John, Arlene, Bennett and Dorothy were truly hurt and saddened at Fred's sudden death. Bennett said in an interview that they grew to love Fred in the years he was on WML and felt the loss like they would for a close family member.
Fred Allen was one of the quickest guys in radio. Jack Benny used to praise him, even though they had a fake feud. He was one of the most infectiously funny people in the history of modern-day entertainment.
Fred Allen suffered from high blood pressure that kept him off of his radio show for a few weeks at one point, so he was conscious of his health and was careful about it. What a brilliant man he was.
Fred Allen was one of the greatest commedians ever, and his wit may have been scripted on radio, but it always sounded like he ad libbed everything and just talked naturally like he had no script in front of him.
great tv here, and no phony baloney bull you get today on reality shows, etc. These folks are all gone but they are part of myth and legend of the golden era.
The late great Fred Allen was my all time favorite "What's My Line" panelist. As noted here, it was quite difficult to disguise his well-known nasally twang. He used to tell the joke: What did the doctor tell the patient after the operation? "That's enough out of you!" One of the wittiest & most beloved comedians ever. Always a JOY to watch! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Allen should have used a bell (like Portland Hoffa did) or a horn (like Eve Arden did). That voice! That voice was as distinctive as any voice in 1950s television . . . or the golden age of radio, for that matter.
I'm lucky enough to have come across a videotape of Fred's 1943 comedy "It's In the Bag" with Jack Benny and Robert Benchley and Rudy Vallee etc. etc. It's one of my favourite comedies since it plays pretty much like his radio show (even has Mrs Nussbaum in it!) I'd post it if I had the equipment to do it...it's terrific.
I thought he sounded a bit like Charlie McCarthy there, I was half expecting someone to guess Edgar Bergen. Fred Allen was always one of my all time favorite comedians and satirists.
I agree, Fred Allen was easily the best thing that happened to What's My Line?. He really grew on me, it's a shame he didn't join the show earlier, he was a great comedian, always made me laugh.
God, what a great ad libber! The proto-Dick Cavett!
Onlymusical 1 week ago
The proto-Cavett!
Onlymusical 1 week ago
I know why I stopped paying my cable bill. 500 channels, and nothing on.
magprob 3 months ago
John, Arlene, Bennett and Dorothy were truly hurt and saddened at Fred's sudden death. Bennett said in an interview that they grew to love Fred in the years he was on WML and felt the loss like they would for a close family member.
observer9670 4 months ago
Oh Fred :)
thehahashow1000 1 year ago
Fred Allen was one of the quickest guys in radio. Jack Benny used to praise him, even though they had a fake feud. He was one of the most infectiously funny people in the history of modern-day entertainment.
hourlynewscaster 1 year ago 3
Fred Allen suffered from high blood pressure that kept him off of his radio show for a few weeks at one point, so he was conscious of his health and was careful about it. What a brilliant man he was.
MichaelGreen65 1 year ago
Fred Allen was one of the greatest commedians ever, and his wit may have been scripted on radio, but it always sounded like he ad libbed everything and just talked naturally like he had no script in front of him.
amberola1b 1 year ago
@amberola1b He did ad lib on radio a lot though- he was famous for it.
SIMPFANN 9 months ago
Fred Allen was already getting sick over here, it's sad he died at not that old of a age, 62.
ikevyoiPhone3G1996 1 year ago 2
great tv here, and no phony baloney bull you get today on reality shows, etc. These folks are all gone but they are part of myth and legend of the golden era.
WintersWar 2 years ago 15
The late great Fred Allen was my all time favorite "What's My Line" panelist. As noted here, it was quite difficult to disguise his well-known nasally twang. He used to tell the joke: What did the doctor tell the patient after the operation? "That's enough out of you!" One of the wittiest & most beloved comedians ever. Always a JOY to watch! Thanks for sharing this with us!
JubalCalif 2 years ago 4
does anyone know if he had an illness? he died so young and his face really changed.
Aidooosh 2 years ago
I don't think he had any illness other than heart disease, which he.probably never knew he had.
Marckymarc71 2 years ago
Allen should have used a bell (like Portland Hoffa did) or a horn (like Eve Arden did). That voice! That voice was as distinctive as any voice in 1950s television . . . or the golden age of radio, for that matter.
3:20 > 3:36 Badda boom badda bing.
Fred did many very funny things on WML 1954-1956, but it is a tragedy that he died young before finding his perfect niche on TV.
soulierinvestments 2 years ago 3
Bob's line of "Thank you for letting me work tonight" is a keeper...as is Miss Francis's gushing "hello" at 2:19.
davemock 2 years ago 6
I'm lucky enough to have come across a videotape of Fred's 1943 comedy "It's In the Bag" with Jack Benny and Robert Benchley and Rudy Vallee etc. etc. It's one of my favourite comedies since it plays pretty much like his radio show (even has Mrs Nussbaum in it!) I'd post it if I had the equipment to do it...it's terrific.
franzy1 2 years ago
Robert Q. Lewis steals Steve Allen's bit of wearing the "mask" with eyeglasses drawn on.
martinimerlin 3 years ago
This makes me love and respect him so much more.
Xmchord 3 years ago 3
I thought he sounded a bit like Charlie McCarthy there, I was half expecting someone to guess Edgar Bergen. Fred Allen was always one of my all time favorite comedians and satirists.
PatinPDXOR 3 years ago
l love him
26mae1987 3 years ago 14
I agree, Fred Allen was easily the best thing that happened to What's My Line?. He really grew on me, it's a shame he didn't join the show earlier, he was a great comedian, always made me laugh.
Lubis5 3 years ago 2
yep and he always seemed to get along with the guests whoever they were and he was very funny x
26mae1987 3 years ago
Comment removed
soulierinvestments 3 years ago