What's My Line? - Justice William O Douglas; Mary Healy; Peter Lind Hayes [panel] (May 6, 1956)

MYSTERY GUESTS: Justice William O Douglas; Mary Healy [Singer, TV entertainer, married to guest panelist Peter Lind Hayes]
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Peter Lind Hayes, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf

[@seandelap6268]

I've been watching these for months and months and i must say just how amazing and addictive it is and far more watchable than 99% of television nowadays.

[@drumbum3.142]

💯. 👏👏

[@leannsherman6723]

I am with you on this; I watch it in the morning, and in the evening to relax.

[@leannsherman6723]

How did Bennett know that? I read somewhere that his wife used to tell him who are some of the celebrities were that were coming on. I don’t know how she knew but allegedly she did know. Anybody know any more information about that?

[@bopeep86]

I have been watching for a long while now, starting less than 6 months ago. I appreciate the show, and their humor. Occasionally I see their rude comments that they think are cute, but are not. But that is a small percentage where mostly it is very family friendly and enjoyable.

[@terribelbliss9646]

Agree, just restarted them after about a three year hiatus, now I can’t turn them off.

[@marcuslarinen684]

One of Arlene's mos memorable lines - "you're wondering what I'm going to ask you what it goes around, aren't you?", absolutely hilarious!

[@caitlinfitzpatrick836]

Makes me laugh every single time!!!

[@wschmrdr]

"Bennett, I don't wear one!" Even funnier.

[@poetmistress2009]

❤️ Arlene

[@laytondorian3543]

You all prolly dont care at all but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I would love any help you can give me.

[@finnleyelijah3628]

@Layton Dorian instablaster :)

[@JordanMB94]

Maybe it's just me at 3:30am, but I don't think I've laughed so hard in ages! The questioning for the second contestant was so hilarious!!!

[@pukulu]

Mary Healy lived to be 96 years old, born in 1918.

[@mateusquasetuga]

My favorite Justice. Great to see him on here.

[@jpireri6777]

The questioning for the second contestant was some of the funniest I've seen. Arlene was hilarious!

[@lopa2828]

Is it an unpleasant product? - Miss Arlene's question What a girdle??? Unpleasant one ??!!! 😕😮 - our reactions

[@robertjean5782]

​@@lopa2828😂

[@rivaridge7211]

Does anyone else recall those "Playtex Girdle" commercials from the early 1970's? One I clearly remember, has an attractive and smartly dressed lady, going up the airplane stairs (with her handsome husband) and suddenly (in a semi-panic) says, "Wait! We can't go! I forgot my girdle!" And she then realizes that she is wearing it - and all is again sweetness and light. The second guest's WML appearance was funny and brought this to memory. Cheer to all!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

In those days there were only two sexes recognized.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

PLH is still an idiot.

[@rivaridge7211]

@@shirleyrombough8173 Indeed, that was so Shirley. The year 1971 (culturally and socially) seems light years away in 2024.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@shirleyrombough8173 Still 2 sexes , you can't change your DNA😅

[@daler.steffy1047]

At the moment I don't recall that commercial, but what I do want to comment on is how impressed I am with your comments and the "structure" you created for them; as an example, your parenthetical statements for clarity sake was very impressive.

[@Wizardofgosz]

The girdle segment was hilarious!

[@hopicard]

And the entire sequence 14:00-16:30 is really funny and it is the classy humor of the 50s :)

[@m.e.d.7997]

This show sure aged well

[@hopicard]

I like the way Bennett says "It is?" (14:10). He does that very often!

[@loissimmons6558]

It's as if he is surprised to get a yes answer. And yet, if he expected a no, he could have asked the question in the reverse way. So it is interesting that he does it and does it so often. Bennett doesn't strike me as someone surprised by his ability to be successful at playing the game the way that Fred Allen was and many of the guest panelists were.

[@gastropod557]

William O. Douglas was one of the best Justices to ever sit on the Supreme Court! It is a shame that there are not more like him today.

[@preppysocks209]

Douglas simply made the cases come out the way he wanted them to. For decades now, even the liberal Justices will not cite his opinions.

[@gastropod557]

@@preppysocks209 Which is too bad. To read Justice Douglas's opinions it is evident that his concern is for the "Every day person" and their well-being. He was, in my opinion, a great arbitor of civil and criminal justice. His childhood was fraught with difficulty and he overcame huge obstacles. He was not, as many justices today, born into an easy life. Inasmuch as the cases you mention, Douglas, like an umpire, called 'em as he saw 'em...and how the Constitution applied to each case.

[@wanderingthroughyoutube8278]

@@gastropod557couldn’t agree more

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

Justice Douglas a nice Eastern Washington State boy, who shone in the Washington of the East Coast

[@loissimmons6558]

At ~10:35, Dorothy asks the second challenger if his product could be enjoyed by both men and women. She doesn't ask if it would be equally enjoyed, just if both could. In previous episodes where girdles were the product, this would get a yes answer as sometimes men with bad backs in those days would wear a girdle. But this time the response is "no". Unless his particular designs were only for women because of the styling, etc., this was an inconsistency that might have thrown off the three regular panelists. Girdles were frequently the product involved in the early years (especially if it was a man's occupation) and it was usually a hit with the audience whenever many of the questions leading to no answers were asked. There used to be a well-known joke that went something like this: Two men are riding in a car. The passenger has reason to look in the glove compartment and notices a girdle in there. Passenger: _How long have you had a bad back?_ Driver: _Ever since my wife found the girdle in the glove compartment._

[@robertjean5782]

😂

[@lawrence142002]

I think Bill Douglas was one of the most fascinating characters in the history of the Supreme Court. He was passionate, he was tough minded and he was one of the smartest Justices. He had a great sense of humor as well. His greatest weaknesses was honestly his mercurial temper. If you read about his final months on the Court though, you honestly would feel for him. He suffered a great deal towards the end, no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't beat old age. Still, a really great historical character and one of my favorites, ranking right up there with his good friend, Bill Brennan.

[@michellecalling]

Nice to know. I think I going to get his biography and read about his life.

[@djjack6316]

A fascinating justice who has enhanced some of the rights we enjoy, he often took the view in support of the citizen, some of the first, 4th, 5th etc amendment rights we take for granted were in opinions he wrote or joined eg he joined the Miranda decision we all take Miranda rights for granted he joined the court in a 5-4 decision. He was on the court the longest I read, what a man

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

I don't think his comment about not being involved in the treasury department was quite accurate. He was at this time a Justice of the Supreme Court, but his job before that was being involved in the founding of the securities and exchange committee

[@northwestprof60]

He was a full-fledged kook, one not overly concerned with always telling the truth all the time. That having been said, he was not afraid to stake out unpopular positions (his decisions were often reversed), and he was a fierce environmentalist and advocate for the Cascades. Of Men and Mountains was one of my favorite books when I was a boy and it was always great to hike trails on Chinook Pass on which I knew he had walked.

[@josecruzyanezdominguez9244]

He should have waited until Jimmy Carter was president and retired under his administration. Even Carter wanted to put a woman on the Supreme Court before Reagan.

[@Beson-SE]

Dorothy gave Bennett a farewell kiss on his cheek because he was going to Europe and, among other things, participate in the UK version of WML. 25:15

[@libertyann439]

"I will NOT get caught in that bear trap!"

[@yawlltube]

Next to the bit with Edle Iversen, the girdle the best segment in the history of the show.

[@m.e.d.7997]

The diaper episode from March 3 1957 is even funnier. Also an October 7 1956 is hysterical. July 25 1956 women’s reducing instructor is funny too

[@DougJrFan93]

Thanks! I love it when they get the spouse of someone on the panel!

[@RikardPeterson]

Bennett is too good at the game sometimes, though. :)

[@WhatsMyLine]

I've said before, I consider it *almost* cheating that, to get a leg up in the mystery guest segment, Bennett was said to always have studied the NY newspapers before the show to bone up on what celebrities were in town. It's not cheating, really, but it's not in the spirit of the show, and cuts short potentially great segments sometimes, I agree.

[@savethetpc6406]

Rikard Peterson Bennett does tend to get "light bulb ideas" about who the mystery guest or even the regular contestant might be sometimes -- but he's not always right, and either way it can be amusing, so I think it comes out fair in the end. :) As for studying up to see who's in town, I think Dorothy and Arlene did that too -- perhaps not so much for purposes of WML, but just because it was their area of interest anyway. I've noticed that quite often all of the panelists were well aware of celebrities who were in town and had even seen them in performance already (or had plans to see them) by the night of the show.

[@WhatsMyLine]

SaveThe TPC Well, Bennett was specifically singled out by Gil Fates as studying the NY newspapers 15 minutes before the show to get a leg up on the mystery guest segment. Dorothy and Arlene, as you said, were simply aware of who was in town by nature of their professions. They can't "un-know" who was in town if they happened to be aware of it, that's just life. But studying the newspapers? That, to me, is a different story entirely. Not that any of this is a big deal-- I just feel that the mystery segments are more entertaining when they're based on the kind of questioning that you get in the regular rounds, not when there's inside information involved that ends the round in 3 or 4 questions. ESPECIALLY if the mystery guest doesn't at least stick around for a few minutes after being guessed so quickly (which happens pretty regularly, especially in the 50s).

[@loissimmons6558]

+What's My Line? Is it right to assume that Gil Fates would have known this about Bennett long before 1956 and this was one of the reasons to change to single questions per turn (even after a yes answer) during the MG round? It also seems that they tried to combat the rounds being too short by choosing who would begin the questioning. To be fair to Bennett, not all of his ability to guess the MG came from perusing the newspapers right before the show. He was very good at detecting if there was more than one voice or if the voice was male or female even if disguised. He got clues even based on the way the audience applauded. Whistles meant an attractive woman. A delay until the MG signed in meant someone not in show business (or in a few cases a famous athlete). And he knew that WML was doing its best to play a cat and mouse game with the panel, so he was always on the lookout for something that would make him suspicious. For this episode, his suspicions were raised by Mary Healy hanging around backstage longer than expected before the telecast. (He also thought he saw makeup on her which she said wasn't true until after the show began, but it can be something of a compliment to think that a woman has on makeup when in fact she doesn't.) Now and then they were able to have an MG who was not reported as being in town. OTOH, sometimes an MG would be in town for a long time because they lived here or were in a long run on Broadway. In those cases there would be no clue about them to be gleaned from the newspapers and all the panel members had to play the game relying on deductive reasoning, narrowing it down by if they were in a current movie or on Broadway, if they had a regular television show, if they had ever down a Technicolor picture, if they did something besides acting, and so on. One other thing is that compared to most of the panelists, on most occasions Bennett was the only one who was not closely connected to the world of show business. And he was often out of town during the week on the lecture circuit. So studying the newspapers could also be looked at as helping him catch up and leveling the playing field.

[@rogerrobin2774]

Arlene doesn’t stand for just anyone. Nice to see a Supreme Court justice being honored in that way.

[@Kikissparehuman]

"Will you withdraw that question now!" LOL

[@m.e.d.7997]

That statement was one way he definitely said too much.

[@terencedove5047]

16:04-16:18... Arlene: "Would it hit anything between the waist and the knees?" Robert: "Yes. It would hit everything between the waist and the knees." (laughter) Arlene: "Bennett, I don't wear one!"

[@stpaley]

i thought that line was spoken by Hayes who was sitting next to Arlene

[@terencedove5047]

@@stpaley , at first I thought so as well. But since the camera didn't cut away to Hayes speaking the line, I listened for a voice change and didn't detect one, even amidst the laughter surrounding it...

[@leannsherman6723]

Arlene was a hoot! 😂❤

[@robertjean5782]

And gorgeous 😊

[@preppysocks209]

Apart from being a Justice, William O. Douglas published many books about his travels and his hiking in exotic places. In Rear Window, Jimmy Stewart keeps avoiding marriage with Grace Kelly on the pretext that she would not be willing or able to accompany him on hardship trips abroad. At the end of the film, after her derring do, she is shown reading one of Justice Douglas' books.

[@northwestprof60]

He was better known for his books on the Cascades and Wallowas of the PNW, as well as the Chesapeake Canal Hiking Trail in the east

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

He grew up in the shadows of the Cascade Mountains. He spent thousands of hours hiking through the mountains and climbing the peaks.

[@preppysocks209]

@@northwestprof60 As might be evidenced from my comments, I am no fan of the Justice as a Justice. But your mention of the C&O Canal does lead me to point out that Justice Douglas essentially single handedly saved the C&O Canal. In the 1950s, as the C&O Canal had fallen out of use long before, a proposal was made to turn the land it occupied into a highway entering Washington DC. The Washington Post enthusiastically editorialized in favor of it. This was in the days when there was not much opposition to building highways without regard to environmental consequences. Justice Douglas was strongly opposed and he challenged the editorialists at the Post and I think others who worked there to hike the Canal with him over several days. By the second day I believe, the Post had changed its mind. Today the C&O Canal is a 180-mile long park and recreational area operated by the National Park Service, including portions in Washington, DC.

[@tugginalong]

10:30 PM on Sundays for their air time, wow. I’m always asleep by 10:30. I must be old.

[@Merrida100]

Wow, that was no makeup? Mary Healy is absolutely beautiful.

[@sandrageorge3488]

She has make up on.

[@kali3665]

Judge Douglas's son was a stuntperson who was often inside the "bear" monster outfits during the first season of The Outer Limits. Really. He was the Galaxy Being from the pilot episode, the "ice ghost" from The Human Factor, and the insectoid Aabel in "The Children of Spider County."

[@peternagy-im4be]

You nearly got me there.

[@kali3665]

@@peternagy-im4be It's true. Look it up.

[@joncheskin]

"May I gather from your circumlocutions that we would not know whether the ladies would have these things on or not?" "Mr Cerf, would you withdraw that question!" All I can say is that I am sorry Fred Allen was not around for this sequence.

[@terencedove5047]

Damn shame too. Fred would have probably delivered that line 'under glass'...

[@jessicaphillips4542]

@@terencedove5047 under glass?

[@terencedove5047]

@@jessicaphillips4542 ...this episode shows Fred as a mystery guest. He answers his questions 'under glass'... kzbin.info/www/bejne/joLQqZZ-Zbqhe9U/15:35

[@m.e.d.7997]

It was hysterical enough without him. Peter Lind Hayes was hysterical in his questioning. They all were

[@m.e.d.7997]

Never cared for Fred. He would have added nothing to the segments for John needed to mostly keep still in this one

[@loissimmons6558]

A brief flash on the left at ~0:30 just before "What's My Line?" is superimposed over the curtains prior to the panelists and John Daly coming out. Presumably it is from the overlay being put into place.

[@loissimmons6558]

I loved it when Arlene makes sure she lets Bennett know that she does not wear a girdle. She had a lovely figure without one. Dorothy says nothing during the exchange.

[@randylovering24]

Dorothy did say we do not

[@catteadams]

Dorothy was a very slender woman her whole life. Doubt she wore one either. LOL

[@randylovering24]

I think I heard her say we do not

[@m.e.d.7997]

The more I think about it I have thought Arlene may have just gone Commando! Seems Dorothy likely did wear one. My mother was never overweight and did wear one. She was slender with a nice figure. As has been said before girdles were standard “girl gear” in the 1950s through 70s as I recall.

[@m.e.d.7997]

@@randylovering24 I never heard that.

[@randallerickson175]

Laughing at his size as soon as he walked in. Different times for sure.

[@smadaf]

Yeah, those rude dummies. But who's the one appearing on national television under his own name and winning the full prize? They hid like cowards behind their anonymity and made fools of themselves.

[@grammarofficerkrupke4398]

12:19 "Well, what are there besides two sexes?" Different times indeed.

[@tedgreversiii1956]

@@smadaf That was my grandfather!Ted Grevers haha! actually he branded his detective agency on his size, so I'm sure he didn't take too much offense. He ran the "Fat Man Private Eye Detective Agency" in Battle Creek Michigan in the fifties. :)

[@rmelin13231]

@@tedgreversiii1956 I wish we could have spent more time with him on this episode. I understand he was quite an interesting man.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

Can really tell the difference in cultural attitudes with that last guest. It was okay to ask him his weight because he wasn't female. Though back then being heavy wasn't seen as negatively, it could even be seen as a sign of prosperity. 455 lbs or not he survived until 2012, not bad.

[@jerrylee8261]

Gugurupurasu Daikirai, he would have to lose about 300lbs(which would make over two of me)to be at a healthy weight. He seemed like a nice person.

[@geraldkatz7986]

We don't if he was personally offended or not, but he answered the questions immediately without hesitation and in good humor, so either he hides it well or more likely wasn't offended at all. It's an obvious characteristic people will notice. There's no excuse to be cruel about it, but people will comment so one can choose to have good humor or be perpetually offended and miserable as many are today. There is a difference between mean bullying teasing and jovial busting chops.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

@@robertjean5782 Only for a male. I knew people from the era and weight and age were the two things you should never ask a woman

[@mikeepstein9988]

I find it interesting to watch Arlene when the guest comes by the panel to shake hands. It looks like if she is in awe of the guest, watch her start to stand up when shaking hands. I've seen her do that several times.

[@robertjean5782]

Women would sit and men would stand up was the custom 😊

[@JanetM-ro6xc]

Bennett's "french" is interesting to listen to if you know French. He could use a tutor before his trip.

[@JanetM-ro6xc]

Also interesting...John Day will marry the daughter of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1960.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@JanetM-ro6xc Yes, he divorced his wife and married someone 15years younger 😊

[@petersmafield3474]

What's my line has had several guests who are in volved in some way with girdles over their years of programing. And according to my online search are making a comeback with young women.

[@RichardHannay]

Wow, when some of the audience burst out laughing when the last guest came out. 😩 ... oh and that waist size comment. Lol! I’m at a loss

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@juliansinger]

Mr. Bregenzer, and his inventing partner Amy Arnold, were patenting girdle-related materials until at least 1969. (One wonders how they got together, but I imagine it's just being at, say, fashion school together or something.) I'm pretty sure that last guy is Grevers not Greves; if so, Mr. Grevers died in 2012, and spent quite some time doing useful smugging into then-Communist countries, as well as advocating & searching for POW/MIAs. www.legacy.com/obituaries/battlecreek/obituary.aspx?pid=158103151

[@su8483]

It is Grevers, a relative commented on a different conversation discussion about this episode. Good catch four years ago.

[@nothingtodo58]

Wow. One of the most popular shows on TV at the time yet it was being shown 10:30pm Eastern time. Perhaps because it was being broadcast live coast to coast?

[@markxxx21]

There is a Robert Bregenzer born in 1928 in Chicago, which if this is the same guy would make him 28 at the time this show aired. This seems about right. If that is him, he died 2-9-11 in Florida, according to the SS Death Index. Hmmm?

[@m.e.d.7997]

So sad so may of these people are now gone but this show was close to 70 years ago

[@tanafort9741]

Funny with celebs. Some people fade and some stay stars.

[@sammarks9146]

I had to look up Justice William O. Douglas. Quite an interesting story!

[@m.e.d.7997]

One of my fave epis with the girdle. Thanks for the whole show John said way too much in the girdle segment unfortunately unfair to Robert Bregenzer

[@m.e.d.7997]

Dorothy looks so pretty in this one. And I love her warm weather dress. Must have been a hot spring day.

[@MrWindermere123]

Eamonn Andrews was mentioned in the show and, as a British TV viewer, I remember him well as the Irish man who presented What's My Line? and This Is Your Life for it felt like decades - the 1970s for certain. He seemed to me to wear a false smile as if those popular, lightweight shows were a little embarrassing to him. John Daly is the opposite - he loves to defeat the panel and he knows how to ride the laughter of the audience. I'd rather watch this US version but my parents loved the BBC shows.

[@StaciArdmore]

I busted John Daly. He gave an explanation that even he realized how odd it was! I was reminded of Peter Graves in Airplane II when he said "Dunn was over Unger, and I was over Dunn." while simultaneously realizing it actually did make sense.

[@davidarcudi230]

Never happen today. Half the country would be offended by the judge one way or the other

[@m.e.d.7997]

I believe this aired May 6, 1956

[@KeizerHedorah]

This show is entertaining yo

[@shirleyrombough8173]

I love Dorothy's dress.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Guessing it was a warm Spring day in early May.

[@princeharming8963]

In my next incarnation.. I want to come back as Bennett Cerf... Wow, what a life he must have led!

[@sheilamarie3788]

Back when it was safe to travel the world.

[@JanetM-ro6xc]

He had a peripatetic life which created a huge and powerful network. He could have done with a little more humility and sense of boundaries. Then he would have been truly admirable. He really applied all possible perks from his position. Kudos! Remember that in those times few Americans had passports, higher education,and the means to travel extensively.

[@AthenaeusGreenwood]

This seems to be the introduction (at least for the ladies) of what I think of as the "sunglasses" blindfolds - a great improvement, with the pearl edging and, more importantly, not having to mess up their hair and take extra time tying and untying. ^_^

[@jackseward7779]

Almost saw Justice Douglas in 1975 when some of we law students visited DC. But he was out sick and later that year died. P.S. That private detective would have trouble unobtrusively fading innto the background.

[@preppysocks209]

Douglas had a serious stroke at the end of 1974 and refused to retire because he did not want Gerald Ford (who as a House member had suggested impeaching him) despite simply being incapable of doing the job. He finally retired after entreaties from some of his liberal colleagues as discussed in The Brethren and he died in 1980.

[@Beachdudeca]

whats funny is that today everyone knows all the names of the Justices , not sure if that is good or bad :)

[@uncletony6210]

they do??

[@LJ-xr5th]

Uncle Tony John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanagh, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Elena Kagen, Sonya Sotomayer and Stephen Breyer. Some of us know them. Correction on spelling: Kavanaugh and Sonia Sotomayor. (Double checked the spelling afterwards and wanted to correct spelling errors)

[@nelsonricardo3729]

Do they?

[@preppysocks209]

Justices today despite fervent opposition to broadcasting of oral argument are much more frequently on television, speaking to audiences, writing memoirs, and generally seek celebrity status much more than in the 1950s, when Justices thought their authority derived in part from wearing black robes and avoiding the limelight so as to make their rulings appear more impersonal and less political. The media covered them and their decisions but much less so. As a result, confirmation hearings, which became a standard feature of the process at around this time, were much less contentious in general.

[@smadaf]

@@LJ-xr5th , yes, but that's the point: "some of us" (such as you and I), not "everyone".

[@dancelli714]

I also remember O. Douglas was married to a woman that was 20 or more years younger than him.

[@preppysocks209]

Douglas in his 60s married two women who were about 23 (not at the same time)

[@robertsvorinich890]

@@preppysocks209 He liked younger women, the old rascal. Lol

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

Bennett....I don't wear one! 😆

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

Very prim and proper back then.

[@georgevincent1834]

Mary Healy was pretty.

[@fallspring1033]

Still to this day, being overweight is the last accepted discrimination. I felt bad for the last guest. I mean seriously, the audience laughed when he walked out. Not cool.

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

I agree; that was so rude.

[@saran3214]

No being white male Christian is acceptable to be discriminated against. Usually discrimination is used in context with something you cannot control, which being overweight isn't. I agree it should never be laughed at but it should not be acceptable either. It is not healthy.

[@deerejohn7209]

@@TrainsFerriesFeet ... rude yes but different social standards

[@slaytonp]

In those days, this was NOT discrimination, it was an observation of the unusual size of a person, which might be pertinent to his line of work. The remarks made did not have the same connotation as today's "fat jokes," that offend the sensitivities of the majority of our now grossly overweight population. In 1956, the large majority of the population was slender . Fat was rare, and had a specific reason, in most cases.

[@fallspring1033]

@@saran3214 Nowadays it's like it's a crime to be white. Even worse if you're a white male.

[@randylovering24]

here is that charming mc mr John Charles Daly

[@robertjean5782]

1960 he divorced his wife and married someone 15years younger 😊

[@27chambo]

Another episode where a large person is a contestant and the audience begins mocking them with laughter upon just viewing them. And the panel feels the freedom to make cracks about his size and even to ask how much he weighs! I know that was supposedly to ascertain if there was a connection between his size and his occupation but it was also very rude. Would they ask a very thin person how much he or she weighed? This is not the first episode where I have seen what I consider ridicule of larger people.

[@forrestfootball]

of all the things that we would consider inappropriate today, the comments about weight is what consistently shocks me the most. the constant sexism tends to come across as pandering and attempts at flattery, but the weight shaming is always just mean. it makes me so glad we have progressed as a society (though not enough)

[@lorichambo7256]

@@forrestfootball i am not sure how much we have progressed, really. I know that people are better at withholding their sexist/racist/body image/etc comments... but are they thinking them less?? feeling them less? hard to say, isn't it. I agree we've progressed in these ways... but not enough.... merry Christmas!

[@forrestfootball]

@@lorichambo7256 lol I said that we have progressed as a society but not enough and you responded to say that we have progressed as a society but not enough. thanks for the input!

[@27chambo]

I guess that's called agreeing huh forest? Merry Christmas!

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@ToddSF]

William O. Douglas, one of many Supreme Court Justices through the years who came to be known as "The Great Dissenter". He wrote dissenting opinions in almost 40% of the cases, and in more than half of those, he wrote solely for himself. He was also regarded as a liberal Justice rather than a conservative one.

[@unclebounce1495]

So a bad one, assuming liberal has any form of modern definition rather than classical definition.

[@kasperjoonatan6014]

I would like to see Dorothy's dress in colour!

[@robertjean5782]

No such thing back then, you can send an email and wait for the reply😅

[@loissimmons6558]

At 9:10, Peter Lind Hayes offers an unofficial and unbidden free guess as to the profession of the second challenger during the walk of shame. it was incorrect. I wonder what would have happened if it by the wildest chance it was correct. The audience wouldn't have given it away since they didn't know his profession yet.

[@robertjean5782]

If it was correct they would disqualify the guest😊

[@geoffm9944]

Those were the days when judges had to be articulate, highly trained lawyers and chosen on merit.

[@peternagy-im4be]

As opposed to?

[@dianemutchler9213]

​@@peternagy-im4be You can figure it out.

[@contrarian8870]

Dorothy and Arlene seem confused. The question was: "Do both sexes enjoy this?" The answer is "no" (let's disregard that a few men wear girdles). The answer doesn't mean "None of the sexes enjoy it" or "No one enjoys it", as D & A seem to take it. "No" here means: "NOT BOTH sexes enjoy it (equally)", i.e. "one sex enjoys, not the other" (or much more than the other). Somehow D & A take it to mean "no one enjoys it". This would be the case only if the question were "Does ANY sex enjoy it?" In that case, the answer "no" would indeed mean "none of the sexes enjoy it".

[@robertjean5782]

Men wore back braces for bad posture😊

[@randylovering24]

How what's my line got away with one I will never know and don't want to know

[@jennybrown75]

I'm so HAPPY to see Dorothy wearing a stylish blindfold - anything other than that awful bra thingy!

[@geoffm9944]

I think Bennet must have been tipped off. I can’t believe it was a just a hunch.

[@quizmaster85]

If looks could kill - take 13:44 for example.

[@su8483]

Brendan Richards I'm glad I went back and appreciated it. Thanks!

[@galileocan]

Was it chic to be rude in the 50's. Truly can't believe Peter Lind Hayes asking the final contestant how much he weighed, and that the show should be called "What' My Waistline". Absolutely unbelievable!!!

[@WhatsMyLine]

I notice you comment a lot about weight jokes and such, and while I *completely* agree it is incredibly rude to us today, I think you have to just accept that this was accepted behavior back then. Have you ever heard the audience gasp in shock, or the overweight people themselves looking offended? There was no intention to insult the guests when this kind of thing happened. Again, I'm not saying it's "right", just that it was a different time with different standards of acceptability. It's not unbelievable at all, any more than sexist behavior, or the wearing of furs, is unbelievable. Uncomfortable, yes. Unbelievable, hardly.

[@galileocan]

Well I'm not sure I agree. I bet you anything you would never see Arlene Francis say anything like that on any of the episodes. She had class. Good manners and tact is not something that has come into place in the modern era.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Fair enough, but that's more a testament to the gentility of Arlene Francis than a generalization you can make about the standards of the time. People were not as sensitive about weight jokes back then, it's just that simple. If anyone appearing on a show today made a similar remark to the ones you're objecting to here, they might get thrown off the air due to public outrage, or at least be forced to make a profuse apology. So again-- look at the show itself, on its own terms: do you hear the audience gasping in shock? Do you see discomfort on the face of the contestant? Compare this, too, to how *visibly* uncomfortable Hal Block so often made his cast mates with some of his remarks.

[@savethetpc6406]

What's My Line?. Unfortunately, even Arlene was rather insensitive to the racetrack bugler who was on several weeks back. Your point about the sensitivities of the time being different is well taken, but in this day and age it seems hard to believe that such insensitivity was ever considered socially acceptable -- especially during a time that seems to us to be one when the rules of social etiquette were more globally enforced and employed. I think that part of what is so upsetting about the jokes at the expense of overweight people (for me, at least) is that in so many ways these panelists seem so very polite, respectful, tactful, socially appropriate and all-around classy that when they do or say something that seems impolite or insensitive, it is that much more jarring.

[@savethetpc6406]

+Galileocan g I forgot to add that although I completely agree that the "What's My Waistline" joke was insensitive and inappropriate, in this particular case Peter's line of questioning leads me to think he might have been trying to find out if the contestant was a sumo wrestler or something like that. And while I'm adding stuff, I'll say that just because the contestants who were made fun of smiled and seemed to take the comments in stride on TV, that doesn't necessarily mean that they weren't feeling hurt and humiliated inside.

[@hysm44]

Sounds like a new announcer.

[@leannsherman6723]

Some of the panelists over the years made shockingly insensitive comments, for example, Peter Lind Hayes’ comment and question about that overweight man.

[@peternagy-im4be]

And? So what?

[@dianemutchler9213]

​@@peternagy-im4be Looks like you enjoy being an irritant. Very sad.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

I got a big smile on my face when Dorothy announced that Bennett would be leaving for a while.

[@daler.steffy1047]

It always annoys me when a contestant comes on-board who is a little bit "different" from some unstated, or perceived societal norm. When the private detective was signing in, it really bothered me how people in the audience were snickering and making all kinds of weird and rude noises that were intended to make fun of his weight--and overall size. And then it couldn't be let go at that, as panelist members started adding in their "2 cents worth!" I hope here in 2024 we are far past that need to be snickering at people who are more on the corpulent side, who, generally, are a bit out of the "normal range" of weight and height, because who cares! In the end, it is a given that how you behave in the world is what really matters.

[@beadyeyedbrat]

John thinks you enjoy wearing a girdle. Obviously he's never worn one.

[@robertjean5782]

He's more concerned about his toupee 😊

[@charlespatrick8650]

no wonder women were complaining about uncomfortable underwear in the 1950s, SMH

[@randylovering24]

and I didn't take french in high school

[@georgiayost550]

I guess the panelists consider themselves perfect is why they have a tendency to criticize guests

[@meghannrobinson1997]

it makes me CRINGE when they bring up weight/size

[@gj4578]

I don’t think that would happen now.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@anneroy4560]

I don't like it when Arlene is not sitting next to Bennett ...

[@robertjean5782]

I suggest you send an email to get this straightened out. 😂

[@belindaalbright8798]

The rude connotations in comments about the private detectives size and weight shows a side less appealing than what we normally don't see.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@steveburrus5526]

I just LOVED William O Dpouglas. He was by far the most Liberal Supreme Court Justice in the whole history of the High Court and I am a Liberal.

[@advisory0401]

I think he never imagine that Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch can be the Supreme Court Justices.

[@davidharris6581]

I think it is interesting that they had Bill Douglas on and never had Earl Warren on. Especially since Warren was John Daly's father in law. I am always a little suspicious when someone comes on that is so close to someone on the panel as Bennett was to Douglas. Not saying they cheated but I think all of them used their connections to try to help book guest. They may have suggested someone but never knew for sure when or if they might show up. It's odd to me that Bill Faulkner was never a mystery guest since it is well known Bennett supported him financially most of his life.

[@preppysocks209]

Even liberal Justices do not cite his opinions any more. Douglas made the cases come out the way he wanted to without even thinking he was following law.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Steve Burrus - Me too.

[@preppysocks209]

@@davidharris6581 Earl Warren was indeed a MG. However, this occurred when he was Governor of California, nine years before his daughter married John Daly. Like so many of the early WML episodes, that one is lost.

[@randylovering24]

Withdraw both questions

[@pattimaeda6097]

Who the hell is Mary Healy?

[@preppysocks209]

Sometime WML guest panelist Hugh O'Brian said there were 5 phases to an actor's career with a substitution: 1 Who is Mary Healy? 2 Get me Mary Healy! 3 Get me a Mary Healy type! 4 Get me a younger Mary Healy! 5 Who is Mary Healy?

[@sandrageorge3488]

Peter Lind Hayes just rubs me the wrong way.

[@robertjean5782]

Send a email to the show😅

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

22:20 The inspiration for William Conrad's "Cannon"??

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

JUSTICE OF UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DESIGNS GIRDLES PRIVATE DETECTIVE

[@tigergreg8]

Oh my gosh, to ask about that guys weight and how people reacted, Yikes.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@m.e.d.7997]

John Daly said too much in the girdle episode

[@RIP3ooo]

#MaryHealy

[@sandrageorge3488]

I don't know what she saw in Peter Lind Hayes.

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

I can't believe Peter asked the last guest how much he weighs.

[@timothydouglas7949]

I weigh 240!! And don't mind saying now!

[@nelsonricardo3729]

@@timothydouglas7949 You're fat.

[@sheilamarie3788]

@@nelsonricardo3729 how rude.

[@nelsonricardo3729]

@@sheilamarie3788 😝

[@donnawoodford6641]

Imagine having to answer something that is not relevant to his occupation. Only wished John would have intervened to say that bc the question did not elicit a yes/no answer, and should have been discounted.

[@user-so5go9cc5v]

😮😅 creed can’t

[@SteveStalzle]

HOW RUDE TO ASK SOMEONE'S WEIGHT!

[@carolyoung6732]

Steve Stalzle And the audience laughs when he walks in. So sad.

[@MrMatteNWk]

That's only to ladies.

[@nelsonricardo3729]

@@MrMatteNWk You're thinking age...

[@su8483]

Theodore Grevers It was a different time ... Although still very unkind. I enjoyed this episode, including his part. You're probably too young to remember Jake and the Fatman - long ago detective series. Fatman was the detective - William Conrad, I think. Again, another time. I'm sorry.

[@robertjean5782]

​70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@robbycan]

Peter Lind Hayes missed a good opportunity to ask Mary Healy if she'd go home with him.

[@robbycan]

He had time to fat shame someone though...

[@robertjean5782]

​@@robbycan70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@robertjean5782]

Mary was his wife😅

[@robbycan]

@@robertjean5782 yes you get the joke then

[@robbycan]

@@robertjean5782 *considered* acceptable, but no less hurtful... people just couldn't show that they were offended, doesn't make it right or kind

[@MrYfrank14]

"what are there besides two sexes?" good thing this show was not aired in 2019, it would take 15 minutes just to run through all of the sexes.

[@GreatDarkWing0491]

No it wouldn't

[@timothydouglas7949]

It is still what you were born with. No matter what some people may say!

[@MultiEquations]

Sex is separate from gender. I think you are thinking of gender. Gender refers to the biological differences between men and women. However, one could be considered intersex if the distinction is complicated. On the other hand, gender refers to how society and how they themselves view them when it comes to sex. It's a matter of aspects such as social roles. You could be biologically female but have your gender be female or non-binary because you chose to present and/or society sees you as a different sex. All of this, is of course, separate from sexuality which deals with who you're or not attracted to.

[@MrYfrank14]

@@MultiEquations - ok. I'm a man but society sees me as a wombat. I will no longer be working or paying taxes and i expect free room and meals at the local zoo. Life was easier when we only had men and women and society only saw you as a man or a woman. Intersex is total different. They are born part man and part woman. Doctors use a scale to determine how much man or woman they are. If they have more boy parts than girl parts, they are considered a boy. If they are 50- 60 % boy, they have every right to be confused.

[@dianemutchler9213]

​@@GreatDarkWing0491 OK, 10 minutes.

[@beadyeyedbrat]

Peter Lind Hayes has no class. What did Mary see in him?

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Arlene asks "well what are there besides two sexes"... So 1956 😱

[@MrRwk314]

There are 2 sexes lol.

[@forrestfootball]

@@MrRwk314 something that even the most progressive gender theorists do not dispute lol

[@dianemutchler9213]

So SANE vs. today's madness.

[@robertjean5782]

DNA can't be changed😊

[@cinibar]

Arlene is great! 12:19 "what are there besides two sexes"! Mr Daly, "That's all"! CORRECT! What a great era they were in!

[@GreatDarkWing0491]

What people identify as does not affect you in any way.

[@dorothykilgallenwasmurdere1653]

Now there's about 75 sexes

[@lilybean835]

Did he seriously just say "what's my waist line" and ask a contestant such a personal question as how much he weighs? OMG how uncouth! That's atrocious. I realize people were more relaxed about "offending" others but come on man, really? Even a teenager would know not to make such a foolish statement on national TV. I'm ashamed.

[@Lilbit09]

@Mark Richardson You miss the point.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@clearfield2009]

Rude "How much do you weigh?" Rude.

[@robertjean5782]

70 years ago it was acceptable to mention a person's size and no one was offended 😊

[@clearfield2009]

@@robertjean5782 70 years ago men could beat their wives without consequence. Things do change.

[@pamtebelman2321]

Boy, times have sure changed (for the better). I don't know any women who "enjoyed" wearing a girdle!

[@m.e.d.7997]

So true if it made you look even thinner you would or able to fit into a little outfit you would.

[@VTMCompany]

18:09 Who?