What's My Line? - Florence Henderson (December 1970)

Wally Bruner hosts this episode of syndicated What's My Line? with mystery guest Florence Henderson. Panelists include Soupy Sales, Anita Gillette, Bennett Cerf, and Arlene Francis.

[@Theyralltakenfu]

Little did she know how successful that show would be.

[@johnloudaros800]

What a beautiful lady, and such a truly nice person. RIP Florence

[@richardpoplis6777]

Florence Henderson was truly a nice person she is missed by everyone... such a nice person

[@joeambrose3260]

What are you trying to say Richard?

[@scotth.9170]

Anita was phenomenal. I enjoy her appearances on SVU as a judge. I always take comfort in watching these shows knowing that someone on the panel is still with us.

[@lancedukel3436]

RIP Florence. A beautiful women and a fantastic singer.

[@scottmiller6495]

And a brilliant woman saw her on an episode of the 25000 pyramid with Dick Clark and she was incredible!!!!!

[@Lisa-di1wi]

This brings back memories of my teenage years. I used to watch this up in my bedroom each night on Channel 6 here in Philly at 7 o'clock. In 1972, it moved to Channel 3 at the same time. But in 1974, it was on here in the afternoon; and I was in school at the time.

[@brucewilson6781]

I thought To Tell the Truth was on at 7 o'clock on channel 6.

[@AstralPixie]

Fun memory :)

[@Lisa-di1wi]

Up until the fall of '72, What's My Line was on at 7 o'clock at night on Channel 6. Then in the fall of '72, it moved to Channel 3, but it still came on at the same time. However, during its last season, 1974-75, it was on in the afternoon here in Philly; and I was in school at that time. The show went out of production in December of '74. Then sadly, 6 months later, Larry Blyden was killed in a car accident. He was only 50 when he died.

[@Lisa-di1wi]

To Tell the Truth came on at 7 o'clock on Channel 6 later.

[@Lisa-di1wi]

I was only 13 back in December of 1970.

[@dancelli714]

This show has Arlene and Cerf, so it helps me to like it more. Original show was my favorite, but this program ain't bad. I'll watch more in the near future.

[@Cerph]

It was better, with John Daly, as host.

[@jonnysteele9280]

Rip Florence Henderson aka Mrs. Brady

[@scottmiller6495]

Class and Distinction all the way, nothing like this ever again anymore PERIOD!!!!!

[@sexymama1966]

i'm digging those groovy fashions that were worn by all.

[@majorneptunejr]

Much more stylish than today's fashions

[@joe-vz6hx]

"I have to see how successful the TV series is" meaning the Brady Bunch lol

[@ChadQuick270W]

Thanks for uploading this one. It’s rare to see Bennett Cerf on the syndicated WML

[@securityrobot]

Wally gives so much away with the first contestant no wonder they identify what line of work she’s in so easily.

[@scottpardee6303]

You’re right! John Daley would never have done anything this.

[@danielbartell8200]

Yes I met Floence Henderson here in Florida such s classy humble sweet lady

[@shaunbarr1856]

I m happy for you ☺

[@Swampzoid]

Florence Henderson was so cute and of course very talented.

[@Lisa-di1wi]

Ah yes! In December of 1970, I was only 13 and I watching this up in my bedroom.

[@joeambrose3260]

With David Cassidy looking down at you, I presume

[@jacquelinebell6201]

I was only 10. Not that interested in those days. It's different now!

[@Jay-vr9ir]

With the exception of Anita RIP to all of them .

[@lenb7275]

I never understood how they guessed the surprise guest like Florence henderson !

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

It was a much smaller entertainment world back then, with far fewer TV shows. So she probably put together the TV show and a recent movie which was “Song of Norway,” and having starred on Broadway. Also the player herself was a Broadway actress so she probably knew exactly who Florence was and maybe even recognized her voice.

[@kevinjohnson4599]

Thank You so very much for posting this wonderful episode of What's My Line with the late Florence Henderson as the Mystery Guest. I LOVE IT VERY, VERY MUCH.

[@libertubey2199]

This episode of WML was taped before filming began on the second season of "The Brady Bunch", as Florence Henderson's 'do is between what she sported during the latter half of the first season of TBB and what she would sport during the first half of its second season. WML taped many of their episodes roughly during the late spring and early summer of the year.

[@mixon270]

I love the brady bunch

[@trentaccid2177]

In a year Florence would be a major tv star on The Brady Bunch.

[@johndalton3180]

Strange seeing Bennett in color and on videotape.

[@johndalton3180]

@apio70 no way. This is from the master tapes. It's clear as a bell.

[@johndalton3180]

@apio70 I don't understand what you're talking about. Are you saying this video of WML? isn't on videotape? It absolutely is. And it looks way better than the kind of muddled, darker Family Feud videos you linked. This is not film, it's no kind of kinescope. It's videotape.

[@johndalton3180]

@apio70 I guess I understand a little better what you're saying. But for me this doesn't look like 35mm. To my eye, it looks like a very clear beta recording, presented digitally. I honestly don't think it would look much different to someone watching it in 1972, on cable television in a then top of the line television. Granted, it likely didn't look this great on most televisions at the time, including the one in my house which was still black and white in 1972. You know what kills me? There were several episodes of the original 1950-1967 WML? recorded on color video for weeks they wanted to take off. I would SO love to see that, but it seems they were all recoded over. All we have are the B&W kinescopes. I love seeing the color video taped episodes of password from 1965. Recently someone posted a color video of The Tonight Show was Carson from 1964. A rare treat. Thanks for engaging me on this. I find this stuff so interesting.

[@johndalton3180]

@apio70 You didn't read my reply.

[@billlevins7460]

Florence Henderson looked so good back then.

[@joeambrose3260]

And to think Bob Reed would rather be in the sack with Larry Storch. Go figure

[@RonGerstein]

​@@joeambrose3260 Are you jealous?

[@tonycevallos7513]

It would have been so funny to see Bennet and Soupy come out wearing Dr Dentons.

[@bitlikethat]

Loving the handwriting

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Arlene is looking particularly young and fetching today

[@watchman1178]

Anita Gillette did well playing the game here.

[@tporchia7751]

Bennett is peaking with Henderson

[@KratosM4000]

Its just not the same without John Charles Daly.

[@richardevans130]

Wally Bruner gives away too many clues. John Daly would never do that. It may be that they are just more pressed for time since more commercials were stuffed into a half hour.

[@JamesJohnson-nv8zo]

"We don't get along at all," " You didn't say that in my dressing room." Lol

[@majorneptunejr]

I remember the Brady Bunch airing early on Sunday nights when it first aired where I lived. It never had really high ratings but in reruns it was a major hit.

[@KratosM4000]

Bennett passed a year later. So sad

[@djdon60]

believes, if they don't guess this, they, all, should relinquish their SAG or, AFTRA cards! Oh, and, I LOVED Mr. Bruner's little gem, about his friend!

[@michaelbarnhart2593]

This format was really different. The first challenger had no chance to win since the moderator narrowed the focus of her occupation so much at the outset. :-/

[@Lisa-di1wi]

Did you ever hear Anita Gillette sing? Back in 1985, I saw her on a PBS tribute to Glenn Miller, and she sang Skylark. When I heard her sing that song, I just couldn't believe it! She has such a beautiful singing voice. That was the first time that I ever saw her sing like that! She makes Barbra Streisand sound just like an amateur. (No offense to Barbra Streisand.) At the end of show, she joined in with Julius La Rosa, Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, and Sylvia Syms to sing Moonlight Serenade. She can really sing! I think Anita Gillette should have been a Top Ten recording artist! She would have been up there not only with Barbra Streisand, but with Celine Dion, Connie Francis Olivia Newton John, Diana Ross, and Linda Ronstadt as well. Also, that same year (1985), Linda Ronstadt did an album of old standards with Nelson Riddle, and Skylark was on that album. Although I heard Linda Ronstadt's version of that same song, Anita Gillette's version from the Glenn Miller tribute was just absolutely the best!

[@dg1006]

She also did Cabaret on Broadway.

[@joeambrose3260]

I always found Anita quite alluring

[@jeraleewood5969]

Not sure how successful that TV show, The Brady Bunch will be!!!! Lol

[@krystonjones]

Featuring Mr Reid’s rug

[@direcorbie]

One of the last TV appearances of Bennett Cerf, who died 8 months after this episode was broadcast.

[@joemartines3545]

He came out quite slowly I noticed...

[@trentaccid2177]

He was walking very slow

[@joeambrose3260]

Florence looks like a high priestess with that medallion

[@buddmannable]

Florence was a Stone Cold Fox

[@craigvandyke5136]

Always thought this syndicated version gave too many clues. I’m sure Arlene thought so. It was intended to move the show along quickly.

[@princeharming8963]

"She does a certain thing to a certain animal" Why don't you just tell them what she does, Wally?

[@ellenhannon5298]

They seemed to dumb down the syndicated version by giving to much information

[@shrillbert]

@@ellenhannon5298 Indeed, by speeding it up. The biggest drawback of syndication is that you're basically at the mercy of your sponsors in a way that network shows usually aren't and weren't. This meant a sped-up game that lost a lot of its charm in the process. I understand why Gil Fates wanted to make the additions he did in syndication, some of them were perfectly OK for the time. But I can also understand why John Daly was so obstinately opposed to them.

[@gailsirois7175]

Exactly !! They get half the answer ahead of time !!!!

[@gailsirois7175]

@@ellenhannon5298 yes they did ..don't like it

[@ahmadfadzil4104]

53 years ago.

[@lajmh]

At the time, little did anyone know the Brady Bunch would be one of the most popular shows of all time. She may be a good singer, but Shirley Jones is better. After all, she is the one who made all the musicals. And I never heard of "Song of Norway".

[@Lava1964]

The Brady Bunch was never a huge hit during its initial run on ABC. However, in reruns it became hugely popular.

[@trentaccid2177]

Plus Shirley is stilll alive but cant sing anymore sadely

[@der22672]

How in the world did Anita get that it was Florence from those questions? Very good.

[@millenniumman75]

It must have been the voice. She was married to Ira Bernstein at the time. Her autobiography is fascinating. She tells of her life in Dale, Indiana as the youngest of ten children. She and Wally Bruner grew up in the same area of Indiana, along the Ohio River.

[@cynthianobara4153]

Probably because they already knew who it was

[@Lisa-di1wi]

I knew that Wally Bruner was from Indiana. But I didn't know that Florence Henderson was.

[@lemmann6362]

Florence Henderson was on TV at the time (The Brady Bunch was in it's first or second season) but Florence Henderson was also famous as a singer and having been a "Today Girl" and having been on Broadway.

[@johndalton3180]

I agree it WAS very good. But, she got that she was in a movie in the past year (Song of Norway) and was currently in a TV series. Back then, actors on regular TV series didn't star in movies, so it was unusual. Also, it's possible that she just knew Florence was in town doing interviews.

[@Stand663]

Florence Henderson is such a Scottish name.

[@joefagan6244]

Florence Henderson was doing a 2 nd season of the Brady Bunch.

[@gregh7400]

I like the older version of the show better. They give out too much information to the panelists. I also just like John Daly better, but he was a hard act to follow.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Greg H I enjoy the syndicated version shown here but I agree that it’s impossible to be better than John Charles Daly was as moderator 👍

[@Lisa-di1wi]

John Daly was just way too formal. Wally Bruner and Larry were more relaxed, informal, and laid back. John Daly always asked the female challengers if they were either Miss or Mrs. before he addressed them. Wally Bruner and Larry Blyden didn't do this. After all, it was the 70's; the decade of the feminist movement. John Daly also addressed the panelists as Mr. or Miss. But Wally Bruner and Larry Blyden Beverly do this. They addressed the panelists by their first names instead. All three of them had different hosting styles.

[@tjtampa214]

I like Wally and John. I like watching in color but the older version has a nice nostalgia 😊

[@sailorbychoice1]

@@Lisa-di1wi by this time he would have had to ask _Miss, Mrs, or Ms,_ and it was getting to be that what had been once seen as being classy was beginning to seem put-on or pompous; even rude at times by the general public., _Times They Were A Changing~_

[@scotth.9170]

I started watching the show with Wally Bruner, so I enjoy these episodes; however, the original shows were masterpieces. Wally Bruner was strikingly handsome.

[@joeambrose3260]

That question to Anita was absurd. She's from Baltimore and Jimmy Walker died when she was 10

[@770WT]

Wally Brunner was a nice guy .

[@jimnyus]

But he talks too much. Gives too much information

[@blakenapier3125]

Maureen Mccormick and Barry Williams had a crush on Their TV Parents Robert Reed & Florence Henderson

[@blakenapier3125]

That's what I heard

[@jacquelinebell6201]

Florence really looks like Mrs Brady here! Guess she wore the same fashions for the time.😊

[@tearbag]

That little girl is in her 50s now

[@willister8009]

Well more like 70

[@joeambrose3260]

@@willister8009 I think she's talking about Connie, who looks 4-5

[@hizgrase]

Then give away too much information on these I like the old ones better. I don’t know if they did that because they didn’t want anybody winning a lot of money so they gave a lot of hints to tip the panel off I’m not sure why they did it but it’s to easy. I just cannot make myself like soupy sales. He is so into himself and always has to have the attention on himself. I like the old ones where they all have mutual respect for each other and what each other does and nobody’s ever hogging the limelight. Times started changing quickly didn’t it

[@dpsdkep]

I’ve been watching the old WML shows and then happened on these new ones. Hands down, the old shows were better. Wally is annoying at best. The music is typical game show music for the era and I could do without it. I’ve grown to really appreciate the old panel members, so it was nice to see Arlene and Bennett here, but without John Charles Daly, it’s just not well done.

[@sfgooner70]

Bennet's age starting to show here. :( .

[@dg1006]

sfgooner70 ...he died the following year, 1971.

[@lukeswall5999]

Yep. His last show was March 1971, and died in August 1971.

[@ccbsnyc]

Bennett only had a few more months to live.

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

Bennett and Arlene in color! ❤❤ Bennett! Be nice! Jcpcd isn't your average host you know? 😂❤ Lol! He got it in before Bennett 😂❤ Wow Bennett you just made Julie Andrews leave the chat 😂 Little did he know shorts would become a thing on KZbin........

[@irenedow5665]

Florence wonders if her new series will be a hit. Yeah,seems so.

[@joeambrose3260]

I simply could not stomach Soupy Sales. With respect

[@tj.espygil4544]

He was much more entertaining and funny on his national children's TV show. He's sometimes irritating on What's My Line though.

[@trentaccid2177]

True he was like the kid that would rat on all the kids in school. The rumors flew that he was a pedofile sadely.

[@majorneptunejr]

@@trentaccid2177 You shouldn't listen to rumors. Someone who's not a fan could just make something up and someone else just runs with it .

[@christopherjones8517]

Why wally, no host!

[@MrSnappinit]

... and eight months latter, Bennett Surf was dead.

[@Lisa-di1wi]

Yes. He died in August of '71.

[@blakenapier3125]

Way better than this era

[@blakenapier3125]

Cerf spells different than surf

[@gailsirois7175]

They give you half the answer !!!! They don't have to work at it at all. .ridiculous..don't like the new show

[@MichaelSimmons.]

Wally Brunner gives the panel way too much information. This version can't hold a candle to the original.

[@joeambrose3260]

True, he must have been told to do so

[@jamesnxslewis2875]

Why not just give it away WALLY?! Very sad. The rest of the questions were just out of pity. John Daly would never have given it away like that.

[@johnloudaros800]

Bennett passed only 8 months after this show aired

[@4seeableTV]

Damn, that set was the epitome of ugly.

[@ghosthunter5656]

Indiana my home state! I didn't know either one of them were from there

[@larrytate4586]

Now ya do.