It Pays to Be Ignorant (1948)

The first of a very short series, since it would become a TV series in 1949, based on the radio program that ran on CBS from 1944 through 1949. The premise of the program was intended as a ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Polesie (as Herb Polesie)

Writers:

Ruth Howard, Bob Howell

Stars:

Tom Howard, Lulu McConnell, Harry McNaughton

Cast

Credited cast:
Tom Howard	...	Himself - the Emcee
Lulu McConnell	...	Herself - Panel Member
Harry McNaughton	...	Himself - Panel Member
George Shelton	...	Himself - Panel Member
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ken Roberts	...	Himself / Off-Screen Announcer (voice)

Storyline

The first of a very short series, since it would become a TV series in 1949, based on the radio program that ran on CBS from 1944 through 1949. The premise of the program was intended as a satire and parody version of the "intellecutual" quiz shows on radio in the 40's, such as "Information Please" and "The Quiz Kids." The show---radio,film and TV (for those who seem to be convinced that the TV program popped up on its own in 1949 and there were no other incarnations)--- was "emceed", as it was, by long-time Vaudevillian Tom Howard, whose function was to ask a simple question of the panelists, i. e., ..."from what kind of mines do we get gold," "who came first,Henry VIII or Henry I", "what do the letters 'U.S.'stand for on United States mail boxes" and such. No question in the history---radio, film, TV---of the show was ever answered correctly by panelists George Sherlton, an old vaudeville-hoofer pardner of Howard's; Lulu McConnell, a performer with a sawblade voice who pre-dated all...

---

Genres:

Comedy | Short

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Screenliners (1948-1949 season) #3: It Pays to Be Ignorant

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

8 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During one of the questions, an unidentified man is seated between Tom Howard and the panel.

User Reviews