Love not only the voice but the spirit of Helen Traubel. Her tremendous capability to sing Wagner and laugh with vigor during a game show gives me a portrait of a remarkable person I would have loved to have met.
I love getting lost in the past. Im 60 but i never really got along with people of my age. I like going back in time and watch shows like this. A simple time in history. All of these people are dead, but theyre still alive when i watch these. I love Arlene Francis and Dorothy Killgallen. Its before the world changed when Kennedy got shot . It would have been nice to live back then .
I was born in 1948, so I had the opportunity to watch some of these programs with my mother in front of our 21-inch black-and-white RCA TV; and I did enjoy watching this show back in in the 1950s. I lived in Columbus,Ohio during those years (I'm now in Sonoma County, Northern California), and they were wonderful years for our family and for my growing up time. When the late 1960s came along I was in college and it was a time of the hippie generation evolving and the anti-war Vietnamsituation
Sorry but I accidentally hit the "Reply" button before I had finished my stating my comments (above). So I'll just add that with the late 1960s, and going into the early 1970s, while I was in college, and while I had to maintain 30 units of college work per year...or I would be drafted, these weren't the greatest times in America, in my opinion. I did not like the whole hippie revolution, because here was a group of people who were trying to be individuals but who were taking on a "group" mentality: they (all) looked the same, wore the same clothing and the same eyeglasses; used the same perfume; spoke with the same kind of "vocal style"/intonations. These societal "dropouts" weren't individuals but, rather, they were part of a huge group of "look-alikes" and "be-alikes!" And for many of these people, they rebelled against the generations that preceded them (which on some things I did agree with), but they wanted to have the benefits from the previous generation to help support their "hippie ideals." Hypocrisy was rampant in the "Hippie Generation!" And then the Vietnam War was horrible, which I still consider to be an illegal war! Okay, I'll stop now.
Just for fun I searched this show's price around the web. Amazon has sets of 4 for $14, pretty expensive in my opinion. Another site had 45 episodes for $25+ $6 for shipping. We are fortunate to see these episodes on u-tube. Thanks to the uploader!
One of the funniest episode of WML I've ever seen! I love Wally Cox and Steve Allen -- watched them whenever possible in the 1950s and later on. Thanks for the enjoyment!
Helen Traubel was one of the greatest Wagnerian sopranos who ever lived. And she was a good popular singer as well. She also had a great sense of humor. She was a girl from Missouri. She liked Jerry Lewis and was in one of his movies.
I have been watching all the episodes. Steve Allen is definitely the funniest male panel member. Arlene and Dorothy are tied for funniest females. They were fantastic too!
Helen had the best laugh. She played Ms. Helen Wellenmellon in The Ladies Man w/Jerry Lewis. I saw an outtake from it where he had her cracking up. Had me rolling.
He fired Traubel because she wanted to sing in nightclubs as well as in opera. He fired Melchior because he was so large and didn't look like a movie star. And he fired Callas because she challenged his dictatorial rule at the Metropolitan Opera. He fired three of the greatest stars in opera because he was a little dictator.
She was smart too. You can't sing Wagner effectively forever. You can sing Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Jimmy van Heusen, etc. forever and do so effectively. And you can do comedy forever. At this point, I guess she hadn't done much acting (she's doesn't say "Sometimes" when asked if she's an actress, though she could have claimed to act in opera), but she did become a movie actress and more extensively a sketch actress on TV variety shows. My parents knew zilch about opera but they knew Helen Traubel from her TV appearances.
Poor little Wally Cox - hilarious but vulnerable. I don't know who Ms Traubel was, but she played a good game, and had a great sense of humour to judge from her appearance here. So long ago .... these shows can make one feel VERY old. I wasn't even 4 at the time, and now I'm an old man....
She was an opera star who like to appear on the American pop scene, notably TV and radio and when she appeared with Jimmy Durante, she was told to knock it off or her contract would not be renew with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. She didn't knock it off and they did not renew her contract, which is what Arlene is referring to.
I never heard of Helen Traubel but from this episode she seemed like such a fun person so I've been googling and reading on her and she was a very fun and down to earth person... her personality was not suited for Opera even though she had one of the greatest voices, but she said she just didn't fit the prima donna persona that goes with being in the Opera... she preferred the more personal level of nightclubs and loved doing comedy... when her contract was not taken back up because she wouldn't give up doing what she liked, she got some pretty nasty letters and telegrams from her friends in the Opera saying that she was disgusting to give up the prima donna role... jeez those Opera people sound like creeps.. Thumbs up to Helen Traubel.. sounds like a wonderful person...
I just watched President Kennedy's pre-inaugural gala on the PBS station in commemoration of JFK's 100th birthday this Tuesday, May 30. Helen Traubel was a featured performer on this gala: She sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic towards the close of the program. Helen Traubel was standing next to Ethel Merman, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra, among other luminaries.
Helen came from St. Louis, my hometown. She was a world-famous opera star and quite unexpectedly when television came in was invited to appear on popular variety shows such as the Jimmy Durante Show, where she began doing comedy and popular music. The reaction from the public was amazing; the reaction from the opera world was disdain. In the end she decided to move to a new part of her saga and became one of the most popular night club performers in the nation, including the posh Chase Club in St. Louis where during her engagement she did a press conference with high school journalists and performed her show for them. They loved her! She also served as a vocal coach for Margaret Truman, President Truman's daughter (not to mention Bess Truman's daughter), neatly keeping it all in the Missouri family. She wrote a great autobiography, "St. Louis Woman" and had a late-year career few artists experienced.
+Wayne Brasler Interesting... I guess that's what she meant by answering, "Some says I is and some says I'm not" to Arlene's questions about her field of singing.
+SaveThe TPC Though she did not say so publicly much, Helen got fed up with being a world-famous diva. As much as she loved opera, she felt the life-style was too fancy and it required her to be too fancy. By going pop, she could set her own pace, travel to wonderful places to wonderful audiences, and have fun. And she could still sing opera as part of her boffo night club act. She was not a novelty act, either. She was, for one thing, a great blues singer as it turned out.
Helen was also a baseball fan and for a time she was part owner of the St. Louis Browns in the American League before the team moved to Baltimore after the 1953 season. By the time this episode aired, her Brownies had already become the Orioles.
Having watched these programs when they were first aired, I am just now realizing how many hints John Daly gave to the panel, especially when "clarifying" or answering FOR the contestant.
Vic - In truth often the diva was quite overweight and often sang the last aria, being that in opera the beautiful woman got killed off, having committed a serious love-involved transgression, and had to be punished. So the heavy woman was the last man standing, so to speak.
I was curious about the reference to Helen Traubel having recently caused an uproar. What could an opera singer have done? From Wikipedia: "Traubel's association with the Metropolitan Opera ended in 1953; General Manager Rudolf Bing chose not to renew her contract after expressing disapproval of her radio and TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Durante, and her wish to expand her lucrative career in major supper and night clubs." Ahh. Associating with "low" arts.
I've seen every episode so far, and I can tell you I don't believe any guest has ever enjoyed him or herself as much as Ms Traubel. Rarely has anyone laughed so hard so long. Of course, Wally Cox gave her a little help, but everyone was spot on tonight, and the comic energy was flowing. Come to think of it, I've never seen the panel and Mr. Daly laugh harder either. Speaking of Wally Cox: I would have understood if they reeled him in after 20 or 30 seconds, but he was getting laughs from everywhere - the house, the panel, Helen Traubel, et al, so I guess they let him go. One thing I like about him is that he's able to do what he does without upstaging everyone, like Victor Borge (imo), and without coming across as cringefuly sleazy as Hal Block, who keeps on going no matter how few laughs he gets. Just one more thing: I've not heard any other guest panelist get the extended applause Wally Cox did at the end of the show - including applause from all three of the other panelists. Thanks for all these; we appreciate all your hard work, time, etc!!!
So interesting, I was a Fuller Brush Man too back of in the day for extra income when my children were little. I wonder if that company is not defunct now.
According to one internet source, Bennett Cerf supposedly considered Wally Cox as a lousy panelist, explaining Cox could not ad lib. Given the choice, I would have paid to hear Wally Cox speak, but I would listen to Bennett Cerf only if there were no charge.
Helen Traubel's contract at the Metropolitan Opera was not renewed in 1953 when its General Manager, Rudolf Bing, expressed disapproval of her radio and TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Durante and her expressed desire to expand her lucrative career in major supper and night clubs.
Helen Traubel, a baseball fan, was for a time, a part owner of the St. Louis Browns MLB team (St Louis was her hometown; the Browns moved in the 1950s to become the Baltimore Orioles).
The horse dentist should have been able to answer yes, to Steve's question "could you perform this service on the opposite sex". What's more opposite that a lady horse. They gave to much away too early by leading them directly to animals. And besides Johns pronunciation of Homo sapiens is not accepted by any source I've got including Dr. Reason A. Goodwin The Editor of World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary.
I agree, Joe. I just watched this one again, as I've been watching a whole bunch of shows in chronological order, starting with early 1953. It really bothers me that John gave so much away so early in the show and game. Ordinarily, that question would have gotten a "yes," and it would have led to tremendous hilarity. Fortunately for Mr. Ball, the panel didn't guess his line anyway. :)
Thanks for the comment, Rick. I wish I was able to watch these again as I post them, but it's only when I read comments like yours that I can really remember the specifics of any given episode. I noticed some people commenting negatively on Victor Borge's clowning in another episode, but I personally grew much more impatient with Wally Cox here. As for Miss Traubel, whatever her considerable worth as a human being, the wolf whistles are indeed inexplicable. ;)
My in-laws got a TV and once I saw Mr. Peepers I hoped I could slip in & watch the show because Wally Cox would completely break me up without doing anything. By the time we got our own TV, the show went off the air! Tony Randall played the history teacher. Their humour was quite a bit the same when you think of it. Remember how slow Tony was when he first became a panelist? He couldn't think of a thing to say.
i was curious to read what others thought of this, or more specifically, the Wally Cox episodes...i guess its one of those things where everyone has their own opinions, but i personally found his appearances hilarious, especially the horse dentist segment
You can find some more comments on this subject on the other video featuring Cox on the panel: What's My Line? - Tyrone Power; Wally Cox [panel] (Mar 27, 1955) I'm definitely in the camp that finds his panel appearances excruciating, but more power to you if enjoy them!
Yes, OK, Cox is definitely playing a character the audience is familiar with, with which I do not have acquaintance, and which I am less amused by than I would be if I had the connection. (I'm glad the audience is having fun, though.) Meanwhile, Ms. Traubell has a great laugh. Interesting lady.
@@robink620 I did he basically ruined the show premise. I wonder if the producers were aware of what might happened when they asked him on. I didn't find it as funny as some people did.
@@erichanson426 I'm sure the live audience enjoyed it but it's awfully hard to discipline panelists or even challengers for that matter, to live within the constraints of TV time.
Numerous "comedians" have made a "funny" throughout the years by asking "what is it, or what do you do for a living"? Always a golden moment in the history of yacks. However watching Wally Cox do it in 1954 makes me think who was the first to do that. And, Gary, I know it's probably too much work but it WOULD make a good gag reel if you ever find the time. Actually Wally was funny here because he indeed, does give the impression of expecting an answer. Also the glasses on the blindfold bit. I wish Bennett had done it, just once.
Hadcto blink when I see the first contestant actually has a job that I actually worked forv3 months one summer. Late 60s, just after high school, and I still remember 1 man whonanswered the doir calli g out to his wife: "Hey, hon! It's the Fulker Brush man, onky she's a woman!" Although my earliest memories of Fuller Brush men is that's where my mom bought her mop supplies for years. !
Helen Traubel looks a little like Madge Blake who played Larry Mondello's mom on "Leave It To Beaver" and "Aunt Harriet", Bruce Wayne's aunt on "Batman"
I watch the 2 episodes with Wally Cox the most... he is just hysterical.. I wish he was on more... and the contestants and the mystery guests, Tyrone Power and Helen Traubel, both seemed to really get a charge out of Wally Cox... They had a good time because of him...he's very likeable.. the horse dentist guy really liked him... he's FUNNY...
PepsiMama2 I listened to the Bennett Cerf oral history and he really badmouths Cox, saying he was one of the worst guest panelists ever. He and I think others do not get his personality. He is similar to Jack Benny in his timing in that he is not afraid of silence, and often will let his face do the talking for him. Personally, I think he is a master, while others disagree. It's all a matter of taste.
I love the 2 episodes of WML with Wally Cox... He really added alot to the show... He really took it to another level and I think the regulars may have been uncomfortable because Cox definitely was in a realm of his own that couldn't be matched... I could watch those 2 episodes over and over... he's just hilarious...
Wally Cox makes me wish I was born 30 years before I was. His comedic brilliance was lost on mini-me and I wish I could have experienced him live. It is clear here that he was one of the 1950's comedy greats. That was not always apparent in his character work. Of course if I was born 30 years earlier (which would have seen me growing up in the roaring 20's, I'd be long dead by now, so perhaps missing the young Cox was a fair tradeoff (and online videos will keep him young forever - me not so much)
"Did you cause somewhat of an uproar this year?" Every time the panel references some kind of minor contemporary event like that with a big reaction, I always get really curious what it is they were talking about. 1954 was a quite a while ago by now, I don't suppose anyone knows what that was about?
Bennett Cerf, in an interview that is available on RUclips, claimed that Wally Cox was one of the two worst guest panelists in the history of What's My Line, the other being Rudy Vallee. He said that Wally Cox was so used to having lines written for him that he couldn't even ad lib "I pass". John Daly had to bail him out on that score.
Maybe it's because it is a different day and age, but I found Mr. Cox to be hysterical! I understand his "shtick" wasn't ideal for a fast paced panel, but I really think he brought the humor. I think Bennett was just scared of losing his job! LOL
Polly Pocket I do think Cox and Cerf are opposites. I laughed out loud at Cox - several times. Never have with Cerf. They are just very different. I appreciate both. I do rather think Cox can be more annoying, but also way funnier. Tastes vary. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@brunoantony3218 Bennet Cerf was EYE CANDY? Have you had your vision checked? He was a shlumpy little upper class New Yorker. Intelligent, yes, but eye candy, never!
4 года назад+2
Its' a real shame about the audio on a lot of these cutting out or skipping a few seconds, but, I guess we are lucky to have them at all, but they can be quite annoying.
Helen Traubel was a St. Louis girl, very beloved, amazingly talented and totally utterly down to earth. She appeared at the posh Chase Club in St. Louis doing a club act which got raves and she gave a matinee performance for the high school kids who wanted to see and hear her and they of course loved her.
I love Cerf, but Cox was a great guest panelist. He was hysterical. By the way, I love the whole gang, especially Arlene. WML might be the classiest show I've seen on TV.
I agree, I liked him because he was so different. That is one thing I disliked about Bennett Cerf was he was too much like Dorothy, and between the two, I'd rather have Dorothy. Cerf was wrong a hell of a lot for being someone who was supposed to be intellectual.
Used to be widely known for wolf whistling. Many european perfomers have testified about this, they were horrified when they first experienced it because over here it is an expression of disapproval.
I've read that Edith Piaf was highly insulted by the whistles when she first performed in the US, for the reason you give. She was ready to vow never to perform here again, until the cultural difference was explained to her.
@@Amcsae Legendary firm that sold brushes door-to-door until 1985. Similar yes, to Good Humor, during the era of door-to-door sales. Now being resurrected as a nostalgic brush company on social media. Originally started by a man named Fuller, and run by his descendants until selling to Sara Lee in 1968. Fuller of course is a name derived from the cleaning of wool - as is Walker and Tucker. And as Bob Hope said to Bing Crosby about Jerry Colonna’s big moustache “oh, he gave me the brush”. Not sure if he bristled while he said that.
![What's My Line? - John Hodiak; David Wayne [panel] (Feb 7, 1954)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4y_gnDW3F8Y/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Julius LaRosa; Victor Borge [panel] (Feb 14, 1954)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/G2pjP5L_AdE/mqdefault.jpg)
Wally Cox had a brilliant mind.
Love not only the voice but the spirit of Helen Traubel. Her tremendous capability to sing Wagner and laugh with vigor during a game show gives me a portrait of a remarkable person I would have loved to have met.
Steve Hinnenkamp - I totally agree. She was wonderfully talented.
I love getting lost in the past. Im 60 but i never really got along with people of my age. I like going back in time and watch shows like this. A simple time in history. All of these people are dead, but theyre still alive when i watch these. I love Arlene Francis and Dorothy Killgallen. Its before the world changed when Kennedy got shot . It would have been nice to live back then .
I feel the same way. I was born in October of 1963.
I was born in 1948, so I had the opportunity to watch some of these programs with my mother in front of our 21-inch black-and-white RCA TV; and I did enjoy watching this show back in in the 1950s. I lived in Columbus,Ohio during those years (I'm now in Sonoma County, Northern California), and they were wonderful years for our family and for my growing up time. When the late 1960s came along I was in college and it was a time of the hippie generation evolving and the anti-war Vietnamsituation
Sorry but I accidentally hit the "Reply" button before I had finished my stating my comments (above). So I'll just add that with the late 1960s, and going into the early 1970s, while I was in college, and while I had to maintain 30 units of college work per year...or I would be drafted, these weren't the greatest times in America, in my opinion. I did not like the whole hippie revolution, because here was a group of people who were trying to be individuals but who were taking on a "group" mentality: they (all) looked the same, wore the same clothing and the same eyeglasses; used the same perfume; spoke with the same kind of "vocal style"/intonations. These societal "dropouts" weren't individuals but, rather, they were part of a huge group of "look-alikes" and "be-alikes!" And for many of these people, they rebelled against the generations that preceded them (which on some things I did agree with), but they wanted to have the benefits from the previous generation to help support their "hippie ideals." Hypocrisy was rampant in the "Hippie Generation!" And then the Vietnam War was horrible, which I still consider to be an illegal war! Okay, I'll stop now.
Wally Cox was adorable and hilarious. His personality is enjoyable and comes naturally. To bad he died early in his life 😪 😮😢
Glad to see Helen Traubel. There is a lovely rose named after her, sort of a soft coral. I bought a bush many years ago and it's still going strong.
There is also a rose named after Kirsten Flagstad.
Just for fun I searched this show's price around the web. Amazon has sets of 4 for $14, pretty expensive in my opinion. Another site had 45 episodes for $25+ $6 for shipping. We are fortunate to see these episodes on u-tube. Thanks to the uploader!
Amen
Helen Traubel’s reacting to Wally Cox had me on the floor.
One of the funniest episode of WML I've ever seen! I love Wally Cox and Steve Allen -- watched them whenever possible in the 1950s and later on. Thanks for the enjoyment!
Helen Traubel was one of the greatest Wagnerian sopranos who ever lived. And she was a good popular singer as well. She also had a great sense of humor. She was a girl from Missouri. She liked Jerry Lewis and was in one of his movies.
I have been watching all the episodes. Steve Allen is definitely the funniest male panel member. Arlene and Dorothy are tied for funniest females. They were fantastic too!
Arlene = hilarious
Jeff Z- I agree with both of your observations.
Wally Cox did the best deer-in-headlights look I've ever seen.
After Joyce, may be
@@mehboobkm2018 Forgive for asking, Joyce WHO?
One of the funniest eps. I love Wally, he took a bit too much time but this was one of the funniest episodes, he had Traubel in stitiches.
I thought he was hilarious in this. It reminds me of a Car 54 where he plays a pick pocket. Again hilarious.
It is amazing how quickly Arlene got onto the scent here -- It was great fun to see how funny this great soprano was!
"Did you cause somewhat of an uproar this year?" lol
Helen had the best laugh. She played Ms. Helen Wellenmellon in The Ladies Man w/Jerry Lewis. I saw an outtake from it where he had her cracking up. Had me rolling.
More of Helen Traubel...the great movie Deep in my Heart...great voice, great personality!
I wish Wally Cox would have lived longer. I'm in stitches with laughter!
You're JOKING?! Wally Cox was so full of himself and was definitely NOT funny
Krista Brewer what were you watching?
@@kristabrewer9363 I agree to a point...he derailed the show so many times. It felt like he was really just there to be a comedian.
@@kristabrewer9363He’s underrated
Helen Traubel seemed to have a really good time! A great performer and one of many victims of Rudolph Bing at the Met ...
He fired Traubel because she wanted to sing in nightclubs as well as in opera. He fired Melchior because he was so large and didn't look like a movie star. And he fired Callas because she challenged his dictatorial rule at the Metropolitan Opera. He fired three of the greatest stars in opera because he was a little dictator.
And Bing refused to hire just as many…
She was smart too. You can't sing Wagner effectively forever. You can sing Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Jimmy van Heusen, etc. forever and do so effectively. And you can do comedy forever. At this point, I guess she hadn't done much acting (she's doesn't say "Sometimes" when asked if she's an actress, though she could have claimed to act in opera), but she did become a movie actress and more extensively a sketch actress on TV variety shows. My parents knew zilch about opera but they knew Helen Traubel from her TV appearances.
No idea what any of that means
Wally Cox was hilarious 😂
The horse dentist came on again 15 years later and no one remembered him till they were told.
Wally Cox is just hysterical! Good old Mr. Peepers.
Oh Wally, oh Wally, love you the most out of any male panelists.
Poor little Wally Cox - hilarious but vulnerable. I don't know who Ms Traubel was, but she played a good game, and had a great sense of humour to judge from her appearance here. So long ago .... these shows can make one feel VERY old. I wasn't even 4 at the time, and now I'm an old man....
She was an opera star who like to appear on the American pop scene, notably TV and radio and when she appeared with Jimmy Durante, she was told to knock it off or her contract would not be renew with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. She didn't knock it off and they did not renew her contract, which is what Arlene is referring to.
Robert Jones I wasn't even born yet -9 years
6 and a half years before I was born lol. I love seeing people I've never heard of.
Miss Traubel possessed a sense of humour that enriched her spectacular voice with love of humanity.
love this show and this is one of the funniest for me. wally cox was a comic genius (and Marlon Brando;s ex roommate).
I never heard of Helen Traubel but from this episode she seemed like such a fun person so I've been googling and reading on her and she was a very fun and down to earth person... her personality was not suited for Opera even though she had one of the greatest voices, but she said she just didn't fit the prima donna persona that goes with being in the Opera... she preferred the more personal level of nightclubs and loved doing comedy... when her contract was not taken back up because she wouldn't give up doing what she liked, she got some pretty nasty letters and telegrams from her friends in the Opera saying that she was disgusting to give up the prima donna role... jeez those Opera people sound like creeps.. Thumbs up to Helen Traubel.. sounds like a wonderful person...
I hesitate to mention this, but she did a shortened TV version of G&S's "The Mikado" in 1959 with. . . Groucho. ;)
What's My Line?
I saw that the other day on here.. there is a clip... it was great.. loved it...
And she played Larry Mondello's mother on _Leave it to Beaver_! (no, just kidding)
I just watched President Kennedy's pre-inaugural gala on the PBS station in commemoration of JFK's 100th birthday this Tuesday, May 30. Helen Traubel was a featured performer on this gala: She sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic towards the close of the program. Helen Traubel was standing next to Ethel Merman, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra, among other luminaries.
I watched the Kennedy gala with Helen Traubel too, and she was, like all of the performers, superb. We must have watched it almost simultaneously!!
John never lost his boyish enthusiasm whenever the panel got one right.
Wally Cox was fantastic and had the perfectly appreciative audience in Helen Traubel!
Helen came from St. Louis, my hometown. She was a world-famous opera star and quite unexpectedly when television came in was invited to appear on popular variety shows such as the Jimmy Durante Show, where she began doing comedy and popular music. The reaction from the public was amazing; the reaction from the opera world was disdain. In the end she decided to move to a new part of her saga and became one of the most popular night club performers in the nation, including the posh Chase Club in St. Louis where during her engagement she did a press conference with high school journalists and performed her show for them. They loved her! She also served as a vocal coach for Margaret Truman, President Truman's daughter (not to mention Bess Truman's daughter), neatly keeping it all in the Missouri family. She wrote a great autobiography, "St. Louis Woman" and had a late-year career few artists experienced.
+Wayne Brasler
Interesting... I guess that's what she meant by answering, "Some says I is and some says I'm not" to Arlene's questions about her field of singing.
+SaveThe TPC Though she did not say so publicly much, Helen got fed up with being a world-famous diva. As much as she loved opera, she felt the life-style was too fancy and it required her to be too fancy. By going pop, she could set her own pace, travel to wonderful places to wonderful audiences, and have fun. And she could still sing opera as part of her boffo night club act. She was not a novelty act, either. She was, for one thing, a great blues singer as it turned out.
Helen was also a baseball fan and for a time she was part owner of the St. Louis Browns in the American League before the team moved to Baltimore after the 1953 season. By the time this episode aired, her Brownies had already become the Orioles.
Wayne Brasler w
Wayne Brasler Is m
Omg. Lol. Wally cox is the best. I cant stop laughing. I needed that. He died wayyyy too young . I love these people
Having watched these programs when they were first aired, I am just now realizing how many hints John Daly gave to the panel, especially when "clarifying" or answering FOR the contestant.
He did yes and I felt wrong
"And the softest sound in the uproar...BING!"
That was very clever of Arlene! :)
Steve Allen and Wally Cox make this a classic.
The opera ain't over till the ...... no, forget it, she seems like a class act.
Vic - In truth often the diva was quite overweight and often sang the last aria, being that in opera the beautiful woman got killed off, having committed a serious love-involved transgression, and had to be punished. So the heavy woman was the last man standing, so to speak.
@@shirleyrombough8173, That’s absolutely untrue! I’m a professional classical composer and a major opera fan.
Steve Allen: "I think Eve is in the apple business!" :) 2:55
Walley Cox and Steve Allen are a great combination. There self deprecating humor is subtle. They remind me of Bob Newhart.
Walley was a pain in the ass on this segment, glad he didn't come back.
@@mehboobkm2018No he was NOT
Victor Borge: No one is worse than me on the show. Wally Cox: Hold my beer.
I was curious about the reference to Helen Traubel having recently caused an uproar. What could an opera singer have done? From Wikipedia: "Traubel's association with the Metropolitan Opera ended in 1953; General Manager Rudolf Bing chose not to renew her contract after expressing disapproval of her radio and TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Durante, and her wish to expand her lucrative career in major supper and night clubs." Ahh. Associating with "low" arts.
Bing was a little dictator.
She was very true to her own desires for her career and didn't let the bully dictate what she could do in her career.👍
I've seen every episode so far, and I can tell you I don't believe any guest has ever enjoyed him or herself as much as Ms Traubel. Rarely has anyone laughed so hard so long. Of course, Wally Cox gave her a little help, but everyone was spot on tonight, and the comic energy was flowing. Come to think of it, I've never seen the panel and Mr. Daly laugh harder either.
Speaking of Wally Cox: I would have understood if they reeled him in after 20 or 30 seconds, but he was getting laughs from everywhere - the house, the panel, Helen Traubel, et al, so I guess they let him go. One thing I like about him is that he's able to do what he does without upstaging everyone, like Victor Borge (imo), and without coming across as cringefuly sleazy as Hal Block, who keeps on going no matter how few laughs he gets.
Just one more thing: I've not heard any other guest panelist get the extended applause Wally Cox did at the end of the show - including applause from all three of the other panelists.
Thanks for all these; we appreciate all your hard work, time, etc!!!
I just had to watch this one again... Wally Cox is a riot... I can't stop laughing...
So interesting, I was a Fuller Brush Man too back of in the day for extra income when my children were little. I wonder if that company is not defunct now.
It's still around.
I think Wally Cox is hysterical!
One of my favorite Wagnerian sopranos!!!
Helen Traubel was on I've Got A Secret which she tried NOT to laugh, but Garry Moore made so many funny faces, would laugh out loud.
Helen Traubel seems soooooooo amused by this experience.
According to one internet source, Bennett Cerf supposedly considered Wally Cox as a lousy panelist, explaining Cox could not ad lib. Given the choice, I would have paid to hear Wally Cox speak, but I would listen to Bennett Cerf only if there were no charge.
Cox was funny but he took up way too much air time. Was he stalling to give himself time to think?
Helen Traubel's contract at the Metropolitan Opera was not renewed in 1953 when its General Manager, Rudolf Bing, expressed disapproval of her radio and TV appearances alongside the likes of Jimmy Durante and her expressed desire to expand her lucrative career in major supper and night clubs.
Why did John give such a big clue for the Horse Dentist?!
I couldn't stand Wally Cox here...
My cousin is a horse dentist. Fascinating career
There's no need to fear: Wally Cox.
Oh wow, I had no idea but as soon as I read your comment I could hear the voice! Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog....
Underdog is here!
Helen Traubel, a baseball fan, was for a time, a part owner of the St. Louis Browns MLB team (St Louis was her hometown; the Browns moved in the 1950s to become the Baltimore Orioles).
I found it very funny that after the Fuller brush lady the following guest was named Harry Ball!!!!
I can't believe more people haven't mentioned that. What an unfortunate name!
Thank goodness I'm not the only one with a sick mind. Lol
The horse dentist should have been able to answer yes, to Steve's question "could you perform this service on the opposite sex". What's more opposite that a lady horse. They gave to much away too early by leading them directly to animals. And besides Johns pronunciation of Homo sapiens is not accepted by any source I've got including Dr. Reason A. Goodwin The Editor of World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary.
I agree, Joe. I just watched this one again, as I've been watching a whole bunch of shows in chronological order, starting with early 1953. It really bothers me that John gave so much away so early in the show and game. Ordinarily, that question would have gotten a "yes," and it would have led to tremendous hilarity. Fortunately for Mr. Ball, the panel didn't guess his line anyway. :)
Thanks for the comment, Rick. I wish I was able to watch these again as I post them, but it's only when I read comments like yours that I can really remember the specifics of any given episode. I noticed some people commenting negatively on Victor Borge's clowning in another episode, but I personally grew much more impatient with Wally Cox here.
As for Miss Traubel, whatever her considerable worth as a human being, the wolf whistles are indeed inexplicable. ;)
This episode makes one really appreciate Bennett Cerf.
Definitely 👍🏻
Yea right. Wally Cox stole the show.
Wally Cox was funny 😊.
My in-laws got a TV and once I saw Mr. Peepers I hoped I could slip in & watch the show because Wally Cox would completely break me up without doing anything. By the time we got our own TV, the show went off the air! Tony Randall played the history teacher. Their humour was quite a bit the same when you think of it. Remember how slow Tony was when he first became a panelist? He couldn't think of a thing to say.
If Dorothy Kilgallen stood up, then Helen Traubel would have been another one that the whole panel stood up for...
She was pregnant at the time I believe.
The days when appearing on TV was a sensation, 22:56.
i was curious to read what others thought of this, or more specifically, the Wally Cox episodes...i guess its one of those things where everyone has their own opinions, but i personally found his appearances hilarious, especially the horse dentist segment
You can find some more comments on this subject on the other video featuring Cox on the panel: What's My Line? - Tyrone Power; Wally Cox [panel] (Mar 27, 1955)
I'm definitely in the camp that finds his panel appearances excruciating, but more power to you if enjoy them!
I love him.
Hilarious
Yes, OK, Cox is definitely playing a character the audience is familiar with, with which I do not have acquaintance, and which I am less amused by than I would be if I had the connection.
(I'm glad the audience is having fun, though.)
Meanwhile, Ms. Traubell has a great laugh. Interesting lady.
I would like Wally Cox more if he remembered that time is a precious thing on this show.
True, but have you seen the episode with Groucho Marx? He completely took over the show, he had Mr. Daly in fits.
@@robink620 I did he basically ruined the show premise. I wonder if the producers were aware of what might happened when they asked him on. I didn't find it as funny as some people did.
@@erichanson426 they knew he’d act up and counted on it. I didn’t care for his kind jokes or gags either, never have.
@@erichanson426 I'm sure the live audience enjoyed it but it's awfully hard to discipline panelists or even challengers for that matter, to live within the constraints of TV time.
@@robink620 I didn't either, but it still wasn't as bad as Henry Morgan. That guy was a prick, pure and simple.
Numerous "comedians" have made a "funny" throughout the years by asking "what is it, or what do you do for a living"? Always a golden moment in the history of yacks. However watching Wally Cox do it in 1954 makes me think who was the first to do that. And, Gary, I know it's probably too much work but it WOULD make a good gag reel if you ever find the time. Actually Wally was funny here because he indeed, does give the impression of expecting an answer. Also the glasses on the blindfold bit. I wish Bennett had done it, just once.
Hadcto blink when I see the first contestant actually has a job that I actually worked forv3 months one summer. Late 60s, just after high school, and I still remember 1 man whonanswered the doir calli g out to his wife: "Hey, hon! It's the Fulker Brush man, onky she's a woman!"
Although my earliest memories of Fuller Brush men is that's where my mom bought her mop supplies for years.
!
I wish the Fuller woman had given Wally Cox the brush.
There's a limit to Mr. Cox's (or anyone's) taking over -- or should be. This was beyond the pale.
@tinwoods Thank you. Very rare occurrence indeed. 😁
Helen Traubel looks a little like Madge Blake who played Larry Mondello's mom on "Leave It To Beaver" and "Aunt Harriet", Bruce Wayne's aunt on "Batman"
Wally Cox is very adorkable.
👍🤣"Why, STEVE!" 😂
Willy-nilly witty Wally !!! Never have I seen such an amusing episode of the show! Smashing stuff !!!
4:05 Steve Allen: "Is it smaller than a medicine ball?" I wonder why this didn't catch on like the "bread box" question did?
This is a classic WML, what with Steve Allen's quick wit and Wally Cox's slow hilarity, it is a smash.
I watch the 2 episodes with Wally Cox the most... he is just hysterical.. I wish he was on more... and the contestants and the mystery guests, Tyrone Power and Helen Traubel, both seemed to really get a charge out of Wally Cox... They had a good time because of him...he's very likeable.. the horse dentist guy really liked him... he's FUNNY...
PepsiMama2 I listened to the Bennett Cerf oral history and he really badmouths Cox, saying he was one of the worst guest panelists ever. He and I think others do not get his personality. He is similar to Jack Benny in his timing in that he is not afraid of silence, and often will let his face do the talking for him. Personally, I think he is a master, while others disagree. It's all a matter of taste.
I agree with you Joe
PepsiMama2 That's a right!
I love the 2 episodes of WML with Wally Cox... He really added alot to the show... He really took it to another level and I think the regulars may have been uncomfortable because Cox definitely was in a realm of his own that couldn't be matched... I could watch those 2 episodes over and over... he's just hilarious...
Wally Cox makes me wish I was born 30 years before I was. His comedic brilliance was lost on mini-me and I wish I could have experienced him live. It is clear here that he was one of the 1950's comedy greats. That was not always apparent in his character work.
Of course if I was born 30 years earlier (which would have seen me growing up in the roaring 20's, I'd be long dead by now, so perhaps missing the young Cox was a fair tradeoff (and online videos will keep him young forever - me not so much)
Looking at the first contestant, Miss Witt, is anyone else reminded of Julia Child, had she chosen a career in door-to-door sales instead of cooking?
Arlene asked if the Fuller Brush "man" was a farmerette. How heavy hangs the secism.
I meant the sexism. Technology 1, Me 0.
@@shirleyrombough8173 what *is* a "fuller brush man" (or woman, or anything)? I have never heard of this job or product.
"Did you cause somewhat of an uproar this year?" Every time the panel references some kind of minor contemporary event like that with a big reaction, I always get really curious what it is they were talking about. 1954 was a quite a while ago by now, I don't suppose anyone knows what that was about?
Bennett Cerf, in an interview that is available on RUclips, claimed that Wally Cox was one of the two worst guest panelists in the history of What's My Line, the other being Rudy Vallee. He said that Wally Cox was so used to having lines written for him that he couldn't even ad lib "I pass". John Daly had to bail him out on that score.
Maybe it's because it is a different day and age, but I found Mr. Cox to be hysterical! I understand his "shtick" wasn't ideal for a fast paced panel, but I really think he brought the humor. I think Bennett was just scared of losing his job! LOL
Polly Pocket I do think Cox and Cerf are opposites. I laughed out loud at Cox - several times. Never have with Cerf. They are just very different. I appreciate both. I do rather think Cox can be more annoying, but also way funnier. Tastes vary. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Bennett Serf didn't seem to care for a lot of people he didn't think were of his class.
maybe, but he was eye candy so he got away with it.
@@brunoantony3218 Bennet Cerf was EYE CANDY? Have you had your vision checked? He was a shlumpy little upper class New Yorker. Intelligent, yes, but eye candy, never!
Its' a real shame about the audio on a lot of these cutting out or skipping a few seconds, but, I guess we are lucky to have them at all, but they can be quite annoying.
How did Arlene guess Bristles????
The Fuller Brush Man don't cometh no more.
No ice man, either, Ma.
And what *is* a fuller brush man? I was confused throughout that segment.
A door-to-door brush salesperson.
Steve Allen to horse dentist: can you take a bet? Very very very clever!!!
Helen Traubel was a St. Louis girl, very beloved, amazingly talented and totally utterly down to earth. She appeared at the posh Chase Club in St. Louis doing a club act which got raves and she gave a matinee performance for the high school kids who wanted to see and hear her and they of course loved her.
I love Cerf, but Cox was a great guest panelist. He was hysterical. By the way, I love the whole gang, especially Arlene. WML might be the classiest show I've seen on TV.
Very very very clever of Steve: Eve sells apples!!!!
Also Arlene dress very pretty,,,and I love this show,,,iam 80
I enjoyed the back and forth between Mr. Ball and Mr. Cox. What? Whaaaaaat?
is wally cox gonna ask a question?
Steve Allen's suit looks like he bought it off the rack.
Marlon Brando's best Hollywood pal was Wally Cox.
i dont get you guys. Mr. Cox was hilarious
elmer recinos The glasses-over-blindfold was a Steve Allen steal
I agree, I liked him because he was so different. That is one thing I disliked about Bennett Cerf was he was too much like Dorothy, and between the two, I'd rather have Dorothy. Cerf was wrong a hell of a lot for being someone who was supposed to be intellectual.
elmer recinos Oh we "get" him alright... he is just not nearly as cute as he thinks he is.
I think he's just as cute as he thinks he is! :)
He's annoying.
Used to be widely known for wolf whistling. Many european perfomers have testified about this, they were horrified when they first experienced it because over here it is an expression of disapproval.
I've read that Edith Piaf was highly insulted by the whistles when she first performed in the US, for the reason you give. She was ready to vow never to perform here again, until the cultural difference was explained to her.
Why is there no audio for this episode?
This was one of the funnier shows of WML.
Wally insanely funny! Glasses over his mask!
Wally is so adorable! He has confusion down to an art form.
I have no idea what a "Fuller Brush Man" is, so I don't even know how to tell if the panel is on track or not with their questioning! 🤔 (first guest)
They went door to door selling brushes. Hair, cleaning, etc.. I believe during the 30's, 40's, and 50"s???
@@sandrageorge3488 that makes sense, thanks. Was Fuller a brand then? Like a Good Humor Man as opposed to the generic Ice Cream Man?
@@Amcsae Legendary firm that sold brushes door-to-door until 1985. Similar yes, to Good Humor, during the era of door-to-door sales. Now being resurrected as a nostalgic brush company on social media. Originally started by a man named Fuller, and run by his descendants until selling to Sara Lee in 1968. Fuller of course is a name derived from the cleaning of wool - as is Walker and Tucker. And as Bob Hope said to Bing Crosby about Jerry Colonna’s big moustache “oh, he gave me the brush”. Not sure if he bristled while he said that.
The following movie may be of interest:
ruclips.net/video/4BioCW6nSmk/видео.html
Miss Witt, Plainville, Connecticut.
That's about as all American as they come.
Someone obviously forgot to tell Wally Cox that this show was "What's My Line", not the "Wally Cox Show"
I did NOT like him as a panelist!!!
Can you imagine Victor Borge and Wally Cox on the same panel? Polar opposites of comedy.
But exactly the same as panelists: They were unfunny and completely killed the pace of the game. The two worst panelists imho.
One of my favorite episodes.
Wally "Mr. Peepers" Cox was hilarious on every show he was ever on! And all with a "dead pan face" while doing it! One of a kind!👍
🦂🥂
John Charles Daly gave a major clue by saying Homosapien.
Wally Cox was hilarious!