What's My Line? - Erle Stanley Gardner; George Sanders; Jim Backus [panel] (Sep 15, 1957)

[@jhb1493]

I have a huge admiration for George Sanders - he was an excellent actor, and an interesting, cultured man. He really takes any movie he was in to a higher level.

[@alpha-omega2362]

Is that why he’s so favorably mentioned in The Kinks song “Celluloid Heroes” ?

[@neilphelan145]

@@alpha-omega2362 Absolutey. The line is- If you covered him with garbage George Sanders would still have style. He's a very classy individual.

[@alpha-omega2362]

@@neilphelan145 now. I have to listen to that song again. Lol

[@neilphelan145]

@@alpha-omega2362 If you anything like me you will neve get tired of hearing Celulloid Heros. Always brings a tear to my eye since the first time I head it when it was released. I only live about 15 miles from Hollywood Bl. so that song has vivid memories. To this day if I'm on the Blvd that song runs through my brain.

[@alpha-omega2362]

@@neilphelan145 I remember hearing this song late at night on an FM station out of NYC....it was ingrained in my memory and I never knew the tile or group..I searched for years to hear it again and thanks to KZbin I rediscovered it....I kind of would like it played at my funeral,, but I don’t know, but not sure how it would effect my family.....

[@photo161]

Why are there absolutely no actors any longer who look and act with the physical command, the grace, the style, the intelligence, and the class of a George Sanders?

[@photo161]

...Apparently, a question that no one wants to touch...

[@nedludd7622]

Even at his time there were few like him.

[@NMC21887]

They do. They just don’t get the attention these days.

[@srothbardt]

Tom Hanks is a great actor. I think it’s just US culture has changed so much since then,

Because we decided those things were old-fashioned and unhip. So we get Cardi B instead.

[@designsonyouinparis]

So grateful for these shows! A slice of life from the way and people were- Deeply and sincerely missed.

[@m.e.d.7997]

These shows are truly precious time capsules.

[@crispincain5373]

At 19:10 John says to Jim Backus, "...60 days on the island and you can come back!" How prophetic is that, considering the years to come spent on Gilligan's Island??

[@moonlightray8493]

Dorothy drawing a picture when she couldn't figure out what the cable car is called was simply adorable! She's so earnest about playing the game, haha Geroge Sanders was such a sophisticated gentleman with a wonderfully smooth, rich voice... He was always great at playing film noir antagonists, because he could perfectly tread the line between charismatic and sinister.

[@tbascoebuzz4782]

Oh my goodness…George Sanders’ rich, distinguished voice just sends me…

[@HassoBenSoba]

Check him out in the delightful (Ethel Merman/Donald O'Connor) musical "Call Me Madam" (1953), where he plays a good guy who SINGS! (magnificently). Great songs by Irving Berlin. LR

[@paulamiles9559]

Mean dangerous handsome sexy

[@badweetabix]

Erle Stanley Gardner was not just a writer, he was a lawyer in real life and in every way was like his fictional character Perry Mason defending innocent people successfully against what seem to be overwhelming evidence against them. He also fought against racism long before most people in the country even thought of it as an evil. In his day, he was thought of as a hero by the Asian community because he fought for their right and equal treatment at a time when it was against US law for an Asian to be an American citizen.

[@WhatsMyLine]

I did not know any of that. Thanks for the comment.

[@Bigwave2003]

+badweetabix At what time in US law was it illegal for an Asian to be an American citizen?

[@badweetabix]

+Bigwave2003 Asians are the only ethnic group to be excluded from US citizenship by several acts of Congress called "Oriental Exclusion Acts" or "Chinese Exclusion Acts" - it made no difference if they were Chinese, Japanese, or other Asians. They are as follows: Oriental Exclusion Act of 1882, Oriental Exclusion Act of 1924, which followed the SCOTUS ruling in Ozawa vs. US that a Japanese is ineligible for citizenship because he is not "white". Also in the Immigration Act of 1917 which barred "undesirables" and designated the Asiatic Barred Zone which includes China and the Pacific Islands. It was not until 1943 when the exclusion acts were repealed and Asians could for the first time become US citizens. Erle Stanley Gardner was active during those years when the Exclusion Acts were law and he tried to help the Asians in the US received justice and what equality possible in court. In his days, Mr. Gardner was a hero to many disenfranchised Asians in the US including those who were born in the US.

[@rickklaastad8371]

I think someone (a Californian, I suppose) said that if Gardner hadn't authored mysteries as a vocation, he might've become the greatest Attorney General in California history...a bigger job than most.

[@vasantinamdar8256]

A great American E. S. Gardner.I didn't know this facet of his personality.

[@JB---]

George Sanders had such a rich, wonderful, deep voice.

[@catmother4214]

George Sanders is one of my favorite actors! I still watch his movies on KZbin. A shame that his last years were so sad. 💔♥️💔

[@marthalillard3193]

George Sanders was an awesome actor, and very handsome. He suffered from paralysis and dementia in the last years of his life. So to say that he took his life because he was bored is rather unfair. He could not bear the loss of balance and not being able to care for himself.

[@WhatsMyLine]

"Unfair"? I don't know who you're directing this comment at. No one pinned Sanders's tragic suicide on his being bored except Sanders himself, in his suicide note. I've never heard of anyone taking it as a serious explanation of why he killed himself. I don't even know why you're bringing it up in the first place.

[@marthalillard3193]

@@WhatsMyLine I brought it up because a commentor mentioned it below. Sorry if my comment is out of place or offended you. I really like the man and enjoy these videos of the old shows.

[@WhatsMyLine]

@@marthalillard3193 I appreciate the explanation, cause I really had no idea why you brought this up. It's definitely better to use the "Reply" button when you're directly responding to another comment, if you want people to know what you're referring to. But certainly no harm done-- I was just thrown by not knowing what would spur this comment! :) Very glad you enjoy the videos-- and I love George Sanders, too.

[@saran3214]

You were right and several people made that comment. You could not reply to them all. Thank you the explanation.

[@markiangooley]

He told David Niven years earlier that he planned to kill himself aged 65. After a serious of personal disasters and tragedies and failing health he went through with that. Possibly a fear of being incapacitated settled him on doing it.

[@thomasthompson6378]

The comic performance of George Sanders in "A Shot in the Dark" as Benjamin Ballon will never be equaled. His talent was in every way remarkable.

[@cuttersboi08]

Dorothy was a woman of such grace and erudition yet, in my opinion, had a downright goofy laugh. I always love it hearing it!

[@maryoliver3868]

I remember George Sanders in the movies as The Falcon. Interesting that when that character was killed, he was replaced by Tom Conway, George's real-life brother to play The Falcon's brother.

[@kayedeedid]

Love Erle Stanley Gardner and this was the premiering year for Perry Mason--the next Saturday. I had never heard Mr. Gardner speak so I was surprised at how deep his voice was.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Dedra Kaye DeHart I also think he over-projected his voice to cover shyness.

[@historybuff66]

@@davidsanderson5918 No this was his actual “baritone like” voice. If you search for Gardner introducing the “Cool and Lam” tv pilot you will notice his voice is the same.

[@bluecamus5162]

In 6 days, his Perry Mason would premiere on CBS and stay there for 9 years. I hope he and his heirs get residuals because his show has been in syndication for 56 years since the series ended.

[@majorneptunejr]

Mr.Gardner played the judge in the final episode of Perry Mason.

[@thecursor1]

"Mystery writer" *eye roll* Erle Stanley Gardner was one of the greatest mystery writers of the 20th century.

[@jasonhurd4379]

According to Wikipedia, Evelyn Waugh considered Gardner to be the finest American author.

[@kipwilson1325]

@@jasonhurd4379 And Gardner would have surely declined the recommendation: Waugh was a virulent anti-Semite, while Gardner was a proactive lawyer who defended many from racist injustice. It's such a rare treat to be able to see him here.

[@shadowlouise]

I'm surprised at the very low-key announcement of the premier of "Perry Mason" since both PM and WML were CBS. But how could they have known Perry Mason would be so popular and have such a long run? And they accomplished it without any fanfare on WML. Maybe if Gardner hadn't stumped the panel, they would have had more time for that.

[@macmcleod1188]

This is odd because I like mystery stories like poitrot, I'm older, and I've never heard of this man.

[@garrettmeadows2273]

George was such an elegant cad.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

He fits the word-dashing!

[@jadezee6316]

Backus was a real comedian..a naturally funny man George sanders one of my favorite actors was a very complex man...bright..witty cultured...yet at the age of 65 took his own life leaving a note that he was tired of the world and the rest of you can have it...i am paraphrasing....still...quite remarkable

[@Stewie-th7lt]

He chose not to live with debilitating ailments. I think his suicide is in line with his brightness, wit, and culture. We may not agree with his ultimate decision but I wholeheartedly respect it.

[@movieman9100]

George Sanders was an underrated actor.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

movieman9100 2 of his best performances imo Picture of Dorian Gray & Village of the Damned no other actor comes close in any of the other remakes

[@neilmidkiff]

One good way to hear George Sanders singing is the 1953 movie "Call Me Madam"; he had at least one solo song and one duet with Ethel Merman. He had a rich and well-trained bass voice.

[@JavertRA]

He also has an album - I uploaded all the tracks.

[@gwenking7629]

Sadly, he was also a very tormented soul and committed suicide

[@dennisroyhall121]

movieman9100 indeed he was and that was a great pity. But he did play in some noteworthy films my own favourite being Fritz Lang’s Manhunt which I saw when very young, only nine years old, in England during the darkest days, and that was a film that made a tremendous impression on me so much so that I have watched that film many time over since and always with the same deep appreciation as the first time. But a word of praise for this series What’s My Line. A wonderful programme indeed and everyone on the panel and all the guests are really splendid. The two ladies present are beautiful in every way, they really are.

[@albertseabra9226]

George Ssnders was a fantastic actor and an intelligent person featuring a very well cultivated mind.

[@HassoBenSoba]

The assemblage of talent on one (small-ish) stage contained in any single episode of WML is astounding; thanks SO MUCH for preserving the legacy of these great shows through your postings. George Sanders was one of the true greats; just compare and contrast his performances in a.) Foreign Correspondent b.) All About Eve, c.) Call Me Madam, d.) The Village of the Damned to see the incredible range of his talent, even though each is built upon his unequaled poise, stature and general urbane magnificence. (Note: I was a bit surprised that the very erudite panel seemed unfamiliar with the very basic Russian "Dah" and "Nyet". The effects of Cold-War hysteria??). LR

[@MyREDTAIL]

Arlene Francis Is such a Beautiful looking Woman May She RIP & is Sadly missed by all of her Fans etc.

[@robertjean5782]

She had it all 😊

[@MyREDTAIL]

So that's what the great Writer Earl Stanley Gardner looks like What a Brilliant Writer he was may he RIP.

[@preppysocks209]

at the time of his death, Mr. Gardner had sold more books than any other author. He no longer holds that distinction.

[@saran3214]

@@preppysocks209 No, he wrote best sellers but Agatha Christie is the most popular author of all time.

[@preppysocks209]

@@saran3214 Yes, at the time of his death, Gardner had sold more books than any other author. Christie may well have surpassed him after Gardner's death, as she outlived him. I never said anything about authors like Christie who later, after Gardner's death, surpassed his sales. More than one author since Gardner's death have sold more books. I am not certain, but I have read that at this point, Stephen King is the best selling author of all time.

[@saran3214]

@@preppysocks209 source? He sold 2 billion books? Because that us how many Christie has sold. She only outlived Garner by 5 years. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time. Her novels have sold roughly 2 billion copies, and her estate claims that her works come third in the rankings of the world's most-widely published books,[7] behind only Shakespeare's works and the Bible. According to Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author, having been translated into at least 103 languages.[8] And Then There Were None en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_Christie

[@preppysocks209]

@@saran3214 Nothing you have said contradicts the facts or what I said At the time of his death, Gardner was the world's best selling author. Since then, other authors' totals have exceeded his. That Agatha Christie and others later reached greater totals does not change the truth of what I have written. If you cannot understand that, there is no point in continuing this discussion.

[@mukundvadgama674]

Excellent and marvelous books on perry Mason series 👏 👌...unbeatable writing...in next 500 to 1000 years not possible to reach to his level ...you will feel you are traveling with perry Mason and also sitting in court ....greatest collection on perry Mason 🙏

[@mitch89014]

Excellent; one of my favorite actors

[@phtevlin]

George Sanders was perfect in All About Eve.

[@nilkaestherchasededier8569]

One of my favorite movies ever!!

[@friendofdorothy9376]

The BEST movie all around. Watch it every time it’s on TCM.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

“Fasten your seat belts!”

[@luissantiago8446]

The dialogue sparkles, crackles and whips along. Qualities that are almost non existent in movies today

[@kennethlatham3133]

".......the minutes will fly by like hours....."

[@janetmarletto6667]

As a fan of Perry Mason ( reruns play on ME TV along with many other great shows), it is enlightening to experience the creator of Mr. Mason. Raymond Burr plays it superbly!

[@debbigray1752]

Love Perry Mason too. I bet you know that one or two episodes of Perry Mason had ESGardner as the presiding judge in the show. Too wonderful.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

I have always loved George Sanders in anything and everything I have seen him in. :)

[@1928gerry]

George Sanders married the widow of Ronald Colman, very well-known actor. He and Benita Hume were married for 8 yrs, until her death in 1967.

[@ModMokkaMatti]

Ronald Colman was another favorite actor of mine, and as a Gen X fan of old time radio since boyhood, I equally enjoyed his performances on "The Halls of Ivy" with Benita.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

@@ModMokkaMatti Two of my favorite Ronald Colman movies: "Lost Horizon" and "Champagne for Caesar".

[@esmeephillips5888]

There is a lot about them in Brian Aherne's memoir of Sanders, including Benita Hume's entertaining letters.

[@accomplice55]

Lucky woman!

[@leesher1845]

George Sanders was so dignified. I think he even gave a nod to the audience which so few celebrities did.

[@geniusmchaggis]

this was a week or so before the premiere of perry mason with raymond burr!!! little did they know how much more humungous erle gardner was about to become eh?

[@WizardOfHumor1989]

Jeremy irons did the most badass Disney villain role with a British accent (Scar in Lion King) since George Sanders (Shere Khan in Jungle Book).

[@enormerschwanz]

True

[@chrishintz1077]

Irons and sanders. Power duo of voices. Either one could read me to sleep. So talented, and instantly recognizable. Only reason they didn't guess sanders right off was bc he reverted to his native Prussian accent. At least I think it was Prussian.

[@chrishintz1077]

Be pre pared! I think this might be done to a rhumba rhythm, so it's come full circle. The circle of life.

[@chrishintz1077]

On second thought, realized be prepared was a cha cha. One of my fave songs.

[@gohithsrivatsa4746]

And Tony Jay in The Jungle Book 2.

[@kennethbutler1343]

Gardner was on to plug Perry Mason, and John completely forgot that until Gardner was walking out over loud applause, and he had to be reminded.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Kenneth Butler Yes that was quite clearly the case. A little slip by Daly, we'll forgive him. :)

[@no288]

George Sanders, the voice of 'Shere Khan' from the Junglebook ; - )

[@bagheerab278]

no288 Yes!

[@davidsanderson5918]

To me he's Sir Charles, the wealthy art collector in The Rebel.

[@47502168]

He was great in All About Eve

[@jerrylee8261]

@David Krueger Will restrain myself and not mention Marilyn. Ooooops.😊

[@bratton79]

I thought it was neat how Jim Backus recognized George Sanders. They're both actors, and have done voice work. I wouldn't be surprised if Jim Idolized George.

[@JohnnyHolidaySings]

Gardner’s office is in Ventura CA where he wrote many of the Perry Mason novels

[@danlukens832]

This episode of "What's my Line" is among my favorites. Earle Stanley Gardner's comment about his beloved book, (Bennett Surf excepted) was ingenious and histerical.

[@butziporsche8646]

George Sanders played great, likeable villains. My favorite Sanders roles were as Uncle Neddy in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and as Addison DeWitt in "All About Eve". The latter is a movie I have watched so many times I can't count. Sanders was the wholesale distributor of suave! I read his biography and he was actually quite a craftsman and amateur engineer.

[@cheryllifetree2340]

I'm a big fan of Davis. However, you're correct Sanders was the perfect choice for this character. One of my fave movies.

[@davidharris6581]

One of the most interesting episodes ever.

[@strongdecaf3729]

George Sanders answers in Russian at the height of Cold War hysteria. Love that. (He lived in Russia as a child.)

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

George Inotowok Hysteria? Sovet will invade Hungary some weeks after this episode was aired....

[@loissimmons6558]

Actually it was about a year earlier. Providing help to the Hungarian refugees through donations was mentioned a few times on WML near the end of 1956.

[@khalidfazil6209]

George Inotowok I think he and his brother Tom Conway were born in Russia

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I noticed that too that he spoke in Russian. I studied the Russian language in the 1980s. It's a very interesting language. The Russian alphabet has 32 letters in it.

[@Stewie-th7lt]

He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where his family had lived for generations.

[@donlitos]

Unbelievable this man of so many talents killed himself. Mental illness continues to be one of the most underrated misunderstood problems of the world. Hope you are in a better place Mr. Sanders

[@dorothykilgallenwasmurdere1653]

Yep. 5 bottles of barbiturates

[@scotnick59]

@@dorothykilgallenwasmurdere1653 Suffered from acute depression, methinks

[@lala-gj4oo]

he was ill when he committed suicide. you have to experience the pain to understand how he felt.

[@Stewie-th7lt]

I don't think mental illness was the main problem. He had physical ailments that he chose not to endure. I respect him for that.

[@shirtless6934]

The Perry Mason Show (1957-1966), starring Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, inspired by the novels of Erle Stanley Gardner, would premier on the following Saturday, September 21, 1957.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I loved watching "Perry Mason." Thank you for the information.

[@daler.steffy1047]

I know that my mother probably did not miss an episode of Perry Mason, and I watched a few of them with her; although as a youngster in the 1950s I could easily get bored with "too much drama" involved in a television program like this one. Action, man!!! ~ Raymond Burr purchased and for many years lived on farming property in (my beloved) Sonoma County, here in northern California, where he and his partner had a vineyard, located roughly northwest of the town of Healdsburg.

[@bgmeadows6085]

Believe it or not, George was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[@estebannemo1957]

Like Nabokov.

[@esmeephillips5888]

He was said to be the illegitimate son of a German prince and the Tsar of Russia's sister.

[@tommeyer1873]

@@esmeephillips5888 Actually it is George's father who was the illegitimate son of nobility. His father was given to a Russian/British family to raise, named Sanders. George suspected this but his sister only learned the facts after George and his brother Tom had dies.

[@scotnick59]

One of the greats: George Sanders!

[@musicalme27]

George Sanders was in a wonderful movie that was sadly underrated, but is now recognized as a classic. "Hangover Square". He played a police psychologist.

[@MrDeterioration]

"If you covered him in garbage, George Sanders would still have style."

[@JayTemple]

one of the first songs I bought off iTunes

[@accam6734]

The Kinks Celluloid Heroes, I believe.

[@PatrickMcManusNY]

Great line, Sanders autobiography is a fantastic read.

[@neilphelan145]

@@accam6734 That's correct.

[@roberttelarket4934]

So that's Erle Stanley Gardner(Perry Mason).

[@p.stonelukevaanhorne712]

Very well done.

[@joncheskin]

Holy cow. It's Thurston Howell the Third!

[@mikejschin]

That's Thurston B. Howell the Third, if you please. lol

[@ModMokkaMatti]

James Dean's apron-wearing dad, too.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

And going back even more in time......Judge Bradley J. Stevens in "I Married Joan".

[@accomplice55]

And the voice of Mr. Magoo!

[@thomtlc2]

I love (around 19:00 )when John Daly tells Jim Backus: "Sixty days on the island and you can come back." Ten years later, Thurston Howell III would be on the island a lot longer than that!

[@dnhy7951]

Small Conference! If that wasn't a US national catchphrase in the 50's and 60's, it should have been.

[@thomasostman8589]

"Dear world ,I am leaving because im bored.I feel I lived long enough.i am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck".George sanders ...april 1972

[@windstorm1000]

Fabulous actor, presence

[@loissimmons6558]

Ah Jim Backus ... you brought down the house!!!

[@ludenasan1]

KZbin has the next WML segment with the guest star of Raymond Burr

[@Beson-SE]

It gets so obvious that John hasn't forgiven Dorothy yet when you see the second game with the Swiss cable car operator. He argues with her over tiny details and is almost reluctant in given her a yes answer, not in his usual teasing way but in a very stern pig-headed way. Jim Backus tries to back her up but in vain. Not a pretty sight. Forgive and forget John. 14:18 ---> 19:13

[@henrygrove100]

Omg you are so right! I have memorized every episode I thought until you reminded me of this! Great going!

[@henrygrove100]

It's clear John Daly had some grievance with Dorothy

[@henrygrove100]

It's clear John Daly had some grievance with Dorothy

[@theamishumpire1301]

Dorthy, I have noticed in the past episodes. can get very pushy on her questions.

[@winterlandboy]

Johan Bengtsson This little show really did stir feelings didn't it. Incredible.

[@orgami100]

Charles Daly tells Jim Backus. . 60 days on the island then come back..

[@loissimmons6558]

Little did John Daly or Jim Backus know how long Thurston Howell III would be on that island with Lovey, Gilligan, the Skipper, Ginger, Mary Ann and the Professor.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I loved watching the "Perry Mason" show. It was great seeing the creator of the show Erle Stanley Gardner! I have the entire 2nd season on dvds 📀 and I have half of the 4th season on dvds. I watched them several times.

[@robertjean5782]

All on utube😊

[@lynettepalecek3141]

​@@robertjean5782Since when? I haven't noticed them on KZbin.

[@jillgordon1003]

18:42 aww! Dorothy drew a picture, too bad we can't see it.

[@519djw6]

*George Sanders was born in Saint Petersburg, and spent his childhood there, until the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. That's why he could speak Russian. / Джордж Сандерс родился в Санкт-Петербурге и провел там детство до времен большевистской революции. Вот почему он умел говорить по-русски.*

[@BrokebackBob]

George Sanders is a fantastic actor and so underappreciated

[@victorguerrero6960]

He was a great actor he took his own life when he was about 63 Years

[@fabiengerard8142]

I was about 10yo when my mum taught me to put a name on George Sanders’ very voice, during a screening of ‘’The Jungle Book’’ - the Disney version, in 1967, in which that naturally distinguished actor had magistrally dubbed the ‘villain’ Sher-Kan... From that day onwards, every single time he was appearing in some b&w classic movie on the TV screen, my mother kept insisting me to watch it with her, and he soon became one of my fave ‘ancient’ stars as well. The news of his uncommon suicide, a few years later, literally shocked me, so I started to be also interested in the real person he was, and never stopped appreciating his personality. What a great pleasure to discover him here, in that resurrected episode of ‘’What’s My Line’’!

[@piustwelfth]

George Sanders did an excellent job of disguising his voice.

[@JayTemple]

I don't know when, but there was an article in the Reader's Digest about Mr. Gardner.

[@joiefulton4015]

Thank goodness Dorothy returned to being a brunette. She looks amazing.

[@kulturekritik9665]

I was shocked when I first saw her in this episode.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@Joie Fulton. I agree completely! She looks very attractive with her natural black hair. I didn't like it when she dyed her hair red. That looked awful. She also looks younger with her natural black hair.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@lynettepalecek3141 I agree. It's strange that she dyed her hair red in the first place and even stranger that she continued that look for so long. She looks beautiful with her natural color which I assume is black.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@@jerrylee8261 I agree completely!!

[@tugginalong]

Jim Backus and Martin Gable (Arlene’s husband) were once roommates, hence her comment at the end of the show.

[@ijfsfv7439]

George is one of the coolest actors in cinematic history. Such a commanding performance in All About Eve. 🕸

[@davidsanderson5918]

I love it, love it, love it when they REALLY don't know and the powers of deduction are stretched.....like in the first segment.

[@TomBarrister]

It never ceases to amaze me at how well the panlelists knew some subjects and how badly they did at others. Gardner wrote other novel series' besides Perry Mason: one dealt with a detective agency; the other was the inverse of "Perry Mason": a clever district attorney whose adversary was a clever defense attorney who tried to get his guilty clients acquitted. Backus, in addition to "Gilligan's Island," was also well-known as the voice of Mr. Magoo in the cartoon series. English actor George Sanders had his own TV series at the time of this show: "The George Sanders Mystery Theater." He was one of Zsa Zsa Gabor's many husbands and the brother of actor Tom Conway. Both men were well-known for playing villains in crime, mystery, and spy pictures.

[@barrykendrick3146]

+Tom Barrister After all these years I find his Cool & Lam books quite amusing & very readable. Plus a couple of years ago a new one appeared: perhaps it's called A Slip of the Knife. It's published by Hard Case Crime. Amazingly enough it's quite good, not the resurrected slop to be expected. Apparently the publisher originally turned it down for rather silly reasons & ESG tossed it aside to be forgotten.

[@Beson-SE]

George Sanders was married to, not one but, two of the Gabor sisters; to Zsa Zsa (1949-54) and to Magda (1970-71, the marriage lasted only 32 days).

[@barrykendrick3146]

As I said elsewhere, Conrad Hilton was also married to two of the Gabor sisters.

[@accomplice55]

@@barrykendrick3146: No, he wasn't. He was married to only Zsa Zsa.

[@YowzaBowzaWowza]

19:05 The comment John made to Jim Backus about coming back from an island after 60 days was unknowingly prophetic!

[@nedludd7622]

Me too, I recognized Sanders' voice immediately.

[@Abelovich]

Ha! George Sanders is the best! "…Я совсем разучился говорить по-английски." Translation: "[Shit.] I completely forget how to speak English."

[@rogerlephoque3704]

He was born in Russia.

[@stellaeichner7650]

I loved George Sanders in Rebecca! Classy movie. Watch it as often as It is shown on TCM

[@neilpatterson1615]

Born in St Petersburg. Russian with British/ German and Russian ancestry

[@Stewie-th7lt]

He used profanity? Wow. Interesting!

[@donaldwhittaker7987]

Sanders was very good in "The Lodger" and "Manhunt."

[@PTinsman22]

He was also very good lending his voice to The Jungle Book (Shere Kahn).

[@Stewie-th7lt]

He was nearly perfect in everything. All about Eve is one classic where his outstanding talents are in display.

[@1928gerry]

I read all Mr. Gardner's books I think, and I would recommend them rather than the TV show.

[@stephenturner9211]

George Sanders seemed remarkably diffident and humble in this episode. Though he ultimately took his own life in 1970, because he was bored with the whole affair!

[@tompor561]

Stephen Turner Actually, it was in 1972 that he committed suicide.

[@brookehanley3659]

How sad.

[@khalidfazil6209]

Stephen Turner it was due to his failing health

[@vasantinamdar8256]

George Sanders had a distinct personality. He was suited for the role of King Richard the lion hearted.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Stephen Turner That last sentence is misleading and too economical with the facts to express properly why he committed suicide. I recommend people check his Wikipedia page which explains it more sensitively.

[@sstavsky]

Erle Stanley Gardner is one of the bestselling writers of all time. The book "80 Years of Bestsellers" documented that twenty-five of his books had sold at least two million copies apiece by 1975 (overwhelmingly in paperback). He often used alliterative titles like "The Case of the Cautious Coquette."

[@BillyAlabama]

Gardner was incredibly clever! I’ve loved his novels.

[@robertknight2556]

Sanders was immensely popular in his day. Indeed, it bewildered me as a boy to hear my mother swooning over him.

[@brookehanley3659]

Dorothy looks really pretty here.

[@rogerwhite95]

I felt so bad for poor Dorothy: she virtually had the cable car guy nailed from the start; and literally described his occupation. He had an unusually sour attitude and resorted to what seemed to me to be half- and un-truths to throw her off. And Mr Daly seemed ungracious, which was very unusual of him.

[@chrishintz1077]

I love the way Gardner slowly answers, as if he's not sure.

[@djdon60]

I get, to hear, real-life barrister(and, author, of 100+ paperbacks and, two hardcover compilations I own)not, to mention the DVDs I've got and, the episodes I watched, without fail, in the '80s, on KVOS-TV(channel 12!)in Bellingham, WA) speak? Just, noticed the air date. That would be the year, during which, the television series premiered. "Roll it!" Opps; not a spelling error. I've used it, for years. R.I.P., Peter.

[@laurahoward5426]

My grandmother probably DIED over this, she had nothing BUT Erle Stanley Gardner books, and named her only son, my father, EARL🥰

[@47502168]

He won an Academy award for All About Eve.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

September 1957 -- of course they have Gardner on, as the 'Perry Mason' series was about to debut! And the host, Daly, needed to be reminded to mention it. At 11:11, you hear Gardner say, 'You must say something about that Perry Mason show that's coming on CBS next Saturday.' (He then jokes, '...or we're both going to get fired.') And Daly obliges at 11:30. Sure enough, the 'Perry Mason' series debuted the following Saturday -- September 21, 1957.

[@lala-gj4oo]

jim backus seemed like such a lovely humble oerson. .loved him on gilligans island. rip

[@juliansinger]

Man, Mr. Gardner has a wonderful voice. Dorothy's screams last episode left me cold, but her picture of the funicular (and her explanation of it) charmed the metaphorical pants off me.

[@loissimmons6558]

She did mention something that moved up and down the mountain on a cable and that she didn't know the name of it. It was somewhat disingenuous here that John Daly kept steering her away from questions that would mention a cable. Jim Backus unwittingly helped him by supplying the word "funicular" for the question she should ask.

[@thediamonddog95]

Especialy her charming, slightly sad look when she showed the paper.

[@gemoftheocean]

@@loissimmons6558 absolutely agree. One of the few times John really goofed it up, and it really overstretched that segment of the show.

[@chrishintz1077]

Omg, this was even b4 the burr turn at perry mason. I think there were perry mason productions pre '57.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

Oh yes!!! Wonderful Perry Mason movies back in the 1930's. The ones starring Warren William had great humor in them. Such fun. I bought the whole DVD set.

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

@@ginnylorenz5265 I loved Warren William, who sadly died in 1949 of pancreatic cancer.

[@chichipox]

I love Jim Backus no matter what he does. He's just like the ultimate likeable person.

[@laurahoward5426]

Great answer, " I would, but Mr Cerf wouldn't "😂🤣😂

[@michaelstone1620]

Sanders played every king and potentate in history.

[@lrg3834]

Jim Backus was a splendid guest panelist.

[@YouzTube99]

22:50 Mr. Sanders also has the distinction of having been married to two of the Gabor sisters -- though not at the same time.

[@barrykendrick3146]

+Youz Tube99 Conrad Hilton had the same distinction!

[@Ransomhandsome]

Obviously a glutton for punishment.

[@accomplice55]

@@barrykendrick3146: No, he didn't. Unless you know something the internet doesn't.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@accomplice55The internet is full of misinformation 😅

[@sandybeach123]

If I live to be a hundred I will look at Jim Backus and hear him say that line, "I cahn't see!!!" from that old mad mad world comedy film.

[@gemoftheocean]

What could go wrong with an Old Fashioned?

[@filipeferpe]

Great voice. Shere khan

[@shadowlouise]

I had no idea George Sanders was also a singer. Immediately after watching this WML, I searched for evidence. He was indeed a singer with a very beautiful voice.

[@1jamyc]

If they covered him in garbage, George Sanders would still have style..." Always one of my favorite lines. Thumbs up if you understand the reference.

[@raylenenielsen5943]

From one of his movies, perhaps?

[@chrishintz1077]

So CBS sent Gardner out on a press junket. Even he couldn't avoid it. But he was so gracious, he seemed to enjoy it.