Games People Played

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Bert Convy

1969 Arlene Francis Bert Convy Johnny Olson Shari Lewis Soupy Sales Wally Bruner What's My Line?

WHAT’S MY LINE?-Taped February 4, 1969

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Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Celebrity Panel:

  • Soupy Sales
  • Shari Lewis (Lamb Chop) “She’ll be working all our heads” as Soupy
  • Bert Convy (Shoot Anything With Hair That Moves)
  • Arlene Francis, who wishes Wally a Happy New Year!

FIRST GUEST, but first the blindfolds.
Mr. X X

I’ll just say Mr. X X came through the audience and went past the panel coming to the set. Wally says he’s in the entertainment business.

Bert: We’d recognize you on sight, wouldn’t we?

Have you been in the news recently?
Perhaps, but also at any time.
Is what you do significant to us?
We’ll say it’s to find out who you are AND what you do
Do you do this in front of large audiences?
Yes
In Television?
Again, COULD BE
In the broadest sense, is this a physical act?
Yes
Do you wear a costume?
Yes, and you recognize him pretty quickly.
Does it have to do with the circus?
Not directly, but still Yes
Would you be a clown?
Absolutely Not $5

Arlene: Is what you’re wearing like an animal skin?
Yessss!
Are you inside of something in the shape of an animal?
Yes
Do I need to find out what kind of animal?
More of a general area what he does (“What is he, like Jonah?”)
Do you clean up (RE-DO) or destroy anything?
You’re close, but Wally’s ending this game already.

Mr. X X is Stunt Man Janos Prohaska, a CREATOR OF MOVIE MONSTERS, and who came in dressed as an extra from “Planet of the Apes”. Prohaska just happened to be Soupy’s double for a movie. He’s the chief monster man in Hollywood for a long time making chimpanzees. Oh, and here’s another of Janos’s creations…a ROCK MONSTER. “Thank you, Johnny Olson”. Other costumes are brought out, all made by Janos. They decide to made a bird out of Bert, putting a Coo-Coo Bird costume on his head.

SECOND GUEST: Stella Owen (Swansee, Wales)

Stella is the official national hostess of Wales and is playing a role when Charles is made Prince of Wales. What we’re talking about is a day job, salaried and dealing with a service.

Soupy: Do you do it outside? (The job)
Sometimes
I mean, an outside object, but you can do it inside?
Yes
Done on certain farms?
No $5

Shari: Would I come to you?
Yes
Would you touch me in any way?
Yes, but not necessarily.
Would it enhance me physically?
Eventually
In a form of something you’d say to me?
It would, but it’s not a basic part, so No $10

Bert: Would anything be exchanged?
No $15

Arlene: Anything to do with physical exercise?
Yes
Do you instruct?
Yes, and Arlene figures out the rest. Stella TEACHES PHYSICAL EDUCATION

It’s at a Junior/Senior High School and also teaches dancing and skin diving. Currently touring the U.S., she’s inviting guests for the future king’s investiture. Arlene is expecting Mr. Burton to be there (Actor Richard Burton, I presume). Besides her beauty, Stella’s position as Hostess come from her knowledge of Welsh accents and affairs. Not to mention being educated and speaking abilities. She has a doll dressed as Charles will be for the big event; robe, crown, silver sword and all. Also shown is a replica of the crown shown identical size. I’m not going to try to spell out her translation of “What’s My Line” in Welsh.

MYSTERY GUEST

Arlene: Known primarily for work in motion pictures?
No (Sounds weak)
Soupy: Primarily for Television?
No
Shari: Are you a boy or a girl? (Doesn’t count)
Are you currently appearing in this here town?
Yes
Bert: Are you in theater?
Yes
Arlene: Play in Broadway?
Yes
Soupy: Is it a musical?
No
Shari: Is it a play that originated in another country?
No
Bert: Is it a comedy?
No
Arlene: Is it a play that received enormous acclaim and was tried out in another state?
Pause, “Did someone leave the stage” Not in another state
Soupy (with 30 seconds): Is it Donald Pleasance?
NO!
Shari: Do you have laryngitis?
No, but you will in two minutes.
Are you in a play with a small cast?
No
Bert: It has to be James Earl Jones?
YES!

Arlene calls out his answer that the play “The Great White Hope” DID open first in Washington. D.C. But D.C. is not a stage. With that out of the way, she remembers to praise Jones for his work. He recounts how the play was supposed to just be at the Arena Theatre and never expected to come to New York. Especially hard with such an enormous cast as they were talking about.

HONEST ANSWERS

For Bert: “Where do you buy those beautiful clothes?”
Answer: He makes them himself! No wait…he had a tailor make the suit he’s wearing. The shirt was bought here in New York, imported from England. It’s bright yellow to match the tie. (Close Up) Not too expensive actually.

For Soupy: “How did you get to be coach of the Harlem Globetrotters?”
Answer: They needed help. Wally says it was between him and Vince Lombardi, but Soupy says it was Guy Lombardi. The team is a bunch of great clowns, from one to another.

And as the credits roll, Janos and Johnny O. invade the panel in full costume.

What’s my Line? is owned by Fremantle.

1969 Arlene Francis Bert Convy Joanna Barnes Johnny Olson Nipsey Russell Wally Bruner What's My Line?

WHAT’S MY LINE?-Taped January 21, 1969

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Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Celebrity Panel:

  • Nipsey Russell
  • Joanna Barnes
  • Bert Convy
  • Arlene Francis

FIRST GUEST: Nancy Moritz (Yonkers, NY)

She’s salaried and deals with a service.

Bert: Could I avail myself in this service?
Yes
How about Arlene?
Yes
Do the people come to you?
Yes
Do you wear something else?
Yes, most of the time
Is it a uniform?
Yes
Is it an essential service?
Yes
Is it in the health field?
No $5

Arlene: Yonkers had Arlene thinking the Chamber of Commerce, is it a non-profit?
Yes
Branch of the government?
No $10

Nipsey: It has nothing to do with health?
Yes, it doesn’t
Anything to do with children?
Yes
An institution with the education of children?
In a sense
Do you deal with children and parents?
Yes
Do it have to do with orphans?
Sometimes, but No $15

Joanna: Anything to do with bringing kids and adults together?
Yes
Anything to do with foster homes and adoptions?
Yes, but it’s one of the extra services.
Do you work indoors?
Yes
Anything to do with the law?
No $20 (30 seconds left)

Bert after shifting through all the possibilities he was wrong about PASSES.

Arlene: Anything to do with the Lord?
Yes
Are you a minister of some kind?
Yes, but it’s not enough (Wally reminds the panel she wears a uniform)
Is she a nun or sister?
No Game Over

Our guest is Capt. Nancy Moritz of THE SALVATION ARMY. And guess What? Arlene is an honorary Colonel, of the “best army in the world”. At the time, there were over 300,000 people in America and 2 million around the world! Let’s not forget the Salvation Army Christmas Band! Nancy says it’s not a requirement, but it’s about the joy of singing for the Lord. She plays coronet and tambourine. Sometimes piano, too, rough playing in December. Back to tambourine, we see sheet music written for the instrument. It’s in shapes looking straight out of geometry. All instructions for timing and choreography. It’s too confusing, we need a demonstration. Three tambourine dancers from the Salvation Army School of Officer Training in the Bronx.

  • Cadet Eileen Smith
  • Cadet Betty Jones
  • Cadet Joan Burke

After performing The March Parade by the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, it’s the panel’s turn. Three symbols are shown with numbers indicting the rhythm. Easy to explain, hard to show here, but the panel gets it.

SECOND GUEST: Sheldon Goldstein (Norwich, NY)

He’s self-employed and deals with a product.

Nipsey: Would the product be contrary to something that your appearance indicates?
Wally gets it, Sheldon’s appearance is not a giveaway to his product.
You don’t sell razor blades, do you?
Since Nipsey agrees he meant it, No $5

Joanna: Does it have any electricity?
No $10

Bert: Would we find it in our home?
Yes
Would it be mainly found in one room in the house?
Yes
Usually on the ground floor?
Yes
A room with an oven?
Yes
Could you hold it in your hand?
Yes (Wally makes a fish face)
If you held it in your hand, would it be functional? (The audience can’t hold back snickers)
Yes
Anything to do with the preparing of food?
Yes
Is it an implement?
Oh a utensil, No $15

Arlene: Something put in the mouth?
Yes
Is it a “Food substance” itself?
Yes
Is it something you’d have for lunch?
Yes
Is it an accessory to the meal, instead of the main course?
Yes
Does it grow in the ground?
Yes
Does it have a distinctive odor?
Yes (There goes the audience)
In the vegetable family?
Yes (15 second)
Garlic, Onion or Pickle?
No, No, No $20

Nipsey: Is it a seasoning or garnishment?
No, expect in one case. And in this case, GAME OVER

It’s not radishes or ketchup, either. It’s SAUERKRAUT! Sheldon has his own company, “Ready Pac Foods” in Norwich. At the time, they were making 40 million pounds a year!

MYSTERY GUEST

Joanna: Are you a motion picture performer, predominately?
No
Bert almost wants to make a guess “It couldn’t be!”: You’re on the stage primarily?
Yes
Bert’s guess: Eileen Heckhart
WRONG
Arlene think she knows it, too: Are you currently appearing in a Broadway play with a small cast and is a big hit?
Yes
Arlene’s guess: Maureen…Wally finishes it, STAPLETON

And she was so afraid she wouldn’t be recognized, she would’ve signed in as Marlene Dietrich! Arlene says Maureen didn’t disguise her voice, but she says otherwise. Anyway, our guest is appearing in the play “Plaza Suite”, really three one act plays. Joanna mentions Maureen would soon appear in a movie, but she hates flying. She’s booked a train instead, too bad the 20th Century to Chicago was closed by this time. Wally suggest a freight instead! The film was “Airport” adapted from the book which she didn’t read. Maureen is playing Van Heflin’s wife. Afterwards, you would expect to see her return for the theatre version. The irony is not lost on Arlene.

HONEST ANSWERS

For Bert (From Helen O’Donnell, NYC): Do you have any children?
Answer: Yes, Three Children. Ages 30, 24 and one’s about to graduate from college.

Arlene butted in. It’s 8 years, 3 years and 14 months.
For Arlene (Mrs. T.H. Moore, Gainesville, FL): Which do you prefer: Television or legitimate stage and why?
Answer: Devoted to television, it’s been very, very, good to her. Any actress prefers the stage for the excitement of playing to an audience. Overall, she likes them both.

What’s My Line? is owned by Fremantle.

1968 Anita Gillette Arlene Francis Bert Convy Johnny Olson Wally Bruner What's My Line?

WHAT’S MY LINE?-Date Unknown

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Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson

Celebrity Panel:

  • Soupy Sales
  • Anita Gillette
  • Bert Convy
  • Arlene Francis

FIRST GUEST: Francis Kelly (Bronx, NY)

He’s self-employed, concerned with a product

Arlene: Might I possibly have this product?
You Could
Used by both sexes?
Yes
Does it come in contact with the person?
No $5

Soupy: Found in the home?
Yes
Found in one room more than another?
Probably, but Wally calls it a No $10

Anita: Could I hold it in my hand?
Yes
Comes in contact with other places beside the hand?
No $15

Bert: Is this product functional?
“It Lives” Bert heard it, but Francis and Wally deny it.

Go on, you big stoop!

Does it do something?
Yes
Does it perform a task for the home?
Not necessarily $20

Arlene: Is this product is or has every been alive?
Yes
In the animal family?
Yes
Is it a pet?
“It Can Be”
Is it a Bird?
Yes
Is it a Canary or Parakeet? (There’s a difference)
Canary
Does it talk?
No $25

Soupy: “He gains 300 pounds and hollers CHEEP?”
Not a question
Do you train canaries?
Yes

“They kamikaze canaries. They throw themselves in cat’s mouths?”

Train them to sing?
YES

Our bird expert has brought a quartet of his class of 60! Yes! 60! Johnny O. brings them out, after they’ve been flying around the dressing room. Wally says a cat stood by in case they got rowdy. Francis has no problem living with ’em all By listening to what the mic was picking up, they are have bass voices. Wally needs to bring them closer. All you can do is give them time to work out their stage fright. In a contest, birds get up to a half a hour to perform!

Our birds have gotten a little better. In other knowledge, Francis uses a graduate canary to train students. But with only a little taste, another group of birds serenade us. (The Panel)

SECOND GUEST: Dianna Engel (New York City)

She’s salaried and deals with a service.

Soupy: Would I come to you?
Yes (Bert: Can I come with you?)

Are you wearing something other than what you’re wearing?
(Dianna has a typical 60s floral dress) No $5

Anita: Would I use it too?
Yes
Would I enjoy it as much as Soupy?
Aside from some side benefits, Yes
Do you touch people?
No $10

I’m so sorry to hear that?

Bert

Would you say this service would make me feel better?
No therapeutic benefit but Yes
Would I need an appointment?
No $15

Arlene: Are you employed with others in the same line?
Yes

A place where one might wants some relaxation?
Dianna says Yes but Wally doesn’t think so. Arlene’s getting miffed, so it’s a Yes
Do they serve anything to eat or drink?
A definite No $20

Soupy: Is there an office?
Yes
Do you do any paperwork?
Yes
Do people come that have a particular problem involving paperwork?
Dianna was unsure, but time’s up anyway

Arlene guesses it’s a cashier. Soupy guesses a hostess on a patrol wagon. Both wrong! She’s a STOCKBROKER. Her company is Kern Securities. How did a nice girl like you get in a business like this? She just started investing, got good and decided to spread the knowledge. And the men don’t see to mind if you earn their respect. Soupy and Bert are in for sure.

MYSTERY GUEST

The guest welcomes us in a voice sounding like Julia Child.

“It’s one of my mother’s favorite shows and one of the birds is loose backstage.

Bert: Are you primarily known for television?
Yes, giggling with excitement
Arlene: Do you have your own series?
Yes
Soupy: A nighttime show?
No
Anita: Afternoon talk show?
No
Bert: Game Show?
Yes
Arlene: Are you the moderator?
“Yes, and I’m so beautiful”

Soupy: GENE RAYBURN, everyone knew it.

Gene says he’s done plenty of voices with his wife…

IT WASN’T A JOKE, A BIRD IS LOOSE!

Anyway, Mrs. Rayburn says Gene has a certain tone in his voice. The only option was Falsetto. The entire panel has been on “The Match Game”. Along with all those game shows and #1 DJ in New York, what’s left? Two Things: Create a starring role in Broadway and movie. After that, he’ll quit! ANYTHING BUT THAT! Reminisicing about past What’s My Line appearances, there was the time Gene milked a cow with the boy from Illinois. One of the most popular things fans talk about. Soupy says the cow should’ve gotten kid gloves, Gene’s got the coldest hands in the business. Cold Hands, Warm Personality!

Honest Answers:

Marsha Robbins (New Rochelle) for Soupy:
“Do you really wear a Mickey Mouse watch?”
Answer: Yes, and we get the closeup to prove it. When it slows down, he feeds it cheese

For Bert: “What was your occupation before you became an actor?”
Answer: Played in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system

Arlene: Do you have any dogs?
Answer: Not currently, but there used to be Otto Von Bismarck (Dacushand), Sheep dog, Scottie, Russian Wolfhound.

Wait, what about the canary! He flew to the top of the lights and finally began to sing. Don’t call the Humane Society, the bird’s back in safe hands.

What’s My Line? is owned by Fremantle.

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