What's My Line? - Steve Allen; Ralph Bellamy [panel] (May 18, 1958)

MYSTERY GUEST: Steve Allen [comedian, TV personality, author, former WML panelist]
PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, Ralph Bellamy, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf

[@jonson1292]

Sad to say Rosalie perlman passed away a week ago she told me she was on the show and I found this episode for her. She was so happy that I found this made her day. Thanks for the episode

[@nelsontoondrawer7618]

jon son such a good looking young lady! Sorry to hear she passed away!

[@jonson1292]

Nelson Toondrawer is there any way to upload her pic in the comment section

[@michaelmasters3657]

That’s my grandma I held her hand as she passed on

[@HelloooThere]

What did she say about the show?

[@Echo-ux3wo]

You are a good person. Thank you for your comment! ❤

[@SDG.12]

Steve Allen was simply great

[@leesher1845]

He sure was.

[@HelloooThere]

Ok

[@dougw.4788]

I never realized how funny Steve Allen was til i watched this show.

[@Celisar1]

Exactly my sentiments!

[@donnawoodford6641]

My favorite line: No dummy on this side of the stage.

[@igkoigko9950]

Funny and very intelligent.

[@leesher1845]

I didn’t realize it either. He was riotously funny. You should watch the one where Peter Lorre is the mystery guest. Steve Allen is an absolute riot with the first contestant. 😂😂

[@leesher1845]

Dorothy should have stood up for that Israeli Army Colonel. Arlene did.

[@teddytodorova]

"Is the show named after you?" "It wasn't named before me"

[@leesher1845]

😂😂

[@yawlltube]

'It's a vibrating mattress.' 'That's the best kind.' AF could get away with murder.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Yet Hal Block gets blasted for it. Funny that. Or rather not.

[@theamishumpire1301]

Steve Allen Is Great as always.

[@jadeblues357]

I have to say I’ve watched all the episodes many times and given the fact that I wasn’t alive for a lot of them because I wasn’t born until 1963 each and everyone of the panelists Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf contributed greatly to the longevity of the show! However, there definitely was no substitute for John Charles Daly as the host! It truly is a shame that we’ve lost that type, of humor today.🧐🤔

[@pattimaeda6097]

He often answers the questions without letting the guest do it

[@lucyflorey9152]

You can always tell who Arlene and Dorothy admire. They watch them as they leave and have smiles on their faces.

[@HelloooThere]

Arlene always looked down to make sure they didn’t trip.

[@dejpsyd0421]

That’s interesting…I always notice that too! 😃

[@HelloooThere]

@@dejpsyd0421 yes, she was VERRRRY caring!

[@kathy4349]

Arlene stares a hole through good looking women, esp their clothes as they exit the stage.

[@HelloooThere]

@@kathy4349 hahaha yeah

[@oldwestguy]

Steve Allen was indeed a very talented man, underrated in my opinion. He literally could do it all in the entertainment industry. In addition to his clever wit, he was a wonderful musician, composer, writer, talk show host, and had countless other talents. One of the best in the industry... from his generation or any other.

[@sitarnut]

Couldn't agree more.... irreplaceable....many nights spent watching the original "Tonight" show...he is sorely missed.

[@margaretmcgroarty2152]

I didn't realise how talented he was I just new him from the Benny Goodman Story

[@granthoops]

I've never seen him make a joke at someone else's expense in a hurtful way that other comedians have. That's an extremely admirable quality. Bring joy into the world and don't make anyone feel bad about themselves.

[@leesher1845]

Best game show in TV history!

[@pattimaeda6097]

And Jeooardy

[@kevinmadden1645]

For some reason , WML insisted on having obnoxious and conceited male panelists, viz Steve Allen, Orson Bean and Robert Q. Lewis. Most annoying.

[@Dharmon1]

​@@kevinmadden1645I found Henry Morgan to be the worst.

[@RonGerstein-tf5tp]

​@@kevinmadden1645 You are not easy to please Or You are a monsterous jerk

[@spongevee1]

It's a happy day when Steve comes back!😍

[@leesher1845]

Yes! ☺️

[@shirleyrombough8173]

"He wasn't named before me!" Hilarious!😊

[@shirleyrombough8173]

A ballet dancer! How cool is that.

[@shuboy05]

It's pretty obvious Arlene and Bennett recognized Steve by the second round of questions (I noticed Arlene breaking into a big smile). But I have a feeling they were trying to let Dorothy and Ralph get a guess in before the reveal.

[@oldwestguy]

I love Steve Allen. Tremendous wit, along with numerous other talents. In fact, there was little he couldn't do in the entertainment business. Never a dull moment... or program... when Steve Allen was involved.

[@drumbum3.142]

Amen. 🎨

[@rmelin13231]

Agree! Steve Allen was a truly remarkable and prolific talent spanning a variety of facilities.

[@jacquelinebell6201]

And he is very funny in I've Got a Secret too.

[@oldwestguy]

@@jacquelinebell6201 A natural wit. He never disappointed in whatever he did. And many other talents too.

[@kevinmadden1645]

Conceited and arrogant. You have to be really dedicated to WML to put up with him.

[@qkhost]

Leisurely strolling through this wonderful series in chronological order as I have during the pandemic, Steve Allen’s presence takes on a special significance and pleasure. I’m not the first to say that he was the best fourth panelist WML ever had; he’s also one of their best - and, thankfully, frequent - mystery guests!

[@paulstephenson5913]

There was nobody like Steve Allen.

[@lestermount3287]

Steve Allen was always brilliant

[@lllowkee6533]

I didn’t know what a talent Steve Allen was. All the panel is wonderful.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Oh he was the first host of THE TONIGHT SHOW in the 50s. And his own TV show for many years.

[@kevinjohnson4599]

Thank You so very much for posting this wonderful black & white episode of What's My Line with the late great Steve Allen as the Mystery Guest. I LOVE IT VERY, VERY MUCH. R.I.P. Steve.

[@TomasTigre]

It's always funny when you can tell when the panelists have the hots for the contestants. You could tell Arlene and Dorothy were really into that ballet dancer.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Steve Allen appears and within minutes he's RAISED THE BAR of entertainment. Much as I like seeing a guest panellist each week, I do wish he'd stayed rather than been replaced by Fred Allen (who, I'm sorry, but I disliked very much). He may be 'only a comedian' but behind that comedy is a sharp, intelligent man with charisma, charm and a capacity for sociability that would light up any gathering. Unlike Fred Allen, he revved up the proceedings and made you feel good about the world for a short while. IN FACT, this whole segment and the final reveal was so enjoyable it made me well up with tears and applaud. Have I given the impression I like him, by any chance?

[@slaytonp]

Fred Allen was a totally different brand of humor than Steve. I appreciated them both, but Steve was certainly more endearing.

[@leannsherman6723]

Steve Allen was so clever, witty and sweet.❤😂❤

[@leesher1845]

Steve Allen was an absolute riot.

[@juliansinger]

Mr. Church had occasional Broadway parts in, well, dancing roles -- he did the dream-dancing in Oklahoma, say. Was for some reason in a few episodes of the 1969/1970 Jackie Gleason Show. Died in 2000.

[@leesher1845]

Thanks for that information.

[@gbrumburgh]

Bennett's intro to John Daly refers to the novelty song WITCH DOCTOR, which became a surprise #1 Billboard hit. The absurd lyrics were written and performed by Ross Bagdasarian (aka David Seville of the Alvin, Simon and Theodore chipmunk fame). This song rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy.

[@hopelewis5650]

3 years before I was born, never learned that chorus til 7th grade.

[@lorenanders702]

Love Steve Allen ❤ Also love Ralph Bellamy, especially his portrayal of Franklin Roosevelt in the movie. He was born to play that role!

[@Danno682]

I’ve been watching these in order! Up to here, the best episodes were the early ones with Steve Allen! Absolutely hilarious!

[@TimLeeSongs]

This has got to be my favourite Mystery Guest section so far! Had me laughing so hard!

[@philippapay4352]

Yet another example of John dropping the ball re: Steve's book and Arlene picking it up and running with it, so the audience would know one of the true polymaths in the business had again offered his artistry for all to read, listen to, laugh with, etc. Gotta love Steve Allen.

[@davidarcudi230]

Not on this side of the stage. Classic

[@leesher1845]

Steve Allen was so clever, and I bet he was a very nice person, too.

[@teresacartwright5406]

I loved "What's My Line" & "I've Got a Secret". Their clothes were elegant, the manners impeccable. The people were interesting - working at jobs you didn't even know existed.

[@Apb23]

Finally! Steve Allen stumps them!

[@Chosimba13]

This episode was electric.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Steven Allen looks like he was living a good life at this time - he looks to have gained 10kg since he was on the panel as a regular... good for him

[@dejpsyd0421]

Steve is/was GREAT! 😊

[@nelsontoondrawer7618]

oh lordy, steve was so funny. reminded me of when i say "Do you like my Mickey Mouse voice?" when I'm about to take a photo!

[@tjbnyc76]

That may have been the funniest intro of John Daly that I've ever heard Bennett make!

[@jasonfrancis6174]

It really was. lmao

[@savethetpc6406]

Todd Brandt and Jason Francis Apparently this was around the time that "The Witch Doctor Song" was number one on the charts. :)

[@ToddSF]

SaveThe TPC -- Yup. "The Witch Doctor" came out in 1958, and all us kids (I turned six years old in 1958) went around singing "Ooh-ee, ooh-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang." We just couldn't resist. I remember they even performed it on Lawrence Welk -- one of his singers did it with the band playing. I note the performer of the hit record was Ross Bagdasarian performing as "David Seville", who also came up with Alvin, Simon and Theodore, the Chipmunks and performed the "straight" role on those records.

[@lucindasommer720]

+ToddSF 94109 Guess what I can't get off of my mind now? Thanks. 🙃

[@savethetpc6406]

Lucinda Sommer :D

[@briane173]

7:53 This is 1958, so you can imagine how difficult it must've been for network censors to leave this in. But there wasn't anyone in the theater who didn't get the accidental innuendo - especially Arlene. She tried to walk it back or at least take the second off-ramp.

[@kristabrewer9363]

I just started watching "To Tell The Truth" for the first time a couple months ago. I didn't know anyone from that panel was on this one

[@davidfritz1331]

Perhaps I'm a sadist, but I just love it when John cuts off Cerf before he can ask his usually confrontational and/or stupid very personal questions of the contestants after their profession has been revealed. This one at the very end of Steve Allen's segment was a Daly masterpiece.

[@al4berry]

I agree! He sounds so irritating with his nasal voice, "John ,John!"

[@thesweeples3266]

This show would have been much leas without Cerf

[@kennethbutler1343]

"Is there a dummy in here" "Not on THIS side of the stage" Steve Allen is what Groucho wishes he could be...Allen's jokes are always funny while Groucho bats about 30%. In this segment he made about 10 jokes and all of them were funny.

[@caihah.1404]

wtaf

[@lindaroper2654]

The audience always loves when Steve Allen is on there lol

[@thesweeples3266]

lol has no meaning.

[@kulturekritik9665]

Arlene's hair is the style my mother had for most of her life.

[@sue2611]

I love Arlene's hair. It's a classic style that could be worn today.

[@slaytonp]

If you have the patience to get it pasted into place.

[@marc7491]

Interesting that a local mattress manufacturer/retailer last name was Perlman. His business was in the Harrisburg area about two hours west of Philadelphia where Ms Perlman worked.

[@tonidozier4573]

I was 3 days old when this episode aired.

[@MrWindermere123]

I wonder if the mattress demonstrator was there for product placement reasons - she ended by naming the mattress company (Englander, I think) and the vibrating mattress. The show has a sponsor but other companies often get a mention when a contestant says who he or she works for. I think Bennet Cerf was about to ask Steve Allen who was the publisher of his book but he got cut off by John Daly who wanted to give time to the final contestant.

[@Teri_Berk]

I don't think so. The contestant just felt like mentioning the company name that's all

[@igkoigko9950]

@@Teri_Berk I can’t imagine why she’d want to name the manufacturer except for commercial advertising purposes.

[@thomtlc2]

Bennett Cerf's intro referencing "The Witch Doctor" made me wonder if David Seville was ever a guest on the show.

[@galileocan]

I am fairly confident that there was no way that Miss Perelman could demonstrate mattresses laying face down

[@leannsherman6723]

Bennett Cerf often touted his so-called intellectual prowess and yet he didn’t guess the line of the woman who was the head of the Israeli women’s army. He should’ve known by both her first and last name alone which are Hebrew names. He was too busy focusing on her chemise. I was surprised - and pleased - that Arlene Francis knew that it was the 10th anniversary of Israel Bonds.

[@rapunzelz5520]

Makes me so mad when the last guest gets the short schrift...they come to be on TV and they get 2 minutes.

[@leesher1845]

I agree 100%. I thought it was rude and inappropriate.

[@thesweeples3266]

Your solution would have been?

[@Julia-fo4tk]

@@thesweeples3266 The first contestant was on for about 5 minutes in comparison. Too much chit chat if other people are waiting.

[@juliansinger]

Miss Gershom, also known as Gershonovitz or Gershonowitz (transliteration creates multitudes) was born in Russia, as noted on the show, in 1906; emigrated to then-Palestine in 1925. Joined the British Army in its Palestinian offshoot (called the Haganah), co-founded the Women's IDF upon independence. Fought in the 1948 war. Came back to the US later this year as an attache to the Israeli Embassy, with a specific mandate to to connect with American women's groups. After her three years doing this, she disappears from the record. (Or, records I can find.) Died in 1986. Stand-Up Watch: Arlene did, Dorothy didn't. A few pictures of Miss Gershom being very specific, in uniform: digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15799coll44/id/88653/rec/3

[@ludenasan1]

+juliansinger Sadly Dorothy didn't stand for many people, but she did kiss the ring of Bishop Sheen.

[@juliansinger]

+Barbara Ludena Enh. I don't think it's sad, necessarily. It's just that she had a more conservative definition of who she chose to stand for -- technically, given the era's etiquette standards, she didn't really need to stand for anyone (other than like, Cardinals or other Official Figures). I don't even think it's disrespectful. I mean, personally, I like Arlene's approach more, but both are valid.

[@guyinnyc1]

Perhaps as a reporter, Dorothy Kilgallen was also aware of the con job Israel was pulling on millions of ignorant Americans who were clueless about what the creation of Israel actually meant for those who'd been living there for thousands of years and had suddenly been driven off their lands.

[@stevekru6518]

@@guyinnyc1 Hopefully some day you will meet a history book and change your mind

[@guyinnyc1]

@@stevekru6518what a silly put down.

[@PhilBagels]

Seems like John missed a couple of card flips this episode. One with Steve Allen: "Is there a dummy?" Answer was no, but no card flip. Then again with the ballet dancer.

[@kulturekritik9665]

I think he was distracted by the general chaos of laughter in that response.

[@leesher1845]

Bennett Cerf should’ve been able to guess this given that he was Jewish and Shoshana is a Hebrew name and Gershom is a Jewish one. Impressive that Arlene knew that it was the 10th anniversary of Israel and that she stood up for the lieutenant.

[@sophiemorrison9820]

Arlene's husband, Martin gabel, was jewish.

[@romeman01]

The keen listener will notice that, moments before asking the question, "Well, do you demonstrate some kind of a mattress?," Bennett Cerf exclaimed: "Goodness, I can't get off here!"

[@savethetpc6406]

I was amazed that he got on the track with that one so quickly and figured out her line so easily! We can't blame his checking the newspapers ahead of time for that one. I wonder if the type of mattress demonstrations that the contestant did was fairly common in those days. It's certainly not something I'd ever really heard of except on this show (I think I might have seen a different contestant with a similar profession on another episode), so to me it seemed like it would be very unusual and hard to guess. It certainly had the potential to lead to some funny exchanges, but Bennett figured it out so quickly that that really didn't happen!

[@jvcomedy]

SaveThe TPC I just watched an episode from October of 1952 and it had a contestant that was a mattress demonstrator.

[@timd4524]

I think John got a little lost in Miss Perelman's eyes, right Mr. Kellogg. These shows are just so amazing, it's wonderful they were preserved. I must say the episode with Eleanor Roosevelt just blew me away. Every episode just spills out history.

[@jaclynholland-strauss7054]

This is one of those times when I can't fathom how the line was guessed so quickly. There is no way someone would hone in so efficiently. I'm not saying they did anything wrong. It's just that I think sometimes for time constraints they have to manipulate things a little bit (as they have to, since it's live).

[@dinahbrown902]

True

[@BrettCrawfordTransgirl1984]

lol If I were a celebrity of that time period I would have asked Steve, are you Walt Disney doing the Mickey Mouse voice?

[@leannsherman6723]

I hated when they rushed those final contestants.

[@Tre404]

Ms. Perelman is absolutely lovely.

[@syd8802]

6:28 what was he thinking😂

[@butziporsche8646]

Ralph Bellamy had a lot of great parts but his most memorable role of all was as Randolph Duke in Trading Places. Awesome performance (Ameche and Elliot as well).

[@randyhutton9371]

He also played the doctor who was part of the satanic cult in Rosemary's Baby.

[@butziporsche8646]

@@randyhutton9371 I forgot about that. Ruth Gordon was in that as well, yes? I haven't seen it since it was first released on TV in the mid-70s.

[@randyhutton9371]

@@butziporsche8646 well worth seeing again, even the unbelievable aspect of an out-of-work actor living in the Dakota.

[@butziporsche8646]

@@randyhutton9371 It may well be the only Mia Farrow movie I actually liked.

[@pixiegirltink67]

I'll have what Bennett's having.

[@sizzleswizzle9164]

21:18 Bennett can’t get a word in hahaha

[@nelsontoondrawer7618]

I thought that last guy was a cop! ballet dancer?! ballet dancing cop!!!

[@sepiapanorama2275]

Colonel Shoshana Gershom (head of the Israeli women's army; 1958) and Miss Mildred Gilmore (private detective; 1953) were two transgender guests we remember well.

[@thesweeples3266]

🙄

[@jimmygoodrich9590]

And where is this information found

[@sweiland75]

Miss Perelman's voice is quite soft

[@beadyeyedbrat]

This show aired on my second birthday.

[@patbest7057]

Watched WML 1970s Not the warmth of these older shows

[@mehboobkm3728]

I smell something fishy about the Bennett's interrogations on first contestants !

[@susanrutherford866]

Definitely had seen her previously !!

[@dinahbrown902]

Very

[@quizmaster85]

ARLENE: I detect something adorable in that voice. STEVE: I'll see you later! 😂

[@drumbum3.142]

Would LOVE to Hear That Voice Sing "Some Enchanted Evening".. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂😂😂

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

1:52 "Panel mawdahwaydah."

[@susanrutherford866]

Oh Arlene you saved that one !!!

[@boognish999]

I'm one of the first to defend the integrity of this show but how the hell did Bennett get the mattress demonstrator so easily?

[@cassiemoira]

+Zac M. Totally agree, really hard to believe how he got it. So random.

[@senior_ranger]

Integrity? This was pure BS, just like all TV.

[@mikekelly9108]

He got lucky guessing bedroom, I'm good with that and think about it, demonstrating a mattress is not a big leap from there.

[@alansorensen5903]

@Leigh Chapman Do you think maybe he'd stopped in front of a department store window to admire a display when suddenly appeared a comely young maid?

[@Teri_Berk]

That happens 1 out of 30 times and this is one of them albeit the one which is a bit suspicious really. Meanwhile, Daly did it right by flipping some more cards.

[@FreihEitner]

Thank you Steve Allen--I often wondered who provided the voice for Mickey Mouse.

[@bettycogswell9851]

Steve sounds like Micky Mouse...Love him..

[@leesher1845]

That last contestant did not look at all like a ballet dancer. He looked more like a football player!

[@enriquesanchez2001]

This was about +20 years AFTER he started dancing in 1933

[@syd8802]

7:54 that not what I was thinking

[@RichardHannay]

Steve Allen sounds like Mickey Mouse... O__O

[@lindaroper2654]

I would of known Steve Allen s voice. Lol

[@lucyflorey9152]

How did Bennett get to a mattress display? Seems eerie

[@sophiemorrison9820]

I have seen all the episodes and some several times over. Many occupations repeated themselves. I recall another woman with the same line. Perhaps Bennett Cerf remembered the other woman and put two and two together. Cerf seemed very knowledgeable about what various cities were famous for. He knew every department store in Philadelphia.

[@barrywhite9114]

“Schmock Schmock”

[@leesher1845]

I’m surprised that Bennett Cerf didn’t guess that Shoshana Gershon was Israeli because he was Jewish and the name Shoshana is a Hebrew name. As a matter fact my niece’s name is Shoshana and it means lily.

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

Holy cow the founder of the Israeli WWomens' Army good lord!

[@jacquelinebell6201]

Oh Steve! He was in good form tonight! 🤣🤣🤣

[@danielfronc4304]

What a sham regarding Ms. Gershon. "Shoshona Gershon" is as Jewish as you can get, just as James Patrick O'Malley is Irish. They had to have known that from the first question.

[@adamodeo9320]

Shoshana was a great & courageous lady!

[@poolside123canadian7]

I wonder if the Israeli lady knew Dr. Ruth as, I believe, Ruth was a sniper in the Israeli army.

[@scottzema3103]

Mr. Cerf SAW the woman in the window on the mattress.

[@sophiemorrison9820]

I kind of thought that, too.

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

Don't mess up this time John 😂 #iykyk

[@Dharmon1]

“Are you a comedian?” “I’m not as funny as John is right now.”

[@yeahnoonecaresifyouarefirst]

@@Dharmon1 😂❤️

[@marcialee3414]

I didn't realize Ralph Bellamy was so tall

[@leesher1845]

Bennett was Jewish and should have guessed from her name that she was connected to the State of Israel.

[@akrenwinkle]

Last contestant looked like a chubby Hank Fonda.

[@loissimmons6558]

I usually love the job that John Daly does as host/moderator. But when he congratulated the first challenger for her annoying way of answering the questions with hesitation even when a yes answer was obvious, I can't go along with him. (She was even annoying with how slowly she signed in.) I was glad when Bennett hit the right train of thought and guessed her quickly. All's right with the world when cheaters don't prosper.

[@krystonjones]

With your permission, I would say this: I have reason to believe that circumstances would dictate that in the event of Mr John Daly acting as host/moderator wholly in and of itself, per se, as pertains to the appreciation of such a show as this; it is a foregone conclusion that one may or may not in fact surmise that a singular moment as part of a series of moments in this form of what may be described as a panel show in which one would not necessarily deem such a particular incident as congratulatory, as dictated by the agreed upon definition within the parameters of said reference to the state of a viewer, either at home or in the audience, and in matter of fact, also including the panelists and host, as not to forego the purveyor of such remark or action that in turn, and as a consequence would be seen to have an effect which could be described in part, as congratulation, in the context of effective application to the degree and in the broadest terms of reference as is par for the course, if properly applied...um... there you are!

[@dougtagg9162]

Lois Simmons G.V. What?! did you say?

[@juanettebutts9782]

@@krystonjones That was SPECTACULAR!! Kudos, John Charles Daly Junior!

[@igkoigko9950]

Agree with Lois. One of the few, perhaps the only, contestant I did not enjoy

[@paysonterhune290]

Rosalie was a dead ringer for Anne Margaret in this!! Rest in peace beautiful woman...

[@leesher1845]

Israel’s 10th anniversary; wow. I was glad to see Arlene stand up for that colonel; Dorothy Kilgallen should have done the same.

[@MrYfrank14]

that is one very big ballet dancer. wonder if they meant dancer? has the definition of ballet changed over the years?

[@dutchtea8354]

www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/75/slaughter-on-tenth-avenue-from-on-your-toes

[@MehWhatever99]

It's the women in ballet who are usually very small and slim. The men actually need to be quite muscular, since they need to lift the women.

[@feraudyh]

I wondered if Bennett wasn't cheating;

[@pattimaeda6097]

Miss Perelman was trying to be too coy just say yes already