a person that enjoys inflicting pain which is what John did by making the panel feel they'd be blind folded when they were not expected to

[@44032]

Getting rid of, first, the wild guesses and then the walk gave more time to chat with the guests and made it more relaxed show. Also, the final contestant had a little more air time. Both good moves.

[@robertjean5782]

WML NOT a talk show😊

[@44032]

@@robertjean5782 You'd rather have the wild guesses and the walk and just run people in and out with no conversation?

[@robertjean5782]

@@44032 That's what they were doing 1950 till now. It's not a talk show!

[@44032]

@@robertjean5782 It was not what they did from 1956-67. Which is better?

[@Beson-SE]

Arlene asks John if the show could save time for more contestants by doing away with the "walk-by". John tells her to ask the audience, so she does. She invites viewers to "write in" if they wanted to skip this part of the show in the future. Very interesting that the elimination of the walk-by came from Arlene and perhaps all the panel! 23:15

[@WhatsMyLine]

I forgot all about this! And the walk down the panel was all but eliminated 3 weeks later, so I doubt this is a coincidence. Thanks for drawing attention to this, Johan!

[@Beson-SE]

What's My Line? My pleasure, Gary!

[@nezlos2698]

What's My Line? I

[@lauracollins4195]

Ten points to Arlene Francis for throwing a stick of dynamite into the asinine Walk of Shame! That was a waste of time at best, and insulting at worst - feeling men’s muscles, asking the contestant to do a dance step, examining clothing labels, asking a woman to balance a book on her head in the first episode! Yowch.

[@ladya1953]

@@lauracollins4195 Well, to be honest, in the last days of The Walk there was only a quick handshake, thankfully! Well, darn! I posted the above too fast! Arlene just grabbed Mr. Neely's arm!

[@johnmonkus4600]

At the end of this episode, Arlene asks the audience if they would like the walk eliminated to save time for another contestant. The write in campaign she inspired was overwhelmingly successful. After only few experiments, the final choreography of WML emerges.

[@lisal8984]

I would rather they got rid of the panel entrances at the beginning that took too much time.

[@greeneyes2256]

@@lisal8984 My Aunt was one of many who sewed for Arlene. I loved seeing her in the finished gowns. Her Dior outfits often went back to Dior, but my Aunt remade some outfits for both her stage and home wear.

[@CottonO]

Hooray for Arlene!

[@skyedog24]

​@@lisal8984I agree that the panel entrances were always the same every time it was to be expected. But taking the walk in front of the panel was always ad-lib.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@lisal8984A introduction was required and majority of women wanted to see what Arlene and Dorothy was wearing😊

[@rivaridge7211]

Betty Hutton was so wonderfully lovely - and more talented than (I think!) she was ever given credit for. She was marvelous in "Annie Get your Gun," as a replacement for the great Judy Garland - who simply broke down (and bled hundreds-of-thousands of dollars of the film's initial budget - due to Garland's "no-shows" on the set). After Judy filmed a couple of lovely musical numbers for this picture - she fully collasped and could not continue no matter what the studio tried. MGM brought Betty in to take over the starring role, but many of the crew hated Betty out of misplaced loyalty to Judy. Miss Hutton was treated awfully on that set and it scarred her - she would do one more film ("The Greatest Show on Earth") and would forever call it quits from Hollywood movies. Her later years would find her flat-broke and working as a caretaker in a Catholic priest's rectory (Father Peter Maguire of Rhode Island - early 1970's). Betty would happily say (at the time - and later - after Father Maguire's death) that she found her most true happiness and peace while cooking and cleaning for her beloved Father Maguire. Betty fully stated that Hollywood never gave her any such joy. Bless her heart for always! Her story is something to well consider in these days (2015) of Hollywood/Celebrity worship - which leaves spiritual gratification off by the wayside.

[@rawrm247]

You should read Rat Girl. It's a memoir written Kristin Hersh who happened to be one of Beth's best friends in her later years. Their friendship was really interesting. Kristin was attending community college at the age of 17 while Betty was there in her 60s I believe. They became great friends and she's a big part of the book.

[@jimrick6632]

BETTY HUTTON DID THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH/LETS DANCE TO NAME A FEW AND ALSO DID A TV IN 1957 AFTER ANNIE////SHE HAD A DRUG PROBLEM AND IT FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH HER....

[@martyrobinson4474]

"The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) was not her last film ... she had two more after that ... "Somebody Loves Me" (1952) and "Spring Reunion" (1957)

[@hardballget]

Betty was the best!

[@johnnyvee7688]

To save time they should just tell Fred Allan to stop interrupting and get on with the show. I feel they could have an extra contestant if he was gone The show, which I love has gone downhill since he appeared

[@martyrobinson4474]

20:47 - the song in the "jukebox" at that time was Betty's cover of "Hit the Road to Dreamland" written by Harold Arlen. Orchestration by The Vic Schoen Orchestra (Schoen was Betty's brother-in-law at the time).

[@Marcel_Audubon]

Thanks, I was wondering just that!

[@albertgainsworth]

Betty seems to have lived life intensely, and I think it show in the gleeful way she takes part in this show.

[@January.]

*shows

[@wchumphries]

Fred, of the Tattoo Artist, "I think he had designs on all of us." I confess, I didn't used to be a Fred Allen fan, but I have to admit, he was very intelligent & witty.

[@ibnalhaytham]

I'm not a huge fan either, but I agree with your observation. That was a wonderful line.

[@mr.antique5407]

#JackBennyGang

[@kennethlatham3133]

Yes, in an interview Johnny Carson was asked who his favourite comics were growing up. He mentioned Fred Allen, reciting a joke he made on his radio show. Mrs. Allen says to Fred, "Milton Berle called to say he can't make it over, he's sick". Fred said, "I don't know why he should be sick; there's enough mold on his jokes for him to make his own penicillin!".

[@belindaalbright8798]

Fred was intelligent and witty. Unfortunately his form of humor was condescending and a bit rude. Observe the looks on contestants faces after some of Fred's remarks.

[@michaelangood]

i am so glad i didn't get brainwashed into getting trailer trash tattoos. no class now

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

I've read that she had some problems (don't we all?), but she sure was cute, talented, & funny.

[@jenniferk4923]

“They float upside down...”. I love sassy John

[@asteverino8569]

Great show and I have just recently enjoyed fully, Betty Hutton's talants.

[@Rosey01222]

Betty Hutton had a so much eager to please manic energy when she performed it made you feel like you needed a tranquilizer after watching her. Her private life was a troubled one leading her later to find comfort in religion becoming religiously devout.

[@frederickcombs8661]

Such a sensation for many years and then completely dumped by Hollywood... a sad story. But Betty came from poverty and by luck and ambition made it to the top at Paramont Pictures. Just see her in Annie Get Your Gun to see how capable Betty was.

[@Kmac005]

Betty Hutton could do it all. She costarred in my favorite comedy "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek". She couldn't quite match Eddie Bracken, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

[@Dr.Pepper001]

RIP Betty. You were the best, and you were willing to give up an acting career to take care of your children.

[@mikejschin]

At 18:27, almost at the end of the tattoo artist's segment, Arlene says "It's a plug for The Rose Tattoo". She was referring to a film of that name that was based on a Tennessee Williams play and premiered in New York about 3 months before this episode. The star of the picture was the Italian actress Anna Magnani, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role. Miss Magnani was the MG on WML on April 12, 1953.

[@Beson-SE]

Betty Hutton was voted Mother of the Year for 1956 and she made a very movingly speech about the City of Hope's juvenile cancer wing, especially for the children who suffered from leukemia. 22:14

[@jackanthony976]

It's ironic that Betty Hutton was voted Mother of the Year as Betty herself was estranged from her three daughters as you can see from her interview on Good Morning America. None of Betty's three daughters showed up at her funeral in 2007.

[@juliansinger]

+JACK ANTHONY From a brief wiki-dive, it does sound as if she had some strong addictions, which often do impact depressingly on relationships. (But man, what talent.)

[@Poorsap]

13k views and only 71 likes?! Don't be neutral folks! I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I love watching a new-to-me show every now and then.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Thank you for this, Elisa! I try to remind myself that the overwhelming majority of people have NO IDEA how important it is to click thumbs up and leave comments on KZbin videos. It's vital. But I don't nag people about it, because I find it incredibly annoying when I'm watching a channel I already subscribe to and I'm constantly beseeched at the end of every damned video to "click thumbs up!" "like us on Facebook!" "follow us on Twitter!". So I don't add these reminders, personally. The downside, of course, is that my videos tend to get a lot lower than average percentage of upvotes as a result. It certainly is NOT the fault of the programs themselves, which are still pretty wildly popular for a B^W game show from 60 years ago. Really appreciate the support!

[@Poorsap]

+What's My Line? I have to admit that I have never realized the value of giving the thumbs up to a KZbin video - until YOUR WML? channel. I don't know if you recall, but my first comment (who knows what episode) I considered myself a unique viewer. You called my out and told me that this show attracted viewers under 20..(I'm 40). I laugh at my narrow perspective even now! Cheers!

[@WhatsMyLine]

Elisa Ruiz Hey, it still surprises me how wide an audience this show attracts! :)

[@steveo288]

I always thought views = money on monetized channels. So, how important is a click on thumbs up? I doubt that adds any extra cash. Yet you say it is vital. Please enlighten to the people who don't completely understand this....like me. :)

[@WhatsMyLine]

steveo288 The reason upvotes (and comments) are so important is that they have a big effect on how much the KZbin search engine recommends a video. The more the search engine recommends a video, the more people see it. Hope that makes it clearer!

[@annakaminski4406]

Such a pleasure to watch.

[@timothydouglas7949]

She was good in The greatest show on earth!

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

God bless Ms. Hutton! Even then the snobbish though brilliant panel could not forgive you for taking over Annie Oakley. You were better than she. If only your co-star had not been biased.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

She was not good in Annie Get Your Gun. Too manic and exuberant. A better choice would have been Doris Day.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

She came close to portraying an American legend in a Hollywood musical. What? You don't think Annie removed from the sticks would have too much exuberance compared to the rest? Her let it hang out performance is why I love her in this role. The Texas dirt almost ruined her portrayal. Thank the director.

[@sharksport01]

It's fun to watch phoney Dorothy try to be snobbish with her rotted lower teeth.

[@amycarmichael2748]

Love Betty Hutton

[@oksills]

Amy Carmichael I’ve always loved Amy Carmichael! What an amazing woman with whom to share a name!

[@tugginalong]

I loved when Fred Allen was on the panel

[@jimredwine919]

Troubled soul, but one of the greats!

[@peternagy-im4be]

Fred Allen?

[@robertjean5782]

​Betty not Fred😊

[@donellamackenzie9350]

Betty Hutton and others have given to much information to the panel be better if they answered just yes or no

[@joanbennettnyc]

Arlene gets sassy there at the end! Good for her. Glad they eliminated the catwalk.

[@yawlltube]

"There are myriad beautiful fish...in the corals around Bermuda." Titters all round

[@erenunal]

13:08 Fred Allen's comeback is priceless. Someone needs to compile a video of every obfuscating explanation delivered by John Daly, followed by the poor panelist's reaction to it.

[@lancedukel3436]

Betty was a phenom. Nuff said.

[@kbrodeur]

I love this woman.

[@beccawiley6684]

Imagine a time when leukemia was a certain death sentence!

[@preppysocks209]

So many people who comment on these episodes wish they could have been alive then or would want to have been alive then. Whatever the upsides of that, no one would ever want to go back to the medical treatments, medicines, diagnostics, and knowledge then compared to now.

[@kattahj]

Yeah, hearing that made me so sad, and at the same time happy that science has made progress.

[@denisep.2037]

My sister passed away 2 years ago from leukemia. She was 57.

[@igkoigko9950]

@@denisep.2037 I’m saddened by your loss. Overall leukemia has a 70% recovery rate, but some forms, adult and AML have high mortality rates.

[@randylovering24]

The decision to cut the walk of shame was postponed due to Fred Allen passing

[@anneroy4560]

March 4th and Fred Allen died on the 17th .... such a loss ...

[@scottpardee6303]

And he does mention his advanced age...

[@jacquelinebell6201]

Only 61 I think. A year younger than me. Too young.

[@tTheParakeet]

Poor girl at the beginning looked so nervous!

[@mikejschin]

When Fred asks if John had been invited to Grace Kelly's wedding, he was of course referring to the marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco. The marriage took place the following month, with the civil ceremony on April 18, 1956, and the church ceremony the following day. Ms. Kelly had met Prince Rainier in May 1955. At the time, she was dating the French actor Jean-Pierre Aumont, who was the MG on WML on September 4, 1955.

[@sdgakatbk]

Good catch.

[@sharksport01]

Really. I thought it was Grace Slick.

[@robertsprouse9282]

@@sharksport01, man.. she had an oily personality..

[@bostonblackie9503]

Betty looks good!

[@robertjean5782]

Fantastic Betty😊

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

CONDUCTS TOURS UNDERWATER TATTOO ARTIST

[@Merrida100]

Is anyone else getting double ads? I'm getting back to back commercials that cannot be skipped through even though the tab comes up that I can skip. Usually not a big deal but when a single ad is 90 seconds?

[@robertjean5782]

Be glad we have these shows to enjoy!!😊

[@belindaalbright8798]

The initial faces when it as announced Mr. Neely was a tattoo artist is indicative of the times. Tats were something sailors/military members wore. Outside that area of work, people with tats were considered to be of questionable character.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Questionable?

[@williamdunphy352]

Lee Vines is the announcer.

[@stevenwebb7936]

💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@Beson-SE]

When John is having a conference with a very beautiful woman who has a long right-handed ponytail, Fred says "Her hair is just arranged properly for a conference". :-) 4:45

[@Wizardofgosz]

No, really. If Mrs Hartley is walking around in the water with her husband, what ARE the other people doing? I don't get it. I mean the people she is supposed to be showing?

[@Sgt_Glory]

I took a trip to Nassau in the 90s with my parents and we took a helmet diving tour with a company named Hartley, I wonder now if it was related to Mrs. Hartley, perhaps run by her children? To answer your question the entire tour group wears positive pressure helmets, and just your regular bathing suit. The helmet is heavy enough that you can stand upright on the sea floor and you follow the guide along on a short walking tour while air is pumped down to everyone from the boat above. They lower a ladder down and you climb back up to the surface. At the time I took the trip the guide communicated with cuecard signage along the way.

[@lisal8984]

My favorite show

[@annettekelly1592]

17:45. Mr. Daly! Hilarious!!

[@frankies9465]

I love these old shows. But, i couldnt stand Fred Allen. Sorry. I hated panelist who tried to be funny instead of playing the game. Thats why i couldnt stsnd Orson Bean on To tell the truth. I loved Arlene , dorothy and bennett cerf. I fast forward when fred is on. Boooo!

[@robertjean5782]

You're a newbie and as such Fred's dry wit wasn't savored by your generation 😊 For 40 years millions of people enjoyed his sense of humor and brilliant statements 😊

[@seywhut2985]

It's always fun to watch Dorothy when the audience laughs at anything she says. It really irritates her. You can see it in her facial expression.

[@robertjean5782]

No It gives Dorothy a clue😊

[@lilybean835]

I wish they spent a lot more time with the tattoo guy. That was cut way, way too short.

[@robbob1234]

I agree. This is when having a tattoo designated something very special or unique about the individual, not just a bunch of guys getting barbed wire or drunk girls heading down the street to get tramp stamps on their 18th birthdays.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@robbob1234 Tattoos are trashy and unattractive. Have seen men who are handsome but detract from their beauty by having their necks tattooed or even worse their faces.

[@marywebb9127]

@@jerrylee8261 💯

[@robertjean5782]

WML NOT a talk show😊

[@January.]

She's wonderful

[@jerrylee8261]

It surprises when I see actors fall into poverty after a successful career. They have to be poor money managers.

[@scottm8579]

Girls! Girls! Watch out! There's a two legged animal running about!

[@garyzerr9821]

That tattoo artist would certainly have lots of customers these days, but even now there aren't many "from the neck up!"

[@loissimmons6558]

Something that has been around since the beginning of the 20th century is "permanent" makeup which is basically a tattooing of makeup like effects, primarily on the brows, around the eye and on the lips. It is still a popular alternative for some women in today's day and age.

[@Abdi-uy1kh]

henna?

[@permijitdunkley1697]

...

[@douglaschance2437]

Arlene and Dorothy look lovely tonight

[@igkoigko9950]

Arlene surely does.

[@robertjean5782]

Arlene gorgeous 😊

[@juanettebutts9782]

Did anyone else notice John forgot to put out Betty Hutton's name plate? Don't recall him forgetting before. (He's forgotten to take them down.)

[@mikejschin]

He didn't put one up for Robert Taylor the previous week either.

[@robertjean5782]

Names were superimposed on the screen😊

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

11:00 If he had been wearing corduroy pants, it would have created a racket.

[@sdgakatbk]

I wonder if the reference to Old Baldy has to do with the battles in North Korea in the early 50s.

[@sansacro007]

Always knew the name but never saw Hutton in anything. (Will watch now.) Sad to read about her difficulties in life, though. She had such a lovely and charming demeanor here, although I can sense the potential mania that others here cite in her performances.

[@miketheyunggod2534]

Can't tell the stars from the contestants.

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

Did not know that tattoo artist was a thing back then accept for guys in the military . I saw that a lot back in the day.

[@robertjean5782]

Tattoos were around hundreds of years ago in many foreign countries 😊

[@redwingfan9393]

Mother of the year? Her daughters suggest otherwise.

[@MrYfrank14]

4:21- John!

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Betty Hutton was not my favorite actress. Too manic and over the top. I didn't like her performance in Annie Get Your Gun. I would have preferred Doris Day, who actually recorded an album of the songs with Robert Goulet.

[@accomplice55]

And, of course, the role was supposed to be Judy Garland's.

[@marywebb9127]

Betty was great!

[@marywebb9127]

@@accomplice55 Judy was fired. A few numbers are on KZbin where she did it. Betty fit the part better.

[@brianoyler706]

Symphony Brahms...Doris Day did not record Annie album until early 60s. My mother has it. Annie film was made in 49-50. Betty Hutton was a better choice to replace Garland who again was messing up with tardies, no shows and illness🤦🤦 Doris was still a starlet at Warner's and was probably not even considered to do Annie. Unfortunately, MGM cast and staff were not too nice to Betty. (I suspect jealousy and resentment because Garland was replaced.) But MGM was a business with film schedules and deadlines. It didn't have time and money to deal with Garland's antics. After looking at the few film scenes shot with Garland, I can conclude that she was too messed up even to have been considered. Betty by far was the best. Hollywood at that time wasn't going to take a chance with box office with Broadway's Ethel Merman who originated role.

[@Chuck0856]

How times have changed - -a tattoo artist was unusual back then,

[@robertjean5782]

NO tattoo artist hundreds of years ago were thriving😊

[@jgsmile1331]

Betty was on a Gunsmoke episode.

[@lucyflorey9152]

My cousin at 6 years of age was complaining of tiredness and had dark circles under his eyes. It was in the 50's. He was so sweet, such a good little boy. He was dead within two weeks from leukemia

[@smallies7154]

what do they slick their hair back with?

[@dcasper8514]

ASME. 40 WEIGHT

[@marywebb9127]

Grease

[@furmamafur2]

Brillcream

[@peternagy-im4be]

Cooking oil

[@robertjean5782]

Gel The style was named The wave😊

[@chrisn7259]

Does anyone know which record Betty would have had on jukeboxes at this time? Seems unlikely...

[@billpetersen9535]

+Chris N " HIT THE ROAD TO DREAMLAND" IN 1956 BY ARLEN AND MERCER

[@chrisn7259]

+Bill Petersen Thanks!

[@kurts7969]

Arlene introduced Fred as "one of the nicest most ingratiating men in our profession". Either Arlene doesn't know the meaning of "ingratiating" or she meant to insult him.

[@igkoigko9950]

You refer to the meaning of ingratiating that which “is intended to gain favor,” but it also means “pleasing, capable of winning favor,” with no negative connotation

[@oliviamartini9700]

@@igkoigko9950 It is never used as a compliment.

[@igkoigko9950]

@@oliviamartini9700 Olivia, that’s not an ingratiating thing to write. Linked below is a literary reference distinguishing between an ingratiating manner, which is bad, and being ingratiating, which is good. books.google.com/books/about/The_Vagabond_in_Literature.html?id=YRfDDwAAQBAJ More importantly, I have no idea why I care, except when I read “never” (or “always”) I usually try to find an exception.

[@oliviamartini9700]

@@igkoigko9950 Very well, then, it is never used as a compliment now. Like many words, its connotations have changed. It has always meant currying favour, but although that was seen as charming in the 17th & 18th centuries, it means being an ass-kissing sycophant today. If you don't believe me, try it out as a compliment on someone you know.

[@igkoigko9950]

@@oliviamartini9700 Hopefully not someone much bigger.

[@rosered103]

I have just finished reading Zsa Zsa Gabor's book, One Lifetime Is Not Enough, and unfortunately she did not have anything nice to say about Betty Hutton.

[@Moore-s5p]

R R you may be confusing Barbara Hutton with Betty Hutton.

[@lauracollins4195]

Tia Moore - That’s right. Zsa Zsa Gabor and Barbara Hutton (not Betty) were both involved with Porfirio Rubirosa.

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

Bull fighters and tattoo people..... Ick