What's My Line? - Eddie Fisher; Martin Gabel [panel] (Dec 6, 1964)

MYSTERY GUEST: Eddie Fisher
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf
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[@bostonblackie9503]

His marriage to Taylor was over by the time he did this. Suprised the audience greeted him so warmly. The public hated him for leaving Debbie.

[@matthewjones1497]

I tried looking for a comment on this but that comment by Arlene at the start to Martin. Usually she is really coy and flirtish with Martin. He usually doesn't acknowledge it, which is almost as endearing. But this time he did and the response was just hilarious from Arlene. From this little interaction, it's clear to see what they saw in each other. I always wondered how such a beautiful woman married a nice looking gentlemen but no where near her level. But that interaction shows it. Two people who genuinely and whole hearted love and respect each other. And be a little naughty too.

[@rah62]

Reading what Carrie Fisher had to say about her father gives a whole new meaning to "Oh, My Papa".

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Martin's turn in Baker Street was successful, running for 311 performances on Broadway in 1965.

[@epaddon]

Surprisingly they never had the stars of "Baker Street" on as guest panelists or Mystery Guests, Fritz Weaver and Inga Swenson (though Fritz did appear on the To Tell The Truth panel and Inga appeared on Password during the run).

[@savethetpc6406]

Joe Postove I'm glad to hear that! I've noticed that some of the other enterprises he and Arlene had been involved with during these last couple of years worth of episodes ended up less successfully.

[@davidduxbury7530]

I love the gentle humour between Mr.Daly and Bennett,and with all the regular panel members!!❤

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Gee Whillikers, this is family night for me. My Mom and Dad took a cruise on that Golfer's boat the S.S. Ariadne to Freeport and Nassua in 1965. My Dad probably met him!

[@savethetpc6406]

Joe Postove Cool! Would you remember if they mentioned anything about golf lessons on the cruise?

[@MrJoeybabe25]

No. I was eight when they went on the cruise. I have pictures of them, but interestingly, its mostly my Mom in evening dress and my Dad in a brilliant suit. 1965 standards were still pretty sharp. From what I understand, cruise ships today are little more than floating buffets. I remember asking my folks about the trip a lot when they returned (I think it was a three day tour, a three day tour) but I have forgotten lots of it. And both my parents are gone. More than that, they're dead too.

[@Beson-SE]

Always nice to see Martin Gabel in the panel. :) John says it was 28 degrees outside in New York. 12:24

[@soulierinvestments]

I once saw Debbie Reynolds refer to Eddie Fisher on TV as O My Faux Pas -[Fisher once sang O My Papa, so it was punnage worthy of Bennett.] Any marriage that produced Carrie Fisher cannot be all insults and broken crockery.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

She talked about him ceaselessly for over 50 years - truly a pathetic woman

[@savethetpc6406]

Fashion comments: 1) I *love* Arlene's gown -- not only does it have a sleek line, it even has at least one pocket! (1:00) These days it is getting increasingly difficult to find even a regular skirt or dress with pockets. 2) Dorothy and Arlene are both wearing shiny brooches just under their left shoulders. This must have been a popular fashion of the day.

[@Bambi_Harris_Author]

Thankfully vintage fashion is a popular venture (my husband and I wear vintage full time even pajamas) and yes pockets are wonderful, I also liked Arlene's gown, very sleek :-)

[@sandrageorge3488]

I love the fact that almost all of Arlene's dresses have pockets!

[@savethetpc1547]

@@sandrageorge3488 So do I! So practical! I never buy or wear any dresses or skirts without pockets if I can help it -- so _IMpractical_ not to have them! And I'm glad to know that Arlene apparently felt the same way!

[@hizgrase]

I love this panel. These four people together.

[@VahanNisanian]

Just so everyone here knows, this episode, as well as the one after it, were live. The last two episodes of December 1964 were pre-taped.

[@tessar.9779]

For anyone that is interested: both here on KZbin and on Spotify you can listen to Martin Gabel singing in Baker Street.

[@aileen694]

Hello Tessa R! Just read your comment...coincidence I wonder: my daughter with whom I was just speaking is named Tessa, not a common name. And, I have just written a response to yet another viewer - criticizing Martin Gabel's appearance and "luck" at being Arlene's husband! One of several qualities I appreciate in him is that gorgeous speaking voice. So now I 'll search KZbin for his singing, in Baker Street. Thanks!

[@tessar.9779]

@Aileen Glad to be of help! His voice is wonderful! And while he certainly was lucky to marry Arlene, so was she. Both of them seem like fantastic people and they‘re always lovely together. It really annoys me when all people can think of is criticising Martins appearance, without ever getting the idea that juuust maybe that is not the most important thing in a person and especially not in a relationship/marriage. About the name: even though Tessa is a wonderful name by itself, in my case I‘m afraid it‘s just an abbreviation. Sorry! 😉

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I find it interesting that a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is unsure whether or not she works for the government!

[@savethetpc6406]

I don't think she was actually unsure. She seemed very nervous to me and very worried about having her line guessed quickly. I think she was just reluctant to have to give a yes there, because she was afraid she was going to lose the game any second. It wasn't until she had a large number of "no"s already that she began to smile a little and seem a bit more relaxed. I found it a bit uncomfortable to watch her apparent discomfort and fear of being guessed.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

SaveThe TPC Perhaps so. She certainly seemed more relaxed as time went on.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Joe Postove - I wondered that myself. Maybe she was just nervous.

[@bluecamus5162]

I agree. She was very nervous. She had to refer to John for nearly every answer and to his credit, John picks up on these things and he took the lead.

[@VahanNisanian]

Martin Gabel definitely lost weight for his new play.

[@savethetpc6406]

6:28 -- Dorothy asks Mrs. Bass if she works in the daytime; then a half minute later (7:09 -- still on the same turn), she asks the same question again!

[@preppysocks209]

There were two occasions in which she asked a question that the guest had already been asked. Very sad to see her in this condition, not sharp as she had been for a long time.

[@bluecamus5162]

I hate to agree with that, but I do. It's clear to me that she's not been as sharp as, say, 6 months ago. Could be menopausal effects or drug use or some other condition compounding either of those two.

[@soulierinvestments]

The movie "Paint Your Wagon" had great material to work with, but for some reason the producers decided to cast it mostly with stars who did not sing. It had Harve Presnell, though. It was a bust, so Arlene's warning to Martin was prophetic. I wonder about the vague "wagon" reference. Irwin Shaw's biography took some swipes at Martin's drinking habits in this period.

[@nancycowan2946]

If I remember correctly EF left the production before it was released. There were disagreements about the music and stars. EF had promoted Kim Novak but Jean Seberg got the part. Since the picture was a flop perhaps EF was correct. EF did record "They Call the Wind Myriah" and, as always, his voice was amazing.

[@bygodsgracejourneytohealin8368]

Wow the Justice of peace was extremely peaceful!❤🙏

[@VahanNisanian]

There was a movie version of "Paint Your Wagon" in 1969 with Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg. It bombed big time.

[@soulierinvestments]

It was great material. One wonders what would have happened if a good director had cast actors who sang.

[@2508bona]

There's a very good book on PAINT YOUR WAGON and other roadshow megaflops of the 60s, entitled ROADSHOW! published by Oxford. Lots of detail on how and why PTW and the like failed.

[@jvcomedy]

+Vahan Nisanian I'm guessing you mean it bombed at the box office? I don't recall. Although it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture and got an Oscar nomination for Best Music so it appears that some in the film business liked it even though perhaps the public did not.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Vahan Nisanian - That sounds like a strange cast with little to bind them together in any way.

[@kentetalman9008]

I have the soundtrack of that show. I wonder whether the casting director understood that it was supposed to be a MUSICAL. Who on earth would hire actors who couldn't carry a tune?

[@philliplehrman8213]

Bennett demonstrates the truth of a near law of nature “Never go back for a laugh.”

[@philliplehrman8213]

Also re Arlene and Martin. Despite his height, Martin was a towering presence on stage. Arlene was essentially and persistently a stage actress and it’s easy to imagine the impression he could have made on her.

[@soulierinvestments]

When Eddie Fisher last appeared on WML in 1962, Dorothy knew a lot about the real state of his marriage and wrote about it for all to see. Considering all the stuff she wrote about him and Debbie and then him and Liz - most of it true, too - he is a good sport for coming back. Years later in the 90s, when Debbie Reynold and Elizabeth Taylor reestablished contact and friendship they could agree on what a jerk he was. I liked him as a singer. I wonder if he and Richard Burton ever got together to trade war stories about Liz.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

+soulierinvestments Well Frank Sinatra warned Debbie not to marry Eddie.

[@gilliankew]

The women of that generation put up with more than I would, and far more than my daughter would! Thank heavens.

[@mikejschin]

The two cereals at the left of the Kellogg's variety pack shown at 0:28 underwent some changes. "Sugar Pops" later became Sugar Corn Pops and in 1984, for marketing reasons to de-emphasize the sugar content, became simply Corn Pops. The next one over, Kellogg's OKs, had been discontinued by the time of this episode. The cereal was an attempt to take market share from Cheerios, but it failed despite using Yogi Bear in the advertising.

[@michaelmayoh656]

In England they were called sugar puffs!

[@Bigwave2003]

Would have loved to see Martin Gabel as Professor Moriarty.

[@photo161]

I did, and you would not have been disappointed...quite dapper on stage, and sang well.

[@tessar.9779]

I know this comment might be a bit late, but for example on spotify you can search for Martin Gabel and listen to him singing in Baker Street. His voice really is fantastic!

[@gilliankew]

He really did look gaunt here - what some actors put themselves through for a role! I could see genuine concern in Bennett’s voice!

[@soulierinvestments]

10:20 -- Typically Dorothy is remembered as humorless and argumentative, but Arlene could take John to task -- and did.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

soulierinvestments - Dorothy was not humorless. She was just more serious in trying to ascertain the contestants' lines.

[@sallyhaid7030]

@@shirleyrombough8173 you qre right. Dorothy had a great sense of humor. She is always laughing and giggling about something.

[@madeleine9907]

@@sallyhaid7030 I think Dorothy was amazing, admire her so much 🇸🇪

[@bluecamus5162]

I don't see Dorothy that way at all--- at least not on this program, and I never knew her personally. Did you?

[@WhatsMyLine]

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[@cosmotopperIII]

Martin Gabel always looks to me, when he comes on, as though he's forgotten to remove the coat hanger from his jacket. A large head, broad shoulders and little legs - if he were a pencil sketch you'd erase him and start again to get the proportions right. But what a voice he had, and a keen intelligence, too. He looks far too thin here.

[@bluecamus5162]

First thing I noticed was his weight loss and he looks a bit aged, or a bit haggard. And it really is a remarkable voice.

[@user-ne8lh2vr2t]

@@bluecamus5162 Here he is playing prof. Moriarty on stage which as history says is a very haggard pale character, in other words he's in character.

[@riveranormanf.8770]

Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor officially divorced that year on March 6th, 1964, it was his second marriage and her fourth.

[@kentetalman9008]

In my opinion, Martin has never looked better.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Wow..the things you learn on WML. Eddie Fisher owned the rights motion picture rights to "Paint Your Wagon" which didn't come out until 1969. I liked it myself, but it was such a stiff it helped kill movie musicals for a dozen years or so.

[@gilliankew]

I went to see it with my mum. She was a bit scandalised by the “naughty bits”. I remember Lee Marvin sounding like he had a voice box full of gravel and Clint Eastwood’s painful rendition of “I talk to the trees”. But despite its flaws I loved it. And I and my brothers laughed so hard when the town collapsed!! They don’t make ‘em like that any more - thank goodness 🤣🤣

[@nancycowan2946]

@@gilliankew I think EF left the project b4 the pic was released

[@Merrida100]

I'm getting this impression that this first contestant, the JOP, wasn't even sure what her job was. She barely answered a question, kept looking to John, hardly uttered a word and seemed completely unaware of how to answer

[@garyzerr8134]

Merrida100 I have to agree. She seemed almost helpless ( or hapless) for the most part but it had to be nerves as no one who sounded like this could ever have become a Justice of the Peace!

[@dariawells7438]

That poor first contestant looked terrified.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

*_JUSTICE OF THE PEACE_* *_GOLF PRO ON OCEAN LINER_*

[@Marcel_Audubon]

Eddie Fisher had the best natural singing voice I've ever heard. He seldom had good material, however.

[@hizgrase]

Also…. They all look like they coordinated their outfits in this episode.

[@scotnick59]

Loved Eddie's singing voice, as a person, not so much

[@jimclark6256]

The Justice of the Peace didn't know what she did.

[@1jamyc]

16:37 "The late great President Hoover". These comments always note how respectful people are on this show - but WOW! First time I've ever heard that phrase in my life.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

The first contestant was from Wilson, NC! My uncle who went on to spend 50+ years as a major league baseball scout served as general manager of a minor league baseball team there in 1946. He hated it.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Did Martin and Eddie go to the same Hebrew school?

[@MrJoeybabe25]

They probably had Bar-Mitzvah in the same shul, huh?

[@Sylvander1911]

DK asked the same question twice out of three.

[@galileocan]

Perhaps someone could fill me in on something. It appears to me (or perhaps it's just my imagination), that Martin Gabel appears much slimmer in this episode than in appearances in previous years on WML. Does anyone agree, and does anyone with knowledge know if he had gone on a weight loss plan?

[@sandrageorge3488]

He lost weight for a play he was in

[@MrJoeybabe25]

John seems to have a good time during the week, as on many shows he speaks of football games, and travels, and such. Did he work?

[@WhatsMyLine]

He had his position on the Tilton school board, but those duties were intermittent. I know he was no longer head of ABC news at this point. I don't think he did have a full time job at this point in his life. When WML ended, he took over as head of the Voice of America, which was certainly a full time position. But that only lasted about a year. After that, other than his duties at Tilton, he was essentially retired.

[@WhatsMyLine]

tomtriffid The question Joe was asking had to do with whether John worked during the week. His duties on WML required a grand total of about an hour per week, no exaggeration.

[@alskndlaskndal]

Didn't he start giving talks on pollution? Not that those would pay much, I imagine.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Reluctant Dragon Possibly it didn't pay anything at all! I've only read reference to this in an article or two-- I didn't know it was a regular thing of his. In any event, he didn't need the money. He was making, according to Fates, about $250,000 a year for WML alone, which is about $3 million today. For one hour's work per week.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I've read that by the end of the run he was making 5g's a week.

[@dennisbedard9850]

I think Arlene had a wild side to her. That comment about not wanting to be "safe" suggested something kinky about their relationship. She was a sexy, alluring woman with an attitude to match. Martin was a nerdy man but could match her on an intellectual level.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

SMH at Dorothy's hair. The 50s and 60s hair was questionable at times.

[@markxxx21]

Oh just state the obvious, it was hideous :o)

[@El_Ophelia]

Disagree. I love that look of the 60's hair with a flip.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Martin is much thinner here. It was either this episode or another that I saw years ago where he also was thin. Was he ill?

[@WhatsMyLine]

As ***** noted, he'd lost weight to play the role of Moriarty on Broadway. He never gained it back, as far as I've seen.The whole shape of his face changed completely.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

What's My Line? I'm afraid it made him look haggard. I thought he looked good with some extra meant on his bones.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Joe Postove I agree-- he always appeared somewhat gaunt to me from this point on, to the point that I had wondered if he was ill. But seeing as he lived for another 20 years, it was not a reflection of his actual health.

[@savethetpc6406]

What's My Line? Joe Postove Well, Bennett seems to agree with both of you, but Arlene disagrees (23:37-23:45). In her memoirs, Arlene mentioned that Martin was forever battling weight issues. Although I agree that his face looks noticeably thinner here, and he must certainly have lost some weight, he is still not exactly slender. I never really thought he ever looked terribly overweight either, though.

[@jvcomedy]

+Joe Postove I know some people like this. They lose weight, but when they do they look gaunt and sickly. I think some people, and Martin could fall in this category, because of their body structure just don't look very good when they are thinner.

[@bluecamus5162]

The Gulf (Golf) of New Mexico??? Really, Bennet!

[@richatlarge462]

It astounds me how poor the panelists were when it came to geography.

[@kentetalman9008]

@@richatlarge462 And Daly as well. He once thought the Dakotas were east of the Mississippi.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

Martin lost some weight.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Eddie Fisher in Paint your Wagon? Too bad that never materialized. I always thought Eddie could have made a side career as an actor. He wasn't half-bad in Butterfield 8. I remember reading his first autobiography. I thought he was really harsh on himself.

[@VahanNisanian]

Gary, I heard that you have a migaraine. Get well soon.

[@WhatsMyLine]

It's in all the papers. :) Thanks, Vahan. Somewhat stupidly, I'm trying to catch up on YT comments rather than sleeping, which is what I should be doing!

[@jazzvampire]

What's My Line? I just got over one myself, so I know how awful they can be. Best to ya!

[@WhatsMyLine]

Elsie M. Thanks, Elsie. The worst is when they're accompanied by visual disturbances, because then I can't do *anything*, read, watch TV. All I can do is lie around in agony bored senseless. I've been getting migraines since I was 8 years old. They come in spurts, with no identifiable triggers sometimes (which is the case now). I'm still in rotten shape but I can't sleep anymore after being in bed all day. So here I am, reviewing comments online. . . :)

[@savethetpc6406]

What's My Line? I hope you're feeling better now.

[@WhatsMyLine]

SaveThe TPC Yes, much. Thank you! :)

[@kentetalman9008]

"Paint Your Wagon" is to be the successor to "My Fair Lady"????? I don't think so!

[@rangerboy7877]

i hate when people cant even answer a yes or no question about their job.

[@oakleafwellness]

Wow. The applause. They didn’t appreciate how he left Debbie Reynolds.

[@galileocan]

What is the "Catskills Borscht Circuit" or ""Catskills Champagne Circuit"?....anyone?

[@WhatsMyLine]

The Borscht Belt was a bunch of hotels in upper NY state that were extremely popular resorts for ethnic minorities, particularly Jewish people. Many, many big name comedians got their start in the Borscht Belt. Check out this list of names: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borscht_Belt#Comedic_legacy I have no idea what the "Champagne Circuit" was, but if I had to guess, probably the gentile equivalent.

[@jvcomedy]

+Galileocan g They're both the same thing. I believe Eddie Fisher in this video even says "that's what I call it" when asked about the Champagne Circuit. I took that to mean that he calls the "Borscht Circuit" the "Champagne Circuit".

[@WhatsMyLine]

Jeff Vaughn Ah, yes, you're probably right, as if he was trying to say "Borscht Belt" was too degrading a term.

[@rangerboy7877]

could dorothy's hair get any bigger lol

[@michaelrube9881]

Not as big as the Ronnets 😊

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I'm #2 (not to be not literally). (I think).

[@WhatsMyLine]

You mean the second person to view the video? Then you're probably the first, actually. . . There's usually a view from me before the videos are even made public, so those don't really count. :)

[@MrJoeybabe25]

What's My Line? I'm #1 (not literally of course)! (I think).

[@VahanNisanian]

But in contrast, Dorothy gained quite a bit of weight.

[@jazzvampire]

Um...no.

[@savethetpc6406]

***** tomtriffid Elsie M. I agree with Vahan on this one. She was not exactly overweight, but her face looks much fuller in the 1963-64 episodes than it ever did before, as does her figure.

[@jazzvampire]

SaveThe TPC I figured it was the change of hairstyle that attributed to this? Or maybe she did gain a bit of weight, indeed- it isn't uncommon for someone's weight to fluctuate, especially a woman at Dorothy's age. But "quite a bit" of weight, ehh...I disagree. Those empire waist dresses are deceiving us!

[@brucemarsico6]

Oh well, lost Eddie...all washed up by this time, 1964. The 1950s long passed away, forsaken by Liz, lost record contract with Rca Victor. Career was sinking........

[@michaelmayoh656]

Sad!

[@hopsiepike]

The years of meth injections from Dr. Feelgood didn’t help, either.