My grandfather was a big circus fan and hung out with the Ringling Bros. , especially when they were wintering in Sarasota Florida. He knew Emmett Kelly well.
I'm sitting here crying!!!!!!! I cannot believe my silly, saddo reaction to such a wonderful, charming and sweet film . This is too wonderful and touching, in so very many ways.
I swear I had pictures of clowns drawn in the style of Mr. Kelly in my home growing up. The first time I saw this clip, I felt as if I had known this guy my whole life.
@Setebos Yup, I've got the issue, bought it used. I was surprised myself! It was featured on the cover, "Emmet Kelly Models Circus Trains." Kelly wrote the article and told not only how he did it, but showed how model rails could have their own, accurate circus train.
The late great Fred Allen was a true one of a kind. An intelligent, witty & well-read comedian. He was a beloved icon who was also well-liked in show biz circles due to his humble, generous & gentle nature. To think that he died only six days after this episoe aired! He had been suffering from hypertension for years & died of a sudden stroke (brain hemorrage) while walking down a NYC street. Very sad. THANK YOU for sharing this poignant episode with us!!!
lol notice everyone back in the "golden days" had this proper accent about them? they all speak as though they are like royalty lol. i suppose proper english. i love it, just listen to john daly.
@meneshayounot Hi, those are New York City accents. Listen to Bennet Cerf, in particular. It's very distinctive, but not heard so much anymore, esp, on TV, since these kinds of show are extinct.
Arlene was right on her game! Sad to think about the panel here, but only Bennett Cerf had a good demise. Arlene DID have a long life, but Alzsheimer's got her towards the end, and Miss Killgallen's pre-mature death was mysterious and probably murder. She knew too much about the JFK assassination.....But STILL....ALLWAYS watched the show as a kid on Sunday nights...Candid Camera, What's My Line...back to back......9PM-10PM CST........
@HAZIDEAD --- I've been enjoying a series of books written by Ron Goulart which feature Groucho Marx as a detective. After seeing this episode of "What's My Line", it occurs to me that Arlene Francis might've been no slouch in the detecting business either.
@1simaddict1 He left the show for a week while having an emergency appendectomy. During that week he appeared as a mystery guest. He died the following year.
Allen had the quickest on the spot wit ever. Emmett Kelly was the Mystery Guest on the last WML? Allen did. Joey Heatherton was the Mystery Guest on the last WML? Dorothy Killgallen did.
Emmett Kelly's entrance still stands today as one of the most memorable / spectacular entrances in WML history. I wonder how many of his performances got recorded on TV or film for posterity?
What was going on in this period between the producers, G=T, John Daly, and Arlene Francis? She sweeps in on stage like a galleon in full sail. She got combative with John Daly in this sequence and other times in past weeks. Tonight and for four weeks before this episode, she -- not Dorothy who entered first since March 1950 -- comes in first. She would come in first for about four weeks after this, and then the producers started alternating the first entrance between the two of them.
Incredible indeed. Allen's problem probably is that he didn't quite find his niche in TV, and in radio much of his humor was topical. Thank heaven Goodson Todman hired him for one and half years of TV, on kinescope.
Fred looked like he still had a lot to give. So sad he died not long after this performance :(
quizmaster85 2 months ago
My grandfather was a big circus fan and hung out with the Ringling Bros. , especially when they were wintering in Sarasota Florida. He knew Emmett Kelly well.
SingersLeader 3 months ago
@1simaddict1 if I remember correctly, Fred Allen suffered a fatal heart attack the day after this show. He was 61
mabroussardii 5 months ago
I'm sitting here crying!!!!!!! I cannot believe my silly, saddo reaction to such a wonderful, charming and sweet film . This is too wonderful and touching, in so very many ways.
iamintheburg 6 months ago
I swear I had pictures of clowns drawn in the style of Mr. Kelly in my home growing up. The first time I saw this clip, I felt as if I had known this guy my whole life.
utterlyviolet 10 months ago
Im loving these clips, thanks for uploading them.
I had no idea of the existence of this show, and ive been watching tons since 2 hours ago.
What a show!
cmqd 1 year ago
The world's greatest clown.
banner74 1 year ago 2
It was just ordinary TV back then. Today this show would be considered to be "too intellectual" for the commercial networks.
spoonido 1 year ago
"John, would you make-up like this next week?" 8:00 The panel in mourning and Daly dressed as a clown. That would have been a fine scandal.
6rik83 1 year ago
Emmett Kelly was a model railroader as well as a clown. He wrote an article about circus trains for Railroad Model Craftsman in 1966.
mbabist01 2 years ago
@mbabist01 --- I didn't know that about Kelly and, as someone who enjoys seeing displays of model railroads, I find that fascinating.
Setebos 1 year ago
@Setebos Yup, I've got the issue, bought it used. I was surprised myself! It was featured on the cover, "Emmet Kelly Models Circus Trains." Kelly wrote the article and told not only how he did it, but showed how model rails could have their own, accurate circus train.
mbabist01 1 year ago
The late great Fred Allen was a true one of a kind. An intelligent, witty & well-read comedian. He was a beloved icon who was also well-liked in show biz circles due to his humble, generous & gentle nature. To think that he died only six days after this episoe aired! He had been suffering from hypertension for years & died of a sudden stroke (brain hemorrage) while walking down a NYC street. Very sad. THANK YOU for sharing this poignant episode with us!!!
JubalCalif 2 years ago
lol notice everyone back in the "golden days" had this proper accent about them? they all speak as though they are like royalty lol. i suppose proper english. i love it, just listen to john daly.
meneshayounot 2 years ago
@meneshayounot Hi, those are New York City accents. Listen to Bennet Cerf, in particular. It's very distinctive, but not heard so much anymore, esp, on TV, since these kinds of show are extinct.
maliwyoming 1 year ago
Intelligent people on TV! What a concept.
maliwyoming 2 years ago 4
@maliwyoming --- Tell me about it. I can watch these "What's My Line" excerpts for hours. Ironic how old programming can be a breath of fresh air.
Setebos 1 year ago
Mr. Allen was well-liked by everyone on the show.
John Daly always got a kick out of Fred's ad libs.
The Allen episodes (Steve as well) were some of the best WML's.
Thanks for posting a fun and sad show.
owenatkins 2 years ago 11
Arlene was right on her game! Sad to think about the panel here, but only Bennett Cerf had a good demise. Arlene DID have a long life, but Alzsheimer's got her towards the end, and Miss Killgallen's pre-mature death was mysterious and probably murder. She knew too much about the JFK assassination.....But STILL....ALLWAYS watched the show as a kid on Sunday nights...Candid Camera, What's My Line...back to back......9PM-10PM CST........
daveplomin 2 years ago 4
Poof! there goes perspiration!
Steve7508 2 years ago 20
I was amazed by Arlene Francis' line of questioning in this one. Very very close.
HAZIDEAD 2 years ago 2
@HAZIDEAD --- I've been enjoying a series of books written by Ron Goulart which feature Groucho Marx as a detective. After seeing this episode of "What's My Line", it occurs to me that Arlene Francis might've been no slouch in the detecting business either.
Setebos 1 year ago
It's great to see this. Incredible man.
cattleman6420012000 2 years ago 2
but where are the clowns? Send in the Clowns....
jaw1701 3 years ago
I love Arlene's dress!
emster93 3 years ago 2
Arlene's a whip. I love her
Muffy2314 3 years ago 2
Watching this clip, I cannot help but reflect on the tragic irony of this famous sad clown appearing as a guest on Fred Allen's last show.
Fenhalls 3 years ago 2
I hadn't thought of it or looked at it that way, but you are right. Ironic indeed.
soulierinvestments 3 years ago
Fred didn't look like he felt too well in this clip.
fjccommish 3 years ago 2
@fjccommish Well, this being his last episode, his health was failing. Or did he leave the show for a while and pass away then?
1simaddict1 8 months ago
@1simaddict1 He left the show for a week while having an emergency appendectomy. During that week he appeared as a mystery guest. He died the following year.
fjccommish 8 months ago
Allen had the quickest on the spot wit ever. Emmett Kelly was the Mystery Guest on the last WML? Allen did. Joey Heatherton was the Mystery Guest on the last WML? Dorothy Killgallen did.
martinimerlin 3 years ago
Another mystery guest who appeared on Fred's swan-song show - but whose spot is unfortunately lost to history today - was Dinah Shore.
wmbrown6 3 years ago
Emmett Kelly's entrance still stands today as one of the most memorable / spectacular entrances in WML history. I wonder how many of his performances got recorded on TV or film for posterity?
soulierinvestments 3 years ago
What was going on in this period between the producers, G=T, John Daly, and Arlene Francis? She sweeps in on stage like a galleon in full sail. She got combative with John Daly in this sequence and other times in past weeks. Tonight and for four weeks before this episode, she -- not Dorothy who entered first since March 1950 -- comes in first. She would come in first for about four weeks after this, and then the producers started alternating the first entrance between the two of them.
soulierinvestments 3 years ago
Such a shame Fred Allen is virtually forgotten today. Incredible wit.
dancortese2006 3 years ago 3
Incredible indeed. Allen's problem probably is that he didn't quite find his niche in TV, and in radio much of his humor was topical. Thank heaven Goodson Todman hired him for one and half years of TV, on kinescope.
soulierinvestments 3 years ago
@dancortese2006 The good ones are forgotten, bums like Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell are remembered.
mbabist01 1 year ago
Very short introductions!
rj37660 3 years ago