What's My Line? - Marguerite Higgins; Edgar Bergen; Paul Winchell [panel] (Apr 29, 1956)

[@waynehowell6160]

I can just imagine what a thrill this was for Paul Winchell. As I understand it, Edgar Bergen was Winchell's idol when he was a child, entertaining the other kids at school with the character that became Jerry Mahoney.

[@bjmajor]

corner moose I don't think that Bergen was as impressed, but he should have been. Winchell far and away was always the better ventriloquist as you don't see his mouth move at all and with Bergen, that was never the case. That being said, I've always adored Bergen ...

[@markcadieux3445]

Must have been a real ratings grabber to have both of them there.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

​@@bjmajor I just love it so much it's looks like new DVD releases review history books documentary about biography and make sure most

[@Parnassic]

Not to mention "Scrubbing Bubbles"!

[@patriciamooney928]

Loved seeing Paul Winchell and Edgar Bergen on same program.

[@joeblaumer2085]

The look of admiration and happiness on Paul Winchells face is quite heart warming for me.

[@larryfloyd4993]

that made my day , seeing edgar Bergen and paul winchell... i'm 61 yrs old and they made my childhood a lot of fun... god bless them

[@Lilbit09]

John is so adept at making sure the guest's achievements are recognized . As she walks away he mentions her Pulizter Prize, made sure that got in. Absolutely!! What a remarkable woman!

[@bluecamus5162]

I just read her Wikipedia entry. She was indeed remarkable. We of another generation often forget what it took for women to kick open doors. She was vilified by men and women for doing what she was driven and entitled to do.

[@thunderbird1921]

She was crazy at times though, IIRC Higgins literally got in a landing craft for the first wave of Marines at Inchon, because she wanted to get photos of the fellas storming the beach and sea walls of the city. Some of them thought she had lost her mind for doing something so dangerous. She got the pictures though.

[@songanddanceman100]

How cool is that? Paul Winchell and Edgar Bergen and co on the same stage. Winchell really looks delighted!

[@WhatsMyLine]

It's really something special, isn't it? And the mutual admiration and respect is palpable-- especially on Winchell's part towards his predecessor!

[@songanddanceman100]

+What's My Line? Winchell is thrilled, but Bergen begs off any improv between Jerry Mahoney and Mortimer Snerd.

[@myfirstlovesong]

@@songanddanceman100 do you think Bergan was a bit intimated

[@vincentsartain3061]

@@myfirstlovesong Bergen probably had to be begged to appear on the same stage as Winchell, whom I don't doubt Bergen liked and respected well enough, but Winchell was clearly the better ventriloquist, the realization of which which I'm sure would have made Bergen initially a bit reluctant to appear on the show with his "fellow tradesman."

[@slaytonp]

@@vincentsartain3061 I believe you are right. Bergen was essentially a "radio ventriloquist". He had a regular radio show in the early days. He was no Terry Fater, for sure. One of his dummy Charlie's on-going jokes was "you're moving your lips," which indeed he was.

[@MrTea7]

This is amazing, I never knew they were both on the same show. Thanks!

[@jvcomedy]

Edgar Bergen must have been the best salesman in the world to break into show business. A ventriloquist on the radio? That would rank right up there with being a magician on the radio. What a gig!

[@stephensaunders1845]

There was also a well-known radio ventriloquist in the UK - Peter Brough, with his woodentop pal Archie Andrews. I have to say that Edgar Bergen made a more convincing transition to television.

[@DaRozeman]

He had a long career of also doing stage work, Vaudeville and the likes. Admittedly working on radio makes a ventriloquist kind of lazy, though. Edgar's facial control is kind of lacking here.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@DaRozeman Yeah, I never thought EB was that good because of that BUT he passed his facial features to his absolutely beautiful daughter. Somehow these same features look better on her.

[@czarkhasm]

A few comments... ~ Arlene's banter with Jerry Mahoney is absolutely charming. ~ I can't believe I'd not previously heard of Marguerite Higgins... what a storied (albeit short) life/career she had! ~ Dorothy looked particularly good this night.

[@scottpardee6303]

If you notice Paul Winchell, he does not move his mouth whereas Edgar Bergen does.

[@BaarBear]

Winchell must have been thrilled. I happen to know that he idolized Bergen!

[@jimhanold9026]

Exactly!

[@cinibar]

It would have been extra funny if they would have put a mask on Jerry Mahoney also!

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Sparks 51 My gosh I was waiting for that!!

[@julier.1902]

@@AllenFreemanMediaGuru I was too! Shucks

[@timothydouglas7949]

I was ready for it to say i know who it is i see them!

[@slaytonp]

I wonder how in the world they missed out on something like that?

[@jimhanold9026]

Exactly!

[@dodge96neon]

I lost it when Dorothy asked "are you a dummy"

[@Steve_1999]

I'm 37 and I've been watching these for many years... The great part is all these episodes are new to me.

[@salbazaz7261]

I like how at 9:00, Arlene knew who it was and instead of dragging it out a la Dorothy, she just guessed right

[@slaytonp]

Dorothy did like to show off her expertise for deducing the answer from clues--like Sherlock.

[@pressureworks]

What a great treat for Paul ! And look how happy he is !

[@chrisjeffries2322]

This was a treat to see them both together.

[@marycleary7810]

Too cool ! Edgar Bergen with Paul Winchell

[@danswitzer2733]

truely the golden age of television

[@sansacro007]

Marguerite Higgins had such an interesting life but died tragically young at 45, ten years after this broadcast, from Vietnam-related infection. Love seeing strong women and black individuals on this show in the 50s: a testament to talent, fortitude, and fearlessness, in contrast to today's victim mindset even for those who succeed.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

The interaction between Arlene and Jerry is adorably hilarious with bit of weird on top.

[@drea3556]

I love the interaction too. Love Jerry!

[@alanr4447a]

The sparks really fly when Mortimer and Jerry rub shoulders!

[@Beson-SE]

Just when the wedding between Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly was over, a woman named Grace Kelly is a contestant and her line is "Issues Marriage Licenses". :) 10:02 and 11:00

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Johan Bengtsson . Oh! That’s the connection. I missed that.

[@lopa2828]

What a coincidence indeed !!! 😁

[@juliansinger]

Paul Winchell played Gargamel! My childhood! (Also, as people have noted, 5 million Hanna-Barberra characters.) Marguerite Higgins is wonderfully acerbic, as well as trailblazing and vaguely amazing. First woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Foreign Correspondence. Did impressive and important work in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Died at age 45 of a disease she contracted in Vietnam. Is buried at Arlington. Collection of her papers: library.syr.edu/digital/guides/h/higgins_m.htm I found one newspaper article where Miss Kelley was understandably a bit wry about the Monaco wedding, and another, later on, where she and other marriage license issuers observed the draft had brought about some marriage decisions. Can't find an obit, though. Also, because I had to look it up: Bennett at 25:29 mentions Farfel; he was Jimmy Nelson's dog puppet, who (which?) appeared in Nestle Quick ads in the 50s and 60s.

[@blind_t2]

juliansinger nooooooooo! that guy! i used to hate gargamel with a burning passion! dastardly, now him, evil, but OK! one of paul's good guys he played, and still love, and sort of relate to is Tigger!

[@loissimmons6558]

+juliansinger The end of the famous commercial that all of us Nestle's Quik fans loved. (Danny was Nelson's boy puppet.) Danny: N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestle's makes the very best ... Farfel: Choc'-late

[@hcombs0104]

Good Lord, that was a treat! Edgar Bergen and Paul Winchell together. I got a kick out of that one 😁

[@myfirstlovesong]

Winch 's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Winchell's autobiography, Winch (2004), exposed many details of Winchell's life that had previously been kept private, including early stories of an abused childhood, a long history of depression and at least one mental breakdown which resulted in a short stint in an institution.

[@sbalman]

Never a big fan of ventriloquists but Edgar Bergen was also an actor and, an actor in one of Hollywood's great Classics, "I Remember Mama." He was exceptional....and so funny.

[@HassoBenSoba]

A wonderful portrayal in one of the greatest movies of all time. Imagine Mr. Bergen, almost totally unrecognizable as the ultra-nerdy Mr. Torkelson, who in his quest to marry Ellen Corby, must get permission from her fire-breathing Uncle Chris (Oscar Homolka) ....the dialogue talking place in an old-style men's room. Classic scene from a classic film. LR

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

Miss Kelley had a very stalwart walk, like is taught in Charm school.

[@Retroscoop]

Well, I see many yipee's about Polly Bergen and Winchell, actually, to me, the most interesting name in that episode was Mrs. Marguerite Higgins, who wrote excellently about the war in Korea, and opened many doors and glass ceilings for other female foreign correspondent, as did Kilgallen too. She should be known by all students in communication sciences, schools of journalism etc. A deep and respectful bow. Sadly enough, she died at a far too young age.

[@jillgordon1003]

I love the banter between Arlene and Jerry

[@TheCometHunter]

Arlene was especially marvelous on this episode!

[@alexandreeinsfeld2186]

I wish I were Jerry... Arlene was really something!

[@dovbarleib3256]

She admitted to being an entertainer and a news correspondent. Honesty from her own mouth.

[@Gioveolympus]

I am amazed by these people.

[@jimhanold9026]

ANOTHER amazing ventriloquist was Jay Johnson-who played Chuck Campbell and "Bob" on "Soap" from 1977 to 1981!

[@esmeephillips5888]

Shari Lewis (Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy), rare female vent.

[@spudwas]

Ed Bergen disliked Paul Winchell. I never really knew why. Competition I guess.

[@LorenIpsum75]

By 1956, Bergen's popularity began to wane as his 2nd radio program was cancelled that year. Bergen's lips always moved. Winchell was, technically, the better vent as his lips never moved. The student exceeded the master teacher, so to speak.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT ISSUES MARRIAGE LICENSES

[@Merrida100]

Miss HIggins is absolutely stunning. What a gorgeous smile. Dorothy is so cute, so pretty. Arlene is so engaging.

[@stevekru6518]

I can’t understand describing Dorothy as pretty. In addition to WML I watch math and music videos on KZbin. Not only are the women in the music videos orders of magnitude prettier, even the math professors look better. Seated on the panel with Arlene, Dorothy is like a Yugo parked next to a Porsche. Have you ever seen the daughter, Candice, of the MG Bergen?

[@jerrylee8261]

@@stevekru6518 I disagree and find DK very attractive. Have seen her when she could be described as beautiful.

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

​@@stevekru6518 oh I totally understand..... It's called an opinion and furthermore so that you may understand as well, people are allowed to have one....... Isn't that something?

[@robertjean5782]

Arlene is gorgeous 😊

[@robertjean5782]

​@@stevekru6518Agree 😊

[@bigoldinosaur]

Paul Winchell is the original voice of Tigger.

[@broughtbackin]

He was also the first to design and patent a concept for an implantable, mechanical, artificial heart. Very brilliant man but a very troubled soul. :(

[@PaulDA2000]

I just googled Marguerite Higgins, because I never heard of her. She was an excellent war correspondent but tragically died ten years later in 1966 at the age of 45 after contracting a horrible disease overseas.

[@PXGKOREA]

한국전쟁의 실상을 만천하에 알려주신 마거릿 히긴스 기자분의 노고에 감사드립니다.

[@MrMatteNWk]

The perfect line during Ms. Kelley's questioning would have been "Does one benefit from your services?" / "Is one better off mentally as a result of your services?" a loud "NO!" from a man.

[@ModMokkaMatti]

Undoubtedly, women could understandably express the same sentiments with equal if not greater conviction. The male gender is not a bastion of sainthood by any means.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

BTW, Mortimer Snerd was the basis for the Warner Brothers cartoon character Beaky Buzzard -- even used the same face. Other cartoon companies used Mortimer too ("Yup, yup, yup") but not as a regular recurring character.

[@tammyhollandsworth6783]

This one was just adorable!

[@NetCerpher]

Happy to say it seems ventriloquism has fallen off the list of honored professions.

[@joncheskin]

It would have been awesome if Grace Kelly had been the mystery challenger on the same episode as Grace Kelley, the marriage license issuer from Detroit. I guess she was probably on her honeymoon. Arlene Francis displayed some high level flirting skills with the dummy.

[@Widda68]

When Dorothy Kilgallen said: " as much as I hate to leave Jerry Mahoney, there sits on my left..... ". I was hoping she would say:" "there sits on my left, another dummy, Bennett Cerf.!"

[@robertjean5782]

😅

[@Beson-SE]

Those who complained that Carol Channing made long introductions; watch Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney talk for almost two minutes!

[@Beson-SE]

+ZoneFighter1 Me too. I adore Carol Channing! :)

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

It's a good thing Henry Morgan wasn't on the same show.

[@ModMokkaMatti]

Thank goodness the one real blockhead of WML wasn't on - that leering boor named Hal.

[@TOM-C.]

Learn some history everyday. Margarite Higgins was one of the first if not the first woman to be a war correspondent, and served to gain equal rights for women in that arena. She covered the Korean war, world war II, and Vietnam. The poor lady died in 1966 of a disease caused by parasites she likely came into contact with while in Vietnam, and passed at the young age of 45. 🤍✌

[@geraldkatz7986]

Jerry Mahoney would inspire many horror stories of living dolls looking like him. Paul Winchell would go on to be a voice actor in many cartoons I grew up with as a child. He was Dirk Dastardly from Wacky Races and Gargamel from Smurfs. Shari Lewis was still new to the business at this time but would eventually become the next star ventriloquist. Wayland Flowers almost made it big with Madame. They did at least get a tv show for a year, but he was well known. Jay Johnson and Bob were popular, but not much more than Jennings and Madame. Jeff Dunham can claim he made it big. He did the comedy circuit but he got his stardom through the internet. He always had Peanut and Walter, but it was Achmed who got him his fame. He took the risk America needed to laugh after 9-11, and it worked.

[@ericburns9132]

And he was the voice of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh

[@LorenIpsum75]

While Winchell was delighted to be near his idol, it's not surprising that Bergen snubbed him. Despite requested banter between two famous Vents was encouraged, Bergen wasn't having any of it. Bergen, a legend on radio, wasn't about to share his TV spotlight with a younger, more successful Vent.

[@ballcoach8683]

Edgar Bergen and Mortimer Snerd Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney

[@donaldleroy6502]

Being just before my time I especially appreciate these old shows, if I'd grown up in the 50s instead of the 60s I would probably love them even more. I'm wondering if Edgar Bergan was moving his lips on purpose

[@vincentvalentine9417]

Great episode

[@joegoodman9452]

I remember him on the radio it seemed like magic...

[@JHarder1000]

Marguerite Higgins was one of the greatest war correspondents of all time. Had her warnings been heeded, we might have avoided our calamity in Vietnam. Our Vietnam Nightmare was a masterpiece. There was talk of a movie about her and her fellow foreign correspondent (And lover) Keyes Beech starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Richard Gere, but the Hollywood suits nixed the idea.

[@JHarder1000]

@ZoneFighter1 She certainly thought it would be as well.

[@thunderbird1921]

Korea should have been the warning against going into Vietnam. It was an absolute miracle we saved South Korea AND got an armistice. It's clear most of our commanders misunderstood Asian cultures, they do NOT surrender in most cases, they conquer, hold out or die. Add in the war's brutality, and one could start to predict how a similarly split land like Vietnam would probably go. Higgins probably knew since she covered the Korean War.

[@feraudyh]

She's very impressive.

[@sferrell1000]

Paul Winchell was a weightlifter before it was fashionable.

[@jennybrown75]

I love the incongruity of this rather burly fellow essentially playing with a "doll"! I know someone posted the link to a Paul Winchell website, but I'll add this because I always like to scroll through the comments before watching for all the tidbits : ) Paul also studied pre-med at Columbia (in the mid1950s, so likely during the time of this episode) and co-patented the artificial heart in 1963, which is considered the prototype of Jarvik's in 1982. And, of course, he is the voice of numerous cartoon characters, namely Dick Dastardly and Tigger!

[@tatersalad5149]

It seems clear that Arlene gets the answers from some where based on her questions asked without really having any idea as to what is going on.

[@TacomaPaul]

At about 14:12... Cerf asks, "Has it ever been alive ?" Yes, it has been. A tree, where paper comes from. ;-)

[@davidsanderson5918]

I'm beginning to think there's something wrong with me. I'm enjoying the charming sentimentality and poignancy of one dummy meeting another rather too much!

[@mehboobkm2018]

And a little disappointed that their meeting was short, eh?

[@Wattamattau]

More on Marguerite Higgins: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Higgins

[@lechatbotte.]

Edgar Bergen father of Candice Bergen. My two favorite ventriloquists

[@dsscam]

Paul Winchell was great on this episode. Although the one thing that he should've done that would've been awesome was if Jerry was also wearing a mask- or he if he asked Jerry to take a look and tell him who the 2 mystery guests were.

[@robertjean5782]

I thought the same thing 😊

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Grace Kelly should have been on The Name's the Same!

[@WhatsMyLine]

In fact. . . she was!!! Goodson-Todman were never shy about reusing contestants across their different programs.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

What's My Line? Oh great and that's certainly true!

[@loissimmons6558]

For the first time, WML is willing to acknowledge a dummy on the panel!

[@KateNordstrom-e5d]

Greeting

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

Aha, I remember that dummy, Lol!

[@RonGerstein]

Which dummy? Paul Winchell or Edgar Bergen

[@michaelnellen4003]

At 23:03, I never knew that Mortimer Snerd is Jerry Mahoney's cousin!

[@robbob1234]

They shared a family tree

[@Lilbit09]

@@robbob1234 hahaha, you are channeling Bennett.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@robbob1234 😍👍

[@barackillbombya3835]

Tiger!

[@44032]

Shouldn't Jerry Mahoney have a mask on?

[@loissimmons6558]

He was under the table during the questioning.

[@44032]

He might have peeked.

[@loissimmons6558]

Oh, he definitely was peeking. But it was only Arlene and Dorothy he was peeking at!!!

[@esmeephillips5888]

No, they didn't have coronavirus back then. (Or Cuomo😒.)

[@robertjean5782]

😅

[@jackkomisar458]

When he smiled, Paul Winchell looked like Seth Meyers.

[@michaelclark6223]

John Daly said at the end of the previous program that Mickey Rooney was going to be on the panel next week. But here's Paul Winchell... wonder what happened.

[@julier.1902]

Don't know but I watched a DVD of Twilight Zone where the guest stars were interviewed about their episodes while watching it and it was pretty neat, except when Mickey was interviewed during his (the jockey) he kept saying, I don't remember anything about this. Over and over. I bet the interviewer wanted to pop him one! I sure did.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Julie Russell To be fair, Mickey was deemed the greatest star of Hollywood for many years so an episode of The Twilight Zone wouldn't be that high on his CV. I'm a Mickey fan and I haven't seen it either.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@davidsanderson5918 He was so talented. A great star which faded as he aged and became very cynical.

[@jerometaperman7102]

It's a funny thing to not that Edgar Bergen was a ventriloquist...on the radio.

[@lydialilli4351]

Mortimer Snerd is my hero!

[@nickarcher03]

Was this Paul Winchell's first appearance on WML? I ask because Arlene and Jerry Mahoney seem to have a history but I can't find any earlier appearances of Winchell and his sidekick.

[@julier.1902]

I think Arlene was just a real good flirt! lol Or Paul was on one of her own shows.

[@davidsanderson5918]

If they'd had an affair they're not hiding it very well!

[@quizmaster85]

Just out of curiosity, in the earlier episodes was Bennett looking more towards the studio/theatre audience than the camera (during his intros to Mr. Daly)?

[@Kate8790]

Arlene kills me! Lol

[@jocelynsenado]

Arlene! ❣️

[@519djw6]

I would have been more fitting, if Bergen had brought Charlie McCarthy with him--as he was (probably) the model for Jerry Mahoney.

[@bluecamus5162]

Arlene got a No answer for her question on marriage licenses, but after John's long-winded explanation, everyone forgot that the original answer was No.

[@The_Kitchen_Table]

This episode kept me laughing

[@guylaurent8138]

We don't have great shows as What's my line ??

[@erichanson426]

I just have to wonder if they planned the mystery guest with the dummy to be on the same night as the guest panelist with the dummy, if not, it is one of those wired and strange coincidences.

[@jenniferbouchard7403]

love Mortimer

[@ballcoach8683]

Mortimer Snerd And Jerry Mahoney

[@Lilbit09]

US population then, apparently 160 million. Now- 329 million.

[@robertjean5782]

Millions died during WW2😢

[@magillanz]

why didn't the dummy have a blindfold?

[@robertjean5782]

😅

[@davidsanderson5918]

Where's Mickey Rooney?

[@robertjean5782]

Next week😊

[@kristabrewer9363]

The Panelists speaks better dummy language that the mystery guest lol

[@MrTea7]

Check Jerry's head shake about 1:30. That's how they managed to sneak slightly suggestive material onto the air in the 50s. Classy.

[@rebeccahiggins2369]

💜💜💜

[@davidsanderson5918]

How could Dorothy arrive at the question "are you a dummy?".....just out of nowhere. Could she hear the sound of wooden parts moving maybe?

[@spongevee1]

She recognized his voice

[@robertjean5782]

Dorothy was a investigative reporter for years 😊

[@michaelchapman9406]

edgar burgen is the best

[@flaggerify]

Thanks for the spoiler. :(

[@WhatsMyLine]

You're welcome. Thanks for being spoiled.

[@flaggerify]

I should have said thanks for the videos too. ;-)

[@WhatsMyLine]

flaggerify That earns you a *non*-sarcastic "You're welcome". ;)

[@davidsanderson5918]

Every single one has spoilers before I watch it unfortunately. I wish the title didn't have the names of the MG but I appreciate it helps an episode being found.

[@zapdunga12]

Paul Winchell was much funnier than Edgar. A nice Jewish boy from NY.

[@jimhanold9026]

Apparently-in 1956-people confused THIS "Grace Kelley" with the famous actress with the same name!

[@tonymazz9912]

Now I know where Jeff Dunham got his idea for his dummy "Bubba J".

[@erichanson426]

Is this game show funny as well as entertaining. Sometimes 😄😄

[@ventjai3429]

Cousin mordimer

[@magnificentfailure2390]

Gargle flarben doogal flosh

[@heatherw9252]

COUSIN MORDIMER