What's My Line? - Spike Jones; Steve Allen [panel] (Jul 4, 1954)

[@fatbelly27]

Credit to whoever preserved the tapes of this show. In the UK the BBC taped over all their early shows

[@enriquesanchez2001]

[@terribelbliss9646]

I love that John enjoys his job.

[@loissimmons6558]

John Daly correctly calls the location of the Statue of Liberty Bedloe's Island. It was not renamed Liberty Island until an Act of Congress did so in 1956. But I can still recall people calling it Bedloe's Island during my childhood. And the pre-Act maps didn't magically change when Congress enacted the change.

[@kchara7078]

From WY, never heard of Bedloe's Island. My great grandparents came thru Ellis Island from the old country. Thanks for the info 🤯👍

[@braindetritus]

That’s a cool piece of nostalgia!

[@loissimmons109]

@@kchara7078 Ellis Island is a neighboring island, about ½ mile north of Liberty/Bedloe's Island.

[@soulierinvestments]

Jones conducted an orchestra.. A Comic orchestra leader, too. One of the funniest musical acts of that period. His version of "The Blue Danube." with the lyrics "The Danube's not blue / it's green / tresh tresh" is still a riot to hear.

[@Johnnycdrums]

He married exceptionally well, that's for sure.

[@nedraleggett9088]

He took ok songs of the times and did a walk job on them. A wonderfully funny versions.

[@nedraleggett9088]

Wack jobs.

[@cavecookie1]

"Hawaiian War Chant" is my favorite Spike Jones song...Hubba Hubba Hubba!

[@Frankcastlepunisher74]

Doodles Weaver is Sigourney Weaver's uncle!

[@cogidubnus1953]

I'm from half a generation forward, and the opposite side of the pond...yet sixty years plus it's all still topical...and sixty years plus either side, Spike Jones sill has it...

[@skivvy3565]

MISS YOU Dorothy Kilgallen. You shined too bright and the dimmer bunch snuffed you out

[@ih82r8]

I want to go to the finishing/charm school that Miss Francis did!

[@jubalcalif9100]

She was CLASS personified !!

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

"Attended" dear, "attended".... That's what she'd tell you now.

[@Ashoodle]

That was so cute when Steve Allen broke into song @ 11:04 I have it stuck in my head now.

[@loissimmons6558]

I recall Steve being the guest on a talk show (probably Johnny Carson) and challenging anyone with a newspaper to show him a news headline. In response he would come up with instant song lyrics (not a whole song, of course).

[@robertfiller8634]

@@loissimmons6558 "Do the people who you serve come to you?" Steve sung it to the tune of "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain"!

[@joeybonin7691]

Hasn't he written something like half a million songs?

[@joecaroselli5858]

Does anyone else think that Spike Jones resembled James Cagney a little bit--- in a rougher kind of way?

[@Trecathlus]

Yeah, now that you mention it. :-)

[@JohnSmith-kz8yo]

they both have that Irish leprechaun look..lol

[@Moluccan56]

Yes, at first blush, I thought that.

[@dumbbo1]

Spike looked like a caricature drawing of James Cagney come to life.

[@pst9821]

I always thought so

[@preppysocks209]

Some trivia about the Statue of Liberty 1) It was designed to celebrate freedom as a gift from France to celebrate America's centennial. But it went way over schedule and was not received until 10 years later. At that point, it was one of the tallest structures in NY. Although it still represents liberty, it is more commonly associated with immigration now, not only because millions of newly arrived immigrants the US saw it as they entered NY Harbor and first saw America until the mid-20th century, but also because the pedestal's poetic inscription hijacked a strict freedom message into one of immigration. 2) Of course, the statute was originally a standard copper color but it oxidized into its green color fairly early in the 20th century. When that occurred, there was a movement to restore the statue's original color but that was decided against. The statue is green in part because of its universality -- despite the range of human diversity, no one has green skin color. NYC only allows certain colors to be used to paint the many bridges in the city. One often used color is Statue of Liberty green. 3) People sometimes say that Miss Liberty is portrayed as standing in New York Harbor. This is not correct. She is portrayed as walking. You can see that from her right foot being elevated. 4) One place no one can go in the Statue of Liberty even with an elevator is its highest point, the torch. This is because while World War I was raging but before the US entered the war, German spies set off an explosion in New Jersey that damaged the arm/torch of the sculpture. Even after the statue was restored in the 1980s, for some reason, perhaps financial, this was not repaired.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Spike Jones - one of the major inspirations and influences for Wierd Al

[@nedraleggett9088]

My mother told me about Spike Jones. I got a record from the library and fell in much like with the Spike Jones "music".

[@nobodynoone2500]

Too bad weird al has neither the drive nor the skill to accomplish one hundreth of this man.

[@KitC916]

@@nobodynoone2500 booo wrong

[@ignorecorporatenews]

I've always considered Spike to be the Frank Zappa of the 1940's in many ways

[@ToddSF]

The Statue of Liberty only had an elevator from ground level to the top of the pedestal, where there is an observation deck on all four sides. That elevator was replaced with a more modern, handicapped-accessible one during the restorations and improvements 1984-86. They also added, at that time, a second elevator reaching to the shoulder level -- it's quite small and can only hold something like 4 people and is there only for urgent evacuations, such as if someone at the top has a medical emergency. Visitors who want to go up to the crown for the view has to walk up the staircase -- 354 steps -- as they have always had to do. I think the new public elevator may be automatic, or at least it was in 1994 when I was there.

[@loissimmons6558]

I took that staircase to the crown near the end of my junior year in college (1973) when I went with a group of my classmates (and one non-student girlfriend) from Cornell. Of course, being the only local one, I played tour guide. The staircase was a steep, narrow, spiraling metal contraption: treads but no risers. In other words a lot of open space on the staircase. Going up was tiring, especially for me (~5'4") and the girlfriend with even shorter legs at about 4'11" since the distance between steps was so great. But going down was even worse. There is no way to turn around in the crown, especially when the tour is full. So you go down the way you came up - which means you are going down backward. And with the steep spiral, you are pretty much going down blind. It took every bit of will power to keep going step by step, inch by inch (no wait, that's Niagara Falls) and not freeze; that and knowing there were a bunch of people above me who would be really ticked off if I stopped moving. I have no problem with heights. It's widths that I have a problem with (no wait, that's Steven Wright's joke). It's anything shaky or were I don't feel confident. So I had no problem going to the 86th Floor Observation Deck of the Empire State Building during that same tour. But put me on a 14 foot ladder with no firm anchor and its white knuckle time. Take it from me: the trip to the crown is not for the faint of heart or those with mobility issues.

[@stephenlang3135]

Everyone was so smartly dressed and. no bad language.

[@George50809]

Yes, in that day people dressed up a lot.

[@shaldana]

Well, Arlene called him 'Boy'.

[@ignorecorporatenews]

What a Joy to see Spike Jones on here. Thanks for posting.

[@replyhere590]

@georgelongley8078Why spoil the effect?

[@barbaratran3146]

I love how confused the cameraman is at 1:00 to whether be on Steve or Arlene :)

[@daler.steffy1047]

In reading through the numerous comments that focus on the first contestant, I am really impressed with the compassion and understanding that viewers of this episode displayed in their comments regarding this young man's general state of being as he sat in the contestant's chair. What beautiful and understanding perceptions. All of you give me hope that our world, in general, is becoming increasingly more welcoming, respectful and tolerant. And there is a greater emphasis on understanding where other people are coming from, in all of its dimensions. And from this 75-year-old guy's perspective, two of the most beautiful words that younger people have told me in times when I have felt a bit frustrated with whatever was taking place, are, "No worries." And then, suddenly, I start feeling profoundly better.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Fun to see Spike Jones. I wish he'd have said something. Usually the guest has a few words with the host. I noticed that he was chewing gum and he's chewed gum in everything I ever watched him in.

[@replyhere590]

Smoker/gum

[@ToddSF]

_The Spike Jones Show_ originally aired from January to May 1954. So it was over by the date this episode of WML aired and there were no immediate plans to renew it. A second version aired April to August 1957, so that can't really have been anticipated in 1954. A third and final version aired July to September 1961. Spike Jones and his musicians, known as "The City Slickers", starred in other TV shows as well. Mr. Jones was born in 1911, but died on May 1, 1965 at the age of 53 from emphysema.

[@rotunda57]

Time flies. If Mr. Jones died in 1965 at age 53, then as of this year, 2018, he will be deceased longer than he lived.

[@preppysocks209]

@@rotunda57 Yes, smoking 4-5 packs a day has consequences. Very sad.

[@lenhummel5614]

Yes. He was brilliant and very innovative, but died too soon due to severe addiction to cigarettes 🤐🤔😥

[@davidwesley2525]

​@@preppysocks209Nat King Cole was a Heavy Smoker & He Died 1 month before His 46th Birthday.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Bennett: "Car-NAY-gie Hall".

[@jvcomedy]

The last couple of shows Arlene has been wearing earrings that match her heart necklace.

[@elizabethmorgan2621]

There's an article that says that Arlene was very fond of the necklace because her husband gave it to her. After he died, when Arlene was older, a thief grabbed it from her neck while she was getting out of a car. So sad.

[@preppysocks209]

@@elizabethmorgan2621 Necklaces can be replaced. I am sure she was grateful not to have been physically injured or even killed during the robbery.

[@elizabethmorgan2621]

@@preppysocks209 As an historian, I'm reporting factual history for those who may be interested. ( Of course, it goes without saying that she would have been grateful not to have been injured or killed. But, that particular necklace could not be replaced. ) However, that does not negate her sorrow at losing a valued gift from her late husband. According to her biographers, her heart necklace was her signature accessory, which she was never seen without. Arlene Francis died from cancer and alzheimer's.

[@aileen694]

Wow! Arlene's famous heart necklace and now, matching heart earrings! That Martin was SO romantic!

[@RobertR3750]

Geez, that first contestant is serious!

[@domainofthesun4400]

No - he's terrified. Frozen with stage fright.

[@alexhu7939]

and all the panelists and JCD tried to help him relax. Kind people.

[@robertfiller8634]

@@alexhu7939 He couldn't have looked more terrified even if guns were pointed at him.

[@boomslang23]

He probably had ptsd from WW2 or the Korean war.

[@demef758]

I always loved the polite formality of this show. "Mr. John Smith." "Mrs. Mary Johnson." You no longer see it anywhere in our society, and it is greatly missed! Back when $50 was a lot of money.

[@daler.steffy1047]

It's interesting what you have to say here because it reminds me of when I became (even) an older adult (I'm now 75), I still called the parents of my friends Mr. or Mrs. Growing up as a child in the 1950s, it was automatically understood, out of respect for our elders, that you always addressed them in that matter and never by their first names. And standard size candy bars were five cents; and since my allowance was 20 cents a week, I could buy four candy bars, if I chose to do so. (Incidentally, I just saw one of those candy bars for sale at my grocery store yesterday, and it was $1.79--now in 2024!)

[@soulierinvestments]

Steve's first line of questioning with the second contestant is NOT a gambit. That is obvious because he did not start the questioning. Yet he found a way to get all those laughs unscripted out of his creativity. Wow.

[@davidsanderson5918]

soulierinvestments I don't see how by not starting the questionning it determines that Allen's line is not a gambit. Kilgallen only asked one question anyhow which had no bearing on what Allen would say or would not say. Upon saying that, I suspect that Allen was adept at finding a funny run of questions without having a gambit in any case. :)

[@dutchtea8354]

In most cases, Steve’s first question was, “Do you deal with a product.” However, when the guest dealt with a _service_ ,Dorothy would start the questioning. Normally, she would ask the _product_ question and get the immediate “no” answer so that Steve could begin his gambit. Dorothy got wise to this ploy, and started asking if they dealt in a _service_ .This time, she asked about _profit-making_ and was surprised by the “no”. Steve was then forced to ask about a _service_ instead of his usual _product_ question. The gambit is obvious and predictable after that. I do agree that Steve was better at it than the other comedians, but I laughed more at Arlene’s interruptions.

[@andrewpetik2034]

I remember watching reruns with my parents and siblings....on the local UHF channel.

[@Merrida100]

Her name is Legion. LOL Man, Arlene is smart as a whip!

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

I didn't get the reference who appeared in Arlene 's place?

[@emilynewhall]

Phyllis Cerf.

[@pattimaeda6097]

Merrida100 Dorothy is more insightful

[@robertmelson2130]

I nominate the first contestant, Harrry Cintron, as the most uncomfortable person EVER on WML. And he should win it based on his complete performance: look at 8:45, as he exits after having stumped the panel, how he appears not to have loosened up the least little bit.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

+Robert Melson I was just going to say, if no one else did, that this guy gets the award for the most scared WML contestant, at least in the top 5. He couldn't wait to get out of there either. And when I saw how good looking he was, I was sure that Arlene would comment on his good looks and Dorothy would feel him up during the walk of shame, but I loved seeing as a team how John and the panel did their utmost to put him at ease. That's real team work and it's good to see how they can adapt to every situation. You know that if there were some Hellywood types on there, they'd do anything for a laugh and go for the jugular.

[@aob999]

He mentioned that he had military background, makes me wonder if he might have been in WWII. If that were the case, perhaps he suffered from psychological issues resulting from combat

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Robert Melson Seen all episodes till now ( I'm on a marathon here) and I agree..

[@44032]

He looked like John Daly had a gun in his back.

[@jmoss491]

Robert Melson On par with the contestant who carved wooden Indians.

[@kasperjoonatan6014]

It is fun to watch many of these episodes around 1954 because many stars appear first time on television in WML. That would be like to see Leo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp in a talk show. I have never seen that.

[@loissimmons6558]

Bennett usually introduces the moderator as either John Daly or John Charles Daly. But on this episode, he introduces him as John Sebastian Daly. I found that curious. Although Daly had three middle names, Sebastian was not one of them. Then Steve made a remark about it being hot that weekend and I realized that Bennett must have been unusually prescient about a future folk rock musician, for it was indeed a hot town summer in the city that 4th of July weekend. And for those of you with more classical tastes, we'll be right Bach ...

[@djdon60]

A lover, of all types of music(and, retired announcer), pun fan and, somebody who knows what "prescient" means, I love your comment, Ms. Simmons.

[@philippapay4352]

Lois Simmons - Loved your comment. People now would know or should know John Sebastian. Bennett had a habit throughout the run of the show of calling John by the wrong middle names much of the time. He used Sebastian and all sorts of other names that were not part of John Charles Patrick Croghan Daly. Most of the time he just used Charles as the middle name, but Bennett had fun with it on many of the broadcasts and it would often cause some banter between the two. In some ways it is especially funny because Bennett had quite an unusual accent for a Manhattanite born and bred. I think he may have had a speech impediment.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Lois Simmons - Oooh...Groan...

[@philippapay4352]

@@shirleyrombough8173 You sent your reply to me and not to Lois, for whom it was intended. If you watch enough of these, Bennett perhaps twice in the 16 years he was on with Daly gets his middle names correct. It is a running joke for him to say it wrongly and sometimes outrageously, too.

[@captainatrixo6217]

Like Johann Sebastian Bach, a pretty obvious joke, IMHO! :)

[@markdenio4537]

The movie director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) got nicknamed that in reference to Spike Jones.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Their careers were so similar, too. . .

[@VonBlade]

18:40 "Intentionally?" is a fabulous question. I laughed for ages.

[@Yowza78]

I thought it was kind of rude. Who would say they were being funny unintentionally?

[@frankieaddams3937]

I wish Spike Jones had stayed and talked a while afterwards. Loved all his songs. "I Went To Your Wedding" was a scream.

[@robink620]

People who gave courses for expectant parents and mosquito counters seemed to be very frequent guests over the years.

[@sandybruce9092]

Last night I found a video of Spike Jones and his band - and then this afternoon I came across this video with Spike Jones as the Mystery Guest! I find that strangle weird and wonderful at the same time!!!

[@crispincain5373]

I think Spike's whoop whistle was broken!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

+Crispin Cain Moral of the story: test your props before you come out on stage. That's what my acting teachers always taught us.

[@bloodgrss]

My teacher called it "diffusing the danger potential of your props"-she was properly English!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

That reminds me of what my high school English teacher (a former Broadway actress in her youth) used to tell the class. In stead of shouting Shut up or be quiet it was: "MAINTAIN A MODICUM OF DECORUM!" Mrs Fishback, God bless her, was awesome!

[@preppysocks209]

@@Bigbadwhitecracker There was a production of Schiller's Mary Stuart in Berlin some years ago. In the play, Mary's aide stabs himself with a knife when things go south. The actor stabbed himself, the audience went wild over his portrayal. The actor did not appear at curtain call. He had been rushed to the hospital. Just an inch or so different and he would have died right away. The stage manager or someone had replaced a damaged dull knife with a sharp knife rather than another dull knife. The actor neglected to check that the knife was dull before bringing it to his neck. Testing your props can be a matter of life and death.

[@billbryant7194]

We call that a Swanee whistle I the UK, but Spike's one had gone up the Swanee.

[@ericellis3506]

Spike Milligan the iconic British comedian and co-founder of The Goons took his name from Spike Jones...Two giants of crazy comedy.

[@zekezacker9449]

Knew a person who, as a kid, endlessly played a Spike Jones record - had to have driven his parents nuts...this was decades before kids repeatedly played their Disney or whatever movies.

[@tigertiger642]

man spike has a great cheerful way about him... and chomp chomp chomp that gum .... chomp

[@scottpardee6303]

Actually, if you look at Mr. Citron carefully, he was smiling now and then. Yes, more serious than usual, and John seemed worried at the outset that he was nervous. But he stumped them!

[@randomtux392]

And their hand writing puts most people today to shame. Those where the days...

[@stevekru6518]

Why is handwriting important? Arguably handwriting promotes fine motor skills. Is there any reason to believe fine motor skills have deteriorated?

[@zekezacker9449]

One of the reasons for remarking on the handwriting is some schools stopped teaching cursive writing years ago - as a result, several younger people cannot read cursive writing, much less write in that manner.

[@jljnbj]

Phyllis Newman would frequently get laughs by asking questions like : "If I did do whatever it is you do, would other people do it or want to do it too?"

[@joeybonin7691]

Somebody broke Spike's slide whistle.

[@zekezacker9449]

I may have missed it, but I heard no mention of it being the 4th of July - for a lot of working Americans, July 4 is one of only 4 paid holidays in the year.

[@Frankcastlepunisher74]

I think the Statue of Liberty was a slight reference!

[@erichanson426]

The First guest was one I was really hoping that Dorothy would guess quickly, he looked so unhappy and at times even a little angry.

[@peternagy-im4be]

No he didn't. Ok?

[@erichanson426]

@@peternagy-im4be OK

[@musicom67]

Cheer up, Spike.

[@gavinreid8937]

I think Spike was gonna answer using with his instruments but the mic didn't pick it up ,it woulda made an interesting segment. Spike as always looks serious about comedy.

[@Sol-Cutta]

What a great show...heard of it loads never seen it...I'm a Brit..

[@JFinSD2]

I didn't think Spike Jones had a recognizable voice.

[@rotunda57]

I have enough of his old shows that once it was determined he was a musician, and it was the 1950s, I would have recognized his voice.

[@direcorbie]

Spike Jones and Steve Allen were close friends; Steve would have recognized Spike's voice immediately.

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace Spike Jones 🙏 4 December 1911 ~ 1 May 1965⚘

[@TomBarrister]

I'm guessing that Cintron was a last-minute replacement for somebody else, perhaps even out of the audience, since people as nervous as he acted generally didn't make it to the show. Jones was a band-leader who focused on comedy, weird-looking instruments, and sound-effects. He was dressed very conservatively in this episode; on his show he almost always wore loud checked suits. You can see the gum-chewing here, which was one of his signatures. The deadpan stern look was another signature. Jones ran two orchestras for a while; the second one performed conventionally ("pretty music" as he called it), but he never achieved that recognition that he wanted for being able to perform the big band classics.

[@loissimmons6558]

On the other hand, somebody working at the Statue of Liberty was a perfect challenger to bring on for the 4th of July. WML often had challengers who fit a theme of a holiday or a season they were in. And I recall an even more nervous female contestant a week or two earlier. Cintron seemed more wary and unfriendly to me than nervous. Arlene naively calling him "boy" trying to loosen him up probably had the opposite effect and made him even more withdrawn.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put, Tom !!

[@erichanson426]

I'm surprised that CBS aired a new What's My Line, considering the date, I wouldn't think they would get a big audience draw.

[@garyzerr9821]

The first contestant was d-u-l-l. Nothing the panel could do could loosen him up or even make him smile poor guy.

[@bethbabson913]

I sometimes see Cerf pick at blindfold so he would answer who the next turn.

[@richfeinberg5130]

The ages of the panelists and host at the time this episode aired: Dorothy Kilgallen - 41, Steve Allen - 32, Arlene Francis - 46, Bennett Cerf - 55, John Charles Daly - 40 (Steve Allen was just 32?! People seemed older in those days.)

[@daler.steffy1047]

And they also looked older. On occasion, l have seen what I thought was an elderly woman guest contestant, and then I would guess her to be in her 80s; however, it turns out she's no more than 62+ years old, and "everybody is surprised how spunky she is at age 62!" So if you look at the number of people today who are 62 years of age, and they don't have major health concerns, there is both a youthful look and spirit about them. Ah, how society, over time, improves people...with age.

[@manidig]

Lindley "Spike" Jones. His band made fun of classical music and of pop music of the day (and they were all top notch musicians and singers). Sadly he's only remembered today by record collectors and fans of the Dr. Demento show.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

RUNS ELEVATOR IN STATUE OF LIBERTY TEACHES COURSE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS WEIGHT GUESSER

[@viviaboe444]

Spike!! Subscribed

[@preppysocks209]

A rare opportunity at 3:23 to see Steve Allen (only in profile) without glasses.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

That first guy thoroughly does NOT want to be there!

[@BuzzWreck61]

My son was born in 1993, and by the age of 6 could sing (or recite) most of Spike Jones more popular numbers.

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

Spike Jones once worked with my favorite songwriter, Cindy Walker!

[@davidpierce3]

The panelists were in a particularly jovial mood on this episode! I wonder if they had any reason for it? :)

[@Beson-SE]

It was the 4th of July! :)

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

+David Pierce We look at the nightly receipts at Toots Shor.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Ha ! They may indeed have tippled the ol' juice a bit before going on the air !

[@satori03]

Steve Allen could bring out the best in most people..loved that man

[@greggoreo6738]

Cannabis? Most likely: "chocolate "

[@stephenwoehr6500]

Too bad Spike's pennywhistle didn't work. That would have been fun.

[@kasperjoonatan6014]

I can't believe it was 4th of July and again they did not think of anything that would relate to that, so they missed the Statue of liberty compeletely. I mean, did they not celebrate that day in the US in the 50's at all ❓ 😮

[@YaBoyFr33ze]

Spike Jones was fixing to fight someone in the crowd

[@arctic197]

"Do the people whom you serve come to you?" haha

[@Ashoodle]

Marko Guillermo I have that stuck in my head now lol

[@lauracollins4195]

Yes! So fun. At 10:55. :)

[@ryanschroer]

I find it odd that this program specifically lists Steve Allen on the panel even though he was still a regular at this point. Just an observation.

[@ryanschroer]

I meant in the hyperlink of the episode..not the extended description.

[@FractalKhaos]

"You're line" is / was "just" being a Genius!...

[@ruthcanawayarts]

Yes, Spike Jones looked a lot like James Cagney.

[@robertsvorinich7959]

Cintron was the name of my basketball coach at Hoboken High School.

[@soulierinvestments]

First contestant did not appear to be having much fun.

[@rotunda57]

He looks Cuban. Maybe he was an illegal and afraid he would be spotted when seen on that show.

[@Rosarium2007]

Surprised they didn’t have a contestant from the fireworks industry.

[@rickcharles5064]

Thanks for the tip. Guess I need to youtube search him.

[@rogerchappell303]

Two lines that was never on WML...A psychic medium and a time traveler.😂

[@lindaroper2654]

Bennet was smart at guessing what people did.

[@anthonybopp4607]

I wonder what was up with Steve Allen tugging his ear and nodding to John at the opening of the show?

[@lauracollins4195]

Anthony Bopp - Good catch. Hmmmm...(?)

[@MrWindermere123]

With the first contestant Mr Cintron, I could hear John Daly murmuring the right answer and nodding a 'yes' because the questions were quite complex. For example, did he work for the executive or the legislative branch of government and was his uniform utilitarian? There were also the 'Yes, he doesn't...' type of convoluted answers that John Daly loves but most of us would frown over. I felt sorry for the man.

[@klingoncowboy4]

$50 in 1954 had approximately the same spending power as $584 today... which is still makes the prize money pathetic compared to what game shows today offer.

[@sandrageorge3488]

Dorothy is really pretty tonight.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

First prize: $50. Wow, how things have changed...

[@rotunda57]

Equal money today probably $600. Government just keeps printing money into oblivion.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

@@rotunda57 yes. Always blame "government" rather than corporate greed.

[@rotunda57]

@@keithhyttinen8275 ??? Corporations don't print our money. The government has the printing presses.

[@rickcharles5064]

I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[@njosborne6152]

This is Reality TV, at it’s best‼️

[@cdhill17]

Is this the spike jones referenced in 'Up On Cripple Creek' ?

[@desijohnson7543]

Yep

[@Moluccan56]

She had Spike Jones on de box. Yes!

[@bettycogswell9851]

This first guy was so timid...

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Stage fright. Cut him some slack. Empathy, please.

[@davidsanderson5918]

With those eyes and a surname like Cintron I'd say that first man is from outer space. When was Roswell again?

[@robertfiller8634]

That's as pretty as I have ever seen Arlene look!

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Spike Jones looks like a pissed-off drunk.

[@PhilBagels]

You might be half right. That was just his normal-looking face.

[@trentk268]

Can you picture today's contestants? Neither can I.

[@Unknownfella787]

is that guy benny goodman in the movie of benny goodman history?

[@preppysocks209]

Yes, Steve Allen's most famous film role was playing Benny Goodman.

[@Lucillee688]

Mr Allen did not shake hands with first contestant

[@wishmaster7438]

Is there a color kinescope of the live episode that was broadcast in colour during 1954 somewhere?

[@WhatsMyLine]

That episode doesn't even exist in black and white, unfortunately.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

+What's My Line? There was a color ep in 1954??? That's one down and 9 to go.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Michael Maloney It was part of a special series of color broadcasts done by CBS to promote their scheme for color TV (which didn't take hold). There were also single color episodes of the Jack Benny Show and Burns and Allen (and probably many others that I'm not aware of.)

[@rotunda57]

Having a show in color to promote color TV whilst everyone had only B&W sets?

[@mikejschin]

@@rotunda57 Color TV for the public was just coming about in 1954, when RCA began selling the model CT-100 in February of that year. It cost $1,000, almost as much as a new Chevy Bel-Air. A few shows were broadcast in color, and people who had color sets would have friends over to watch them. The idea seems to have been to expose people to color TV so that they would buy sets of their own.

[@janetorban2854]

Spike jones

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

+Janet Orban My grandmother introduced him to me back in the '70s when I was about 12 and have been a fan of his ever since. An extraordinary and unique talent; him and his orchestra.

[@loissimmons6558]

+Jeff Vaughn His records would have still been around. And now there's You Tube.

[@loissimmons6558]

+Jeff Vaughn There are other meanings of the verb "introduce" which do not include physically meeting someone. For example: - to cause to be acquainted: most likely I became acquainted with Shakespeare in English class when the teacher introduced me and the rest of the class to his works. Indeed a common title for a college course would run along the lines of "Introduction to English Literature", "Introduction to Calculus" or "Introduction to Shakespeare:. I assure you none of those teachers or professors are able to raise old Will from the dead literally, although a great teacher will bring him to life for the students. - to bring to a knowledge of something: e.g. to introduce someone to new ideas, just as perhaps I am introducing you to a better understanding of "introduce" or the way a grandmother introduced +Mic Mal to the music of Spike Jones.

[@loissimmons6558]

+Jeff Vaughn And I fully understand the meaning of "if" and I quite recognize condescension when I read it. But I am still replying to your original questioning of +Mic Mal. IF you are aware of both meanings of "introduce" and you also know that it would be impossible for a physical meeting to occur, then why would you even ask a question that implies that Mic doesn't know his own history? (BTW, I think Mic is male, not female, based on a video on English pronunciation on Mic Mal's channel that appears to be of Mic Mal.) Mic told you he was 12 at the time, so he couldn't possibly have been introduced to Spike Jones personally before his death in 1965 and been old enough to remember it, if he had even been born by 1965. I had two ways to interpret your original question ("Are you sure?"): either you weren't aware of one shade of meaning of a word (and none of us have 100% perfect knowledge of English), or you were challenging the veracity of Mic Mal's statement (either that he was ignorant or outright lying). I think it was far nicer of me to assume that you weren't aware of a simple fact that anyone might not know than to assume you were rude. I won't make that mistake again.

[@tigertiger642]

spike is gum chewer chomp chomp chomp

[@MrTruckerf]

That was intentional. Chewing gum on camera was a big no-no, so naturally Spike did it conspicuously to thumb his nose at convention.

[@direcorbie]

He also did it as a way to keep his mouth occupied; Jones was a very heavy smoker, which lead to the emphysema that eventually took his life.

[@wiguy3]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I always understood that the Statue Of Liberty was actually in New Jersey waters. Yes, no?

[@amybrown7723]

wiguy3 It is technically in New Jersey but New York and New Jersey signed an agreement that the statue and the island would remain property of New York despite its location.

[@amybrown7723]

You're right, both the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are jointly responsible for maintaining and protecting the island but the money it makes goes to New York. "As agreed in an 1834 compact between New York and New Jersey that set the state border at the bay's midpoint, the original islands remain New York territory despite their location on the New Jersey side of the state line"

[@loissimmons6558]

+Amy Brown It is my understanding that PANYNJ is not involved with the Statue of Liberty. Rather, it is the National Park Service as the statue is a Natinal Monument. And that would be consistent with the challenger being employed by the Federal Government in general and something associated with the Executive Branch in particular (the National Park Service being part of the Department of the Interior which is part of the Executive Branch as a cabinet level department). Nearby Ellis Island with its historic role in processing immigrants to the U.S. (my maternal grandparents included) was included as part of the national park in 1965. When I was in school, maps showed Ellis Island as being part of New York State, even though it was also in what is generally considered New Jersey waters. It took a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1998 to decide that the island is split between NY and NJ, most of it in NJ. There are generally no fees charged by the NPS to visit the National Monument. There is a charge for the ferry to and from the island. That service was outsourced to a private corporation which charges the fee. If they pay the government for that franchise, that money would go to the NPS. There is a $3 fee to go beyond the pedestal of the statue to the crown and a $35 fee to take a hard hat tour of the hospital on Ellis Island. Those are the only fees charged and they go directly to the NPS. WARNING: If you are planning to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, be aware that there are scammers on the Manhattan side in and around Battery Park who will gladly sell you bogus tickets for the trip and tour. Don't fall for it! The ONLY authorized vendor of tickets for the ferry ride and any other attraction for which a fee is charged is Statue Cruises at their official ticket office inside Castle Clinton in Battery Park.

[@ianhaynes5898]

Just so you all know the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey.

[@dcasper8514]

Not Arizona ?

[@henjutsu1]

I was expecting two Steve Allens to appear based on the title. I am somewhat disappointed.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Pardon? What about seeing Steve Allen's name listed once in the video title could made you think there were going to be two Steve Allens?

[@henjutsu1]

Well, usually it refers to a guest panelist who's not a regular member. Since Steve Allen was a regular panelist at this point, I figured that another Steve Allen must have replaced a different panelist. But I guess he just replaced himself, so that clarifies things. Thanks! =)

[@WhatsMyLine]

Oh, yes, I see what you mean now. I don't ever list him in the video titles during his phase as a regular 1953-54, you're right. That's sort of a mistake, that I listed him here. I do list him in the titles for LATER in the series, since he returned as a guest panelist many times. But you're absolutely right, he shouldn't have been listed as if a guest panelist in the video title here! :)

[@henjutsu1]

On another note, thank you for compiling these episodes. I see you've been thanked a year or two ago, but I just became addicted last month and intend to watch all WMLs through, then Groucho's YBYL, then see what else you have.

[@WhatsMyLine]

My pleasure-- glad you're enjoying the videos! There's literally hundreds of hours of these videos just waiting for you. :)

[@thardingau]

Some of the questions are silly. Why would anybody pay for a service that was not useful?

[@libertyann439]

"I'm married, Steve!"

[@georgelyman3519]

Most certainly!

[@dutchtea8354]

This is the 2nd know time that John dispensed with both the walk of shame and the free wild guesses. This was Dorothy’s first time to say “good night, boys,” and Arlene’s 13th time. This was the 2nd teacher of expectant parents.

[@bigredracingteam9642]

A "What's my line" connoisseur?

[@bettycogswell9851]

That first guy was so stiff, I thought he would break into...

[@peternagy-im4be]

Stage fright.