What's My Line? 

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.

Stars:

John Daly, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
John Daly	...	Self - Moderator / ... 873 episodes, 1950-1967
Arlene Francis	...	Self - Panelist 831 episodes, 1950-1967
Bennett Cerf	...	Self - Panelist / ... 758 episodes, 1950-1967
Dorothy Kilgallen	...	Self - Panelist / ... 736 episodes, 1950-1965

Storyline

Contestants with unusual occupations were interviewed by the panelists. Only questions that could be answered with a "yes" or "no" were allowed. At the conclusion of the questioning, the panelists attempted to guess the contestants occupation. There was also a "mystery guest", usually a famous person; the panelists had to wear masks when questioning this person and the guest usually disguised his/her voice.

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Plot Keywords:

question | question mark in title | question in title | quiz show | 1950s | 

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Taglines:

Want a job that's difficult? You'll get ideas from John Daly's guests as the panel tries to guess their lives. (season 16)

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Genres:

Family | Game-Show

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Did You Know?

Trivia

On March 13th 1966 nationally known and highly intelligent news reporter Jeanne Parr sits on the panel. At one point John Daly reminds the audience that years earlier still very unknown she had been a normal challenger sitting next to him. Jeanne Parr shares how this had been very lucky for as the very next day she had received the call from ABC and had been in employment ever since. At the end of the show in 1966 John Daly wishes her that even more happiness will come to her after this time on the panel. Neither knows that the very next day her husband will die in a car accident.

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Quotes

Steve Allen: Is it bigger than a bread box?

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Crazy Credits

The uncredited announcer introduced the first panelist, sometimes the left-most, sometimes the right-most. Beginning with the first panelist, each panelist then introduced the person to his/her left or right, depending upon the first panelist's position. The fourth panelist then introduced moderator John Daly.

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Connections

Referenced in The Search for One-eye Jimmy (1994)

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Soundtracks

Roller Coaster
(End Credits Theme/Main Theme)
Composed by Lou Busch (aka: Joe "Fingers" Carr) (ASCAP) and Milton Delugg (ASCAP)
Original Publishers: Burning Bush Music (ASCAP) and Amy Dee Music (ASCAP)
Current Publishers: Burning Bush Music (ASCAP) and Amy Dee Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Whats My line

I happened to be up late one night and was channel surfing and came across the old "What's My Line" show. I watched it and set up my VCR to tape every night. After a week or so I found myself having a funny sort of feeling when ever I watched. It took a few weeks before I realized what the feeling was. I heard John Daly say that he would see us all next week on Sunday night at 10:30, a bell rang in my head and I remembered that when I was 6 to 12 years old we would spend every Sunday at my grandfather and grandmothers house. When we would get home that night my Dad would turn on the TV and if What's My Line was on I knew it was late and I would have a hard time getting up for school in the morning. I am retired now and the feeling still hits me when I watch this show. My favorite part is the mystery guest, the panel hardly ever misses. I like to look at IMDb and see who the guest's are and read their profiles.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Occupation Unknown

Filming Locations:

CBS Corporation, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (876 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (1950-1966) Color (1966-1967)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1