What's My Line? - Johnny Mercer; Jane Fonda; Bobby Darin [panel] (Feb 9, 1964) [W/ COMMERCIALS]

Here's another rare complete episode of WML, with all the original commercials and transitions intact. Note that this video contains segments from two different sources to preserve the higher quality edited video. Many thanks, again, to epaddon for contributing a copy of the unedited episode that the commercials came from.
MYSTERY GUEST: Johnny Mercer; Jane Fonda
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Bobby Darin, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf
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[@henridelagardere264]

Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer - _Two of a Kind_ (1961) A treasure trove of intriguing lesser-known songs from the American Songbook, performed by two true naturals. To me, a five-star album.

[@brucetowell3432]

I'll go 10 Star!!;-)

[@henridelagardere264]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@bigbandsrock1]

Johnny Mercer!!! A musical giant!!! He’s written the lyrics to a mind boggling array of fabulous songs that will live forever!!! ❤️🙌👏🏻

[@VahanNisanian]

Wow. What a night February 9, 1964 was. 90 minutes had passed in between the time The Beatles took the stage live, and the time this episode of "What's My Line?" aired live.

[@geniusmchaggis]

COOL!

[@Lava1964]

I suppose the panelists expected the Beatles to be the mystery guests.

[@brachio1000]

Fascinating.

[@FilmCars]

Must've been pandemonium outside their studio that afternoon/evening since WML at the time aired from 254 West 54th Street - directly around the corner from The Ed Sullivan Theatre.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

What was on opposite Ed Sullivan on the other networks this night?

[@beforeourveryeyes]

Johnny Mercer, one of the greatest of all lyricists also wrote: Charade, This Time the Dream;s On Me, Skylark, Dearly Beloved, I'm Old Fashioned, Fools Rush In, I'm Travelin' Light, One For My Baby, My Shining Hour, Accentuate the Positive, Goody-Goody, Glow Worm,Twilight World, Single-O,Satin Doll, Laura...to name a FEW! A treasure! Thank You for sharing this.

[@isorokudono]

1500 songs with 4 Oscars and untold other awards.

[@bigcat618]

Zip -a-dee-doo-dah! The pride of Savannah, Georgia

[@luissantiago8446]

And who, may we all ask, writes songs like his, in our present times? I can wait.

[@tomservo56954]

Mercer also appeared earlier that evening, on an episode of THE 20TH CENTURY honoring one of his many collaborators, Harold Arlen.

[@beforeourveryeyes]

@@tomservo56954 He looks a bit light-worn.

[@plumeria8357]

It was wonderful to hear Johnny Mercer speaking and get a glimpse of him on this great show. In the past I’ve seen his grave at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah and wondered what this great composer was actually like. Thank you.

[@inthemouthofmadness5910]

These were the greatest shows in history. This one and To Tell The Truth. I am almost 50 years old and can watch these all day long.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

I loved Bobby Darin. Sad he left us all too soon.

[@Tunz909]

So under appreciated. He did it all, sing, dance, write, compose, act. He also was an avid chess player:-)

[@57highland]

@@Tunz909 He also played several musical instruments very well.

[@brucetowell3432]

@@57highland yes he did!!

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

@@Tunz909 He was very famous. How was he under appreciated?

[@soulierinvestments]

Johnny Mercer won four Oscars for best original song in film. "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" (1946) (music by Harry Warren) for The Harvey Girls "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (1951) (music by Hoagy Carmichael) for Here Comes The Groom "Moon River" (1961) (music by Henry Mancini) for Breakfast at Tiffany's "Days of Wine and Roses" (1962) (music by Henry Mancini) for Days of Wine and Roses In contrast, Irving Berlin won exactly one Oscar for best original song.

[@joeambrose3260]

Excuse me,I was yawning. You were saying?

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

@@joeambrose3260 Go back to sleep, we got this

[@johnscanlan9335]

I can very honestly say I clearly remember this very evening. I had recently turned 5 years old and I was out to dinner with my parents and my older brother. After eating our dinner my brother and I went over to the restaurant's bar area where there was TV and of course The Ed Sullivan Show was on. Soon after we started watching The Beatles came on and even being so young I saw them and immediately knew the whole world had just changed!!!

[@wyatt_kincaid]

Each guest in that broadcast had a connection with The Beatles. Guest 1 (Johnny Mercer) was co-founder of Capitol Records which was the Beatles U.S. record label from 1964-68, Guest 2 (Made Beatle wigs) Guest 3 (Jane Fonda) her brother Peter was friends with John Lennon, Guest 4 (Mustard guy) The Beatles wrote and recorded a song titled "Mean Mr. Mustard" for the Abbey Road album.

[@19gregske55]

What a brilliant 4-barrelled segue.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

I can’t think of Johnny Mercer now without thinking of his beautiful home in ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.’ Even though he’d passed, that house maintained his aura because it was so meticulously kept. Johnny Mercer was a song writing genius, and he lived in what’s the most beautiful cities in the US, and indeed the most beautiful and oldest city in Georgia. One day I’d love to go there. It’s laid out in squares, an old Spanish style. There’s no other city in the US that has the uniqueness that Savannah enjoys.

[@plumeria8357]

If you go to Savannah be sure to visit his grave at Bonaventure Cemetery. It absolutely the most beautiful and historic Victorian cemetery.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

@@plumeria8357 I hope that I might get to do that! I’d love to see some of it and of course, enjoy the uniquely diversified cuisine Savannah has to offer. Thanks for the suggestion ~~~~~

[@loissimmons6558]

Johnny Mercer was a co-founder of Capitol Records. Once the dust settled (early Beatle music was on a few different labels), The Beatles records were on Capitol in the U.S. until they formed their own Apple Records label. It was understandable that Johnny Mercer might be in attendance at the Sullivan show next door to WML that night in addition to the preparations for his own show, "Foxy", that was about to open.

[@Tunz909]

Good point. I have a paperback book that tells the whole story about how Capital Got The Beatles. Written by Charles Tillinghast 2008.

[@roryloganwhitley1867]

Little known fact: Capitol in Canada had Beatles records bought and played there a year earlier.

[@Tunz909]

@@roryloganwhitley1867 That's cause Canada's division accepted them as something that was going to explode. In America they waited and waited until "I Want To Hold Your Hand" came out, they had no choice by then...it was a tidal wave!!!

[@Tesserae]

@@Tunz909 Canada, as part of the British Commonwealth, was essentially British.

[@bluecamus5162]

That tidal wave only began in America because some DJ in Washington DC got a hold of a British 45 of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' and began playing it on air. People made tapes of it and it spread to other stations across the nation, prompting Capitol to release it early, on Dec 26, 1963. Two weeks after that, it had sold a million copies and was #1.

[@keithcerasoli2220]

These postings of WML are so wonderful. I was too young to watch them when they were on, especially at 9:30 at night, but watching them now brings back memories of a time when people were courteous, dressed well and had a general regard and respect for one another. Thank you so much for posting these from a truly gracious time in our history. Even the commercials are succinct and to the point, with no sexual innuendo or profanity.

[@marycosgrove6937]

Which is really nice

[@keithcerasoli2220]

Request sent.

[@kennethbutler1343]

All the sexual innuendo was in the show. Rarely an episode goes by that Arlene doesn't make some sexually suggestive comment; this show was unique in that respect!

[@loissimmons6558]

+Keith Cerasoli It was even harder to watch them growing up living in the Eastern Time Zone where the show was on at 10:30 PM. I can remember watching television since I was 3 going on 4 (1956) but it only would have been around this time when I would have been allowed to watch, and then only when there was no school the next day. My mom was super strict on enforcing bedtimes. So I will also take this opportunity once again to thank +What's My Line? for posting these (as I have thanked him in the past) even though he doesn't seem to be commenting any more.

[@philipem1000]

...and vocabularies. I think it is instructive to see how things have changed, and mostly for the better (wolf-whistles for women, an emphasis on marital status, etc. are gone or at least not acceptable...) though not guite so much as to those points you've made...

[@malcolmbrannen]

Johnny Mercer was a native of Savannah Ga.and grew up in Mercer House, a central location in the book "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil"....His tombstone in Bonaventure Cemetery reads "And The Angels Sing".

[@davidoppenheim3979]

Sorry, but Johnny did not grow up in "Mercer House" featured in "Midnight". He grew up during his teen years at 226 E. Gwinnett St., at the corner of Gwinnett and Lincoln Sts. until he moved to New York in the late 1920's.

[@geoffm9944]

Bobby Darin was an immense show business talent. Bobby was such a versatile performer and entertainer. He had a string of top ten records and later moved into singing ballads and middle of the road music. He was also an accomplished actor and comedic impersonator. He died far too young.

[@57highland]

He knew his time was to be short. That's why he did so much while still so young.

[@butziporsche8646]

Bobby rocked. He was great in the remake of State Fair with Pamela Tiffin and Pat Boone.

[@lisica8458]

Always liked his lounge-lizard version of Mac the Knife.

[@emilyhayek1132]

@@57highland He was a huge talent with so much success at a young age but just think what great music and movies he would have given the world if he had lived into middle age. So sad such a great talent died so young. He is missed a lot by all his millions of fans I like to believe he and Sandy would have gotten back together and lived happily ever after they loved each other and Sandy was never really happy after Bobby's death

[@barb-jm7990]

On Feb. 9, 1964, my parents called me into the living room and said, "You should see that band that is going to come on Ed Sullivan." So, I saw the Beatles that night make this historic visit. I was in 4th grade and not as excited by them as my 7th grade sister was that night and afterward. I'm really glad I saw them that night! And, I think it is really fun to hear the people on this show talk about it happening in their studio. I don't remember ever seeing anyone in a Beatles wig, but that is about the time that the guys started growing longer hair.

[@catedemallie2129]

How wonderful of your parents!

[@jamesfeldman4234]

The members of this panel are just too damn smart, talented, and entertaining for my taste.

[@luissantiago8446]

Qualities you'd be hard pressed in finding if one where to cast a similar show today. Everything now is gut bucket, below the belt, obscene and vulgar.

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@luissantiago8446 and i don't watch any of them.

[@MrWindermere123]

This episode captures a clash of cultures and a clash of decades. The Beatles embodied the 1960s spirit of youthful rebellion, creativity and - later on - of drug use and dabbling in hippy therapies whereas What's My Line? is a product of the 1950s: formal dress, polite conversation and men standing up to greet ladies.

[@moderne-ist1612]

John Gee absolutely correct! And it went downhill from there...

[@moderne-ist1612]

tinwoods please look at the context of my reply. Race is not mentioned nor addressed. Please move on. Your WTF comment is not welcome, is negative and irrelevant to this post. Please peddle your papers somewhere else.

[@ironduke2000]

@@moderne-ist1612 I see you were hit, as was I, by one of the people who patrol the comments on WML episodes, looking for opportunities to lecture on the inequities of the 1950s and earlier. I suppose they're to be congratulated for having aced their sixth-grade history classes, but since they're so busy congratulating themselves, there's really no need.

[@moderne-ist1612]

@@ironduke2000 I guess they moved on - the comment is gone LOL Have a great week! :)

[@kennethlatham3133]

Listen to the Beatles' MUSIC. Try not to focus on all the "cultcha!" surrounding their legacy. I mean, I didn't grow up in the '40's & '50's with Sinatra but I love his music IN SPITE of his sketchy behavior.

[@christophermorgan3261]

Moon River with the Mancini melody and this aristocratic Southern (Georgia) gentleman's beautiful lyrics is one the greatest songs of the last century, as is the great film Breakfast at Tiffany's with adorable Audrey who sings the song in the film.

[@user-ru6mg5uu7i]

A wonderful film and song. It won the Oscar that year. I read "In Cold Blood" on Summer break in 1965 when I was 11 years old. It's amazing that the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany's " and "In Cold Blood " are the same author. Capote was a tragic figure. . It's sad how jealous he became of Nell Harper Lee's success with "To Kill a Mockingbird" in spite of her coming with him to Holcomb Kansas in 1959 to help him with "In Cold Blood" .

[@jrwxtx]

It is amazing how good Arlene Francis looks--she is 46, almost 47 on this show. She is 6 years older than Dorothy Kilgallen.

[@savethetpc6406]

jrwxtx Prepare to be even more amazed -- she was actually *56* -- born Oct. 20, 1907. Dorothy was 49 -- born July 3, 1913.

[@neilmidkiff]

@@savethetpc6406 And Arlene was older than Johnny Mercer (b. 1909) who looks much older than his age here.

[@NeeneeH]

Those good Armenian genes

[@lisahayes8834]

@@savethetpc6406 Your math is off...Dorothy was 50.

[@savethetpc6406]

@@lisahayes8834 Oops! -- You're right! She would've turned 50 on July 3, 1963 -- not sure what I was thinking, but I almost defended my position with mistaken math _again_ after reading your comment, and then realized that you are absolutely right! :-)

[@ddayle]

A lot of these were on the air b4 I was born, but I love them. Makes me nostalgic, I guess, for a simpler time.

[@user-ne8lh2vr2t]

Born 2/15/1960 one of my earliest memories was when my mom's friend came to back screen door and was complaining about the long hairs on tv. with their stupid songs. I can remember it like it was yesterday and repeated the story many times when subjects of that kind arose.Loved the ladies dog named Spot also.

[@Bambi_Harris_Author]

Quite fascinating for them to mention the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show next door, that was quite an event, little did they know how enduring those boys would be!

[@savethetpc6406]

Bambi Harris I was thinking the same thing. At the time I'm sure everyone on WML thought The Beatles were just a passing fad. How wrong they were!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@savethetpc6406 Why on Earth would they think they were a passing fad?? The Beatles had multiple albums out, several #1 hits, and generated 300,000 orders for the Beatle Wig. The Fab Four had real talent, and that was evident to all at that time. No one had caused so much excitement since Elvis' debut a decade earlier, and they were considered the next Elvis--an artist who most certainly had endured.

[@brucetowell3432]

@@savethetpc6406 Think Darin and Mercer KNEW something was special with them.

[@forrestfootball]

@@Cosmo-Kramer As a die hard Beatles fan I can say this is just simply not true. their first US album release was 30 days before this episode and their first #1 hit was only one week before. Im sure you can think of many musical acts in the last decade that have been extremely popular for a month only to never reach those heights again. By the end of 1964, after half a dozen number ones, half a dozen albums, and a movie, of course nobody would think they were a passing fad. But the simple truth is that a month before this episode was taped the vast majority of Americans had never heard of four Liverpudlians who called themselves the Beatles.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@forrestfootball What you fail to understand is the sky-high level of excitement in America generated by these lads. Thousands of screaming fans met them at JFK as they came off their plane, nearly causing a riot. And a whopping 40% of American households tuned in to watch them on Ed Sullivan. Anyone at that time thinking they were just a fad simply wasn't paying attention, to the cultural zeitgeist already underway courtesy these fabulous four boys.

[@edithsymmans3273]

I loved watching this show……. Bobby Darin is the greatest in my book…… loved watching Johnny Mercer working on fooling the panel…… Bobby and Johnny got together and did a wonderful album "Two of a Kind" just love it…… was a wonderful show to watch on Sunday nights….. sadly there is nothing these days worth watching any more….. Guys let the mustard go!

[@luissantiago8446]

I wouldn't swap this civilised and pleasant form of entertainment for the current brand of brutal, realist, faux genuine rubbish that were punished with today.

[@brucetowell3432]

It's very sad, I feel so sorry for todays youth, nothing of substance for them that's good clean entertainment...Hollywood/todays music bidness/just throws out filth and trash...young folks really have no idea what a good song is.

[@DougJrFan93]

Great seeing Jane and Bobby. I also love the film mentioned, Sunday in New York (1963). A lot of fun!

[@nickandmikec]

Johnny Mercer, who wrote "Moon River."

[@VahanNisanian]

The Beatles actually did two shows for "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9. The first one was in the afternoon, and they did three songs ("Twist and Shout", "Please Please Me", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand"). That one was pre-taped, and aired on February 23. The second one was live, and they did five songs ("All My Loving", "Till There Was You", "She Loves You", "I Saw Her Standing There", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand"). Over 73,000,000 home viewers, a record at the time, saw the evening show, when it aired live.

[@luissantiago8446]

Remember watching it that evening. It was tremendous watching it. Their songs received constant air play on radios. The following day, at school, we just couldn't contain our glee and excitement over what we had seen the previous evening.

[@santhirengasamy7731]

Its a world of a difference watching such shows now. I was not even born but watching it now is such a delight. Sure miss the good old days....

[@ChadQuick270W]

Hilarious! I can just see Bennett Cerf and John Charles Daly wearing a Beatle wig 😂

[@lenas5613]

I agree that Bobby Darin was underrated.These subtitles are very funny! And oddly bottom to top. " Bennet Surf" :-)

[@VahanNisanian]

2:05 John "Ringo" Daly. Priceless.

[@kennethbutler1343]

They did a Sominex commercial which brought back memories! I got curious what was in it thinking it might have been some dangerous drug, so I looked it up, and it's now called Benedryl!

[@tomservo56954]

It says it's safe and non-habit forming...

[@michellefricke7942]

They did a Geritol commercial and it reminded me I had forgotten to take some this morning. The stuff works!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@michellefricke7942 Wait...what?? Is it still on the market?? And are you serious, it helps battle fatigue?

[@dinahbrown902]

Drug Companies 👎

[@brucetowell3432]

Remember the tune that went with it?..."Take Sominex tonight, safe and restful, sleep, sleep, sleep.:-)

[@bozoadams4113]

It's amazing that despite Johnny Mercer's presence on the show, there was no mention of the fact that he formed Capitol Records, and was taking in Tons of money because of The Beatles!

[@brucetowell5208]

What a missed opportunity by Daley. The Beatles are right next door, the talk of the town, and two composers, Darin and Mercer on the show and not one question is presented to them about this talented group that just arrived from across the pond!! wow

[@loissimmons6558]

I love The Beatles body of work, but when they were on Sullivan's show that night, they were still developing their talent and had only scratched the surface of it. To John Daly and the panelists of his generation (and many of the fans of WML) The Beatles were simply a typical noisy, low talent rock and roll band that had a crazy look (long hair, mop top haircuts) and screaming female fans: a fad that would run its course and soon be forgotten. To the credit of the Fab Four, they didn't rest on their laurels and the teen adulation. They continued to develop and grow in their musical talents, even if it did eventually pull them in different directions.

[@dcasper8514]

Bruce Towell. Ain't that a shame ?

[@Liam_Maddog]

You are too young to know, but the Beatles were not regarded as talented composers so early in their career.

[@HassoBenSoba]

bruce: Are you kidding? Daly and everyone else of the show paid as much "tribute" to the Beatles as was reasonable; of course, I suppose they could have just turned the entire show over to worshipping at the Beatle's altar, which the fanatics would, I'm sure, consider appropriate. Anyone with an appreciation and sense of perspective would realize that Johnny Mercer's stature and contributions to popular music--composer, lyricist, producer, etc easily merited his solo guest spot and the attention of the world, despite what was going on next door. Yes, it was a historic night, but let's not lose our sense of judgement. LR

[@brucetowell3432]

@@HassoBenSoba You took my statement out of context, I didn't say they didn't pay enough attention them...its just fascinating that 2 composers of SONGS, like the Beatles were on the show. I'm a musician/writer/teacher/ and know all to well the contributions of Mercer/Darin but the question BEGGED to be asked of Bobby and Johnny and NEVER was. Daly missed the boat.

[@miraclay]

wow, the night the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan for first time.

[@joeambrose3260]

Please post proof pronto

[@rollomaughfling380]

@@joeambrose3260 Call your sponsor

[@watchman1178]

Yep, I have to say that Jane Fonda and Johnny Mercer were upstaged by the Ed Sullivan Show that night.

[@brucetowell3432]

It's a shame composers/Darin/Mercer..were not asked their opinion on them, or if they knew any of their tunes....oh well:-) thanks for posting, love seeing this show over and over!:-)

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

I can still remember the smell of Aqua Velva. Guys were an “Aqua Velva man” or they weren’t. I think they came out with a green version of it too ?? or maybe that was something else, but I for sure remember the ice blue. My father splashed that on each morning after shaving.

[@epaddon]

Bennett not for the first time gives us the "absinthe makes the heart grow Fonda" groaner.

[@soulierinvestments]

the pun is the highest form of humor -- but not this one.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I hear that absinthe is legal in many states again and readily available!!

[@rockymarino584]

Joe Postove I had some absinthe a few years back when reintroduced here in New Orleans. OMG! It was a buzz like no other. What a process to make!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

epaddon - I love it - the puns.

[@renatojrreside268]

Great to feel some of the Beatlemania vibe of the day from this episode... The Beatles forever...

[@rr7firefly]

On an earlier program Bennett also guessed Jane's identity (1960).

[@gloriasmall9323]

You are SO right, Cheryl M. He is Phenomenal !!! 💋❤ 🌹💖💕 👏

[@Johnnycdrums]

.I like it that John called him "Darin" at the end pf the intro.

[@VahanNisanian]

Two days later, The Beatles performed at the Washington D.C. Coliseum, followed by the 12th at New York's Carnegie Hall.

[@loissimmons6558]

+Vahan Nisanian I have read that the U.S. promoter for The Beatles could have booked Madison Square Garden instead of Carnegie Hall but opted on the smaller venue because they were concerned that a British group wouldn't draw a big crowd and they didn't want the visual of them appearing before a bunch of empty seats. They needn't have been so concerned. The following year they would fill Shea Stadium (55,600 people).

[@joeambrose3260]

@@loissimmons6558 Now what. Do I cease breathing ?

[@loissimmons6558]

@@joeambrose3260 I have no idea what you are talking about. So if you want to cease breathing, do what you want to do. Think for yourself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKXbZoGKrcqVgM0

[@leannsherman6723]

Johnny Mercer~what a thrill!

[@edwardvogel9094]

Bennett Cerf and John Daly were trying so hard to be charming to Jane Fonda, they managed to creep her out completely.

[@melodiefrances3898]

😂😂😂

[@nunosoares2329]

Jane Fonda. Looked great then and still does today :-)

[@user-ru6mg5uu7i]

So true. As an old lady of 70, way younger than she is, I agree.

[@VahanNisanian]

Other acts who performed on Ed Sullivan that day included, but not limited to: British comedy duo Morecambe & Wise, Gordon & Sheila MacRae, and Cab Calloway (afternoon show) "Oliver" Cast w/future Monkee Davy Jones, Frank Gorshin, Charlie Brill & Mitzi McCall, and Tessie O'Shea (evening show)

[@kennethlatham3133]

The Beatles had appeared the previous year (1963) on the Morecambe & Wise Show. They played live, then finished up with a comic interview and a barbershop quartet number in striped jackets and straw hats, "On Moonlight Bay".

[@bbailey7818]

This episode is a marvelous time machine for several reasons but especially for the guest following Johnny Mercer. 😅

[@trickydick6152]

I wonder how Darin must have felt not guessing Mercer.

[@soulierinvestments]

Sunday 9 February 1964 -- that was the day that was. 8:00 p.m. ET -- the Beatles live on the Ed Sullivan Show. then 10:30 p.m. ET -- this musical-based WML with some people who had musical careers a little longer than the Beatles. Ghastly night on Broadway for traffic and crowd control. This particular Sullivan broadcast set records, but it was only the first of 3 Beatles broadcasts that Sullivan did that February. The boys appeared again on the Sullivan Show the next week via remote transmission. Ed and the Fab 4 on the following week appeared live from Miami.

[@CindyNavarro]

I was already asleep when my mom woke me up to watch The Beatles with her. I missed WML, but I have never forgotten this night. The screaming fans on television scared me, so I can only imagine the chaos outside the studios!

[@billolsen4360]

Wow Jane Fonda was young there. It's great to see these older actors when they were just starting out.

[@dinahbrown902]

Before Nam

[@salvatorecollura2692]

John and all four panelists clearly think the Beatles are absurd. And I can understand why. If you grow up with Goodman and Miller, and in Bennett’s case even Joplin and Jacobs-Bond, the Beatles’ sound just wouldn’t make sense. But songs like Blackbird have a beauty all their own on a completely different wavelength. We’re lucky to live in an time where one can grow up used to the sounds of many different eras and appreciate them all for what they are.

[@forrestfootball]

It's hard to appreciate how much of a fad they must have seemed at that time! This is only 8 days after they had their first number 1 single. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" topped the charts on February 1 1964 and held that position for 8 weeks, only to be replaced by another Beatles song ("She Loves You"). Though the song was released in the US in December 1963, it didn't enter the top charts until the end of January. The Beatles would have 6 number one hits that year, but I'm sure just one week into Beatlemania it felt like it would all blow over soon. Not to mention it would be so annoying to have to deal with all the extra attention and people around your studio for the WML panelists and staff. If it's any indication of how quickly attitudes on the Beatles changed, Bennett's Random House published a companion book to the Beatles movie/album Help! just 18 months later.

[@user-ru6mg5uu7i]

I remember when I was about 10 years old ( I am 70 now) when my neighborhood friend showed me the sleeve on a 45 rpm record . It was a black and white photo of 4 guys with hair that was longer than I had ever seen before. Didn't think much of it at the time. Little did I know how big they would become. Not too long after, I attended "A Hard Days Night" in the local movie theater. The girls screamed and hollered so much that I could not hear a word that was said during the entire movie. I had to see it on TV years and years later to know what the film was even about. LOL

[@pauldc1066]

such a wonderful show...pure class!

[@brookehanley3659]

I really love Dorothy's hairstyle.

[@kelloggs5473]

Marc Sinclaire styled her hair.

[@brookehanley3659]

@@kelloggs5473 Good to know

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

She looked as if she belonged in Whoville.

[@Bageera63]

Hooray for Hollywood Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

[@dz7871]

💜 Here for Jane Fonda! 💜

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

I can't understand why there aren't more comments here admiring Jane's exquisite beauty. She was, I daresay, one of the 5 most beautiful starlets of the decade! (And if you recall the '60s, that's against A LOT of competition!) Perhaps it was her despicable conduct in Viet Nam that quells the compliments. I dunno, I hate what she did, but I can still acknowledge what an absolute stunner she was.

[@markthomas6703]

Tuesday Weld, Susan Oliver, Carol Linley, Margaret Rutherford.

[@sange1978]

What an extraordinary beauty, Jane Fonda

[@waynej2608]

Yes! 😍

[@philipem1000]

Geritol's claims were discredited in court findings as "conduct amounted to gross negligence and bordered on recklessness," ruled as a false and misleading claim, and heavily penalized with ... the largest FTC fine up to that date (1973).

[@accam6734]

philipem1000 Latter day snake oil. And not everybody needs iron supplements.

[@melodiefrances3898]

😮

[@justinmay3451]

Jane Fonda mentioned on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire that her only other game show appearance was What's My Line. It's interesting that she mentions her skill in French "remains to be seen." On Millionaire, she quickly answered a question that asked what a French term means in English!

[@m.e.d.7997]

Jane played on original ‘Password’ in the early 60s

[@carolclement1008]

I love Ja Fonda, what a great actress!!!ne

[@VahanNisanian]

27:41 "Good night, Ringo". Also priceless.

[@michellepost1016]

Bobby Darren was cute.I liked his song Across the Sea.I watched his music variety show he had, I think 1972.1 was 13 when he died.Johnny Mercer sang well, my favorite being 'Candy'.I wonder if Geritol, is still sold.Even in the late 1970's it was advertised on tv.Some people used to make jokes about it, all it was, was iron supplements in liquid and pill form.I remember those Beatles wigs for sale in comic books when I was around age 5.

[@loissimmons6558]

Geritol is still sold although they had to pull back on some of their claims. For example, it will only relieve tiredness in people with a particular form of anemia which most tired people do not have.

[@Hydroculator]

You're thinking of "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darren

[@markthomas6703]

Of all the episodes of WML, this episode shows one age is OVER and another beginning. Bobby Darin, Johnny Mercer and song writers in general, Aqua Velva, Ted Mack and the Original Amateur Hour and Geritol, along with countless other products and personalities will be swept away into obsolescence by the Beatles. The panel's disdain for the Beatles makes me want to see Ringo shake his hair, free of all that petroleum that men used to wear.

[@tennissir1986]

Good observation.

[@richatlarge462]

1964 was the cultural watershed year, at least in NYC. It took another year or two in some parts of the US.

[@loissimmons6558]

This full episode w/original commercials may both answer and lead to questions related to those raised during previous episodes in the comments. Johnny Olsen's opening remarks include the words "live from New York". But at the end over the CBS eye, it states that the program was pre-recorded. Presumably this was added for those stations in Mountain and Pacific time zones.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Small naive part of me was hoping The Beatles had popped in as this week's mystery guest(s), given they were just next door :)

[@waynej2608]

That would've been really 'gear.' 😎

[@Hydroculator]

The audience would have never stopped screaming. The panel would be able to guess who it was just from the crowd losing its mind.

[@mjanavel]

LOL I’m watching this because I can’t sleep.

[@pinedelgado4743]

This episode was broadcast on CBS the same night as The Beatles' first appearance on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW!! :) :) :) :)

[@brucetowell3432]

Those wigs probably are selling on E bay for quite a bit...and if they are sealed in the original case...thousands

[@agiftedlife-WOW]

It's crazy to think that this episode of "What's My Line" was calmly filming in the same building where the Ed Sullivan Theater was exploding in excitement during the first televised appearance of The Beatles RIGHT DOWN THE HALL!!!! John Daly even referred to the "obstacle course" trying to get into the studio. An understatement of the absolute chaos on the street outside that night.

[@VahanNisanian]

The audience's reactions to the occupation overlay for the 2nd guest gave it away.

[@kevinkool3]

The cost of a Beatle wig in 1964: $2.98 The panel laughed!

[@deckardcanine]

Funny how they got the Beatle wig maker quickly but bombed on the mustard vendor.

[@davidsanderson5918]

I love the entire studio's silent treatment of Bennett's ham and eggs quip. Ha ha.

[@kennethlatham3133]

"MAKES BEATLES WIGS" Me: Hah. They'll never guess that. Arlene F.: "Do you make Beatles wigs?"

[@peternagy-im4be]

They all knew.

[@johnsilva9139]

I wonder if the Beatles got a cut of those Beatle wig sales?

[@JoeDebono]

Those Beatle wigs made it all the way to Australia.

[@waynej2608]

I always knew they'd float.

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

The Aqua Velva guys seems like he's been drinking it. I've never seen someone so high on aftershave!

[@richatlarge462]

ikr

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Johnny Mercer's best song was "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)"...you know "It's quarter to three...."

[@loissimmons6558]

+Jos Postove As a baby boomer, my favorite music was produced primarily in the 1950's through 1980's, although my tastes are eclectic. But my favorite Johnny Mercer song comes squarely in the Big Band era. I also grew up listening to my dad's Big Band records. The song is "Skylark" and I especially love the Glenn Miller version with Ray Eberle doing the vocals. Linda Ronstadt did a pretty nice cover of it also. Recorded 77 years ago this coming January 19, 1942 as the U.S. was just gearing up for another World War, this one much longer and more difficult than the first. This is the Glenn Miller Orchestra featuring Ray Eberle on the Bluebird label of the RCA Victor Corporation. High atop our vantage point, just beneath your vantage point, we bring you ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGHLmZqZm9l-hqM

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Joe Postove - Love thatsong.

[@brucetowell3432]

You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" which Darin also covered !!

[@sandydog291]

They had the Beatles on their minds, understandably, but I wonder if any of them had any idea how historical that evening would become. Wonder what a mint condition $2.98 wig would be worth today?

[@Tunz909]

Wig!;-) LOL Imagine if you had a mint sealed copy of "Meet The Beatles"...your looking at about 4-5 grand a piece. I recall not wanting to buy the stereo version for 3.99 and settled for the 2.99 Hi-Fi version:-) Oh they knew, especially Darin and Mercer. Darin wrote music and Mercer wrote lyrics. I'm sure they both were in attendance.

[@brucetowell3432]

@@sandydog291 Better believe it!! I bought everything I could, but only saved mostly their LP's.....wished I had bought a boat load of LP's.....back then LP's were 2.99 and 3.99 for Stereo versions. I bought at the time just one copy of each.....had no idea the value at this time!! But I did KNOW they were going to be special, but who knew the heights they would attain!!

[@kimjohnson8471]

Her father's daughter. Still beautiful.

[@neilmidkiff]

Thanks for re-inserting the commercials! On the recent shows sponsored by Geritol, Johnny Olson says "...to help you FEEL STRONGER" in the opening of the show, and the question pops up in my mind, "Wasn't their slogan FEEL STRONGER FAST?" Ted Mack uses that form in the first inserted commercial, and that puts my mind at ease.

[@loissimmons6558]

+Neil Midkiff Perhaps Johnny was mixing his Geritol with sloe gin. :-D

[@dancelli714]

Absinthe I had and it tasted nice, but when I got outdoors, I was BOMBED !

[@19gregske55]

I believe that Absinthe is unavailable in the 🇺🇸 USA...

[@dancelli714]

@@19gregske55 No, it's available and it cost over $50.

[@katerogers378]

1964 what a memory!!

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

My huckleberry friend!

[@Gardosunron]

A young Jane Fonda!!!

[@2508bona]

Ted Mack... The guy who took over Major Bowes' Amateur Hour and kept it going.

[@jmccracken1963]

As fate would have it, yesterday I chanced to watch several "To Tell The Truth" episodes from early 1957. And the principal sponsor of TTTT then was - guess who? - Geritol.

[@Hawaiilovesart]

WML had few pop/tv stars popular with teens in 1964 or later for the most part. they had the supremes twice and that's about it that I have seen. bobby darin was really a holdover from the late 50s although he had a brief revival with If I was a carpenter. WML became a show for the old folks. In terms of youth and pop culture the beatles truly changed everything.

[@dcasper8514]

Hawaii Loves Art. Our culture, as it's been noted in many of these comments, went steadily into the toilet from that point on..

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Johnny Mercer and his Terry Thomas look!

[@loissimmons6558]

+Joe Postove It worked much better for Lauren Hutton.

[@soulierinvestments]

Bobby Darrin's work for the heart fund came from a logical personal source: he had a heart problem that in less than 10 years took his life. Frankly I prefer Darrin as a singer to John Lennon.

[@soulierinvestments]

I like oranges.

[@WhatsMyLine]

soulierinvestments You're only allowed to express preferences for things in the same exact category. Didn't you read the rules?

[@soulierinvestments]

OK. Although I prefer Bobby Darrin on th whole, I liked early John Lennon better than late John Lennon.

[@JakeMabe1]

+soulierinvestments Bobby Darin is, in my estimation, the most underrated talent of his era. The guy could sing anything, play about 5-6 instruments that I know of, and was a high-energy performer. I kept hoping that Kevin Spacey biopic would give Darin his just due, but somehow it didn't quite happen.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

The late John Lennon hasn't done much lately.

[@randallmacphee7260]

Someone stated below thau Arlene was 47 in this episode ; she was 57 .

[@kennethlatham3133]

Rowr.

[@wmdesigns21]

ohh thank you for the commercials :) :)

[@TheMk1960]

I'm a little surprised Bobby Darin didn't guess Johnny Mercer since they did an album together a few years before this show.

[@Tunz909]

Think they did their album in 1960?

[@TheMk1960]

@@Tunz909 that sounds about right.

[@Tunz909]

@@TheMk1960 The whole album was extraordinary and introduced me to iconic tunes from the past I was not aware of.

[@brucetowell3432]

@@Tunz909 1961

[@loissimmons6558]

Bennett twice refers to John Daly as Ringo. According to John Lennon during an interview that he and Yoko Ono had with Dick Cavett, "Ringo" means "apple" in Japanese. Yoko nods her head in agreement. They also said it had nothing to do with The Beatles naming their record company "Apple Records".

[@preppysocks209]

no but because a certain young man liked the Beatles and he needed a name for his own company, he used the name of their record company, Apple.

[@noway7555]

The Sominex commercial was great.

[@gdeangelkick]

It just shows how much "work" she has had done over the years, that in 1964 her resemblance to her father was unmistakable, but by the 1990s she looked like a different person.

[@StaciArdmore]

What I noticed about this episode, is that it's the night the Beatles will be appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, in the studio just next door! How cool is that?

[@VahanNisanian]

The French film Jane refers to was called "The Felines" (U.S. title: "Joy House"). She made that film with French heartthrob Alain Delon. I could be wrong, though. It might have actually been "The Round" ("La Ronde") that she was referring to.

[@SuperWinterborn]

Around 6:16, John Daly: "Miss Benn.." *???* "Eh, I'm sorry Bennett, I nearly made a mistake. A dreadful thought, but you carry on!" ;D

[@NormAppleton]

Dorothy knew it was mustard, just wanted to let him win his money