What's My Line? - Ingemar Johansson; Burl Ives; Martin Gabel & James Roosevelt [panel] (Feb 1, 1959)

MYSTERY GUEST: Ingemar Johansson [boxer]; Burl Ives [folk singer/actor]
PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, James Roosevelt, Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel

[@neilmidkiff]

Just two weeks after Arlene guessed the first contestant (MC of French-Canadian WML?) all by herself, in this episode Martin identifies the boxer by himself in his first series of questions -- and he does it blindfolded! Two smart people indeed, making a wonderful couple. It's such a pleasure to spend time with them through these shows.

[@slc2466]

Yes, Martin's is one of the most impressive "gets" I've ever seen on WML- he zeroed in and took out the champ in Round 1!

[@scottpardee6303]

They should have started with another panelist.

[@davidgladstone5261]

Martin Gabel is brilliant!

[@annakaminski4406]

What a breath of fresh air to watch these shows.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

Yes incredible 😊

[@soulierinvestments]

16:33 -- really one of the most memorably funny expressions that ever crossed Arlene Francis's lovely face LOL!

[@razorback9926]

Five years later, Burl Ives would be immortalized singing “Frosty the Snowman.”

[@donaldleroy6502]

If you're a fan of burls he's also a great actor, in particular cat on a hot tin roof

[@Yowza78]

Mendacity!

[@cricketrecords1411]

I think you mean Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. He narrated and sang in the movie as the snowman.

[@razorback9926]

@@cricketrecords1411 You’re right. The song I was thinking of is “Holly Jolly Christmas” which he sang as a snowman in the Rudolph movie.

[@hopicard]

I always enjoy Martin Gabel as a panelist. He knows a lot, he is quite serious in trying to find the solution, but he is also relaxed enough to make fun of it.

[@sleb99]

hopicard he was hot on this program! Sharp, intelligent, quick, funny and was gracious enough to bow out of the last round so he didn’t hog all the attention. No wonder he was so successful and that a superior intellect like Arlene would fall for him. I think I may have detected some prejudice directed at him from a few posts to the effect that they couldn’t understand how Arlene could be married to him because he was short. I think he is to be admired for achieving so much. He certainly did not find size a disadvantage. Arlene was wise enough to recognize a fine man. Their marriage was a long loving and happy one by all accounts.

[@slaytonp]

@@sleb99 To me, he was also physically attractive, but then I've had a crush on Robert Morse, (the gape-tooth look), but never thought Clark Gable was particularly appealing. The respect and affection between Arlene and Martin was always apparent on this program.

[@sleb99]

slaytonp I’m glad you think so! Your opinion helps those of us who are quite male but maybe not so tall.

[@slaytonp]

@@sleb99 And if your two front teeth are just a bit too far apart, you'd have been my kind of guy in my day.

[@ilzamaria6424]

@@sleb99 she seemed to be very in love with him, and proud.

[@MattGerhard]

I enjoy when James Roosevelt is on the panel, wish he’d been on more! Martin Gable is another favorite.

[@mrpuniverse2]

We had many of the Burl Ives LPs my dad was a fan I grew up with Burl and Mitch Miller my first foray into hearing music as a child. Memories of my childhood come once again from this great show

[@ironduke2000]

I love the little head bows given by Ingemar Johansson to each of the panelists as he's leaving the stage. Manners today are so slovenly, where they exist at all, compared to then.

[@Sylvander1911]

For the record the Johansson - Paterson match was fought in Yankee Stadium June 26, 1959

[@davidgladstone5261]

I'll never forget it, the day after my 7th birthday!:]

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

Burl Ives was great as the narrator in Rudolph

[@buckroo8424]

He was a very good singer as well!

[@BeIIeDoc24]

Good grief, Arlene was looking ridiculously gorgeous during the run on Once More, With Feeling...which I just read, and she was probably fantastic in it!

[@davidarcudi230]

Big Country is one of my favorite films

[@davidgladstone5261]

Mine too!

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

Congressman James Roosevelt is my cousin. His father is President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who is my cousin as well. Funny thing - Franklin’s cousin Teddy Roosevelt is not my cousin, but his wife is 🤔🥰‼️

[@leesher1845]

Wow - Martin Gabel really had a gift when it came to voices and sounds.

[@leesher1845]

I really didn’t like when they rushed the final contestant. That wasn’t fair to the contest and it was really inconsiderate. It must’ve disappointing many of the contestants.

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

@@leesher1845 … Me neither. I don’t like when they do that with any contestant.

[@erichanson426]

Martin Gable ranks as one of my favorite guests

[@BALTSOXS417]

He holds the record for being the guest panelist the most times

[@lopa2828]

Mine too

[@tamcocar]

Ingemar Johansson was my mother's boyfriend! Wow! It's so cool to see this :-D

[@Vinterfrid]

@z So what?

[@caroler01]

Wow.

[@kulturekritik9665]

Evidently LOTS of women had Ingo as a boyfriend at various times.

[@deckerrm]

Ya...one of thousands.

[@tamcocar]

@@deckerrm What a shitty, nasty thing to say. You must be a very sad person.

[@astroman71]

Burl Ives was brilliant in 'Ensign Pulver. Thanks for sharing. 😊👍🏼

[@kingalexander2704]

I would've guessed Burl Ives after his first "Affirmative"!

[@bogieviews]

Yeah, his voice was so obvious. No attempt to disguise it.

[@ToddSF]

I think Burl Ives's voice was entirely recognizable when he said "affirmative" and "negative" -- there was a certain timbre that was unmistakable, not to mention the pitch. He had an unmistakable voice. It was a great voice for the kind of singing he did -- mostly folk songs with a guitar accompaniment.

[@rmelin13231]

Yes, he had such a warm, recognizable voice, making it difficult to disguise.

[@MrEdwardCollins]

I agree. Entirely recognizable. Of course, we have the advantage that we can see him and we know it's him. I suspect if we were in that situation, blindfolded, it might have been so apparent. Our family grew up with a Burl Ives Christmas album. To this day, more than 50 years later, I still play that album every Christmas. Christmas to me just wouldn't be Christmas without a little Burl Ives.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

Yes I agree as well.

[@berkuhhh]

Arlene's look at 16:35...priceless! Thanks for these vids!

[@scottpardee6303]

Yes. I wish this was available to everyone. She was beautiful, and this expression was a highlight.

[@jess4metoo]

I never realized Burl Ives was so popular. From his narration on Rudolph I would’ve guessed after his first "affirmative". Still watch it every year.

[@chrisn7259]

Burl had a lengthy career as a folk singer and award winning actor--he won the Oscar in1960--Rudolph is beloved, but it's hardly his greatest accomplishment.

[@susansackrison3139]

Burl Ives was wonderful in Summer Magic. One of my favorite movies!!

[@susansackrison3139]

SoDear to My Heart also a favorite Burl Ives performance

[@markymark903]

I'm 63 and still watch it every year

[@jacquelinebell6201]

I remember it well. My favourite!

[@Beson-SE]

It was around this time that Ingemar Johansson had a love affair (one of her least known) with Elizabeth Taylor. She also helped him getting a part as a Marine in the Korean War film "All the Young Men" 1960.

[@519djw6]

I think that if you look up your sources, you'll find that the main reason Ingemar Johansson was given a part in "All the Young Men" was not thanks to Elizabeth Taylor, but to Alan Ladd, who starred in this picture. (Ladd had befriended Johansson, and had even offered him his countryside residence to train for this fight.)

[@jvcomedy]

Wow, never heard that one before. I googled their names together and the only thing I could find that was related to them both was her and her husband Eddie Fisher attending the Patterson/Johansson fight. I'm curious as to what your source is regarding the affair as I'd like to read it. Thanks!

[@Beson-SE]

Jeff Vaughn I read it in "Elizabeth Taylor: There Is Nothing Like A Dame" by Darwin Porter 2012.

[@riveranormanf.8770]

Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winner Burt Ives, the actor/singer starred in two 1958 pictures both were major box-office hits THE BIG COUNTRY AND CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF were both released on August 1958, within two weeks of each other. He won the Oscar for THE BIG COUNTRY. :) 😀

[@bigoldinosaur]

"I think we're on the wrong track." "YOU ARE RIGHT."

[@maryhabbart8847]

Love Berlin Ives. I loved it when he played Sam the snowman in Rudolph the red nose reindeer.

[@madeleine9907]

Ingemar from Sweden. and I was born 16 days after this ...love from Sweden.

[@oobaka1967]

At that point in time, Ingemar was 21-0. He beat Floyd later that year making his record 22-0 but had 2 rematches against Floyd and lost both of them. They were his only two losses.

[@kallenordvall]

My maternal grandfather was at the fight between Ingo and Eddie Machen the year before. He was also an acquaintance of Floyd’s younger brother Raymond who lives in Torslanda and used to be a heavyweight boxer aside from working at Volvo as a truck-driver.

[@kallenordvall]

I’ve sent a letter to Raymond two weeks ago, I maybe get a reply or not but it was fun writing that letter to him and telling him that I admired both Ingemar and Floyd, and that I praised Raymond for knocking down Floyd’s former rival Sonny Liston during a sparring session in Sweden.

[@wholeNwon]

The best "Big Daddy".

[@MensAsses33]

Wow, Arlene looked particularly stunningly beautiful 😍

[@peternagy-im4be]

What in god's name are you drinking?

[@soulierinvestments]

Representative Roosevelt one of the few guest panelists who had a brother and a mother as former mystery guests -- brother Eliot was like the third mystery guest and Eleanor showed up to promote United Nations Day back in 1953.

[@neilmidkiff]

Not only that, but also a former sister-in-law: Faye Emerson had been married to Elliott Roosevelt 1944-50 and was a MG on August 30, 1950.

[@silverbank3]

It was interesting to hear John Daly's very brief remark about the conditions at that time, given Buddy Holly was to be killed in a plane crash, during a snow storm just over a day later.

[@RNBarbaraP]

Burl Ives forever immortalized in the iconic 1964 Bass /Rankin classic: "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" 😊

[@leesher1845]

I can’t believe Martin Gabel could tell from his walk!

[@hcombs0104]

Maybe he could feel the floor move because of his weight? I get the impression this wasn't the sturdiest of stages.

[@TheMinnieme2011]

Lavender Blue is the Burl Ives song I like best.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

The panel had to have known it was Burl, he's not even disguising his voice. Anyone would know from the first moments he spoke it was Burl Ives.

[@WitoldBanasik]

I got relieved finally. Martin had found his inside track at last !!!! Anyway.... it's still very much enjoyable show. Auld lang syne...

[@TacomaPaul]

Burl Ives wrote "In a Cardboard Box out on Puget Sound".

[@Bonobanos]

i wonder why no one applauded the first mystery guest, it was very funny seeing dorothy pounce at the end

[@loissimmons6558]

Ingemar Johansson was a relative unknown in the U.S. at the time he fought Floyd Patterson in the first of their three bouts for the Heavyweight Championship. His victory in the first fight was considered quite the upset.

[@WienerVL]

Ingemar won the fight against Patterson!

[@Caduceus0508]

Best voice ever

[@ironduke2000]

I believe Vlad meant Burl Ives.

[@paavokoski7498]

A great era. Life was simpler and i'm sure it was happier too. Wish I had seen it. Born in '75 was kinda late. Big hand for lates Burl Ives ja Ingemar Johansson too. Burl Ives always brings to my memory Stinky Wizzleteats, a parody from Ren & Stimpy Show. Luckily I was was old enough to see and enjoy it :)

[@igkoigko9950]

Life was simpler, but wasn’t happier during the Cold War, when mutual assured destruction was a push button away, second hand tobacco was omnipresent, simple medical operations could be fatal, long distance family phone calls were reserved for Sundays were rates were lower, and tv shows like WML had to be watched on one of the three Network’s schedules, not when desired. And with god’s grace or luck, life ten years in the future will be better still with longer and more productive lifespans and even more opportunities for all.

[@hcombs0104]

Thank God for kinescopes!

[@hcombs0104]

After beating up on each other, Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson became lifelong friends.

[@jimcameron4672]

The Eddie Machen K O by Ingomar was a real beating

[@kallenordvall]

My maternal grandfather was at that fight in 1958. He was also an acquintance of Raymond Patterson, Floyd’s younger brother who besides working at Volvo was a heavyweight boxer.

[@bretonvikanderakabret4468]

I recognized his voice straight away! How could you not recognize Burl Ives?

[@keithwilson6060]

Same. A very distinctive voice indeed.

[@keithnaylor1981]

I can only relate to Burl Ives for one reason- he sang a song when I was young about cigarettes growing on a tree - which sadly lead to my addiction of smoking trees!

[@sandrageorge3488]

Loved watching Frosty the Snowman which he voiced.

[@markymark903]

Burl Ives did Rudolph not Frosty...It's ok though it was a long time ago.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

"The Mandela Effect". You may think he voiced Frosty, but he did not. Jackie Vernon voiced Frosty and Burl Ives sang the song.

[@cricketrecords1411]

actually, it was Jimmy Durante who sang the song in that movie.

[@drzarkov39]

Daly was very stupid to start the questioning for Johansson with Gabel, the only one who could have guessed him so early.

[@rmelin13231]

While 'stupid' may be a bit strong, I otherwise agree that Mr. Daly could have started the questioning with another panelist.

[@user-ne8lh2vr2t]

@@rmelin13231

[@user-ne8lh2vr2t]

depends on how you look at it,if he had got a no then the rest of the panel would have had an advantage going forward before it got back to martin,i'm sure everyone there had heard something about the fight, with martin's's correct answers it would have given it away to the others.

[@dejpsyd0421]

Why did they throw someone on after the mystery guest when they knew there was only time for 1 or 2 questions?

[@loveisall5520]

I grew up in the sixties listening to my parents' Ives records. Such a talented, unique man.

[@irenehanover6597]

I was watching a few of these shows tonight, and realized the scorecard depicts a different background drawing in some , for example this scorecard has an image of a perculator after its Sunbeam sponsor while another had an image of the State of Florida. . (guess I've been watching too long tonight)

[@jenniferyorgan4215]

Others had a picture of the Stopette bottle

[@accomplice55]

That was dependent on who the sponsor was.

[@karlakor]

If John Daly had not prattled on so lon about the mystery guest, Burl Ives might have had the chance to say a few words himself. I was waiting for him to speak, but he was given no opportunityl What a waste of a mystery guest!

[@preppysocks209]

Martin Gabel was intelligent and a good panelist. But the references to "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" always make me think that Gabel could have played one of the No Neck Monsters.

[@gbrumburgh]

John Daly should have started the questioning, regarding boxer Johansson, with Dorothy Kilgallen instead of going straight to a sports nut like Martin Gabel. It might have lasted longer.

[@BasicModelling]

Good old Ingo..

[@ilzamaria6424]

Dorothy and Arlete were always flawlessly well dressed, a great sign of respect for the audience, and a .lesson next generations should have learned.

[@melofacertainage]

Big daddy!!!

[@ronnelson6007]

Ron n Ives. Should have won best supporting actor for his role as big daddy

[@preppysocks209]

@@ronnelson6007 Well he did win BSA -- but for The Big Country, that very year. By then, an actor could not be nominated for multiple roles in the same year.

[@syd8802]

16:33 When some one tells me something and think said something else

[@syd8802]

Or when somebody says something and I forget what they just said

[@rpc717]

Ingemar Johansson - LEGEND.

[@robbob1234]

Burl Ives tries to fool the panel by speaking like a robot, but unfortunately, it is a Burl Ives robot.

[@shawnmichaelduncan5951]

Burl w as first singer to do Ghost riders in the sky.

[@dcasper8514]

Not sure, but Vaughn Monroe sure rocked with it.

[@jeffreycherep8264]

One of my favorite versions. (Burl's) Haunting.

[@BASimco]

I recall practicing that song before my new wife as a young marine in 1958. Trip down memory lane. Still playing it on guitar - 64 years later.

[@Nic-tg2ei]

Someone's had their Benzedrine before the show!

[@guydaley]

Burl did NOTHING to disguise his voice. I would have guessed him after the first response.

[@donaldleroy6502]

Although I somewhat agree with you Burl Ives voice is so distinctive it's very hard to hide

[@Brok3nC4rrot]

Good lord, James Roosevelt was tall!

[@preppysocks209]

it is jarring because there are so few pictures of his father standing. But FDR was 6'2 and Eleanor was 5'11.

[@gbrumburgh]

6'4"

[@tedoneilclark4710]

So very entertaining and also the golden age of 50s Hollywood as well. Incredible so much better than the shite that's on television these days 😂😂😂.

[@Gwaithmir]

My favorite Burl Ives movie is "The Brass Bottle."

[@Mmdmade]

Boy. John is loopy tonight

[@stematfisnyc]

Well, now I know where King of the Hill got the idea for Dale Gribble.

[@tamcocar]

Why is Daly's seat about a foot higher than the contestant's - on every show? HOW RUDE!!!

[@lilybean835]

This always drives me nuts too. Watch Leno and Carson, same thing. They sit on a platform above the guests and usually behind a huge desk. It's just like the boss's office. It's for a power differential to be elevated above your "inferiors." I have been bugged by that as well since,...forever. I also find it rude.

[@twinsonic]

Hahaha...seriously? You snowflakes.

[@slaytonp]

From everything I've read about dealing with people, it's a psychological advantage to be above them physically, either standing and looking down, or on some sort of higher chair or platform. It shows one is in control. In this case, It's not rude, it's simply helping to enforce the hierarchy of a situation, and John Daly was in charge.

[@tamcocar]

@@twinsonic lmao. Anything but a snowflake. Bet you have a big chair behind your little desk too.

[@tamcocar]

@@slaytonp I would think that he wouldn't want to "talk down" (literally) to guests, but rather, engage them to make them feel comfortable.

[@gaelengesser9484]

I thought Arlene would be the one to guess it. Oh, well :)

[@gaelengesser9484]

Ingemar Johansson, that is.

[@RikardPeterson]

Both Martin and John were remarkably good at pronouncing his name.

[@Beson-SE]

Rikard Peterson Särskilt med tanke på att det inte är något lätt namn att uttala på engelska.

[@ToddSF]

Johan Bengtsson -- Most English speakers could come reasonably close to pronouncing both of his names correctly if they know what to do with an initial "J" in a Scandinavian name. It's pronounced like the initial "Y" in "yesterday" and not an English "J" as in "jolly". I was surprised how photogenic Ingemar Johansson was when they did closeup shots with the camera. Those who think that all Swedes are blond should take note of Herr Johansson whose hair was quite dark.

[@Beson-SE]

ToddSF 94109 The Swedish spelling is complicated. There are at least 6 ways of spelling words beginning with the sound "J": J-, Lj-, Hj-, G-, Dj-, and Gj-. We have several heterographic words (words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings). "Y" is only a vowel in Swedish and not, as in English, a consonant too. We make a difference between the vowels "U" and "Y" when we pronounce words. This can be very difficult for foreigners when they are learning Swedish.

[@Deejaay83urj38]

Why are they talking about the building. He goes to their house. And they asked if he "doesn't touch THE PEOPLE". No we don't touch the people. But it's on the insect. Not people. Then they mention animal . .they don't say yes

[@michaelfsmith3208]

The first panelist must have stood beside Johansson at the urinal backstage. There’s no way he could have guessed ‘boxer’ by the heavy sound of his tread. Don’t they float like butterflies?

[@Catherineone]

I would know who he was as soon as he opened his mouth.

[@BUSTER.BRATAMUS]

Burl Ives before his biggest role as frosty the Snowman

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Jackie Vernon voiced Frosty, but Burl Ives sang the song.

[@BUSTER.BRATAMUS]

@@ChrisHansonCanada wasnt talking about the cartoon...his roll as the snowman in Rudolph

[@cricketrecords1411]

⁠ no, Jimmy Durante sang the song.

[@jasonhurd4379]

Burl Ives named names to the HUAC in order to save his own skin. He willingly threw his friends and colleagues under the bus, and allowed them to suffer the career destruction and public shame that he was not himself willing to endure. I have no respect for the man whatsoever.

[@keithnaylor1981]

Martin Gable was brilliant in the first round! Arlene is normally superb but her questions on the building which could lead nowhere just seemed bizarre, nevertheless she is always adorable!

[@user-oo2su6hg1t]

Ives should have been nominated for cat on a hot tin roof instead of big country in 58

[@joycepiantes8383]

He'll alway be a snowman to me.

[@keithwilson6060]

So Burl was on here twice?!

[@AlanMDee]

Sometimes I watch episodes of this show and I wonder if Arlene and or Martin when he is on have been given information beforehand

[@accomplice55]

Not likely. They're just smart and knew what was going on around town.

[@rogerengblom5061]

Where is Ingemar Johansson?

[@randylovering24]

Flip those cards

[@user-oo2su6hg1t]

in the second and rematch with patterson he was so knocked out he should have never been allowed in the ring again !!!

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Did you know that a little bitty tear let Burl Ives down, and spoiled his act as a clown?

[@robertsvorinich7959]

Named names during McCarthy era

[@gregfieg482]

I cant fathom why the stunningly beautiful and gifted Arlene Francis married -- of all people -- that toad Martin Gable.

[@thatbasementband8122]

buddy holley,Ritchie valens and the big bopper will die in 2 days during the winter dance party in clear lake iowa.

[@sandrageorge3488]

😢

[@44032]

John seems a bit discombobulated tonight. Very uncharacteristic

[@BASimco]

Just wondering, is the word combobulated opposite in meaning to discombobulated? (Now I won’t be able to sleep tonight.)

[@44032]

@@BASimco Yes. John is normally very combobulated. :)

[@peternagy-im4be]

They knew who the boxer was before he came on. Pretty obvious really.

[@mehboobkm3728]

That exterminator segment was the most embarrassing segment I watched on WML.I felt like the panelists were drunk, weird pattern of questioning (especially Arlene with her "house" question, she was clearly brain faded) made it very boring!

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

*_Heavyweight Boxing Champion in Europe_* *_Termite Exterminator_* *_Beer Tester_*

[@peternagy-im4be]

Please remove this complete and utter troll from the comments section. Unfortunately today's awful society is full of pathetic losers intent on ruining other people's enjoyment of social media. Clown.

[@gp10020]

John Daly wears a wig, eh?

[@davidarcudi230]

Greatly prefer print signatures

[@harryrochman5901]

Get

[@fenwaypark1725]

Jeez, the fix was in on the boxer. That looked so fake. You walked in like a hulking guy!

[@RobJazzful]

Burl Ives, beloved of all Fascists. Named names to save his own tail.

[@preppysocks209]

not a Fascist at all --- he was a pro-Soviet Communist. He later did come under HUAC scrutiny and ended up in the very unusual position of both naming names and being blacklisted.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Rob Johnson - Are you serious? I am so sad to hear this. Who knew?

[@donaldleroy6502]

I hate to paint all folk singers with the same brush but they do seem to go against the grain such as societal norms

[@dorisisaacs7740]

The squeamish radar complimentarily deceive because experience seasonally pop pace a squeamish sled. standing, abaft plane

[@syphrGB]

Cheating!

[@michaelnivens6267]

Big Daddy !!