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Reviews
The Twilight Zone: You Drive (1964)
Casting flaw
When I first saw this episode at the age of 13, I noticed that the so-called twelve-year- old newspaper boy looked like he was 19 years old. He is a moose of a kid who barely fits on his bike. Of course, maybe he was one of those farm raised kids who grew big and strong for chores around the barn.
Who is the actor who played the paperboy? Was he a relative of someone on the production staff, thus, landing the part? He obviously is not 12 years of age. He does not look like a 12-year-old...and casting him in this role is a fatal casting error that diminishes the overall effect of the episode. Interestingly, this web site does not even mention his role other than to say that he was hit in the plot. Does one need a speaking part to be credited?
What's My Line?: Joan Crawford (1962)
12-year-old boy who appeared on this show doesn't remember it today (2006)
As a matter of historical perspective, this show aired four days before President Kennedy discovered missiles in Cuba.
Tony Randall is a panel guest, having returned from shooting a film in Greece. Arlene Francis has just begun filming in New York City with Doris Day. Arlene's introduction of Bennett Cerf begins with, "Now there are those people who write in and say that we have had too much to say about the people we introduce. I would like to make a statement now that it would be impossible to say enough about the man I am about to introduce..." Later, Arlene gives one of her witty remarks when she says to the first guest, a female racetrack announcer, "That's the first time I heard of a Philly calling the race!" When the second guest, a 12-year-old boy, signs in, Arlene says, "Now we have a jockey!"
I find it interesting that by mentioning the contents of letters to the show, we get a feel for the public's temperament. Years before, this show changed it's format of letting guests shake hands with the panel prior to their questioning...all due to the public writing in and suggesting how to speed up the show and let more guests appear.
The second guest was a 12-year-old Canadian boy who wrote a newspaper advice column for parents carried by 35 papers in Canada and the U.S. entitled, "Ask Henry." He also wrote a book by the same title. Although Tony Randall (the second to ask questions) guessed that Henry wrote a column, Henry stumped the panel. Arlene guessed that if it was a gossip column he was starting too young. Dorothy Kilgallen asked if the column was for the lovelorn. Arlene then guessed that it would be about how to be president because he was young enough.
At the end of the questioning Bennett Cerf asked if "children today in Canada and the U.S. are kind enough to their parents...that they give them a square deal." Henry smiled broadly and said, "If parents are okay, then their kids will be okay too." Dorothy kept Henry for a moment when he shook hands with the panel...I guess commenting on his column. Henry even went the wrong way to exit the stage and had to backtrack past the panel.
Henry was energetic and charismatic. He is one of the few surviving guests from the old What's My Line? black and white era. I was able to find him, a PhD with a successful web site and blog following. Ironically, he did not remember being on the show! He remembered being on another show with Garry Moore (probably I've Got a Secret) and speaking about Carol Burnett who would be one of Garry's guests on his variety show.
I would have found it nice to learn what it was like to be on the show, to drink in every detail to better understand broadcasting techniques back then and all of the errors that were broadcast with live television. Bennett mentions during this episode that the last time they put on their blindfolds someone ran across the stage. Bennett also explains to the audience what the term "runaway production" means since it was mentioned when Joan Crawford appeared as the guest celebrity.
I'm a year younger than Henry and met President Kennedy the previous day in Pennsylvania during the President's visit...which I vividly remember. I wish Henry would have remembered the show and shared the moment. At least he has this tape to view.
What's My Line?: Theatrical Group Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller and Dudley Moore & Robert Goulet (1962)
John Daly is congratulated for his new baby boy, barely 6 days old!
Young John Warren is celebrated by his father, John Daly, distributing cigars which Bennet Cerf holds up at the end of the show while wishing John ten more in the next ten years. Dorothy Kilgallen chokes during her opening introduction of Bennett Cerf, almost as if she had one drink too many. I generally enjoy watching the panel adjust their hair or clothes, or even better, watching Arlene Francis or Dorothy Kilgallen stare at the guests as they walk off stage. Arlene was overly chatty with the celebrities (more than the usual one celebrity guest on this episode), and Dorothy seemed impaired, losing her scarf and asking questions even though she had lost her turn. Bennett Cerf loudly sneezes just as the last contestant is to be questioned by Buddy Hackett. The beauty of watching these shows is the insight one can gain from each celebrity discussing an upcoming schedule. It is also interesting to grasp a feel for how life was back then, in this case late 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This show was always good for scheduling guests who had just helped an astronaut fly in space or a nuclear submarine make its maiden voyage...or just showcasing the new Miss America. Tonight's last guest created crossword puzzles, some for the New York Times.