You Bet Your Life #56-04 George Fenneman reveals his middle name (Secret word 'Hand', Oct 18, 1956)

George Fenneman reluctantly reveals his unusual middle name in this program, when introducing the second couple.
COUPLE #1: Hazel Hummel / Jim McKinley, who talks about beating parking tickets
COUPLE #2: Annie Wilkins, who rode a horse from Maine to California / Vahan Khorigian, professional upholsterer and amateur impersonator (he's pretty terrible if you ask me!)
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Episode identification and basic description based on "Tell 'em Groucho Sent You", © 1997 by Mark Petty. Used by permission.

[@jimhardy7673]

I was 11 years old when this show was first aired. I loved this show then and at the age of 73 I still love this show. RIP Groucho.

[@michaelsantangelo2831]

I'VE ENJOYED WATCHING ALL THE MOVIES....I SAW HIM AT CARNEGIE HALL IN 72....RIP ALL THE BROTHERS

[@jaybrown1828]

You and I are the same age and my grandpa got me watching this as a little kid.Great memories

[@johnniepace7186]

LOVE these shows. I am 67 and remember these well. Such a different and REAL time. Thanks for sharing!

[@witchingours4432]

Wow, Annie Wilkins, who, in 1954 was given two years to live. She rode her horse and traveled with her dog over 4000 miles from Maine to California - and lived another 24 years! She is one of the few guests who kept up with Groucho. In the show she called her horse King, but I had read that the horse was Tarzan and the dog was Depeche Toi.

[@patriciafields9897]

She had a horse named Rex she got to go along with Tarzan who she originally rode from Maine. Unfortunately, Rex died from tetanus. She grieved a long while and only resumed her journey after Art Linkletter gave her a horse named King which gave her new hope since Rex and King mean the same thing.

[@a.perkins907]

@@patriciafields9897 Wow your update was GREAT INFORMATION..... Thanks so much!

[@geniemedford9200]

😍

[@Madronaxyz]

​@@a.perkins907 I just finished listening to the book on tape about Annie wilkens. The title of the book is, "the ride of her life.". I liked it so much to listened to it twice!

[@bernardpollard3824]

@@patriciafields9897😊😊😊 0:07 😊😊😊😊😊pp 😊😊

[@ginakhorigian4696]

Been looking for this for this episode with my father for YEARS!!! Love hearing his voice again.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Wow! Always great to see comments from descendants of the contestants! Did I get the spelling of his first name correct? Obviously I got the last name wrong, which I'll correct now. Did he share any memories about being on the show that you can recall?

[@evelynbanker2090]

Gina Khorigian i

[@giavannabellucci309]

I recognize J Edward McKinley from 1950's, 1960's and 1970's TV shows and movies as a character actor. Never forgot his part in a Munsters episode where he played the mayor and broke his leg, and with a cast on his leg, he outran a moving car running away out of fear of meeting Herman Munster. I still laugh when I see that scene.

[@ilanamillion8942]

He looked like the kind of guy you would love to know.

[@davidlogansr8007]

Ilana Million I really agree! I bet he was a FUN DAD! I miss my own so much, and just lost my first Class Mother a few weeks a go. It’s hard to be an orphan at nearly 64, but I had WONDERFUL PARENTS! You obviously did too!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I was born in 68 but I love these shows. The average folks are the stars and many are more interesting than most of the today’s celebrities

[@williamanthony9090]

Frankincensed- Exactly! That's why the actual game kept changing over the years-- It was secondary to the interviews Groucho did with the guests each week. Truthfully, this show is a great window into the sociology of American society!

[@ericrainwater2076]

Amen

[@alisoncole3211]

Absolutely true! ♥️

[@Gosperella26]

Couldn't agree with ya more

[@Lockemeister]

These wonderful shows are a time capsule of a different America.

[@rhondajoaquin4550]

I was born in 1957 and I love the humor of that era. Not to mention the cars that are still fun to drive.

[@fredrickjames...5122]

shout out Rhonda on cue ☆ same vintage classic style sharp witted Intel am also 57 vintage except twin soles Croucho resume reads editor casting director all round personality has a sprinkle of Graham Kennedy show men ship here in OZ Australia.

[@theresaholguin699]

Great show from an era of when people were much more respectful. Dressed more elegant and had a better way of decency

[@gilbertsanchez3277]

Except for Groucho. He would seduce a woman or flirt with them. A little sarcastic.

[@UFOBobTV]

@@gilbertsanchez3277yes, he flirted but he was never indecent.

[@geniemedford9200]

I am watching this due to the book I am reading. The Ride of Her Life. It is about this interesting lady who Groucho interviewed about half way through this filming, Messannie. Just a big wow factor. Great job, Grouchy! Thank you for sharing this on youtube!😍

[@LilyGazou]

I just finished the book and I loved it.

[@briquetaverne]

Had Desoto given away a loaded Desoto Fireflite Convertible instead of the $5000 dollar prize on the Wheel, That division of Chrysler might still be in business today!. Groucho & "You Bet Your life" was so popular that when it off the air people complained for years. I was a kid but I can still recall vividly my grown up neighbors complaining about it.

[@demonrouge3338]

The amazing mind of Groucho Marx. I always laugh when the people he’s talking to don’t get what he’s referring to. He was so smart and knew so much about words and their meanings and origins. Often his jokes went unnoticed by the contestants. Occasionally though the contestants were very sharp themselves. This particular episode was aired when I was 2 years old.

[@kevinjudy5739]

Ha ha...WHICH HAZEL are you, hazel??

[@garylefevre2783]

I get a kick out of these old shows and have a new found respect for Groucho’s amazing talent. I remember many from days gone by wish we his kind of comedy would return.

[@rockvilleraven]

I once heard George say Groucho was a big star in almost every field of entertainment. Vaudeville, Broadway, Movies, and with You Bet Your Life radio and TV.

[@Madronaxyz]

​@@rockvilleraven George Burns?

[@rasputinsliver9092]

I see in the comments many people saying Mes Annie Wilkins looks like the legendary Harpo Marx, Groucho's brother. But her face, the glasses, and general build and attire are dead on for the equally legendary character actor Ed Wynn.

[@scottthrower7637]

Thanks for posting these episodes. I really enjoy em.

[@marcegrecco53]

He was quick witted and very intelligent

[@serious3f]

J. Edward McKinley went on to be a major television and movie character actor in the 1960s and 70s

[@joeambrose3260]

Respectfully, wouldn't know him if I owned him

[@a.perkins907]

@ serious3f Did his appearance on You bet Your Life lead him into acting? I really enjoyed him on the show he was pretty hilarious!

[@SelfReflective]

It's September 19, 2022. and I can't wait for October 30th to get my hands on that brand new DeSoto!

[@nealchampagne7297]

I started watching all of these old TV gems for strictly nostalgic value. Then ultimately started answering the questions at about a 75% clip... I came for the wine and bought stock in the winery you might say ..haha

[@GaiaCarney]

To read about Annie Wilkins cross-country adventure read ‘The Ride of Her Life’ by Elizabeth Letts ✨ amazing true story

[@SiiriCressey]

I finished reading Mesannie's book Last Of The Saddle Tramps this weekend. What spunk! Whooo! Go Mesannie!

[@chelsealouise1d429]

What a brilliant host Groucho was , could talk to every type of contestant who came on to the show, and make a good joke out of almost anything, a very talented man. English pete 😁

[@therrienmichael08]

Come to find out there are stories of her from Minot Maine

[@SiiriCressey]

@@therrienmichael08 Neat. Do you mind telling them?

[@therrienmichael08]

@@SiiriCressey What she said is true. She rode from Maine to California and back, with 2 🐎 horses. She mortgaged her house and took off. It was said the locals breathed a sigh of relief. Strange individual.

[@SiiriCressey]

@@therrienmichael08 Why were they relieved?

[@petemorino3298]

This reminds me of an old man who was about 68 years old at the time when he decided to go to La Paz Baja California.From my home town of Santa Barbara Gto. mexico.It was a 2 day trip by bus and train at the time o and ferry. this is a true story. After a couple of mouths he came back with the biggest donkey we had ever seen in mexico he was huge and he had brought he all the way from la Paz baja California by land amazing.

[@maynardsmoreland]

1:07 When people dressed up. Compare this audience to the slovenly group that goes to "The Price is Right."

[@pathenderson1651]

I have the same sentiments. I wish I grew up in the old days like the 1950's and before when everyone dressed well whenever they were out in public.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Now, airplanes are flying buses.

[@parabellum7494]

Great, now I will have to buy a 57' DeSoto at my local Plymoth dealer on October 30, 1956.

[@coronapapi]

DON'T FORGET. lol

[@retrowatches1655]

You will need a delorean first to get back then

[@garyfrancis6193]

I can’t wait either.

[@capnhawk51]

J. Edward McKinley was a good friend of mine. He loved telling the story about how he got into the acting biz due to his appearance with Groucho.

[@pathenderson5988]

I remember J McKinley as a character actor from the 1960's. So, he became an actor after this appearance? Can you expand on that? Thanks.

[@capnhawk51]

@@pathenderson5988 Hi Pat. Apparently, J. Edward caught the attention of a Hollywood agent due to his appearance with Groucho and the rest is history. He told me stories about working with Elvis, Peter Sellers, etc. He was a very funny person and a real gentleman.

[@pathenderson5003]

@@capnhawk51 Thanks for the info. That’s really cool. I figured while on the Groucho show he was already trying to break into Hollywood. As it turns out some agent sees him on Groucho and decides he could be an actor. It must have been the funny way he told his traffic ticket story. My favorite J Edward part was when he was in a Munsters episode where he is playing the mayor. Spot the family pet runs away and ends up in the city sewer system. This frightens the sewer workers and the mayor gets involved to plan on flushing him out. Somehow things don’t go according to plan and the mayor has dynamite blow up near him at a manhole and he has a broken leg. He then goes to visit the Munsters to meet them at their house. He is seen with a broken leg at their door. Afterwards, all hell breaks loose as he gets frightened after seeing Herman. Next you see the mayors assistants and driver tear out of their in their car at top speed. Then you see the mayor running at top speed along with the car and then passing it! It’s so funny. So, how long was he an actor? Also, I always wondered how much money character actors made for each episode of a TV show that they appeared in.

[@HoffNL]

Indeed Mr. McKinley also appeared in the comedy film the Party together with Peter Sellers and he played a marvellous part.

[@owenlewis8006]

For some reason, I now want a 1957 Desoto.

[@bonnieduke652]

I love all the Marx Brothers, but Groucho has always been my favorite!

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Well he was the most noticeable, what with his mile a minute sarcasm and funny walk.

[@donnaangus3273]

A penny in the meter. Those days I do remember. I was little and would put a penny in a meter in the valley where my mom shopped. LOL

[@henningandersen9027]

"You're married?" "Yes!" "What kind of work does your husband DO?"

[@johnbrentford5513]

Im convinced I wish I could buy a new 1957 DeSoto.

[@jguerrero447]

He put in a penny in the parking meter! What a hoot.

[@sandragostanian8878]

Gina - Uncle Vahan is hilarious! I do remember seeing this years ago. He was incredibly talented, but he was a an amazing father, husband, and friend. We loved him at Armenian Summer Camp!!!

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

It really delights me when people write here about getting to see their relatives on a YBYL, especially the folks who haven't been able to see the episode their relative was in before this! :)

[@nealsausen4651]

“ WHICH HAZEL” ... ya gotta love it!

[@davidlogansr8007]

I vaguely recall these being brought to us in Living Color on NBC. I understand the economy of B&W in those days, but it would be nice to see one! Only my Great Aunt and Uncle could afford Color but we spent so many happy weekends there, it was our second home!

[@wiedep]

Hasn't anybody noticed that in the wide shots that Annie Wilkins looks a bit like Harpo? Bet that's why Groucho breaks up when she walks in.

[@SuperWinterborn]

wiedep Yes, she did! ;)

[@arcmayAskvanpay]

Ha! I thought the same thing.

[@elgubero]

wiedep That is not his brother!

[@jackmackenzie2482]

This is a timeless show that almost didn’t take place!!! 🎆

[@jimmiedee2315]

Another great episode! The animated commercials are awesome. The first contestant, Hazel L. Hummel, was a prolific artist. Here's a link to an Alpine Trail painting she painted in 1947. She was 66 when the show aired. She died at age 75 in 1965. www.burchardgalleries.com/auctions/2005/apr1705/01images/l338.htm

[@a.perkins907]

@ Jimmie Dee I definitely agree the animated commercials are spectacular!! Wow so COOL to find out she was an artist, her work was beautiful. I had major respect for her when she declined to come back & RISK losing her MONEY!

[@pathenderson1651]

Annie Wilkins was the oddest guest that I ever saw on the You Bet Your Life show. This is just an observation and not meant as a personal insult to her.

[@marymarysmarket3508]

I want to get a copy of her book. It was reviewed to be quite interesting...about her cross country trip on horseback.

[@marions.120]

She was very interesting!

[@LilyGazou]

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts- great biography of Annie- fills in a lot of the back story.

[@stevebutler812]

Good parking story. I got a $120 ticket parking too close to a fire hydrant with no painted curb. So, I painted curbs around the city to help others not get stung! Luckily, never got caught. I spent more on paint!

[@jwelchon2416]

I would like to have a 1957 DeSoto!!

[@harlow743]

tell them groucho sent you

[@LoneStranger0]

The second female contestant looks like Harpo!!!

[@solohoh]

That look in Groucho's eye at 5:31 shows that he doesn't like this guy getting the most laughs

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

It's an interesting thing with Groucho: he never minds the guests getting huge laughs (and he knows when it's better to sit back and let the audience appreciate the guests without him interrupting), but he definitely gets annoyed when they're *trying* to be funny. He also loves it when the guests insult him.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

solohoh I don’t think he cares. With all his success, why would this bother him? He’s not small minded

[@trh1493]

lol...the man that said he did impersonations???? he didnt sound like any of the people he was impersonating....but they could have spent the whole program on Anne and her travels...amazing lady....

[@janesmith938]

Yes I remember this show also and im 65 year's old love it

[@alisoncole3211]

This was a great one! Imagine her riding a horse to California

[@fatbowe]

This lady cant stop cackling 🤣

[@landofahhs_1]

I grew up watching Groucho in Southern Cal...what memories!

[@rickrick5041]

She’s still waiting for Groucho to pay that dollar

[@deborahd.7281]

This show had some of the most beautiful women as guests and secret word models.

[@fromthesidelines]

28:35- That season, the final one sponsored by DeSoto-Plymouth on NBC radio, Groucho was heard on Saturday afternoons at 12:30pm(et).

[@FigaroHey]

I wonder how many people watch these videos, lament the fact that people had better manners and dressed more elegantly back then, and then go around all day in sweats and have tattoos like the Sunday comics on their bodies? If so many people think people looked and behaved more decently in those days, why don't we see people dressed up nicely in the shops, on airplanes, and on the street? Nearly 150,000 people have watched this video. If only half of them dressed decently all the time, instead of like slobs, they could start a movement.

[@charlesbrooks9577]

YOU HAVE TO ADMIT,THAT GROUCHO WAS ONE HELL OF A CAR SALESMAN.I BET PLYMOUTH SOLD A LOT OF CARS WHILE GROUCHO WAS ON TV.

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

THIS WOMAN RESEMBLES HARPO

[@rickrick5041]

dominic piscopo It was Harpo but they couldn’t admit it because they let him talk

[@splinterarmspy]

Love this program..

[@mortenkaarrbk3575]

Jeg må sige. At Groucho. Er en af de nest underholdende karakterer vi har set.

[@Dontleavemedimi]

That man was very entertaining I actually clapped.

[@martinjones5965]

7m40 "Sure I do" - cracked me up". Imagine how much his taking $2 fine to court cost .

[@Page-Hendryx]

"The police out here don't hide behind signboards"..."You're right, they don't"..."They hide behind drive-ins (hot coffee 'n sandwiches)". LLOL!

[@Omrentonth999]

As a 29 year old would love to drive a desoto or any other 50s classic car

[@MrMenefrego1]

Can someone help me to remember to get my New Desoto in October of 1956? 👀

[@rickrick5041]

j.d. di giusto The 1957 came out

[@phily-hu5pr]

I bet that Annie Oakley LOL

[@nicholasjanke3476]

This show more or less set the stage (no pun intended) for future quiz shows. I think George Fenneman is the image of quiz show announcers. Groucho starred in another tv show-Tell It To Groucho-which alas lacked the style and gimmickry of this show and only lasted a couple of monthes.

[@fromthesidelines]

28:31- "Chrysler Corporation's big television show" was 'CLIMAX!" {hosted by William Lundigan}- alternating with Jack Benny's monthly "SHOWER OF STARS" specials- on CBS, following "YOU BET YOUR LIFE" on Thursdays [8:30pm(et)].

[@stantonrogers]

22:24 Abstract Groucho is singing about '57 Desoto

[@joannthomases9304]

Loved the questions !

[@theonlyantony]

I like big Jim. He's funny and modern

[@jonpogoda8797]

Amazing she was able to do that, no way in today's world.

[@dcasper8514]

Houston drivers with their high beams headlights would blind any horse travel at night.

[@LilyGazou]

There is a young man doing this right now with two mustang horses. He has a KZbin channel.

[@gratefuldead2379]

I second that emotion

[@jean2479]

I’ve noticed that many of these contestants, as they’re telling their story, when Groucho interrupts to comment something hilarious, or whatever, the contestant keeps on going. Just a slight pause but then barrel through LOL!! I don’t know. Just something I noticed.

[@AnnMartin309]

I noticed, too, and they're pretty patient with Groucho!

[@nidabatayan3047]

Excellent!

[@marycope]

Love this show🙋‍♀️

[@TheGreatAtario]

I think they could have mentioned the October 30 DeSoto reveal another hundred times or so

[@beboploo]

i was 3 months old when this went out

[@warplanner8852]

beboploo, don't worry, it will come back soon.

[@nancyterrywhittemore2015]

I was 2and1/2----remember my parents watching Groucho, and now I'm enjoying these episodes so much!

[@keithnaylor1981]

12:31 I always suspected that Harpo Marx could really talk. Now we all know he can!

[@martinjones5965]

4m50s his use of 'why' disconnected from a question is so quaint. He does it several times.

[@hectorgrijalva1754]

I thought the lady was harpo lol

[@rockyjaydog6447]

I put a penny in the meter. The Ticket was 2 dollars

[@billmayo1094]

Wonderful show.

[@joeambrose3260]

The impression guy is a scary dude

[@marymarysmarket3508]

His children have left comments on this video.

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

I OWNED A 55 CHEVY THE 55IVS N 57INS WERE CLASSICS

[@morskasvinja2049]

Awesome amazing women

[@RADIXCHRISTUSMOLE]

13:45 One thing is for sure. She's a heck of a lot prettier than the duck.

[@henningandersen9027]

Wonder if his mentioning the gas-chamber was a hint at the Caryl Chessman-case? I remember that name so clearly from the newspapers and/or radio of my childhood in Denmark.

[@samdonaldson5753]

So when does the new De Soto come out?

[@ЫРІ]

god I want DeSoto

[@moogdome2562]

What ever you buy. Tell em ''Groucho sent you.''.

[@davidtice4972]

What year did they stop making De Soto and Plymouth?

[@marions.120]

And don’t forget to watch on another network? My have things changed!

[@jdion79]

some of these questions are fucking hard.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

$1,000 bucks in 1956 is like $15,000 in 2021 dollars. Not too shabby at all.

[@marymarysmarket3508]

Actually the exchange in monetary value would be approx 9X...in 2024

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Zeppo Marx left the Marx Brothers after he realized that Groucho was the main attraction. Ironically he was the last Marx Brother to go. Groucho's comedy career had faded by this time due to his appearing in mediocre films (Copacabana), this tv show really revived his career.

[@wizzerdsuntzu]

No one made a Biopic of Annie? Yet?

[@nicholasjanke3476]

It's amazing how Groucho can milk comedy out of just about any guest! He could make a comic straight man out of a brain surgeon during an operation. Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin and W.C. Fields often did conman comic routinues, whereas Laurel And Hardy, The Three Stooges played bumbling moron routinues.

[@smurf902]

He has a nice voice but the impressions weren't even close. U wouldn't be able to guess who they were.

[@dcasper8514]

Singers : Johnny Ray, & Frankie Laine

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

Somethings wrong with this contraption thats Metuchen I corrected the spelling twice but this contraption had its own way n posted the word wrong lol

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

Can't wait to see the new Desoto October 30th

[@martinjones5965]

27m28s "For 2 thousand dollars" :)

[@martinjones5965]

25m33s - look at em go crazee when they get the $1000 !!! :)

[@davidhigginbotham5451]

That 'old' lady was probably pretty nice lookin' when she was about 19...

[@BeingRomans829ed]

The sporty '55 DeSoto Firedome makes the '57 look like a tank; sort of like comparing the '55 and '57 Chevys.

[@maynardsmoreland]

Jim McKinley looks familiar. I'm sure he became a character actor, but I can't quite place him.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

I don't recognize him at all, but he certainly has the authority of a professional performer in his segment. Few contestants were so relaxed and in command of what they had to say. There are some Jim/James McKinleys on imdb, but none that could possibly be the same guy based on dates.

[@SuperWinterborn]

maynardsmoreland and Groucho Marx - You Bet Your Life you both have now got the answer about Jim McKinley, actor, on the same page as this reply, by James Stroh. :) You Bet Your Life #56-04 George Fenneman reveals his middle name (Secret word 'Hand', Oct 18, 1956)

[@HoffNL]

Jim McKinley played a good character role of the person Fred Clutterbuck in "the Party" 1968. When I first saw this clip, I immediately recognised him.