Tag: What’s My Line

What’s My Line: Helen Hayes

The First Lady of the American Theatre. That’s quite a moniker for any actress, but Helen Hayes MacArthur earned it. Hayes’ whopping 80 year career started when she was five years old. The diminutive actress was a major presence on Broadway from 1909 to 1970 and was one of the true American theatre stars. She had a film career, picking up two Oscars (one for The Sin of Madelon Claudet, the other for a comic supporting turn in Airport), but it is her work on stage for which she is so greatly remembered. She had a huge triumph in Victoria Regina that made two Broadway return engagements, and also played Mary Stuart in Maxwell Anderson’s Mary of Scotland. She received three Tonys: two for acting (Happy Birthday and Time Remembered), and one for lifetime achievement. Her final appearance on Broadway was as the long-suffering Veta in the 1970 revival of Harvey starring Jimmy Stewart, which they recreated for television.

I am fascinated with this clip, yet another from my “What’s My Line” obsession, because of the voracious response she receives from the audience – the sort of recognition even the most recognizable theatre stars of today would not receive (with the probable exception of beloved superstars like Angela Lansbury). She is also one of the few mystery guests to avoid simple yes and no answers, and assumes a character for her appearance. On top of it all, she’s also just so endearing and gracious. Enjoy.

What’s My Line: Greer Garson as Mame

Most people identify the role of Auntie Mame with either Rosalind Russell or Angela Lansbury (and the occasional philistine will mention Lucille Ball). However, there were three notable actresses who played the part in the original Broadway production of the play. Russell opened the show to rave reviews and she was the toast of the town for over a year. When Russell departed the NY production to make the film version of Auntie Mame, her replacement was none other than Oscar-winning British actress Greer Garson, in her one and only appearance on Broadway (Bea Lillie then took over for the last four weeks of the NY run before opening the play in London). During Ms. Garson’s stay at the Broadhurst Theatre, she made an appearance my youtube obsession “What’s My Line?” all dolled up as Mame, complete with cigarette holder. The actress, who seemed to channel Garbo in her answers, proceeded to stump the entire panel including guest Orson Welles. Enjoy.

What’s My Line – Angela Lansbury

Thanks to the Game Show Network, I discovered a lot of old 50s game shows when I was living the life of a night owl at college. However, the one that I always found myself really fascinated with was “What’s My Line,” where a four person panel had to guess the occupation of ordinary folks. The regulars on the show were columnist Dorothy Kilgallen, TV and stage personality Arlene Francis (who brought warmth and charm to the entire series) and publisher Bennett Cerf. Many other stars made guest appearances on the panel, but these three were the mainstays for most of the original run. The host was John Charles Daly (no relation) who moderated all questions.

The special gimmick each week was to have a mystery guest appear on the show. The panelists would be blindfolded and they would have to guess which star was in their midst. Based in NY, the panelists and guests ran the gamut from A-list movie stars to noted politicians and diplomats – practically everyone you could think of appeared on the show during its run, including Eleanor Roosevelt.

For each question wrong, the guest would receive $5, with a limit at $50. For celebrities, their winnings would go to charity. I have to warn you, it’s very easy to get swept up in watching these clips. Sometimes I find myself spending an hour going from one segment to another – just so addicting and a show that I think could still work today, if any daring TV producer decided to revive it.

Anyway, while Angela Lansbury was appearing on Broadway in Mame, she made an appearance as the weekly mystery challenger. Enjoy.