The $64,000 Question (1955–1958)

Among the most influential of the big-money quiz shows, and the undisputed king of the genre of the 1950s, contestants answer questions in a specific field in an attempt to win $64,000.

Stars:

Joyce Brothers, Jack Benny, Barbara Feldon

Won 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Joyce Brothers	...	Herself (1 episode, 1955)
Jack Benny	...	Himself (1 episode, 1957)
Barbara Feldon	...	Herself (1 episode, 1957)

Storyline

"The $64,000 Question" was based on the old radio program, "Take it or Leave It," which had a $64 top prize. Contestants who appeared on the show answered questions in one single category (e.g., Shakespeare, the Bible, American History or boxing). The first question was worth $64, and doubled as the questions increased in difficulty, up to that breathtakingly difficult $64,000 question. If the contestant reached the $1,000 plateau, the contestant returned to the next show to answer one question each week (the questions brought out by a bank executive and two security guards), so long as he/she kept winning. At the $4,000 plateau, he/she was placed in an on-stage isolation chamber; at the $8,000 plateau, any incorrect answer guaranteed the contestant a Cadillac Series 62 sedan as a consolation prize. At the $64,000, the contestant was given some reference material to study and/or could enlist the aid of an expert to help him/her answer the $64,000 question. The category for the first ...

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Plot Keywords:

quiz show | prize | money in title | dollar sign in title | digit in title | 

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Genres:

Family | Game-Show

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 June 1955 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Entertainment Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Benny once appeared on the TV quiz show 'The $64,000 Question (1955)'. After answering the first question correctly he quit and took home $1.00. His category was violins.

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Connections

Referenced in Dempsey and Makepeace: Blind Eye (1985)

User Reviews

$64,000 Question- When Quiz Shows Were Rigged **1/2

No matter how enlightening this 1950s game show was, it soon became the symbol of game show rigging at its worst.

The show produced some really great talent who chose a topic and were able to play up until reaching the jackpot of $64,000. Joyce Brothers, as an example, got her start on the show. She was a child psychologist, who went on to fame with her knowledge of boxing. She became prominent in the psychology field and this show opened the door to a very successful career for her.

Remember Charles Van Doren? He also appeared to be very bright in his field until it was determined that he and many other contestants were given the answers or given the type of questions that "might" be asked. In other words, the people behind the show were seeing which contestants would be the most interesting and therefore they would keep them on longer to spur viewer interest.