What's My Line? - Steve Allen; Peter Lind Hayes [panel] (Dec 27, 1953) [CORRECTED]

NOTE: This is a corrected version of the previously posted version of this show, which had audio/video dropouts throughout. Thanks to receiving an alternate copy from epaddon, I was able to splice in footage to cover the gaps, while preserving the original video which was in higher quality.
MYSTERY GUEST: Steve Allen
PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, Peter Lind Hayes, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf
Many thanks, as always, to epaddon for providing his copy of this episode!
Link to prior version, if you'd like to see the comments already left:
• Video
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[@reno1uest]

Loved Steve's answer to Dorothy's question 'Have you ever been the hero of a love story?' 'Not in a movie' Then Dorothy's reaction to it. So cute and charming.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

She was pissed a little.

[@xx-ue6el]

i adore steve and john. john's gestures of affection and excitement when steve is on the panel are so cute, you get a real sense that they had a lovely friendship. they were both wonderful.

[@leannsherman6723]

Steve Allen was the best! ❤

[@donnacook8994]

Steve Allen is just plain hilarious!!! 🤣🤣🤣👏👏👏😂

[@ToddSF]

I love how much Arlene and Bennett enjoyed finding out that Steve Allen was the mystery guest. They clearly enjoyed having been fooled! But, as I've noticed so many times, I think Arlene and Bennett were there, first and foremost, to have fun, and if they "won" the round by guessing correctly, that was just frosting on the cake for them. I know I watch these episodes to have fun!

[@SonnyBubba]

This was back when game shows were about games. Simple fun and games. And then Jack Berry had to screw it up with the 21 scandal.

[@dutchtea8354]

What I like about Arlene and Bennett is that they did both-they had fun and they took the game seriously. Dorothy was occasionally witty (often unintentionally), but she balanced the comics who often didn’t care about the game aspect. Arlene had a genuine wit and Bennett tried to be funny with his puns, but both did care about the game play. Both would sometimes argue about John’s decisions. I would even say that Bennett frequently whined about them. How many times do we hear him interrupt by shouting out “John, John”? I also enjoyed Dorothy’s reaction to finding out it was Steve.

[@davidduxbury7530]

Such a lot of wholesome fun,and as other people have said...Steve Allen was brilliant!!I love these show's!!😃👍🌟

[@WendyDarling1974]

Of all the mystery guess, Allen disguised his voice much better than most. Soooo witty.

[@leannsherman6723]

The best!❤

[@robertdiotalevi285]

👍

[@emmgeevideo]

I guess so...

[@dovbarleib3256]

Because as a regular panelist, Steve Allen knew the nuance of the game.

[@oldwestguy]

Such fun... a game show with a simple concept but rich in charm and wit. And any entertainment vehicle was vastly improved by the inclusion of Steve Allen.

[@leannsherman6723]

Well said, and yes, Steve Allen was the best! ❤😂

[@oldwestguy]

@@leannsherman6723 ANYTHING you watched that featured Steve Allen was sure to be very entertaining.

[@MrCaptShadow]

It's nice to see everyone having so much fun this epsiode.

[@gingerhaydon4693]

What a fun episode..Steve Allen always lit up the room!

[@briane173]

I revere Steve Allen perhaps more than any other performer in my lifetime -- and I've been around awhile. So quick-witted, multi-talented, a genius and an overall splendid human being. He admitted to being quite shy and introverted - more of a homebody - which I always marveled at because he was so comfortable in front of an audience.

[@rmelin13231]

@@briane173 Multi-talented is almost an understatement when you consider his amassed accomplishments. I also admire him greatly.

[@lindaroper2654]

Steve Allen is my favorite panliest . He's so funny .

[@bazazpa]

Wow! Arlene's reaction is fantastic!

[@robertholman8730]

Arlene extremely intelligent 😊

[@MrWmJosephSmithIII]

Oh how wonderful the joy when Steve was there. It even made me happy.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

William Joseph Smith III Same!!

[@dancelli714]

He has the same type of humor that I have and sometimes Arlene had that type of humor too. Steve was a Jazz guy like me. I have a collection of Steve Allen shows etc.

[@user-sx7wo1yl7y]

Steve Allen- the best Tonight show host ever, and one of the most multi-talented performers in any and all media, ever. Remarkable to see how well his humor stands up, even after all these years...

[@captainjay1034]

thank you very much for your hard work so that we can enjoy this great show.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Labor of love!

[@simons1543]

i could watch these all day long! Fascinating and entertaining

[@robertmelson2130]

One thing that strikes me watching these "daily reruns" is how alert and downright HEALTHY Dorothy looks. This is she at her physical and mental prime, and I am put off a bit at the thought of going back to 1964 (where I'm currently watching the show sequentially).

[@clearfield2009]

Google her husband. He wore her down.

[@BrookeBullmasterStewart]

The Reporter who knew too much. Very interesting book. It seemed so normal back then for people to use pills to get them up, help them sleep, etc. She had such a harrowing schedule, I fear it felt necessary for her to use them often. Such a loss!

[@stevekru6518]

Respectfully disagree about Dorothy looking healthy. She looks pale, wan and waifish

[@briane173]

This might have been the only place where Dorothy could have some genuine FUN.

[@mw54470]

Arlene's comments are so funny!

[@savethetpc6406]

What a fun episode! I love that Steve was able to fool the panel this time, and his MG segment was a lot of fun! :-D

[@leesher1845]

Those panelists were so smart; they figured out that last contestant in less than two minutes.

[@briane173]

The difference in vibe once this show took off after a VERY rough first two episodes was extraordinary. Gil Fates deserved a lot of credit for exacting some discipline in their production values so the show COULD gather enough inertia to become as popular as it did. It became a staple of weekly TV and the standard for all other game shows that came after it.

[@jacquelinebell6201]

This was brilliant. Loved Steve as the mystery guest! The other panellists were chuffed that it was Steve!

[@TheFtm22]

I knew Steve Allen was funny in the 1970s and forward, but this stuff is really great. Love that they didn't even let him call relatives so the secret wouldn't be spoiled. I assume the icebag is like the shower cap looking thing you filled with ice and thus could be on the head.

[@MrWmJosephSmithIII]

It always slipped my mind that JCD was over 6 foot until he stood next to someone like the second contestant.

[@519djw6]

+William Joseph Smith III On the other hand, I've seen Mr. Daly standing next to women (!) who towered above him---and to beat the weisenheimers to the punch, that's even without the high heels and the puffy hairdos!

[@deniserichardson630]

Dorothy is always so good . What a smart Gal she was .

[@briane173]

And so prim and proper.

[@robertholman8730]

​@@briane173Dorothy was a investigative reporter for many years 😊

[@zekezacker9449]

Still odd to know it was not unusual then for personalities to be on two or three networks (an apparent holdover from radio). WML was on CBS. John was regularly on two and sometimes all three networks, Arlene was on shows on two and sometimes three networks, and Steve Allen had regular shows on NBC as well as being on this show. It would be almost unthinkable now for the person doing ABC evening news to also have a regular show on CBS or NBC.

[@juliansinger]

I freakin' love Arlene's reaction when she figures out it's Steve. (The entire thing was great, but it's Arlene that cinches it.) Also, I enjoyed that when he made a shushing gesture to the audience, they in fact quieted down.

[@loissimmons6558]

I love it when she said, "Who does that?" "Oh!"

[@kenretherford1197]

Arlene was witty and charming,why did she marry a dork like Gabel?

[@ladya1953]

KEN RETHERFORD There's no accounting for love.

[@shuboy05]

How often did Arlene just freak out like that? The only other time I could think of was her yelling "Sometimes someone can talk TOO MUCH!" when she figured out Martin was the Mystery Guest.

[@tomtriffid]

@@kenretherford1197 He was a fine actor and a good man. Perhaps she married him for those reasons.

[@leesher1845]

Great voice impersonations by Steve Allen.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

A space alien, Cary Grant....

[@lorencapps8510]

Mr. Epaddon many many thanks for this corrected copy . You did a supreme job!!1

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Steven's MG appearance here went infinitely better than the one in the '60s where John spilled the beans making that one of the biggest bloopers in WML history!!! :)

[@shuboy05]

What gets me about that moment is Bennett made absolutely no reaction to getting called Mr. Allen except for his deadpan remark that he would forget hearing it.

[@kristabrewer9363]

His name was Steve not Steven! and when was this?

[@robertdiotalevi2882]

Listen to Arlene saying again to Bennett, "Just divine," about Steve being there. 21:41

[@savethetpc6406]

@ROBERT DIOTALEVI Nice catch! I think she was actually saying it to Steve as he sat down near her on the panel.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

@@savethetpc6406 :)

[@leesher1845]

Thank goodness they changed the format where the contestants shake hands with the panelists instead of leaving the stage behind John Daley.

[@loissimmons6558]

Re the final challenger: that, ladies and gentlemen, is a New Joisey accent!

[@VSV659]

I thought i had seen all the episodes but am pleasantly surprised to see this upload - plus we now have WML on the Buzzer channel on TV. Way to go, and thanks for the upload.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe you skipped the first version because of the a/v dropouts. Anyhow, the Buzzr reruns could have been great, but they've been showing the same group of 50 or so episodes on an endless loop since the channel launched in June. Same is true of I've Got a Secret and To Tell the Truth. They're just not committed to spending the money to transfer the rest of the films, and the channel has tanked as a result of this horrifically botched approach. It's a real shame. But at least folks can see the whole series here on KZbin!

[@tomreedyjr3631]

I could watch this all night...

[@uniquelymadison]

Thank you for uploading the episodes of my favorite show! :)

[@WhatsMyLine]

You're very welcome-- glad you enjoy the videos!

[@WhatsMyLine]

Special edition rerun today! The previously posted version of the 12/27/53 episode had some a/v glitches, and I was able to patch them with an alternate version thanks once again to epaddon. While I was at it, since this was also one of the few videos where the audio was only in one channel, I've corrected that as well. There are a dozen patched bits, mostly pretty insignificant, though it certainly flows more smoothly without the glitches. But there's at least one very funny moment in the mystery guest round which was entirely missing from the prior version of this video. --------------------------- Please click here to subscribe to the WML channel if you haven't already-- you'll find the complete CBS series already posted, and you'll be able to follow along the discussions on the weekday "rerun" videos: kzbin.info/door/hPE75Fvvl1HmdAsO7Nzb8w Join our Facebook group for WML-- great discussions, photos, etc, and great people! facebook.com/groups/728471287199862/

[@MA_C24]

So much work you do for us! Thanks for all these efforts that allow us to enjoy these wonderful shows.

[@donnacook8994]

Thank you so much! I love watching WML shows! ALWAYS a good time!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🥰

[@RobertPerrigoOkiechopper]

It was really nice to open my E-mail and see a posting of WML has hit you-tube. Thanks Gary.

[@WhatsMyLine]

My pleasure!

[@lindaroper2654]

John made sure the people sit up straight. Lol which is good .

[@neilmidkiff]

In introducing Bennett at 1:04, Arlene mentions Florida's bottled sunshine, inadvertently referring to a future sponsor of WML, Florida citrus growers.

[@kennethbutler1343]

Arlene is always such a flirt...I have a mad crush on her ghost.

[@drumbum3.142]

"Remington Poof .." 😂😂🤣😂😂😂😄😂

[@babyfir77]

I enjoyed Peter Lind Hayes in Behold, Eck from the original Outer Limits!

[@lennypearl]

Did anyone else catch Steve winking to the camera at 20:40?

[@drumbum3.142]

On the Topic and Subject of Winking; Jerry Lewis also "camera winked" during one of his mystery guest visits and appearances.. (though at present I can't remember which one)

[@listeningeyes3298]

Yes,caught the wink that Steve sent to the camera!

[@leannsherman6723]

Okay, folks. What’s an ice bag? 🤔

[@marciadiehl5733]

An old fashioned version of our ice packs for bumps and bruises.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Per John in the first round: "10 flips and they're a flop" was a viewer suggestion?!? Probably the same viewer who suggested near the end of the run of the series that John mix up the "Enter and sign in, please" catchphrase.

[@savethetpc6406]

@What's My Line? I think it's kinda cute. :-)

[@bazazpa]

Jennie Gatto... Any relation to Joe Gatto from impractical jokers?

[@calamitytilt]

Dorothy's dress looks really pretty! Wish we could see the whole thing.

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

Don't mess up John 😝

[@bubgum0079]

Mrs. Gatto’s nose. Oh my.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

loool Steve

[@BrookeBullmasterStewart]

I still can’t figure out what an ICE BAG is?! LOL 😂

[@marciadiehl5733]

We call them ice packs now but in those days, they were rubber bag-like containers with a circular top with a screw lid to put ice from your freezer. If you got a bump on your head or a black eye, those ice bags helped to control the inflammation.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

CHAMPAGNE SALESMAN MAKES ICE BAGS COMPLAINTS ADJUSTER AT MACY'S

[@dancelli714]

I all it, ice pack.

[@trainliker100]

I strongly suspect that anybody who had heard Steve Allen yell "Schmock!" or laugh would instantly know who that high voice belonged to. And all the panelists would have certainly have seen Steve Allen's work. I suspect that, on occasion, the panelists just let the game go on for some entertainment value. Especially since he was a mystery guest more than once, and used the same high voice at least one other time. Where they also went a long time before "guessing" him.

[@MrYfrank14]

millinery? i had to look that one up.

[@angelaruede333]

5

[@dutchtea8354]

At 8:58, Dorothy said, “I bet it is bigger than a breadbox.” This was the 31st usage. At 10:03, Peter puts his hand on his cheek the same way that Hal and Steve did during their gambits.

[@gilbertotongco1054]

Could you wear an icebag?

[@marciadiehl5733]

Yes...if you had a nasty bump on your head where the bag would be attached with a long scarf or towel. Think ice packs.

[@leannsherman6723]

That poor money belt maker desperately needed a hearing aid .

[@robertdiotalevi2882]

Why is Dorothy wearing Bat Girl's bra over her eyes?

[@robertdiotalevi285]

My favorite What's My Line ever! Also kzbin.info/www/bejne/gai9XoRsbs-Abck

[@lastbreathsigh]

6:10 onwards: since when does champagne fall into the category of spirits?! More evidence of the WML panel's struggles with categories hahaha

[@macm3081]

peterl ind cheated!! it was obvious he was adjusting huis mask and saw steve.

[@lindaroper2654]

I can make his voice out. Lol he should try and descies his voice better .

[@MrYfrank14]

you can make champagne in a bathtub?

[@ladya1953]

MrYfrank14 Unfortunately no.

[@GrouchoCaesar]

....depends on how many beans you’ve eaten beforehand, really.

[@ontheprowl7697]

Mr. hot-water-bottle & John Daly IMO didn't give the best answers; they've got everyone thinking it's something worn, even worn on the head, even above the eyes, when it ISN'T "worn" as much as "used," and can be USED on ANY parts of the body . . . No wonder when the answer was told, Bennett Cerf didn't appear to be impressed . . .

[@robertholman8730]

A scarf was used in order to wear the ice bag!😊

[@Merrida100]

I notice it's always "men and girls" and never "men and women."

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Did Bennett Cerf every finally come out of the closet or is it still a secret?

[@armyvet4081]

francis was very irritating

[@boognish999]

Good player as he may be...Bennett Cerf is just downright obnoxious. He is stuffy, uninteresting and his jokes are terrible. I'll take Hal Block over him any day. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I just wanted to make mine known.

[@earthvessel9010]

i agree, Hal was genuinely funny at least, even if he was oft putting, people are way too sensitive. I've heard Steve Allen say a few things that Block would have gotten grilled for. Bennet Cerf,is the classic example of a guy who lived in his own bubble. People in his circle probably laughed at his jokes to suck up or out of kindness and he got to thinking he was actually funny - which he definitely was not. In an interview he actually said that Hal Block became expendable because he was able to pick up the slack comedically! Didn't even mention Steve Allen who I think is the funniest panelist on WML

[@gaylepatalano3324]

He was a master of puns which may not be popular now

[@Amcsae]

Different opinions for different people. I think he's probably my favorite (although I love Arlene, too).

[@trainliker100]

If you are going to talk about Bennett Cerf, you should be completely fair. He was also self-important, haughty, pompous, and supercilious. But I guess those are all ways of saying sort of the same thing. One of my favorite shows was when the subject of TV westerns came up in the questioning of a regular guest. Bennett Cerf, clearly not liking westerns, pontificated, "Why do we need so many westerns on TV?" The mystery guest that came on later was Richard Boone even wearing his "Have Gun Will Travel" outfit. After they guessed him, he passed in review as always in front of the panel and gave each one a "Have Gun Will Travel" card. I just loved seeing one handed to Bennett Cerf. If Cerf was as smart as he himself thought he was, he would have kept it.

[@boognish999]

@@trainliker100 Well said.

[@richardsaga7559]

Need a real tv

[@MrCaptShadow]

It's nice to see everyone having so much fun this epsiode.