This is from the days of comedy of manners. An art that is almost dead, save for a slight ressurgence with damnyouautocorrect. From a time when people said things they didn't mena and felt bad about it, or said things that hinted dirty, but weren't.
Gil Fates wrote that Arlene, Dorothy and Bennett typically played the game straight and left comic zingers to Hal Block, then to Allens Steve and Fred, then the comic guests. So when they asked questions that made the audience howl or made funny comments, it was a big bonanza.
DK always played serious and to win, so when she got distracted or lost (not for long here), the audience howled with glee.
Bennett and Martin Gabel define urbanity: the contrast adds to the general hysteria.
@crepehanger47: This was absolutely hilarious! Thank you!! Your comment that scene "pushed the boundaries of 1950s censorship and led to John Daly momentarily walking off the set" is puzzles me, however. I thought Mr Daly walked off for comedic effect given how uproarious the situation had become, especially since he really seemed to get into a fun spirit with the earlier questions. Perhaps you're right, since later he did seem a little more subdued...still, did you read about this somewhere?
Arch Archie Poole passed away in 2002. He was the founder of the Madison Ave. business West End Diaper Service. In Pooles obituary, he was described as a guest on the television show Whats My Line on March 30, 1957.
The first episode of WML featured an diaper service executive, and that game as I recall, was just about the most amusing game of that night. Something about diapers always good for gales of laughter.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@calalilygirl Why do you have it in for John? It's his job to moderate and amend the contestant's answers to ensure that the game is played fairly and that the panelists have a mutual understanding. If the guests thought he was butting in they could easily say something. I do agree that there are some parts where he need not make an amendment, but you seem to be critical of him on nearly every WML video. I personally think he's a brilliant host - a far cry from what you get today!
@masonicemister Long story short I do not have it in for John! Anytime I have critcized it's been justified. There were definitely times if you listen and watch carefully, he DID reveal something that should not have been revealed. And it's something he would criticize and caution guests not to do when they were doing it. I actually did love him and found the show to never be quite as good without him.
I agree that the image is stretched horizontally. I've never understood why people who have wide-screen television sets don't adjust a picture that was not shot in wide-screen format. I assume that such an adjustment can be made to give the image its normal perspective and dimensions.
Actually, it has to do with transferring them into mpg format--at least the program I use. When I record them off TV, the black bars are on the sides.
Yes, the picture will come up with black sidebars on either side of the picture. When I record them, the bars are there, but in either encoding them into mpg form or something that YouTube does, the sidebars disappear.
wonder if Dorothy was embarrassed during this episode or if she ever has gotten embarrassed...lol she said she wouldn't say it, and she passed to Bennett..lol
it was back in the fifties and things were not as out in the open as now. i was surprised she passed to Bennett but glad she did- he said one of the most hysterical things on the show ever!
another really funny clip is one of the maternity clothes one..can't remember which one, but bennett asks if the product is used to accentuate any of miss francis's natural charms..that got loads of laughs..lol
These "What's My Line" clips are addictive!
MattTheSaiyan 1 month ago 2
Dorothy's reaction was hilarious also LOL
carlsperr 1 month ago
This is from the days of comedy of manners. An art that is almost dead, save for a slight ressurgence with damnyouautocorrect. From a time when people said things they didn't mena and felt bad about it, or said things that hinted dirty, but weren't.
MTPippin 1 month ago
laughed so hard at "could anyone on this panel ever wear such a thing?"
envy16kate 1 month ago
Arlene got things going again!
calalilygirl 3 months ago
Because I get asked so many times what I do with my diaper service, I can have may own laughs here! Thank you!
Changing Ways Diaper Service
AndriaCWDS 7 months ago
''Small conference.......what degree of assumption is permitted in the answer to this question?''
WhatsMyLineFan 11 months ago
Gil Fates wrote that Arlene, Dorothy and Bennett typically played the game straight and left comic zingers to Hal Block, then to Allens Steve and Fred, then the comic guests. So when they asked questions that made the audience howl or made funny comments, it was a big bonanza.
DK always played serious and to win, so when she got distracted or lost (not for long here), the audience howled with glee.
Bennett and Martin Gabel define urbanity: the contrast adds to the general hysteria.
soulierinvestments 1 year ago
@crepehanger47: This was absolutely hilarious! Thank you!! Your comment that scene "pushed the boundaries of 1950s censorship and led to John Daly momentarily walking off the set" is puzzles me, however. I thought Mr Daly walked off for comedic effect given how uproarious the situation had become, especially since he really seemed to get into a fun spirit with the earlier questions. Perhaps you're right, since later he did seem a little more subdued...still, did you read about this somewhere?
rskissack 1 year ago
Look closely at Martin whispering to Arlene at 5:27, it seems like he is saying "Maybe it's a diaper or something like that"
derfla1977 1 year ago
Arch Archie Poole passed away in 2002. He was the founder of the Madison Ave. business West End Diaper Service. In Pooles obituary, he was described as a guest on the television show Whats My Line on March 30, 1957.
kaaa0rrrr 1 year ago 9
@kaaa0rrrr Thats great they included that.
calalilygirl 3 months ago
Love Dorothy's dress.
calalilygirl 1 year ago 6
LMAO!!!!! I love how Arlene was so elegant and classy, yet she often seemed to have one of the dirtiest minds on the show! Gotta love her <3 !!!
makeupangel8 1 year ago 8
*John exits* Mr. Daly has left the building ;-)
ameroux 1 year ago
I was a Route Driver for West End Diaper for over 10 years,from '83 to '94.
I met lots of good people there.Arch was a fair man to work for. But when Tom,my boss,left the business in my opinion the service failed.
Someone became greedy by increasing the price almost 2 fold,my Route went from 800 customers per week to a little over 400.
I do still miss working there.
RickinFLA07 2 years ago 6
Don't know how Dorothy stays so serious during this line of questioning; not til the end does she crack a smile.
calalilygirl 2 years ago 7
Arlene and Dorothy were superb players
calalilygirl 2 years ago 8
@calalilygirl I agree -- Dorothy Kilgallen is wonderful!!!
markedwardindc 1 year ago 6
Hilarious! This was a subject matter just waiting for humorous exchanges.
XMLarry 2 years ago 11
is it solid rather than liquid? lmao.
slmcgowan2003 2 years ago 15
Bennett could have gotten away with his "wee" comment if Arlene had not started to laugh.
hankaaron1961 2 years ago 47
So right.
calalilygirl 2 years ago
Anyone notice how Martin smacks her for her dirty mind? (in a gentle, husbandly way, as if to say "Stop that!")
Funny.
Richcelt 2 years ago 6
@hankaaron1961 thank goodness he didn't get away with it lol
WhatsMyLineFan 11 months ago
@hankaaron1961 But that was the best part of the whole clip, Arlene's laughing at that point.
reno1uest 4 months ago
6:20... HA! This is one of those clips that leaves a smile on your face! I love how John walks off stage!!
NellsStuff 2 years ago 9
The first episode of WML featured an diaper service executive, and that game as I recall, was just about the most amusing game of that night. Something about diapers always good for gales of laughter.
soulierinvestments 2 years ago 6
This Arch Poole seemed like a nice guy. great episode--very funny.
calalilygirl 2 years ago
Comment removed
soulierinvestments 2 years ago
this is too funny love it.
cheyenne86 2 years ago 12
Crepehanger47 you're the best!
Muffy2314 3 years ago 17
Daly did give too much away ar 5:39--still love him though.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 32
@Muffy2314 He gets way too literal in this one, just like the girdle episode and he's butting in too much.
calalilygirl 1 year ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@calalilygirl Why do you have it in for John? It's his job to moderate and amend the contestant's answers to ensure that the game is played fairly and that the panelists have a mutual understanding. If the guests thought he was butting in they could easily say something. I do agree that there are some parts where he need not make an amendment, but you seem to be critical of him on nearly every WML video. I personally think he's a brilliant host - a far cry from what you get today!
masonicemister 2 months ago
@masonicemister Long story short I do not have it in for John! Anytime I have critcized it's been justified. There were definitely times if you listen and watch carefully, he DID reveal something that should not have been revealed. And it's something he would criticize and caution guests not to do when they were doing it. I actually did love him and found the show to never be quite as good without him.
calalilygirl 2 months ago
lmao at 1:45 Dorothy looks soo pissed....can just imagine her rolling her eyes...
Imthecuteone 3 years ago 6
ever notice how martin and arlene have the same type of speech when they talk? and they even talk in the same tone as each other..lol
Imthecuteone 3 years ago
you may have known this, but they are married. Arlene and Martin.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 9
lol yeah i know...that's why i said it..haha
Imthecuteone 3 years ago
Hah, Dorothy looks so confused.
UofLCardFan08 3 years ago 2
haha this is great. Dorothy is my favourite..lol her expressions make it look like she is a bit annoyed when the audience laughs..lol
Imthecuteone 3 years ago 9
Dorothy is great in those scenes. very comical. she was funnier than she ever knew. She always took game seriously.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 11
very funny
Muffy2314 3 years ago
i love how mad dorothy gets after some of the things she asks and the audience laughs. poor dorothy. :[ good episode!!!
CLASSICxFILMxROMANCE 3 years ago 17
that's exactly what i was thinking!dorothy was like "what!"
TracyBeakerFan2 3 years ago 2
In case anyone is wondering, Martin Gabel was an actor/director/producer, and the husband of Arlene Francis
RayNDeere 3 years ago 5
Hahaha, those WML?-episodes really can make my day! :D Mr. Daly looks really relieved at the end :P "Oh Dear."
ClassicFilmFan 3 years ago 3
LOL
weatdamal 3 years ago
"Could you sit on it?" "Oh ho! Could you wear it below the waste?" LOLOL Go girl.
soulierinvestments 3 years ago 9
Comment removed
soulierinvestments 3 years ago 5
Great comment--it says it all..hysterical episode.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 12
Love the videos, keep em coming!!
Just curious, why are your videos stretched to widescreen format? Isn't the image stretched and distorted?
guerilla2 3 years ago
I agree that the image is stretched horizontally. I've never understood why people who have wide-screen television sets don't adjust a picture that was not shot in wide-screen format. I assume that such an adjustment can be made to give the image its normal perspective and dimensions.
karlakor 3 years ago
Actually, it has to do with transferring them into mpg format--at least the program I use. When I record them off TV, the black bars are on the sides.
crepehanger47 3 years ago
thanks for including the dates with the clips--it adds to the viewing. Great work.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 19
I am curious too. Do the modern widescreen TV formats leave the original standard ratios alone?
soulierinvestments 3 years ago
Yes, the picture will come up with black sidebars on either side of the picture. When I record them, the bars are there, but in either encoding them into mpg form or something that YouTube does, the sidebars disappear.
crepehanger47 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@guerilla2
Look closely at Martin whispering to Arlene at 5:27, it seems like he is saying "Maybe it's a diaper or something like that"
derfla1977 1 year ago
This is one of the funniest clips Ive ever seen from this show! Thanks so much! =)
running45 3 years ago 10
Agree-i thinks its even funnier than the girdle episode and that was funny.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 15
wonder if Dorothy was embarrassed during this episode or if she ever has gotten embarrassed...lol she said she wouldn't say it, and she passed to Bennett..lol
Imthecuteone 3 years ago 3
it was back in the fifties and things were not as out in the open as now. i was surprised she passed to Bennett but glad she did- he said one of the most hysterical things on the show ever!
Muffy2314 3 years ago 20
Agree-this is definitely one of the funniest- if not the funniest clips of the show!
Muffy2314 3 years ago 18
another really funny clip is one of the maternity clothes one..can't remember which one, but bennett asks if the product is used to accentuate any of miss francis's natural charms..that got loads of laughs..lol
Imthecuteone 3 years ago 2
i agree-its the funniest.
Muffy2314 3 years ago 4