Ep 36. What's My Line? - 1955 - Episode 36

What's My Line? was a popular American television game show that aired from 1950 to 1967. The show featured a panel of four celebrity guests, who would try to guess the occupation of a mystery guest through a series of yes or no questions. The mystery guest would typically be a famous celebrity or public figure, but could also be an everyday person with an interesting occupation. The show was hosted by John Charles Daly.

Episode 36 of season 1 originally aired on June 19, 1955. The panel for this episode consisted of Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Steve Allen. The mystery guest for this episode was a well-known actor with a notable stage and screen career.

As the episode begins, John Charles Daly introduces the panel and the mystery guest. The panel is blindfolded, and the mystery guest enters the stage. The panel then begins to ask their yes or no questions in an attempt to guess the guest's occupation. The mystery guest, for their part, must answer truthfully but can be evasive in their responses.

The questions start off fairly broad, with the panel trying to narrow down the guest's occupation. They learn that the guest is male, is not currently appearing on Broadway, and is not primarily known for his work in television. As the questioning continues, the panel begins to hone in on the guest's specific area of expertise. They learn that he has appeared in multiple films, and that he is not primarily a comedic actor.

As the episode progresses, the panel gets closer and closer to guessing the guest's identity. They ask if he has a distinctive speaking voice, to which the guest responds affirmatively. They also ask if he has won any awards for his acting work, which he has. Eventually, the panel is able to make an educated guess as to the guest's identity, and John Charles Daly lifts their blindfolds to reveal whether or not they are correct.

In addition to the main game, this episode also features a segment in which Daly invites a special guest to perform a talent. This segment typically featured up-and-coming performers, and in this episode the guest is a young singer who performs a popular song of the era.

Overall, What's My Line? was a beloved show that provided both entertainment and insight into the world of celebrities and everyday people with interesting occupations. Episode 36 of season 1 is a prime example of the show's format, with a compelling mystery guest and a panel of witty and engaging celebrity guests.