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WHAT'S MY LINE? {MYSTERY GUEST: RED BUTTONS} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of panel game shows in which celebrity panelists engage in witty banter as they try to guess the unusual occupations of the guests.

In this episode, host John Daly presides over a panel which includes journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, playwright Steve Allen, actress Arlene Francis, and publisher Bennett Cerf. Employing only yes-or-no questions, the panel first attempts to discover the "line" of Betty Shingler of Lovejoy, Georgia, who cures hams. Despite detailed debate about the size of a pig and whether or not its "coat" is wearable, none of the panelists guess correctly. Daly adds that Shingler is actually the wife of Herman Talmadge, current governor of Georgia. (After a bitter divorce, Shingler would go on to testify against her ex in front of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics regarding his financial misconduct in office.)

Next, the panelists question Martin Ritter of New York City, who makes bridal garters; the questioning turns slightly bawdy before Allen guesses correctly. After donning blindfolds, the panelists then attempt to discover the identity of the mystery guest: actor and comedian Red Buttons. He attempts to disguise his voice, but Cerf soon has the right answer. Finally, Daly introduces Sara Marlowe — and the round ends immediately when Francis and Cerf both take wild guesses that she is a circus performer, specifically a trapeze artist, which turns out to be true. Marlowe receives $10 as a consolation prize, and Daly and the panelists bid one another good night. Includes commercials.

Details

  • NETWORK: CBS
  • DATE: April 5, 1953 10:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:29:01
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: B:37612
  • GENRE: Game/Quiz
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Game/Quiz
  • SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1950-1967; Syndication - 1968-1975
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Finesse shampoo
    • TV - Commercials - Stopette deodorant

CREDITS

  • Gil Fates … Executive Producer
  • Mark Goodson … Producer
  • Bill Todman … Producer
  • Franklin Heller … Director
  • John C. Daly … Host
  • Dorothy Kilgallen … Panelist
  • Steve Allen … Panelist
  • Arlene Francis … Panelist
  • Bennett Cerf … Panelist
  • Red Buttons (see also: Aaron Chwatt) … Guest
  • Sara Marlowe
  • Martin Ritter
  • Betty Shingler
  • Herman Talmadge