What's My Line? - Mickey Rooney; Martin Gabel [panel] (Dec 31, 1961)

MYSTERY GUEST: Mickey Rooney
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf

[@karenmallonee3867]

Does anyone else feel like Mr. Daley and the panel are ole friends of yours? They always bring such joy when I see them & I'm thankful for that! 1962 was the year I was born...I have always thought I was born in the wrong era! Rest in Peace, Dear Friends! 🌹

[@tedoneilclark4710]

Me as well. This is them at their prime. Rip everyone 😀♥️😀

[@brianwilliams3438]

I’m a 1963 baby and have said the same thing for years. It must have been so much fun to have dinner and drinks with them.

[@johnnyjames7139]

I am 74, they are like good friends.

[@JimHeller-sn6ck]

I'm 73, I remember them and think of that era often.....and smile.

[@McMillanScottish]

Dorothy broke form when she actually got up out of her chair to greet Mr. Rooney. Worthy of note, I think.

[@emmgeevideo]

Worthy of watching again... She bent over slightly and didn't get out of her chair.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

The bowling lady's voice is half of her alluring quality! MAMA!

[@nowvoyagerNE]

Mickey was a triple threat...singer, dancer, actor!!!! gosh, he was such a talented kid!!!

[@barrykendrick3146]

+nowvoyagerNE And if I recall correctly a quite good drummer, too.

[@allenjones3130]

I remember Mr. Rooney for his guest appearance on "The Twilight Zone" as an ill-fated jockey and his conscience. He turned in a tour de force performance; in fact, he was the only actor to appear in the episode!

[@williammasselink]

And I got to see it all when he was 89 in Williamsburg, Virginia!

[@maryblushes7189]

Kid to the end

[@davidsanderson5918]

It's just dawned on me that the particular year of this New Year's Eve is 1961.....and I'm reminded that I have an audio recording of my parents and my grandma clinking their glasses and having a good time while bringing in the New Year of 1962 (four years before I was born) with foghorns blaring from the piers in the distance. To think this was the very evening. Quite something, nostalgia isn't it? I feel sorry for those who don't have it or try to avoid it.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

Incredible experience 😀

[@HelloooThere]

You sue this was the one? Maybe you got it mixed up from so long ago….

[@Karen-nn6kg]

My parents used to record their New Year's Eve parties, too, in the late 60's. Reel to reel! Wish I still had those.

[@galileocan]

Martin - "I slept on Lavender sheets Dorothy" Dorothy - "Thank you Martin for that bit of information. I'll keep it in mind" Arlene - "Don't Bother" LOLOLOLOLOL..............CLASSIC!

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Made my day, and it's only 9am

[@randylovering24]

She didn't want to catch him in them

[@leesher1845]

Such fascinating people they had on this program. It’s really more than a TV series for me. It’s a lesson in history.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put.

[@93Jubilee]

Rooney is even a much smaller man than I'd thought!

[@kandn420]

I had the opportunity to meet Mickey years ago with his wife Jan. They were doing a singing show in my town. He was so nice.

[@dorothypascoe5708]

It was good to see Dorothy loose and funny. She was a terrible loss to WML

[@dcasper8514]

Yes she was..

[@safiremorningstar]

Not just to what’s my line but also to the world in general, she was a hell of a reporter. You can see that when you watch her on what’s my line the questions she asks and you can see it’s probably what God or kill too.

[@georgeweatherford1027]

She tends to annoy the Hell out of me, but not as much as Cerf.

[@PaulTesta]

Dorothy was known for asking obvious "YES-answered" questions so that the camera would stay on her.

[@BrookeBullmasterStewart]

Oh my gosh... Dorothy’s giggling at 4:42 ❤️❤️❤️ Adorable!

[@nunosoares2329]

RIP Mr. Rooney. You didn't get the credit you deserved but you were a great actor

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Dorothy’s giggles - priceless!

[@gabrielguttierrez4045]

Takes you back huh?

[@maggiejohnson5891]

She has the best giggle. Agree.

[@poetcomic1]

Tennessee Williams once said that Mickey Rooney is one of the greatest actors in America - his role in Requiem for a Heavyweight which he mentioned here was stupendos.

[@rchydrozz751]

Laurence Olivier once said the same thing. Coming from him, thats saying something. Mickey was, he could do it all.

[@TheTerryGene]

John Frankenheimer, who directed Mickey in “The Comedian,” considered him the greatest actor with whom he ever worked.

[@mrkeno1000]

different world then this was just a fun show

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

It's A Different World...then where you come from...

[@cdrugly]

13:00 I could listen to Martin Gabel question the professional bowler all night. They’re voices are like buttah.

[@nuwavedave]

Mickey Rooney - such a gifted talent - and yes, so beloved by America! What a wonderful segment.

[@Deejaay83urj38]

Wasn't he just

[@tedoneilclark4710]

He was just brilliant 😄

[@brucekrause2801]

Very underrated talent. He could do anything. Act,sing,dance, tell jokes, play many instruments, ...I love the guy.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

He wasn't underated in his heyday,he was very much appreciated and always complimented on his abilities and achievements. Though what has mainly happened is that his works have just been forgotten about and slipped away in time.

[@brucekrause2801]

@@tedoneilclark4710 You're probably correct. I grew up watching his movies on TV. I read his bio in the 60s, actually met Mickey Jr at someone's home in 1969, visiting LA.

[@ajs11201]

At 19:00 : Martin: I've slept on lavender sheets, Dorothy. Dorothy: I'll keep it in mind, Martin. Arlene: Don't bother. I've seen that clip before, and I fall off my chair every single time. It's just priceless!

[@grandma.p]

John Charles Daly has such a sweet personality.

[@joseph72588]

The interaction with Bennett Cerf is witty and wise---

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Despite all of the success of Dee Purcello, the lady bowler, she unfortunately ended up in the gutter.

[@gabrielguttierrez4045]

You grew up on this?

[@grandma.p]

@@gabrielguttierrez4045 I was little. I watched it with my grandmother.

[@LANCSKID]

And a big forehead!

[@williammasselink]

Had the distinct honor and privilege to see him perform at the Kimbell Theatre at Colonial Williamsburg on a Sunday afternoon a couple of doors down from where I worked. Tremendous performance where he did a routine with his wife Jan, sang while playing the piano, and told funny stories about himself and his other marriages. Truly a prodigious talent and arguably the entertainer of the century in my opinion. And they did five shows in three days and he had just turned 89! What a pleasure to exchange some words with him afterwards when they signed autographs and got to take some pictures of him. A truly memorable afternoon with this living legend and I could easily have watched all five performances. I've watched his movies all my life and what a thrill to meet him in person. As one lady called out from the audience "We love you Mickey!"

[@rickrick5041]

What a pleasure it is watching them all. Mickey Rooney has enormous talent in acting, singing, dancing, playing instruments and who knows what else

[@VahanNisanian]

Recorded on December 3, 1961. I love how everyone laughed over the question about Mickey Rooney being married. At this point, he had been married five times.

[@tomservo56954]

"You're late" "Sorry, but there was a parade on Fifth Avenue...the Sons and Daughters of Mickey Rooney"

[@tonyhorn5856]

Vahan Nisanian he had only been married 4 times by then he had not married Jan his fifth wife yet

[@guerilla1977]

Tony Horn that’s incorrect. Jan was his 8th wife and they married in 1978.

[@robinchanteusedylan8326]

Mickey Rooney did a great job in stumping the panel! Funny how when he first sat down & drank from glass how he made a weird face. Either he expected alcohol & got water, or expected water but got alcohol... Thanks for all these uploads of WML!:-)

[@WhatsMyLine]

My pleasure-- glad you're enjoying the shows!

[@chrisn7259]

+Robin Chanteuse Dylan Mickey knew it was water. He was just doing a quick comic bit because he was a ham and couldn't resist getting a laugh.

[@vikesfan_69]

I was thinking the same thing. Probably vodka in that glass lol

[@Cerph]

+Robin Chanteuse Dylan: Not an easy task- what most people don't understand, is that comedians are smarter than average.

[@donaldmanthei1224]

It was illegal to drink on TV back then.

[@mehboobkm3728]

What strikes me hard about WML is people were quite open in their opinions back then even though they speaking in front of a national TV, love the nice little pulling of legs everybody does when they get a chance!

[@Jolar70]

What a great farewell to the year! Wonderful episode and I loved how the panel were really cracking each other up. It was great fun all around.

[@elna827]

What a wonderful episode! Everybody has a great time from beginning to end. And I love the thought of Bennett doing the twist with Arlene!:D

[@BeIIeDoc24]

haha right!? at least we've seen Arlene do the twist!

[@BeIIeDoc24]

***** oh, i'm sorry! I thought I had provided the link here. I'll get it again :)

[@SuperWinterborn]

Lorna Badeo Thanks for the link! :)

[@BeIIeDoc24]

SuperWinterborn you're welcome!

[@WhatsMyLine]

***** This was posted by Lorna Badeo. I figure you can't see it because of the broken comments system. Sometimes KZbin comments don't show up on Google+, sometimetims Google+ comments don't show up on KZbin. It's just lovely. Anyhow, here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poi1hpqdjKl_gdkm49s

[@marycleary7810]

Dorothy’ s admiration of Martin Gables is so cute !

[@acousticshadow4032]

She seems very fond of Martin Gabel, too!

[@patbest7057]

Agree DK does seem fond of MG Married to RK don't blame her Arlene F had better husband

[@algoritmosalfredohipicasig7116]

New York City nightlife, was it ever full of twists and turns. Mr. Saggese was a former NYPD Lieutenant, who fronted for Peppermint Lounge owner, Johnny Biello, a Genovese Family capo, according to insider Dick Cami's book.

[@bannedheretic2971]

This was a particularly fun episode to watch! I was five months old when it aired.

[@frankburns8946]

Mickey Rooney...fantastic!!! ''Are you a leading lady?!''

[@jasonfrancis6174]

R.I.P Mickey Rooney.

[@WhatsMyLine]

***** See my other comment in reply to you-- this post was supposed to have been public but got hidden somehow. I must have done it in my sleep.

[@gabrielguttierrez4045]

What do you know about him?

[@waldolydecker8118]

@@gabrielguttierrez4045 - what are you doing, conducting a survey? He's got the same information on Rooney available to him that you do. What were you? His house maid? His proctologist?

[@jesssands5349]

Contestant no. 2 has a wonderful soothing voice.

[@rmelin13231]

Very soothing, I agree. Although she answered "no" to the question regarding owning a bowling establishment, she would go on to do just that a few years later. Her bowling achievements are quite remarkable.

[@frankj.artino2203]

Mickey Rooney was a gentleman and a half, besides a great talented entertainer.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

What a wonderful time,new years eve 1961 Sunday night 10pm, happy new year everyone 😀♥️😀

[@Marcel_Audubon]

"I read it, I read it!" Bennett was so funny some nights

[@alskndlaskndal]

A nice treat to have a "new" WML to enjoy this evening. :) Goodness, Dorothy was bubbly that night! The whole panel seemed to be actually.

[@WhatsMyLine]

They sure were-- but just think of the various fabulous New Year's Eve parties they'd all be off to once the show was over. I'd be in a bubbly mood, too. :)

[@BeIIeDoc24]

What's My Line? I've been reading the notes on this website: www.tv.com/shows/whats-my-line/episode-595-97392/ ...it burst my bubble lol it was pre-recorded. dohhhh. but it really seems like it's live. i'm torn!

[@WhatsMyLine]

Lorna Badeo Sure, burst *everyone's* bubble now. :)

[@BeIIeDoc24]

What's My Line? :D

[@johnmonkus4600]

I remember as a teenager that I always went out to see the show when I heard the intro music in my room.

[@michaeldanello3966]

When Mickey Rooney first sat down and took a sip of whatever that was and made a face, it reminded of two comedians. Joe E Lewis used to say "Water!? I'm thirsty, not dirty!" And W.C.Fields with: "I don't drink... water. Fish f.... in it !"

[@sherry-lynnbeardslee4288]

Such a great program, so glad to see these over and over again. It shouldn't have been cancelled at all.

[@Deejaay83urj38]

"There's something to contemplate as the year wanes: Bennett doing the twist." Classic

[@paulmorin6569]

Please no! I'm turning in soon

[@BeIIeDoc24]

amazing episode! everyone was soooo happy :)) definitely watched with a smile plastered on my face the entire time!

[@nowvoyagerNE]

i often do that also....it's so fun to watch, and i get so tickled as the members of the panel try to guess what the professions are and who the guest star is :D

[@adamscarpetta9543]

Wow! Go Wikipedia The Peppermint Lounge! Quite the coloful, hopping place that was back in the day.

[@ericpurkey7502]

Rip Mickey Rooney 1920-2014 great actor great song and dance man and he did a bunch of movies with Judy Garland where they sing and dance together.

[@julesberggren2547]

Mr.Mickey Rooney is a true treasure that we can enjoy year after year. Thank you dear Mr.Rooney ~ May our deep affection for you keep you company always ~

[@brucekrause2801]

@@julesberggren2547 of human bandage is a movie I could watch over and over. Thoroughbreds don't cry, midsummer nights dream. Young Tom Edison. The best Huckleberry Finn ever. He was great. The Rooney,Garland films. Twilight Zone when he wanted to be big. The Black Stallion. On and on.....Sugar Babies, what a career.

[@scottmiller6495]

What a fantastic entertainer Mickey was and should be remembered as such a wonderfully talented and fantastic human being he was Superb !!!!!

[@davidsanderson5918]

Scott Miller Don't worry he IS remembered that way. Hollywood legend.

[@suehofkamp8594]

Mickey Rooney was a great actor!

[@carollee444]

Always liked Mickey! Great actor!

[@youminholastransit3218]

Funny how 1962 was the new year. Now it’s going to be 2021...59 years later

[@mtnman6557]

It was interesting to look back on a bit of R&R history w/ the proprietor of The Peppermint Lounge on 45th Street. In 1961, Joey Dee & The Starliters song, The Peppermint Twist, was a huge success & folks flocked to The Peppermint Lounge to dance the twist.

[@bluecamus5162]

Mickey was one of the greatest talents to ever appear on film, stage or anywhere. Perhaps he was the greatest. I loved his dramatic roles, but he was also tops as a singer, dancer, comedian, drummer and live performer, and he reinvented his career more than once. But like so many enormously talented people, he seemed to be a tortured soul. I stopped to pay respects last time I was at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. He has a really nice crypt on the outside wall of the mausoleum, one befitting a king of performers.

[@scubatrucker6806]

This has been the funniest one I've seen so far. I love Mickey..

[@paulmorin6569]

Mr Rooney had a moving turn on the tv show "the fugitive"

[@jubalcalif9100]

Congrats to Mickey ! He stumped the panel. This was lots of fun to watch. Thanks for uploading ! This was the first I heard that he had a nationwide chain of schools for talented youngsters. I wonder if any famous stars came out of those schools.

[@cherylgavic4982]

For the lavender sheets bit, Kim Novak was known for being associated with the color lavender and she wore it in her hair at one point.

[@yawlltube]

Scrumptious. 'Do you do it standing up?' 'Do you sleep on lavender sheets?' 'Don't bother.'

[@scottmiller6495]

Brilliant and extremely talented and wonderful man !!!!!

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Arlene's comment that Daly would keep conferencing with contestant 2 "until 1962" was hilarious given that this episode was taped Dec 3 ;)

[@donaldmanthei1224]

These were done live.

[@perrybarton]

@@donaldmanthei1224: On occasion they were pre-taped, or Kinescoped before videotape was in use.

[@pamelaanis715]

This was on Dec. 31, 1961 and they mentioned New Years Eve parties going on.

[@pikemeredith5604]

I only wish Judy Garland had joined him. That would have been awesome seeing them together stumping the judges. I loved their movies together.

[@MrErsamo]

The first time he was the mystery guest, Rooney signed in under his real name, Joe Yule Jr.

[@camelspider2376]

I never knew Micky Rooney wasn’t his real name. Do you know how he got that name?

[@camelspider2376]

Sorry, Mickey*

[@grecogrant2511]

I loved it very fun!

[@michele.mia7741]

This show is a great example of classic humor with such style and grace so slightly suggestive in its reference. Brilliant wit! from Bennett Cerf .

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably !

[@davidsanderson5918]

Did he play an instrument? You're telling me!! Rooney was quite a drummer in those films with Judy Garland.

[@dcasper8514]

He was very good on the drums.

[@travelinman617]

Great actor and talent one of the best

[@LiveInSydney]

Best show over COVID -December 2021

[@jadeshannon5583]

Mickey Rooney is a fantastic actor and very humorous too.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur !

[@SRCG2773]

"Happy New Year" Lol... Arlene was so funny.

[@Baskerville22]

I felt that Bennett recognized the Peppermint Lounge guy....but saved solving the 'line' for a 2nd round of questions

[@michaeldishler9673]

this is one of the best episodes - a real star "

[@HelloooThere]

Bennett doing the twist is like Jimmy Carter dancing to hip hop

[@DizBits]

I love Mickey Rooney

[@julienielsen4462]

I remember him Mickey Rooney on full house about Christmas.

[@jadezee6316]

lots of people "in the know".... consider mickey Rooney the most talented person in the history of Hollywood.....there was NOTHING he could not do....

[@deroiste16]

Mickey Rooney was a real showman

[@just4mygrl]

This was a great episode! Thank you!

[@Juliaflo]

Zounds! I saw tis episode back in the day.

[@hareshramnani]

In that case, you lived during the halcyon days of America

[@MrJoeybabe25]

It's nice to read someone who uses that great word "zounds"! The last time I saw it was in a Peanuts cartoon.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Watching chronologically since the first one, I've just got a sudden horrible HORRIBLE premonition of what it'll be like watching Dorothy's last one before she dies. Like many others watching I'm attached to these people on a daily basis.

[@bluecamus5162]

I've had that feeling for awhile, and it'll be intense in the last few episodes prior. That's ridiculous, of course, since it happened 57 years ago, but still, like you said, you grow attached to these people and don't want anything bad to happen to them.

[@jo-anncorbin3071]

Fun show. I think they all had a sip of champagne before the show... Especially Dorothy... LoL

[@MrJking065]

Back when America had class. The professional bowler was beautiful.

[@luissantiago8446]

Class? Folks today wouldn't know what class was even if it bit them in the ass!

[@LANCSKID]

She taught me plenty of things …

[@Baskerville22]

Bennet recognized the Peppermint Lounge guy....and wormed his way toward guessing his 'line' rather than come straight out & get it in 'one'

[@acousticshadow4032]

Yes, as you already posted below(?). But I disagree. Bennett has recused himself in the past & would've here, too.

[@leesher1845]

Funny line from Arlene to Dorothy regarding the lavender sheets: “Don’t bother.” Arlene was easily jealous when an attractive woman was a contestant.

[@kentetalman9008]

As was Martin, with an attractive man.

[@Gwaithmir]

The last film I saw Mickey Rooney in was "Night at the Museum: The Secret of the Tomb."

[@cathykinn4516]

Ms Francis must have been going on to a New Year Party judging by her dress! She basked in the glory of her husband's adoration. Envy - to have been in New York in those days. Real Talent Real Glamour. Pity it all went sour in the 70s but then what did not. The Blowling Woman's voice is so composed - both men on the panel were impressed with her. Ms Kilgallen was very giggly tonight - had she been celebrating early!

[@araymond1able]

To funny "Are you a leading lady?" Mickey lived until 2014 and married 8 times. I believe he started in movies around 1926. Over 80 years in film. 336 credits.

[@tonyhorn5856]

araymond1able Micky did not marry 8 times he married 5 times

[@araymond1able]

Tony Horn sorry, Google it and get names and pictures of 8 wives.

[@araymond1able]

Tony Horn people.com/celebrity/mickey-rooneys-wives-a-retrospective/

[@preppysocks209]

And some uncredited. I just saw a movie on TCM -- Rooney's first feature, in which he was not credited He played Walter Huston's son. Later he was in some movies credited as Joe Yule Jr.

[@randylovering24]

Bennett did the twist good grief

[@PeterDime-ds9ch]

Love it. Thank you so much.

[@bbailey7818]

I was just a rugrat but I do remember my older siblings being obsessed with the Twist. They had several lps like Duane Eddy's records.

[@Dems4Trump47]

Great episode !

[@kathyyoung1774]

Bennet said he did the twist and couldn’t walk for 3 days. He was probably telling the truth. I was in high school then and knew friends who did damage to their knees from doing the twist, one of whom wore a cast for a while.

[@frankporto9938]

Bennett Cerf was an old nerd of course he would do damage to himself doing the twist he would hurt himself getting up in the morning he had such a boring personality

[@kentetalman9008]

@@frankporto9938 I actually met Bennett Cerf. His personality was anything but boring.

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

The Peppermint Lounge was run by the Genovese crime syndicate.

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

'Mafioso' - now there's a line to get them guessing.

[@mrkeno1000]

most of the clubs were run by the boys

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Was Ralph Saggese, the owner, mobbed up?

[@davidsanderson5918]

r april Some would even say America ITSELF was run by 'the boys'!! Certainly in the early to mid 1960s.

[@rdalbright1]

5'3" of pure talent.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Ha haaaa! Bennett Cerf and Kim Novak. What a concept!!

[@LadyTinaMarie1]

Mickey did such a great job with that voice. I love watching these, thank you so much for posting them.

[@galileocan]

Has anyone ever noticed that in many games, if it comes down to 9 down and 1 to go, and Dorothy is the person who is facing asking potentially the last question - she will very often pass. I think that her pride often would not allow her to be the one responsible for the panel losing the game. This is seen once again in this episode's Mystery Guest segment where rather than being the one to ask the question that will lose the game, she once again passes to the next person - Martin Gabel, who indeed asked the question incorrectly thus ending the game in the panel's loss.

[@barrykendrick3146]

+Gallilleocan g Or you may interpret it in exactly the opposite way: instead of pointlessly losing the game in what is supposed to be a team sport, passing to someone who might know something or, at least, have a thought.

[@user-ym9nu3ji2g]

Love these old reruns.i was. 3 days old when this aired.

[@joevald3]

Great show even back then

[@Widda68]

Tomorrow will be DEC. 31 2001. IT will be exactly 60 years ago to the day. OMG!!

[@MrJoeybabe25]

NOW in 2020 with social distancing is the time to bring back Twisting. Why not, Ma? Here's a clip from the movie "Infamous" which was the "other" movie about Truman Capote. Here they are doing the Twist in Diana Vreeland's famous red apartment!. You'll see Toby Jones as Truman Capote, Sigourney Weaver as Babe Paley (wife of CBS Chairman William Paley and New York socialite), Sandra Bullock as Harper Lee (friend of Capote and author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"), Peter Bogdanovich as Bennett Cerf (publisher and longtime panelist on "What's My Line"), Juliet Stevenson as Diana Vreeland (New York socialite who was a fashion editor for Harpers Bazaar and later the editor-in-chief of Vogue) Hope Davis as Slim Keith (New York socialite and fashion icon during the 1950s and 1960s, exemplifying the American jet set) and Lee Ritchey as William Paley. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ7NqX-Cib5kmaM

[@gforceeatingcorrect]

A True LEGEND ……!!!!!

[@nowvoyagerNE]

woot woot! omaha nebraska....that's where i live!

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

Joey Dee and the starlighterd sang the peppermint twist,based on the peppermint lounge establishment

[@claytoncoward1377]

Got to see him Mr Rooney in Coldwater Michigan. Great Great Talent.Loved his disguised voice.The whole lavender sheet thing 😝 😝😝

[@carollee444]

Cerf can’t Keep his pants zippered!

[@jadeshannon5583]

He's funny and a good actor.