What's My Line? - Stephen Boyd; Otto Preminger [panel] (Dec 11, 1960)

[@CDU916]

It's always delightful when there's time for a conversation with the mystery guest. Stephen Boyd was utterly charming.

[@oswaldomilano3848]

that's the way it shoulda been

[@ilzamaria6424]

@@oswaldomilano3848 I agree

[@icturner23]

And utterly delicious. I’m going to have to rewatch ‘Ben-Hur’.

[@philippallozzi2434]

Stephen Boyd belongs on the Hollywood walk of fame, his talent was off the charts and his charisma was second to none.

[@TheReneex]

Gorgeous man and voice to match!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

He really could have played James Bond...just as striking on screen as Connery, same size, etc.

[@miltonmoore7687]

Stephen Boyd had one of the most perfectly modulated and glorious speaking voices in the history of films. No actor ever looked more noble, handsome, and warrior-faced wearing a Roman battle helmet.

[@TheCometHunter]

A pity he couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag!

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

Silverstone L Hm. Well...I suppose you're the master at that, I'll risk taking as the implication of your assertion against Mr. Boyd.

[@photo161]

Yes, and how he regretted getting type-cast as the man in the Roman Military garb as he was after Ben Hur. It undoubtedly hurt his career.

[@scotnick59]

@@TheCometHunter Hahaha

[@MOGGS1942]

@@TheCometHunter Such an idiotic post.

[@fanboy2015]

Stephen Boyd was such a damn underrated actor. Hollywood should’ve treated him better.

[@castinmeadows6956]

Agreed! But, then again, did Hollywood deserve HIM?

[@alexsdb9712]

Mr. Boyd probably didn't sell-out, degrade himself or kiss ass, that's why. Or perhaps he was simply of the type who know how much is enough for him and really chooses his roles wisely.

[@davidgladstone5261]

Absolutely, I loved this episode and always liked him.

[@MySpace662]

One of the best game shows of a bygone era, that still holds it's place for quality entertainment.

[@lauracollins4195]

Love the little wink Arlene gives the camera at 13:35. She is so much fun... charming and gracious, with a good sense of humor about herself. :)

[@anntaylor2039]

Love Arlene !

[@christinemanka9411]

One of my favorite actors. Unique voice & very handsome.

[@lilybean835]

He's so beautiful, oh my God! Melty and dreamy

[@shirleyrombough8173]

He surely was. He did die way too soon.

[@MrWindermere123]

The audience's laughter during the dog food segment of the show gave a clue that the food was not for humans. Arlene was the only panel member who picked up on that - as a stage actress I think she had the gift of reading an audience and reacting quickly. She's also quick to put in a joke when things are a bit slow or a guest doesn't say much. She could have done Mr Daly's job but she is best as the 'rescuer' when the panel or the guests fall flat.

[@mikejschin]

Excellent insight into the idea that Arlene's experience as a stage actress enabled her to read audience reactions. I hadn't thought of that, but you are definitely correct.

[@rmelin13231]

I totally agree with your insight. On top of that, she always knew when to discontinue a routine once "enough is enough". She had remarkable ability in all these aspects, and as you stated, I'm sure much of it comes as a result of her experience as a stage performer (although a certain amount must be attributed simply to her personality).

[@janiegolden5338]

Well talented and seemed to be one of the few actors never strayed from his only wife. Died of a heart attack playing golf in Northridge, CA. at an early age. He was a busker in London until he was asked to be an announcer at a theater. He had difficulty getting decent parts later after Ben Hur. Seemed to be a nice, polite man. RIP Stephen.

[@dherten3605]

Quite a hunk!

[@ItsKrma00]

He was married 3 times.

[@coreythigpen2666]

@@lindahartranft9135he died at 45 in 1977.

[@Tlyna1952]

It was tragic that Mr. Boyd died so young. He was such a talented actor.

[@tomtully6669]

Cigarettes.

[@TheCometHunter]

Talented??? Are we thinking of the same Stephen Boyd? Cripes!...he was sleep-walking his way through his roles in The Oscar and Fantastic Voyage. In fact, except for the scenes in which he had Raquel Welch's impressive chest to look at, I think he WAS asleep! And not one-person-in-fifteen can name ANY movie he was in after 1966!

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@TheCometHunter Often, a person's extremely harsh criticism reflects more upon him/her than the object of his/her criticism. To be fair to Mr. Boyd, or to any (screen) actor, on balance, one's criticism is more valid if based upon a wider range of an actor's roles. "FV" and "TO" weren't exactly character-driven or stellar films. In addition, the quality of the script, director, proper casting, the dynamics between the actors, and the editing play a large part in many an actor's performance. It's a stroke of cowardice to (unfairly) tear down someone who is sincere, who's paid his/her dues, who respects the job in and of itself (over self-serving ego and fame and fortune) and who, by that rare integrity and genuine modesty, thereby risks a great to lay his/her cards on the line for public criticism, especially when it isn't unusual for a great deal of a performance to be beyond a screen actor's control. Can you say you have such principled dedication, courage and passion?

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@TheCometHunter Boyd's portrayal of the spy in "The Man Who Never Was" (1956) was one of his best, most compelling performances as well. So convincing and subtly terrifying was his portrayal there that, when he saw it, acclaimed director William Wyler KNEW he had, at long last, finally found his Messala for "Ben Hur." (This after Wyler auditioned countless actors for the role, a search for which Wyler nearly gave up hope.) But, then, perhaps you know better in this department than the great William Wyler?

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@TheCometHunter Mr. Boyd was considered, by the accounts of those who knew or worked with him, to be a gracious, generous, kind, and lovely human being. Apparently, not your stripe.

[@scotnick59]

Stephen was handsome, charming and a talented Gentleman

[@TheCometHunter]

He wasn't talented...he was just lucky.

[@scotnick59]

@@TheCometHunter Maybe

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@TheCometHunter Seriously? His compelling portrayal of Messala in "Ben Hur" is one of the (villanous) best in Hollywood history. It stands out even beyond the villain-category for its three-dimensional nuance. One might say he raised Heston's performance greatly as well. Boyd's portrayal of the antagonist was absolutely pivotal to that picture's success. It's a performance that should've, hands down, earned him an Academy Award nomination, and a win. Looking at "Ben Hur" decades on, his portrayal is the most 'modern' and refreshing of those in the cast, for its natural, raw psychological menace, intensity, physical agility, and credibility. He also gave, in "BH," one of the most memorable death scenes on film - not overplayed yet completely riveting. And darkly terrifying. An amusing irony is that your harshly unfair criticism of Mr. Boyd sounds like a small-fry, embittered, if not rejected, version of Messala - but with none of the power contained in that character's underlying evil. Your stance is merely obtuse, ill-informed and petty.

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@TheCometHunter In point of fact, Stephen Boyd was largely unlucky in the cesspool that is much of Hollywood (what kind of person would want to be 'lucky' in that sense?). Poor/stereotyped casting, after Boyd's due success in "Ben Hur," ruined what could have been a more deserving and role-rich screen career on merit. Moreover, Mr. Boyd did not consider himself a leading man. He knew that his strong points lay elsewhere. Unfortunately, the makers and shakers of tinsel town did not recognize the same. He wasn't interested in fame and fortune. But Hollywood - in all its demented corruption, boundless hypocrisy and perversity - predominately always is.

[@icturner23]

@@TheCometHunter You seem to be making sneering comments about him all over this video. If someone is handsome and charming, which he absolutely was, it’s not then lucky to get parts in Hollywood. He lights up the screen.

[@richardhumphreys8662]

At the time he made this appearance, Stephen Boyd was filming the abortive first version of Cleopatra in the UK in which he played Marc Antony. When production eventually relocated to Italy, he withdrew from the project and Richard Burton stepped into the role and the rest, they say, is history!!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Well...Eddie Fisher would not have had to worry about Boyd stealing his wife away, like Burton did!...Boyd was not so interested in the ladies!

[@castinmeadows6956]

Stephen Boyd's performance, as a WWII spy, in "The Man Who Never Was" (1956) is riveting and subtly terrifying. He excelled so well in that part that the great director William Wyler, once he saw Boyd's portrayal in that movie, knew instantly that he had, after a litany of auditions, finally found 'his Messala' for "Ben Hur." Without Boyd, "BH" would be only a fraction as compelling and memorable as it was. And, incredibly, still is.

[@williamlawlor7445]

Very true.

[@nancyjensen6409]

I remember “The Man Who Was Never There” and it was great. After Ben Hur I kept watching for him but he wasn’t there.

[@castinmeadows6956]

@@nancyjensen6409 Unfortunately, the Hollywood system typecast him after "Ben Hur." He was independent minded (rarely a good thing for actors in Hollywood), and considered himself as a supporting actor, or character actor. But, after the success of BH, Hollywood kept casting Boyd as a leading man, but in forgettable movies. They didn't cast him to his strengths as a screen actor. That's why you don't see him much after BH. He worked in some independent films, the subjects of which were closer to his interests. But these could not save his movie career. He later regretted, in retrospect, not having returned to the stage -- or pursuing more work on the small screen (television) -- where the more interesting roles were. Sadly, he died far too soon. And just when he was starting to get the kind of screen roles he wanted, as was the case early in his career: the interesting character roles. That's the kind of work which gave him the most satisfaction, the kind where he could delve into nuances and interesting dimensions to the character. His portrayal of Messala is a perfect example of how distinctly he excelled in such roles. But, as a bottom-feeding commercial industry, Hollywood is rarely a home for actors who are true artists, which I consider Boyd to have been. He wasn't keen on celebrity, but in doing solid, interesting work. Imagine what more fascinating portrayals we could have seen of Boyd, had more luck been his. He was an amazing talent. I still can't think of anyone quite like him at that time. He possessed a truly distinct and compelling gift, and an admirable integrity. He didn't want to be a movie star, which is what Hollywood, in its rampant idiocy, tried to make him. Thankfully, we can savor the roles which did play to his strengths, and which have endured the test of time.

[@davidgladstone5261]

I was trying to remember the name of this film, because I was hoping to write a comment, which you made unnecessary. This one also had Clifton Webb!.

[@davidgladstone5261]

I watch this picture every year and I believe it's the first one I ever went to at its opening of, in 1959, when I was almost 7. I'm a big Wyler fan also.

[@antonioacevedo5200]

A magnificent actor. He died way way way before his time. RIP

[@TheCometHunter]

May I ask what is the difference between "before his time" and "way, way, way before"? Are you implying, then, that there WAS a proper time for him to die? That's a rather callous outlook to have on life!

[@accomplice55]

@@TheCometHunter His time was in his 90s. "Before his time" was in his 80s; "way before his time," in his 70s; "way way before his time," in his 60s; "way way way," any time before that. :)

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

They couldn't have chosen a Better man than Mr. Boyd to play Mesala ( correct spelling??) of Ben Hurr. Steven nailed that role cold!

[@rogerpropes7129]

Not exactly, there was a six year difference in age between the older Heston, so they would have been unlikely childhood friends, (The much !greater age difference between Ramon Novarro and Francis X Bushman in the 1926 version was even more ludicrous.) How different history would have been if Boyd had retained the role of Mark Anthony in 'Cleopatra', but even then he was the same age as Elizabeth Taylor and Mark Anthony was 14 years older than Cleo!.

[@Etnalleb]

Well, actually there was an actor that could have been better in the role of Messala and Director William Wyler offered him the role and that actor was Kirk Douglas who promptly told Wyler he wasn't going to play 2nd Banana to Chuck Heston and wanted Heston's role to which Wyler said No , we want Heston but re-think the offer to play Messala it's a perfect role for you to which Kirk Douglas replied "F-You" and walked out and did Spartacus on his own. Enter Stephen Boyd who did a great performance.

[@Etnalleb]

@Jeepman89 If Kirk Douglas would have taken the role of Messala , just his pure hatred of Heston he would have given the performance of his career and probably would have won an Oscar. We can't imagine anyone but Boyd in the role of Messala but I assure you Douglas would have been much better.

[@Etnalleb]

@Jeepman89 Yes , Douglas made Spartacus to rival Wyler's Ben Hur and lost big at the Oscars . Pride is the downfall of many a great people not just actors but we lost a would be great President because of Pride. It's not one of the most grievous sins for nothing. It's a bad one.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@Jeepman89 Douglas was a monster with the women he encountered in real life...too often, what we see on screen is a million miles away from the actuality of the actor.

[@kenyongray2615]

Otto Preminger could do it all. Great director, the camp commandant from Stalag 17 and of course Mr. Freeze from the Batman television series. "Wild".

[@sgsmozart]

But he couldn't ask very good questions !

[@davidpierce3]

Loved the "Drowned by Zanuck, saved by Wayne" comment!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Otto Preminger gave Dorothy a really nice introduction.

[@deliafox7070]

Loved this show even though it's very old and I live in England

[@littlebrookreader949]

Loved it! Stephen Boyd .. wow!

[@SM-gl8yo]

Mr. Boyd was superb in 'The Third Secret.'

[@MOGGS1942]

Stephen would have made a wonderful James Bond. He possessed all the necessary requisites, viz, charm, wit, physique, menace, etc., and he just looked so good on screen. The camera loved him. I understand he was first choice to play Mark Anthony opposite Elizabeth Taylor in ' Cleopatra '. Problems with the production made him look elsewhere for work and Richard Burton replaced him'

[@MarkMcLT]

"And Merry Christmas to you John!" - Arlene is a hoot!

[@spockboy]

Boyd was so fantastic, yet so underrated.

[@perfumeaddict1204]

Well, who knew that Boyd was a: Irish, b: so charming and c: so handsome?

[@erichanson426]

Beautiful handwriting by Stephen Boyd

[@dev-lx8lp]

SUCH A TALENT AND SUCH STAR QUALITY

[@stevenjohnson7442]

Stephen Boyd, didn't even disguise his voice. He really should have.

[@lilybean835]

The first guest reminded me so much of Anthony Perkins.

[@simonfarrell6585]

A truly wonderful actor, gone far too soon!

[@unclelouie3828]

That guy is fantastic looking. Why can't actors look like that today.

[@GLC2013]

Sad but true...21st century men are mostly fat skinheads with goatees, tattoos, billowing tee shirts, baggy shorts and clod-hopper sneakers.

[@ToddSF]

uncle louie -- It betrays my age, I think, that I've said much the same thing. It's also true of women. There just isn't anyone like Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, et al. I have this book of photos of photos of female movie stars from the 1930s called "They Had Faces Then" and it's true. Some of my favorite movies are from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s, and then things started to change.

[@marka1422]

I would presume that it had to do with the studio system dying out, so studios didn't have the say over the actors and actresses in how they looked in being a "star." I, too, am a big fan of those old movies when stars were bigger than life, and the stories actually told a story. :)

[@gregh7400]

Unfortunately, he died awfully young.

[@loissimmons6558]

+ToddSF 94109 As we are close in age, I get what you are saying and share your sentiments in general. But are their no throwbacks in the more recent list of stars: Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock perhaps as examples?

[@gailsirois7175]

Just turned 4 yrs old on the day of this episode

[@davidarcudi230]

Otto Preminger he was amazing

[@Merrida100]

So Boyd was 'considered' previously for Bond? I can totally see that. What a tragedy to lose a life so young.

[@scotnick59]

YES!!

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

When did he die and what of?

[@oliviamartini9700]

@@dianefiske-foy4717 Massive heart attack @ 45.

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

Olivia Martini ... Thanks. Wow! That’s quite young. My mom and oldest sister each died at age 56 of cancer. And here I thought that was too young. But 45! I loved him back when I was young. Great actor!

[@rogerpropes7129]

Richard Johnson was also considered for Bond and turned it down because he didn't want a long-term contract. A very handsome and good actor, but does anyone remember him now?

[@richardscanlan3419]

One of mum's fav actors.Great in 2 Roman epics Ben-Hur ( obviously) and Decline and Fall of the RE.

[@HolgerRuneFan]

One of the most gorgeous actors ever, so little appreciated today except in Ben Hur. That's a shame.

[@Wolfinger1935]

Fantastic Voyage!

[@RichardHannay]

Otto Preminger is so good or lucky at nailing a specific question that gets everyone close to the answer.

[@castinmeadows6956]

Boyd's comment, "But be careful," is fabulous. For anyone familiar with Ireland's long history, they'll appreciate the sly wit of Boyd's remark. He really was something. A truly great actor (a term far, far too loosely used and unearned these days). And a gentleman.

[@rmelin13231]

I'm guessing that Mr. Boyd's comment to Mr. Preminger as they were shaking hands upon his exit were "contact my agent".

[@MarkHarrison733]

Ireland was never part of the British Empire, it was part of the UK.

[@leesher1845]

Dorothy Kilgallen was so smart!

[@noobsshadow1369]

I lived in Fredericksburg VA for almost 17 years. This is the first time I've ever heard it mentioned in any TV show or Movie. And I lived within 10 miles of Mary Washington University. 😄

[@williamlawlor7445]

A highly underrated actor.

[@loissimmons6558]

Tom Johnson is a very common name. In 1960, there was also a Tom Johnson who was a star defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens. Starting with them in the 1950-51 season, he was a member of six Stanley Cup championship teams with Les Habs and later would have his name inscribed on Lord Stanley's cup twice more as a member of the Boston Bruins organization behind the bench. But he was at Detroit's Olympia that night as Montreal defeated the Red Wings, 5-1, capping their longest winning streak of the season at 8 games. They would go on to finish first during the regular season, but failed to defend the Stanley Cup they won the previous year when the Chicago Black Hawks, led by Bobby Hull, Glenn Hall, Pierre Pilote and Stan Mikita eliminated them in the opening round in six games. That was back in the days when the NHL had the silly practice of matching the first and third place teams and second and fourth place teams in the opening round.

[@randysills4418]

I wonder if this professor is still alive. I am going to research that...

[@unclelouie3828]

They had faces 'book'. Is that the one written by Larry Carr? He was a friend of mine many moons ago. I remember spending a musical evening in his apt. in NY on a "very" snowy night - with Marlene Dietrich, Rock Hudson (who was with Kurt Kazner) and a few pianists,/singers. We were hungry- thinking Larry was going to serve food. He didn't. Dietrich and I shared a cheese sandwich in the kitchen, Bond bread & Kraft cheese. Memories. Lou

[@juliansinger]

Mr. Johnson was actually Dr. Johnson, though I'm not sure when he got the Doctorate; sometime in between '62 and '65. Anyway, he was with Mary Washington College from 1959-1990. Also was (or perhaps is) part of Libertarians For Life, and wrote several pro-life columns for them in the early 70s. He's since also taken to writing entertainingly Libertarian-inflected cranky op-eds and letters to the editor about all manner of things, including the fact that the tenure system is a rotten system. As far as I can tell, he's not dead yet, and there's no mention of a wife, but who knows.

[@TheCometHunter]

Thank you. My life was SO incomplete without that slice of Johnson's biography

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Having taught for so many years at one institution I assume that he attained tenure but he might have witnessed one or more former colleagues being treated unfairly by the tenure system. Almost everybody is. Even many who have attained that hallowed state.

[@mikejschin]

Thank you for that info. It's always nice to get some background on the non-celebrity contestants.

[@alexsdb9712]

I liked Mr. Johnson, and after you've provided that wonderful background on him, I'm much much more of a fan of his now!

[@aleksanderkorecki7887]

​@@alexsdb9712Weird, but to each their own.

[@519djw6]

Although Otto Preminger had the reputation of being dictatorial with his actors, I feel a bit nostalgic seeing this, as he was one of the last of those European "refugees" from Europe who were relatively intellectual in comparison with the "bottom-line" philistines who ruled the Hollywood roost from the 1930s up to the '50s or early '60s.

[@FungusMossGnosis]

@Mark Thomas Great directors sometimes make crap, especially when they're working in genres they don't know anything about (for Otto, that was the wild, zany 60s comedy trend). Even Hitchcock made some stinkers.

[@htatsios]

boyd was gorgeous

[@katelynkingston8267]

Yes

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@katelynkingston8267 I am a hetero man...when I saw Boyd in Ben Hur as a 12yo kid, I can remember wishing that I would grow up to be looking like him!...but that did not happen!

[@photo161]

OMG, what a handsome Irishman is he!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I cannot think of any movie actor who was better looking...he was a 10 !

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

@@curbozerboomer1773 A 10 plus, plus, plus!

[@Kuklapolitan]

I cannot believe Stephen Boyd chose to use his Irish accent! It's so recognizable to me. I'd just about said the same thing after watching the show with Van Johnson!

[@Baskerville22]

Notice at 25.49.... when Stephen Boyd writes his name on the board, he crosses the "p" *although it's a rather dodgy "p") instead of the "t". He didn't even try to disguise his voice.

[@franklesser5655]

The dog food segment is wonderful.

[@ToddSF]

Even private colleges and universities are typically incorporated as non-profit organizations. Especially, in 1960, even a private educational institution wasn't collecting enough tuition to have much left over after paying their operating costs including the salaries of professors, instructors and other employees, and such institutions don't have stockholders who earn dividends. Any money that might be in excess of expenses is put back into the institution when large expenditures become necessary, such as reroofing a large campus building or major repairs on old, crumbling edifices. I also note that every college and university seeks tax-deductible donations from alumni, especially wealthy ones, and even corporate benefactors. So, Bennett, you're way off base if you think the University of Virginia or any other college or university or even private elementary and high schools are profit-making.

[@nelsonricardo3729]

+ToddSF 94109 Indeed. I'm surprised that he didn't know better.

[@markxxx21]

Don't call him that, I don't think Elmer is nearly as bad as Cerf :o)

[@loissimmons6558]

Cerf's alma mater, Columbia University, was/is a private institution. One would think that when they sent out their fund raising appeals, they would have mentioned that the donations qualified as a tax deduction.

[@jvcomedy]

Interesting that Stephan Boyd didn't appear to try and disguise his voice, Not sure that I've seen that done by a mystery guest since the early years of the show.

[@1234pouvez]

Jeff Vaughn Jessie Owens, Rick Nelson, and Fabian come to mind. Also Eddie Fisher and Vic Damone, but this would be the early years, 1952

[@jvcomedy]

Yeah, that was my point exactly. That's why I found it interesting he didn't try and disguise his voice.

[@Prospro8]

Yes he did disguise it for the blindfold section. He presented himself with a southern Irish accent, whereas his own is a County Antrim from Northern Ireland. In his early career he had to claim he was half-Canadian to get parts, because even the British theatre and cinema didn't quite recognise the accent.

[@klauszungler8930]

He was the only man that turned down Raquel Welsh's sexual advances -- he was so loyal to his older wife that he loved very much

[@peternagy-im4be]

Extraordinary comment

[@ItsKrma00]

Google him on Wikipedia- he was married 3 times. His wife was 8 years younger than him. Where do you get your info?

[@rmelin13231]

@@ItsKrma00 Probably a troll.

[@aleksanderkorecki7887]

She suggested that his reason for turning down her advances was different. I also don't think that he was already married at the time. And when he married, he and his wife separated after less than a month.

[@juliansinger]

Wow, OK, they are not kidding about the snow, as mentioned at 2:44 -- NYC got 17 inches, which is nothing to sneeze at. (Newark NJ got almost 2 feet.) Clip of news about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWmuomqDgdWAb9E

[@loissimmons6558]

That was our first winter in my family's new home in the suburbs of NYC and I recall three major snow storms of over 10 inches that winter. This was probably the one in which we had 19 inches. The worst part about the snow was that I had gotten my first pair of ice skates and was learning to ice skate that winter (after learning how to get my balance on skates by walking up and down a linoleum runner on the still unfinished kitchen floor). There was a pond across the street from our house where all the neighborhood kids would skate, but the snow was very disruptive to that. Not only did the snow need to be shoveled off the ice, sometimes the snow would partially melt into the ice, making a very uneven surface. Of course, if someone caught a cold shoveling the snow, the blizzard would be something to sneeze at!

[@erichanson426]

"Its not supposed to be profit, they put it somewhere." 😄😄 Good one from Arlene Francis.

[@leesher1845]

I was born in 1955 and I’ve heard of a lot of actors, but I have to admit that I didn’t know Steven Boyd. Of course I haven’t seen Ben Hur. Handsome!

[@johnfd0210]

I hope you will give BEN HUR a watch. It is well worth the time.

[@MarkHarrison733]

It's Zionist filth.@@johnfd0210

[@robertmelson2130]

6:17 Bennett Cerf: "Well, Frederick, Fredericksburg, what's the difference?" Pretty dismissive, especially in front of someone from one of those cities. Bennett, in trying to show off as usual his knowledge of geography and history, had mixed up Frederick, Maryland and Fredericksburg, Virginia (which the contestant claimed to be from). It was John Daly who corrected him when Bennett made a reference to Barbara Fritchie (who was from Frederick) to the contestant. Dorothy interjected, "Philadelphia", as John corrected Bennett, possibly indicating that she knew that Barbara Fritchie had been born in Pennsylvania. Impressive on Dorothy's part, if so.

[@ToddSF]

Robert Melson -- Except he didn't say "What's the difference?" He just said, "Well, Frederick, Fredicksburg" and grinned, implying that the two were fairly easy to confuse, at least by him. Nothing dimissive about it in my opinion.

[@ToddSF]

John Tomasello -- Jerkery is often in the mind of the beholder.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

@@robertcarran9585 - I like Bennet. I like all of them.When Bennet is given a "no" he laughs good naturedly. And I like the banter between him and John.

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

I notice Mr. Otto Preminger has similar eyes as Mr. Fred Allen.

[@jethro1963]

Stephen Boyd, aside from being not a bad lookin' fella, by most accounts was also a prince of a guy. So much so that those who know the story of Dolores Hart (the starlet turned nun) might also know that she admitted falling badly for him (while filming Lisa in Europe) and likely would have married him had he asked. "And I loved working with Stephen. I fell in love with Stephen in the middle of it. I was hoping he'd ask me to marry him." He didn't (apparently) and the rest is history, as told in the fantastic documentary God is the bigger Elvis

[@preppysocks209]

wikipedia suggests a major reason why Mr. Boyd did not ask her to marry him

[@christinecatt5391]

@@preppysocks209 Maybe she was too 'up tight' as they used to say in those days....puritanical even.. After all, she did end up taking her vows and becoming a nun..😧

[@VickyRBenson]

@@preppysocks209 I didn’t “catch” any reason he didn’t ask her to marry him. But he remained friends with her for years, even visiting her in the convent once. Wikipedia has a nice photo of them together. He was a bachelor for years after a short marriage of weeks to someone with whom they both realized they’d made a big mistake after one week of marriage!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@VickyRBenson Yeah...the "big mistake" was a sexual one...Steve liked men...the first wife figured that out quickly, his 2nd wife had been his friend/personal secretary for several years...she did not care about the sex part not being there--she was older, and not exactly good-looking...probably just grateful to be near such a hunk!

[@Prospro8]

@@curbozerboomer1773 No basis for that, other than the clever trick he played on Raquel Welch to resist her advances. He was married twice and the first was tempestuous.

[@klauszungler8930]

That was a fine fine Actor

[@icturner23]

4:15 How can teaching biology at a college be a service for children but have nothing whatsoever to do with animals?!

[@dinahbrown902]

🤣Truth

[@accomplice55]

Didn't they ask if he "dealt with" animals? I assume they meant like a zookeeper or trainer of some sort.

[@josephkearny5874]

He would have made a good James Bond

[@jadezee6316]

boyd...of course had his greatest acclaim in the movie Ben Hur...written by gore Vidal...who tells us in his autobiography that he as massala and Charlton Heston as Judah Ben Hur.....were actually lovers in that movie....

[@curbozerboomer1773]

He saw the characters as having been ex-lovers, holding a grudge of sorts...Heston was not told about the subtext...Boyd was, and acted as such...years later, the obtuse Heston was mad as Hell when he discovered the subtext!..lol

[@Historian212]

@@curbozerboomer1773 Yes, I can't watch the movie without having that in the back of my mind, ever since I heard Vidal tell that story. Makes for pretty hilarious viewing. Especially as it's also difficult not to wonder whether the Heston-Jack Hawkins scenes have those overtones, too. Can't un-see it!

[@robertknight2556]

Aside for his extreme handsomeness and personal charm, Boyd will never be regarded as a 'great' actor - he never had that felicity, however many films he made after 'Ben-Hur'. Still, he did well, he is remembered for his Messala, but it is very shocking that he died at 45 from a heart attack in 1977.

[@williamdunphy352]

0:12 Hal Simms is the announcer.

[@wiguy3]

oi....Mr Boyd was a real hottie.

[@SuperWinterborn]

wiguy3 If you want to see him again, watch "Messala" in the 1959 picture "Ben Hur".

[@ToddSF]

wiguy3 -- He was definitely perfect for the motion picture camera and not in the least bit difficult to look at. Died of a heart attack at age 46, which is sad.

[@willmilton2922]

Mr. Boyd would have made a great James Bond.

[@americandreamer6092]

@@@willmilton2922 I think the actor, producer Broccoli decided upon was the better choice.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

So Stephen Boyd was a leading man, but apparently left us all too soon. He was very handsome. Soò sad.

[@michaelg.golden7327]

A fine actor who died too soon. He was discovered while playing a guitar outside a theater where a theater manager asked if he would help by being an announcer as the participant called in sick.

[@shadowgirl8038]

Stephen Boyd was a very good actor. Sadly, he died young of a heart attack . Hecwas only 45. 😢

[@iammrmat]

Otto Preminger, not impressive here but did an excellent turn as the sadistic Kommandant, von Sherbach in the film, "Stalag 17".

[@hcombs0104]

So, did Otto Preminger ever make good in his proposition to Stephen Boyd? That is, appear in one of his pictures?

[@robertknight2556]

What the heck was Otto Preminger doing on the show? My mind boggles. Robert, uk.

[@RonGerstein]

Other directors were guest panelists on WML.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

MESSALA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #BENHUR

[@djbmore9405]

I feel so dumb for asking this question but if he was born in Ireland why did they gave the panel a No when they asked if he was European?

[@steve05401]

I think Dorothy said, "Are you Mittel European...?" (a variant on the term Mitteleuropa, aka "Central Europe" in most definitions)

[@bluecamus5162]

Kinda' interesting that when you put a blindfold on Mr Preminger, he can't function; that is, he twice couldn't think of a question to ask Mr Boyd. It's the first time I've seen any panelist pass twice in a row.

[@mehboobkm3728]

And 62 years after Ben Hur was released, people still relish this movie, it was not just a spectacle, a miracle!

[@kentetalman9008]

How many producers/directors would offer someone a job without knowing the person's identity?

[@tedberwick3186]

Ty

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Was this taped? Bennett references John's being a fine newsman, but JCD resigned from ABC news on November 16, 1960, almost a month before this broadcast.

[@andreaplummer3841]

I wondered that but they mentioned the horrid winter weather so maybe not. Also, JCD was still a fine newsman, even if he wasn't a news director at the time of the comment.

[@caroler01]

Otto asked good questions.

[@jashary15]

Four days before I was born.

[@poetcomic1]

Once again the last guest after the mystery guest has an absurdly difficult job that could never be guessed in the short time available and so the show ends as often with a whimper. I just don't watch after the mystery guest any more.

[@kennethbutler1343]

I've developed the same habit!!!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

And I don't watch the ones after Dorothy's death. Or when the guests had to make the "perp walk." I guess I'll run out of episodes.

[@ilzamaria6424]

@@kennethbutler1343 me too.

[@williamlynnroden]

23:33 I absolutely 💘 Arlene!

[@tonycevallos7513]

Does anyone know if the first guest "Tom Johnson: is still walking the earth?

[@bluecamus5162]

The erudite Bennett is often able to identify some distinguishing product or fact with a contestant's home town, and he always asks if the contestant is identified with that product or fact, and they never are. Not once has Bennett ever been on the money with that. "The yellow rose of Texas, are you in horticulture?" Wrong again, Bennett, but keep trying. Someday you'll be right.

[@simeonbaumel7293]

Dd Mr. Moosman sell 'No vault insurance'?

[@hellokitty777able]

Hubba hubba

[@miltonmoore7687]

Interpretation please!

[@mzapa]

Did Otto Preminger give a film part to Stephen Boyd as promised?

[@rr7firefly]

During the Mystery Guest section Otto Preminger is a clueless panelist. Did he leave his brain back home? Update: just saw an interview with Keir Dullea on the making of "2001: A Space Odyssey" -- he lauded Kubrick, then he described Preminger as a horrible person who was a loud and obnoxious bully whenever he was directing.

[@peternagy-im4be]

I noticed that too.

[@jadezee6316]

the great Otto Preminger....he was totally responsible for the movie Stalag 17...without him...it would have been a failed comedy

[@dancoll8166]

I think John Charles and ...

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

A women's college is a branch of the government???

[@dinahbrown902]

All schools are. Government Control

[@steve05401]

"On March 14, 1908, Virginia Governor Claude A. Swanson signed into law legislation for the establishment of the new State Normal and Industrial School for Women. It was called Fredericksburg Teachers College. The institution was renamed Mary Washington College in 1938 after Mary Ball Washington, mother of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington, and longtime resident of Fredericksburg.[3][4] In 1944 the college became associated with the University of Virginia as its women's college. Until that time, the University of Virginia had not admitted women as undergraduates, except in its education and nursing programs, although its postgraduate programs were coeducational. Following UVA's transition to coeducational status in 1970, the Virginia General Assembly reorganized Mary Washington College in 1972 as a separate, coeducational institution."-- Wikipedia

[@mikejschin]

I live in Fredericksburg VA and had to cringe at Bennett's faux pas regarding Barbara Fritchey. Bennett was so erudite that it is always a surprise when he goes so wrong on something factual. Mary Washington College, where the first contestant was a professor, is still in existence but has been renamed University of Mary Washington. The school was named after George Washington's mother, who was a long time resident of Fredericksburg after George bought her a house in the downtown area. As John noted, at the time of this broadcast the school was the women's college of the University of Virginia. After UVA became coeducational in 1970, Mary Washington was reorganized into an independent institution.

[@grecogrant2511]

Preminger doesn't deserve all the bad hype... he had good sides too!

[@donnawoodford6641]

I don't know who he is.

[@maddalenaalesse8091]

Perché gli irlandesi non possono essere belli? Lui era bellissimo, era irlandese e con ciò??? Tra l'altro era bravissimo!!!!! ❤

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

Mr. Tom Johnson looks like a student rather than a teacher. Interesting.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Doesn't look at all like a student.

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

@@peternagy-im4be College student. When I lived in a college town they had that kind of look. Not any note now of course. Lol!

[@robbob1234]

The MG signed in as Slethen Boyd. I wonder if he nervously crossed the wrong "t" or if he was trying to be cute?

[@fenwaypark1725]

Jees Stephen, it’s called changing your voice some what.

[@carlosbecker449]

Por que não traduzir e ou dublar, pô tamos no Brasil né?