What's My Line? - Esther Williams; Martin Gabel [panel] (Sep 6, 1959)

MYSTERY GUEST: Esther Williams
PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, Martin Gabel, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf

[@community1949]

After listening to these "what's my line" episodes I now know what my parents were laughing and roaring about in the living room when I was in bed trying to sleep as a young child.

[@malcolmbrannen]

They were laughing at President Eisenhower doing a press conference

[@cliffcarter6261]

Nancy Desch yeah...me to! Lol

[@modacare4546]

Hate to admit it but, I was sitting next to my parents watching this and laughing.

[@JourneyDrummer1972]

It’s Bitter Sweet seeing Dad as first guest…April 12 2022 will be Anniversary of his passing. RIP Red

[@bencheshire]

Wow. Did he like to talk about it?

[@VioletJoy]

Oh my goodness. I very much enjoyed watching him here in this clip.

[@apoliticallevi]

That’s your father? Very cool!

[@gilbertotongco8895]

who is red?

[@JourneyDrummer1972]

@@gilbertotongco8895 Dads'Family Nickname, his Red Streaked Balding Hair, Red Fedora, Red Faced and Roasting after 4th Scotch/Soda at any engagement. Then His TEMPLE University Head Coach Assignment Was A "Red CArPET RIDE to Retirement!" Pun intended. Boo's (His Mom,my GkkknCadillac Coupe Deville was white with dark Cherry Red Soft top, and all Leather fully reclining Seats. My boat serviceû 2/Proms and the blackcherry was perfect for back seat Drive-In Lessons

[@heidiinthehollyhocks8995]

We need more Esther Williams in this world.🧜‍♀️

[@gregmoorhead7203]

WOW!!! Esther Williams is beyond BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@neilphelan145]

ABSOLUTELY !!!!!!! 😻

[@vanekirk]

You got THAT straight! 👀❗️

[@geoffm9944]

In this edition of ‘What’s my line’ the panellists and the host, John Daley, demonstrate their sharp intelligence, wit and humour in a friendly game where incisive, forensic questioning, and the ability to listen carefully to what is being said is of paramount importance in trying to discover the job title of each guest. John Daly was the erudite host, who exercised a wide vocabulary and a great command of the nuances of the English language, which in itself was entertaining. Mercifully, none of the panelists indulged in ribald remarks or sexual innuendoes. Many of the show biz guests presented themselves as humble artists and rarely used their time slot to proclaim their latest film or show. ‘What’s my Line’ wasn’t a pretentious panel game, but a civilised, polite and entertaining programme, which appealed to the best part of our nature.

[@brunozauhar1879]

Esther Williams, class and beauty to die for.

[@bobhayett2376]

An American icon!!!!! The beautiful Esther Williams!!!! The mystery guests on What's My Line are always incredibly entertaining.

[@catsarereallycool]

What a GREAT show. Thank you Esther Williams!

[@CarloQuinto]

GREAT EPISODE! Always loved Esther Williams, the perfect personality for the perfect woman!

[@TBBMusicBlog]

This is the style of hair and whatnot that I like Arlene in best. In fact, it's this period where I feel like she reminds me of Helen Mirren.

[@Tre404]

Actually, Helen Mirren reminds you of Arlene! ...and whatnot.

[@WitoldBanasik]

Esther Williams was by far the best swimmer among all the actresses in Golden Hollywood Era. And she was witty, graceful, pretty, unpretentious, and classy lady. Sadly enough she developed a stroke which destroyed her last years. R.I.P. Esther !!!!!

[@jackjules7552]

Her movie career as a swimming star was long over by the time she made this appearance on What's My Line?

[@trentaccid2177]

But to her benefit she was savy enough to make Iron Clad business contracts about her swimming pools and had constantly enough money more than she even made in the movies to cover all her hospital bills and to this day her family still reaps the rewards of monetarily payments from the sales of her pools with her name on them.

[@galileocan]

Esther Williams - What a charmer!!! Fantastic!

[@davidsoulier6375]

Esther Williams. Wow. Beautiful and bright. She was cast in the only WML Hollywood episode and identified the mystery guest. Her mystery guest appearances are among the funniest ever.

[@tonynesbit9673]

This girl had the lot,the complete package a true beauty,absolutely gorgeous/fun personality.r.i.p. Esther.

[@MOGGS1942]

Wow ! Esther Williams was one gorgeous lady. Fit as they come, extremely funny and VERY intelligent. My kind of woman. If only.....

[@saintjohnno]

As a young child growing up in Australia , we use to go to the local picture show ( now called movies ) . I must of been all of 8 - 10 years of age at the time and was madly in love witn Ester Williams.. Seeing her here bought back why l was so in love with her.. Beautiful and personality plus.. BTW I turn 77 years old this year..

[@Noone58319]

I LOVED this episode. Bennett was thoroughly flustered. SO sweet!

[@catsarereallycool]

Esther Williams, so beautiful and so talented.

[@juliansinger]

Esther Williams continues to be a bang-up guest. If they're going to have had repeats, I don't mind when it's people like her.

[@loissimmons6558]

Wayne Hardin would eventually be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame for his coaching record at Navy and Temple.

[@JourneyDrummer1972]

Dad Passed April 2017. Bill Belichick provided the Eulogy at all 3 Services held in PA, CA, and AR. We miss him dearly.

[@alanrabjohns4656]

This show was the first shown after the birth of myself 64 years later I am watching it what a different world then!!😊❤🎉😊❤🎉

[@drea3556]

Lord Esther sat on his lap ! I forgot this one. LMAO. Loved it. She is something!

[@axiomist1076]

OMG !!! Esther Williams is the most beautiful woman Ive EVER seen ! No matter from what angle you look at her, she's unbelievably pretty. And with that voice, wow ! She totally wasted Bennett when she sat on his lap and hugged him. He didnt know what to do with himself . I dont blame him.

[@maxreger100]

NEVER fat--she had the most beautiful shoulders on earth!

[@latsnojokelee6434]

She had swimmer shoulders, very athletic woman.

[@henrygrove100]

I love Esther Williams!

[@druidbros]

Oh the look on Dorothy's face when she chose the wrong answer on the gun lady.

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

Dang. Esther Williams was a knockout.

[@Xzagobag]

You might like this clip then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goG0ZJ6goNSVhbM

[@MrUhwoody]

Esther Williams' movies are fun.

[@MrFrdrcknorman]

The stars of yesteryears were so beautiful and elegant, my god what happen to Hollywood.

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@robertcarran9585 That's it. The ideal cinemagoer nowadays has acne, has just learned the facts of life, relishes loud noises and the sight of property being destroyed. He buys lots of 'cool stuff' related to the spectacles of death and destruction which he squints at on little screens. He is still babyish enough to enjoy fairy tales about monsters, thinly disguised as comic-book science fiction.

[@latsnojokelee6434]

Clothing styles started changing in the 60s with the hippie movement but also a desire to not have to take two hours to get ready to go outside. It was definitely glamorous but it would literally take women hours to do their hair and spray it all in place and put on girdles and nylons etc. The children of this generation saw what their parents went through and just decided they had had enough and didn't want to do that as well. By the 60s you have shows like the Mod Squad on TV where everybody's dressing in jeans and T-shirts. I remember my grandmother in the 1970s have a very hard time with girls wearing Jeans to grocery stores. In her day you just did not wear jeans at all unless you were working out in the garden .

[@marywebb9127]

Back when even the average person dressed nice. Now we have people wearing PJs and slippers. People are sloppy and lazy. Boomers dress like nasty grannies! You can not dress like your 20 year old granddaughter at 70🤢🤮

[@patcurrie7733]

This episode had it all, a nugget for sports fans, a peak into the budding gun industry, and the beauty & charm with Esther. I love how she related to all the folks on the panel. So comfortable. John putting it in context with the guest and Bennett's leading question he knew the guest couldn't answer. It was just a little peak into the times, and there were concerns then. What better guest to lighten the mood than Esther. Why doesn't the WML? gang put Esther up there with the WML? top alum?

[@Lava1964]

Loved the segment with Navy's football coach! Coach Hardin is still alive at age 88.

[@geoffm9944]

She had grace, class and beauty. I loved her southern drawl.

[@danielbisson8032]

she is dead

[@esmeephillips5888]

She was from a poor part of LA.

[@YowzaBowzaWowza]

@@danielbisson8032: No kidding? Who would have guessed!

[@trentaccid2177]

We had a Esther Williams Swimming pool for 40 years and still have it but it now needs a liner. I will never forget the name Esther Williams.

[@GinaGreenlee]

"Ah prad mahself on many dimensions..." Skillfully avoided Cerf's line of questioning in the right direction. Then, "Only at Idlewild ." She's one hot ticket - gorgeous, fun and quick on her feet. AND she's a mermaid!

[@esmeephillips5888]

She risked her health and safety more than any other big Hollywood name, following grueling film schedules and performing dangerous stunts while birthing and raising three kids.

[@marywebb9127]

@@esmeephillips5888 That was her choice!

[@iTsEfFiNsTePhh]

I LOVE Esther's dress it has a regency look to it just much shorter 😍

[@latsnojokelee6434]

They used to call that an empire dress because it would cut right under the breast and then fall straight down. A lot of women used this type of dress in the 50s to hide pregnancies. But in Esther's case, when she leaned forward to sit down you could tell she was very flat in the abdomen .

[@nothingtodo58]

The gun control debate was apparently happening even back in 1959. I am wondering, though, what answer Cerf was expecting from a person who sells sub machine guns.

[@samueladams1775]

He pretty much made it clear he was unfortunately anti gun. He bought into the leftist propaganda of disarming the American people.

[@thesweeples3266]

They should be available for purchase. In all forms.

[@themoderndandy713]

That was definitely an interesting moment. Thankfully, John Daly passed the question off with his wit. I was surprised Bennett asked that, too - it could have been a much more awkward moment. One of the rare times What's My Line got topical.

[@zquark1]

Bennett Cerf was a reliable, if avuncular, Lefty. No surprise he was opposed to relatively unrestricted private firearm ownership. Daly's retort about using firearms for "having fun" was inadequate and wrong. The 2nd Amendment guarantees the right of the individual to keep and bear arms in defense of enemies foreign and domestic, including criminals. Their use today for sports shooting or hunting is secondary.

[@sobeit3356]

Arlene: "Do you consider yourself a leading lady?" Esther: "What do you consider yourself?" Arlene: " Mrs. Martin Gabel." So cute!

[@gailsirois7175]

No not cute...I'm pretty sure Miss Francis is more than aware that she has her OWN identity...she was a very talented and accomplished woman in her own right, not just someone's wife. That really irked me. But it's 1959...go figure

[@gailsirois7175]

Someone should have put Cerf out of his misery..or mine

[@davidharris6581]

Esther Williams WoW!!! Also owned a huge Dairy.

[@joylynn7898]

Esther Williams shocked Bennett Cerf, so funny, she had to MAKE him sit down🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@user-ru6mg5uu7i]

We would go to our grandmother's house every Sunday night for dinner in the early and middle 1960's. We always watched this show before we left to go home. Even when I was 8 years old, I loved watching this show.

[@raybenoit5238]

I didnt realize till now , but esther williams was as beautiful as any woman these eyes have ever seen , mercy !

[@esmeephillips5888]

She spent so much screen time under blazing lights, plastered in waterproof makeup and hair gel, that her natural beauty was obscured. From Esther's first guest role with Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy picture, when she swam only briefly, her healthy good looks, confidence and humorous warmth were obvious. MGM had unearthed (or dredged up) a girl with mammoth potential.

[@sdkelmaruecan2907]

Whenever Bennett says "John, can I ask a question?" you can bet he'll give the right guess, not the first time it happens

[@preppysocks209]

Not when he was about to ask the Scotsman what he wore under his kilt. John wouldn't let him ask that question, never mind receive an answer.

[@gailsirois7175]

Not a Cerf fan ...AT ALL

[@roberts.3098]

Wayne Hardin is still alive at 90 years of age. He looks older than 32 here. Maybe it's his thinning hair.

[@Mmdmade]

Dorothy looks amazing here

[@Cerph]

She was amazing.

[@CarlosGonzalez-yv1tg]

I've been watching this TV show lately and compare say Esther Williams with the Stars of today and it's a shame. They're vulgar,

[@iamintheburg]

Dorothy is CUTE AS A BUTTON in this one ! She's sort'a girly and "All-American " and not so NYC glamorous. Arlene, though, is always and ever the Femme eternelle in her smart and chic style. Two classic dames in the best sense of the word.

[@ironduke2000]

Yes, this is the best I've ever seen Dorothy. She looks fresh and, as you say, girly.

[@dpm-jt8rj]

Dorothy always seemed very sharp, came across as very proper, and attractive. She would have made a good interviewer. Arlene always appeared on television as very lovely lady.

[@gretchenking5952]

I agree. She does look very pretty here. For the last few episodes lately she has looked particularly prettier than usual.

[@tamiobannon]

Dorothy was known as "Dottie Mae" by her family growing up!

[@tamiobannon]

@@dpm-jt8rj She was a renowned journalist. This was just a side gig.

[@thezmanchar]

James Hardin was sheer class. He was loved and respected by all who ever met him. May he rest in peace.

[@andrenadra639]

A charming creature Esther Williams

[@beforeourveryeyes]

thank YOU!!

[@WhatsMyLine]

You're quite welcome!

[@luckyoldfart]

Esther was not only beautiful and talented, but also classy, intelligent and extremely funny. I love her speaking voice and of course, her movies.

[@melianna999]

Such a brilliant show. Esther Williams bio is so funny and honest.

[@kenyongray2615]

Esther Williams was a gorgeous woman and a great athlete.

[@lilybean835]

Dorothy looks stunning in this episode. I'm wondering if it's the longer hair? A different style? Not curled as tightly? It's more relaxed? Regardless, it's much more suited to her. Lovely.

[@stevekru6518]

I’m stunned that Dorothy can be considered good looking, especially on show with Arlene and Ester W.

[@carolv8450]

@@stevekru6518 She is very beautiful!

[@stevekru6518]

@@carolv8450 I have my opinion. You have yours. I respect your opinion and others have written Dorothy looks good. But, even though beauty is subjective, there is something I just do not understand. If you look at women generally considered beautiful, Dorothy looks nothing at all like them (does she?). Put her in a music video or portfolio of models and she’d stand out like a midget on a basketball team. Wouldn’t she? One theory that didn’t work is she is attractive to women in that she could resemble a cute China doll (with a broken off chin). Can you explain our vastly different perceptions?

[@YowzaBowzaWowza]

@@stevekru6518: Some are more attractive than others.

[@marywebb9127]

I agree she looks attractive in this episode.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

Esther was great here!

[@44032]

Navy beat Boston College 24-8. Hardin went on to coach two Heisman trophy winners: Joe Bellino in 1960 and R$oger Staubach in 1963. He was alter the long-time coach at Temple and is still with us at age 88.

[@nancypine9952]

Among his assistant coaches was Stephen Belichick, father of Bill Belichick, currently head coach of the New England Patriots.

[@44032]

Ah the passage of time,. Mr. Hardin, age 32 here, died in 2017 at the age of 91. it's easy to forget how long ago these shows were broadcast, especially after feel like you've become friends with John, Bennett, Dorothy, Arlene and Martin, allegedly decease, but there they are talking to us.

[@Dolphin-cb9sq]

So much fun to watch these shows.

[@davidsoulier6375]

thanx for posting.

[@pp312]

The witty, good-natured contretemps between Bennet Cerf and John Daly is surely one of the continuing delights of this program.

[@fromthesidelines]

Esther received $500 for her appearance (as all mystery guests did)- and she intended to donate it to her favorite charity. Her agent, however, insisted on his "10%". Esther was furious, insisting he donate HIS portion to the same charity.

[@esmeephillips5888]

Having been looted by her no-good second husband, Esther might have appreciated five hundred bucks- worth nearly $12K in 2020 values.

[@jackjules7552]

@@esmeephillips5888 And by this time her movie career was in the toilet so she really needed the money.

[@judithsweeney2553]

More like $5K

[@fromthesidelines]

Goodson-Todman couldn't afford to pay *that* much to their "mystery guests". The most a contestant could win if they stumped the panel was $50.

[@hopicard]

Yes, a very funny episode.

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

Dorothy was simply adorable who’s life was cut short by fearful thugs THANK YOU DOROTHY FOR SHARING ALL THE GIFTS WITH US ALL THAT GOD BLESSED YOU WITH R.I.P.

[@samueladams1775]

Thugs is being too kind. She asked too many questions about her friend JFK. She knew he was murdered by a faction of the government.

[@hthought]

Dude with the glasses must have been a hawk in his day. He is the one to unravel the mystery behind the cuties in every episode.

[@trentaccid2177]

PLEASE !MORE LIKE A DORK

[@sandy3482]

Ester was so funny, I love What's My Line of the hundreds of game shows that were ever on TV it is far and away the very BEST!

[@trentaccid2177]

THIS AND TO TELL THE TRUTH.

[@TomBarrister]

Wayne Harden coached two Heisman Trophy winners, one of which was Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach.

[@ajsmith5295]

I love Esther Williams

[@Cristinatmg]

Love that they still have them, and that I found them! Thank you!❤️💚🧡🥳

[@Lava1964]

Esther Williams was a true, classic beauty. Today she'd be considered overweight.

[@ToddSF]

Lava1964 -- I once read someone's comment about Marilyn Monroe, stating they couldn't imagine why anyone thought she was attractive because she was fat. I think that nowadays, if a woman isn't emaciated, she's considered to be overweight. Esther Williams was in great shape, of course, thanks to all the swimming she did.

[@Lava1964]

ToddSF 94109 I completely agree. I've read those comments about Marilyn Monroe too. I just laugh at them. Marilyn was gorgeous--as was Esther Williams. Lillian Russell was considered the greatest American beauty at the turn of the 20th century. She's be considered a blimp now.

[@johnww9316]

I'm a man who likes a woman who has something to hold onto ;-) So I wholeheartedly agree with your comments!

[@maxreger100]

Not so--she was MUSCULAR, full figured and in fabulous shape. And those shoulders!!! To die for.

[@robertlongwill8856]

I never considered Esther Williams fat by any stretch of the imagination. She's a very curvaceous and fit young lady. This is the way a woman should be built. Not these skinny twigs who look so emaciated to look unhealthy. Esther was built like a brick out house

[@poetcomic1]

Bennet Cerf narrows himself down to two choices and ALWAYs chooses the wrong one. With the coach he choose Army over Navy.

[@vanekirk]

I just became an Esther Williams fan!

[@savethetpc6406]

The "imperturbable" John Daly actually seemed more perturbed in this episode than I've ever seen him! That whole bit with Bennett about what room the 2nd contestant's product might be in seemed to really get to him. (beginning around 12:52 and continuing through much of that segment)

[@philippapay4352]

SaveThe TPC - I thought this contestant was way off base about her own product. How many people had submachine guns and other such military style weaponry in their homes as a norm? Then she didn't answer the questions as though she'd ever seen the program, so John kept stepping in. I got the impression he was a bit frustrated by her insistence that these were relatively common household items, which they are not even today in the age of the NRA promotion of same. So, he had to keep steering the panelists away from soap dishes and other such household-type items. The first contestant had not been the brightest bulb either, so he may have been growing weary of dim.

[@samueladams1775]

@@philippapay4352 actually today a lot of people have the guns you claim aren't so common. Once you get away from the few anti gun states it becomes quite common for Americans to be armed and many with machine guns. Although in that era of the 1950s mostly it was just rifles, shotguns and pistols that were quite common. I thought overall she handled things quite well , including the anti gun attitude of Bennet.

[@philippapay4352]

@@samueladams1775 I have lived most of my life in 3 states where hunting is common in the forests and mountains and on public lands in season. However, those who hunt use hunting rifles and shotguns and go on an actual hunt where the sought creature has a chance, if poorly tracked, of escaping and once shot, it is a kill shot with meat to be butchered from the animal and shared with neighbors and relatives for the winter. There are some handguns among those who perhaps handle money late at night when they close their shops and do a bank drop for deposit. But, there is not a lot of warrior weaponry, even now, among those who aren't looking to kill things in a manner that obliterates their existence or use of any hoped-for product. I thought the contestant was nervous or never saw the show.

[@samueladams1775]

@@philippapay4352 what 3 states? I have been in every state except Hawaii. The only states where gun ownership was limited in the way you explained were in the gun grabbing states run by leftist demoncrats that didn't understand the Bill of Rights, or did, but despised the Bill of Rights. I grew up in the 1960s and remember when guns were a lot easier to buy than today and saw a lot of military weapons as well as hunting rifles. Did you poll people that were out hunting and ask them what guns they have at home? Do you know where the term pocket pistol comes from? Do you know why gun manufacturers made pistols for women to carry in their purse? The important thing is, the 2nd Amendment isn't determined by your feelings. If you study the writings of the founding fathers you will understand why the held the 2nd Amendment to be so important. In the era of James Madison therm " Well regulated " meant well trained. Not well governed/controlled by the government. We The People are supposed to be well armed. That was clearly understood for the first 100 years of this country. It wasn't about the right to hunt. It was about keeping the government in check. " Government is like fire. A dangerous servant, and a fearful master." One of the founding fathers wrote that and understood the dangers of an unarmed society. My Rights don't cease because of your feelings.

[@philippapay4352]

@@samueladams1775 My good man - you are a good man, are you not? - I was not talking about my feelings, but the facts as I recall them from my youth. Beliefs and feelings are not evidence and facts. Thus, I would not use mine as such. Further, I was speaking of states wherein there was plenty of hunting in season, culling of herds, fishing in season, etc., and people did it for sport, not out of bloodlust, and shared the bounty with friends, family, neighbors, so we all knew who was headed out to hunt and for what. I am not aware of any of those 3 states having laws against any of this, but rather merely controlling seasons and limits on perhaps age and size of the fish and game sought. As I am not one of those people who visits a home and while needing to use the bathroom facilities does a search of people's medicine cabinets to get good gossip about drugs and sex toys, I would not know what other weapons people had in their homes locked up and unloaded appropriately for storage until they were to be put into use. My, but you seem angry and I'm sorry you chose me to try to argue with.

[@robertlongwill8856]

Esther Williams is such a beautiful lady. I love how at the end she said she was going to be on a show that September. The main topic was American women losing their femininity and she stood up for women and their femininity and that's the way women should be. Feminine. That's what makes a woman strong loving her femininity

[@tugginalong]

The most successful coach in Temple football history and the coach of Navy's only two Heisman Trophy winners, Wayne Hardin created a Hall of Fame career, leading the Midshipmen and Owl programs to unprecedented accomplishments. His overall coaching record was 118-74-5.

[@zquark1]

In 1959, the year this show was aired, 49% of U.S. households had at least one firearm. The total number of firearms in the country was 75 million. From 1972 to 2024, that percentage has hovered around 40-45%, though the total number of firearms has increased to 400+ million.

[@TheRealBuRnClan]

Watching this today, September 6 - exactly 63 years after it originally aired.

[@dancoll8166]

Dorothy and Bennett!

[@sandroserna6883]

My 2 favorite women Julie Garland and Esther Williams What a pair

[@kingforaday8725]

Esther appeared on WML in July of 1958 using the same voice. Dorothy, Arlene, and Bennett were also panelists in that episode. Hard to believe they didnt remember.

[@ihatey0utube]

WHEN ESTHER WILLIAMS SAT ON BENNETT'S LAP XDDDDDD I WAS LAUGHING SO HARD XDDDD bennet looked amused but embarrassed XDDDDDDD

[@johnww9316]

Bennett blushed on B&W television!!!

[@sagarsaxena6318]

Martin Gabel's insistence on 'taking off' was really surprising. Arlene had asked about space travel & it was turned down. Then Gabel had asked about Air Force and he got a 'no'. At the end,Gabel again asks Bennett Cerf to go for the "Air Force". Navy was the only other option & it seemed Cerf would've gotten it right.

[@stevekru6518]

Why wouldn’t Army be another option.

[@omargonzalez2641]

Prescient question by Bennett Cerf.

[@stevekru6518]

Both prescient and ignorant. Random House must not have printed copies of the Constitution

[@thesweeples3266]

@@stevekru6518 exactly

[@ToddSF]

"Well, almost everyone." I'm with John Daly on that one. A lot of people, but far from everyone.

[@harryhagan5937]

A lot of people are dead for not having had one.

[@medievalhistorybuff]

@@harryhagan5937 Typical gun nut logic. A lot of people are dead because of them.

[@alansorensen5903]

@@harryhagan5937 People with guns in their homes are 3 times more likely to be killed by one. And far fewer than half of American households possess guns. Just some fun facts.

[@samueladams1775]

It depends on where you live. Outside of the anti gun states it is quite common. Even back then.

[@legrandeanorey3860]

LA SIMPATIA DE ESTHER, FUE SU MAYOR ARMA !!!!

[@suecastillo4056]

Stunning!🤪

[@juanettebutts9782]

Yes, there is a city in Texas named Hardin! It's in Liberty County, north of the city of Liberty, on Hwy 146. Way to go, Hardin! Congratulations on a mention from John Charles Daly!

[@ToddSF]

This isn't the first time I've heard John Daly pronounce "alma mater" where "mater" rhymes with "later". I've *never* heard anyone else say it that way. I've only heard people say "alma mater" where "mater" rhymes with "potter". I've always liked the term, though, where "fostering mother" or "nurturing mother" in Latin is used as a metaphor for the school one attended.

[@neilmidkiff]

ToddSF 94109 My father's First Year Latin textbook, circa 1940, says that since we don't know how ancient Romans pronounced Latin, people today usually use the phonetics of their own modern language, so that for Cicero, English speakers say siss-er-o while Italians say chee-chay-ro and Spaniards say thee-thay-ro (the Castilian accent is assumed here). I understand that the research using clues from poetry etc. which led to our modern academic pronunciation of Latin had already begun, but hadn't trickled down into high school textbooks by this time. Another system of pronunciation which is probably most influential in my experience and probably that of ToddSF is church Latin, based on Roman pronunciation, with which I'm familiar from singing classical music with texts from the Catholic liturgy. This is probably the source of the "ah" sound in "mater" as Todd describes it. But another tradition preserves the mostly anglicized phonetics as in my dad's textbook: legal Latin is typically sounded out as if the words were English. For instance, the first "a" in "habeas corpus" is usually the sound of "hay" not "hah." Same with "day" rather than "dam" in "mandamus." Also, a pretentious schoolboy referring to his parents as "pater" and "mater" would, in my experience, rhyme these with "later". So John's version of "alma mater" is noticeable but not surprising to me.

[@richardclifford003]

I lived in Europe for over a decade and noticed that pronunciation of the romantic languages was predicated upon their respective mother tongues. The British pronounce "mater" as "later" as will sections of Germany. As will the host, from South Africa his dictation is ruled by the Germans/British who settled the country. As for Esther Williams, two words: Gorg & us.

[@stewedfishproductions9554]

@@richardclifford003 Hello Richard, I have only just watched this episode and read the comments. I'm from the UK and can confirm to learning It as rhyming with 'later'...

[@fortbumper]

It was certainly interesting to see how they dealt with a controversial subject in this program, with tact and good humor.

[@harryhagan5937]

It was not that controversial then.

[@thesweeples3266]

Eeek! Run and hide! Someone said gun

[@jayrice5156]

Love Heather's dress!

[@YowzaBowzaWowza]

Heather who?

[@rapunzelz5520]

Too bad we are not in color, here, ...to see how many shades of red was reflected in bennets face.

[@ajsmith5295]

Esther Williams is gorgeous

[@MyREDTAIL]

Always Loved Ester williams Movies Growing Up, she was such a Beautiful looking woman & ?Actress, May she RIP, And is Sadly missed by all of her Fans etc.

[@sjinzaar]

OMG.... I fell in love with Esther Williams

[@Ceelle2]

Coach Hardin became legendary at Annapolis.

[@NealKanter]

Can't blame John Daly for swooming after Esther Williams.

[@LANCSKID]

Is that like swooning?

[@jmccracken1963]

I just finished watching all three of the WHAT'S MY LINE? episodes on which Esther Williams appears as Mystery Guest, and I have to say that she was certainly quite versatile as Mystery Guest (as well as very funny, very entertaining, and very beautiful, of course). From singing her responses in a nice, light operatic soprano in 1955, to the "Brooklynite with laryngitis" in 1958, to the Southern belle accent in this episode, she succeeded in fooling the panel for quite a while (completely in 1958). And I like all three I've seen the Wayne Hardin segment of this episode as a "stand-alone" before; it's good to see it again in context here, and it's a lot of fun to see Mr. Hardin just about fool the panel with his "line." I wonder whether John Daly's demeanor during the second segment of this episode had to do with a certain defensiveness about Mrs. Fraser's "line." I sincerely HOPE that the only customer for Harrington and Richardson's submachine guns was the U.S. military.

[@002DrEvil]

Well said. I agree completely. She's my favourite guest ever on WML.

[@samueladams1775]

You have to keep in mind that the parts of the East coast were anti gun and still are. They have been out of touch with the 2nd Amendment for a long time.

[@craigsimpson1230]

Yeesh. Even sixty years ago the gun debate was the same as it is now.

[@daleburrell6273]

NO, IT'S A HELL OF A LOT WORSE NOW...BACK THEN, IT WAS A LOT EASIER TO OBTAIN GUNS- AND IT'S EQUALLY TRUE THAT BACK THEN, IF YOU KILLED SOMEBODY WITHOUT A DAM GOOD REASON- YOU'D GET LIFE IN PRISON IF YOU WERE LUCKY- OR YOU'D GET THE ELECTRIC CHAIR- AND NOBODY WAS GONNA FEEL SORRY FOR YOU!!! ...BUT THAT WAS BEFORE WE GOT STUCK WITH THE "REVOLVING DOOR JUSTICE SYSTEM"-!!!

[@TheRealBuRnClan]

Watching this today, September 6 - 63 years after it originally aired.

[@sandrageorge3488]

How ironic that Bennett asked the woman who sold guns about just anyone buying them in 1959 and we still have no answer in 2020.

[@thesweeples3266]

Eeek! Run and hide!

[@liwmld]

Arlene didn't look none too happy when the beautiful Esther Williams planted herself on Bennett's lap lol.

[@iTsEfFiNsTePhh]

Yeah I noticed that too tbh this was the first episode i've seen where Arlene seemed to be intimidated by another woman. Literally every other episode I watched with a pretty girl she'd compliment them and be nice but here you can see she's intimidated. That "I'm Mrs. Martin Gabel" convo you can just feel it oozing off of her words like she was afraid Esther was gonna steal her man or somethin (I try not to judge too much but her husband Martin gabel was fugly so don't think she had too much to be worried about tbh)

[@daleburrell6273]

@@iTsEfFiNsTePhh ...looks aren't EVERYTHING-!!!

[@LANCSKID]

Good job she didn’t sit on her ventriloquist dummy husband, then.