Ep 40. What's My Line? - 1955 - Episode 40

What's My Line? was a popular American game show that originally aired on CBS from 1950 to 1967. The show featured a panel of four celebrity panelists who would try to guess the occupation or identity of a mystery guest through a series of yes-or-no questions. The mystery guest would then come out and the panel would have one final round of questioning before they tried to guess the identity one last time.

The 55th season of What's My Line? aired in 1955 and episode 40 featured a mystery guest who stumped the panel. The show was hosted by John Charles Daly and the panel consisted of Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf.

The episode began with Daly introducing the panel and teasing the mystery guest. He then brought out the mystery challenger, who was identified only as "Mr. X." Mr. X was a well-known public figure, but his identity was not revealed until the end of the show.

The panelists began their questioning and quickly honed in on Mr. X's occupation. They asked if he was involved in politics, if he was a writer, and if he was a performer. Mr. X answered each question with a simple "yes" or "no," frustrating the panel and the audience alike.

As the questioning continued, the panel began to get more creative in their queries. They asked if Mr. X had ever been on Broadway, if he had ever worked with a particular actor, and if he had ever been involved in a scandal. Mr. X remained tight-lipped, leaving the panel to scramble for clues.

During the final round of questions, the panel seemed to be closing in on the answer. They asked if Mr. X had ever worn a uniform, if he had ever served in the military, and if he had ever been involved in a presidential campaign. Mr. X remained elusive, however, and the panel was forced to make their final guesses without any solid leads.

Daly then revealed Mr. X's true identity: it was none other than former President Harry S. Truman. The panel was shocked and delighted, and Truman joined them on stage to answer a few questions and engage in some friendly banter.

Overall, What's My Line? was a beloved game show that kept audiences guessing and entertained for years. The celebrity panelists were always quick with a joke or a witty remark, and the mystery guests were fascinating and unpredictable. Episode 40 of the 55th season was a classic example of the show's charm and appeal, with the added excitement of a former president as the mystery guest.