What's My Wednesdays: Mystery Gamine

It's been far too long since we checked in on the gang over at What's My Line?, and here to do something about that are regulars Mr. Cerf, Mr. Daly, and Miss Kilgallen, joined by Mr. Linkletter and the enchanting Miss Betty White.  They do well against some stiff competition, not least from a Mystery Challenger who was, indeed, to me a total mystery.

What's My Wednesdays: Random Thoughts

If his memoirs are to be believed, Bennett Cerf (second from right, as if Café regulars didn't know that) had a marvelous life.

TV Archaeology, or More Reasons to Adore Arlene Francis

Great excitement, kids, in a small but avid corner of televisual fandom - the remarkable team behind YouTube's invaluable What's My Line? channel have uncovered a hitherto lost episode of every sensible person's favorite series!

What's My Wednesdays? # 13: Two Curvy Ladies

I don't know about you, but I seem to know a startlingly large number of people who are Jayne Mansfield fans - serious ones, too,  not just glancingly nostalgic ones.

What's My Wednesdays? #12: Fair Lady

This delightful (if, as captured in the screen cap above, rather intent-looking) creature brightened up a dreary February Sunday evening for television watchers nationwide - 54 years ago.  Today, Dame Julie Andrews turns a still-sprightly 79.

What's My Wednesdays? #11: It Must Be!

Ah, it's another antic Sunday night out there in TVland (whatever day of the week it is here in these lower realms), and I thought it might be fun to look in on an encounter with today's birthday girl, 103 today.

What's My Wednesdays #10: Hello, Dollys!

There may not be much mystery to this week's dual Mystery Challengers, and we've already seen one appearance by birthday girl Ginger Rogers, but there's so much richness in this clip that I couldn't resist.

What's My Wednesdays? #9: Love & Marriage

You'll have to click on the image to view today's WMW?, as the naughty 
uploader has forbidden embedding.  It's worth it.  But do come back!

This week, a day-late salute to birthday boy Mr. Steve Lawrence, and (at 19:30) a very special Mystery Challenger.  It really is a lovely episode if your time allows you to take it all in, if only to appreciate both Arlene's fur shrug and Dorothy's wiglet (and at least one other Hair Hall of Fame potential entry).

What's My Wednesdays? #8: Surrender, Dorothy

In honor (just one day early) of her July 3 birthday, here's What's My Line? stalwart Miss Dorothy Kilgallen in an unaccustomed role.

What's My Wednesdays #7 (Now on Thursday): Cry

Arlene (and her most individual blindfold) is particularly endearing in this segment from 1954, although the Mystery Challenger today may have a slightly more faded reputation than most.

What's My Wednesday? #6: Sweet Mystery

Today's mystery challenger (and Birthday Girl - an I'm sure still elegant 111) may now be the most unfashionable of Hollywood greats, but she nonetheless gets that satisfying murmur of appreciation from the audience as she she appears...

What's My Wednesday? #5: [Sur]Reality TV

78 years ago today, the London International Surrealist Exhibition opened to a startled public, marking according to many the apex of the movement's success.

What's My Wednesday? #4: Her Dulcet Tones

Color me organized this week - I'm actually and at last running Our New Wednesday Feature on a Wednesday.  And it's a little love, my little loves...

What's My Wednesday? #3 - Super Special Friday Edition!

Today we have a whole episode of What's My Line?, because while I have enormous admiration for the Mystery Challenger of the week (which was, for the record, March 29, 1959, and Easter), the wonderful writer and actress Miss Cornelia Otis Skinner (who were she still gracing us with her presence would be an I'm sure still elegant 115), she is in truth quickly guessed and really rather put in the shade by the other competitors.

What's My Wednesday #2: Now on Thursday!

The birthday celebrations may have thrown me off my rhythm, but I didn't want to deprive you of this week's quick glimpse into a more elegant past...

What's My Wednesday? #1: Arlene Gets It

Welcome to a new feature here at the Café:  Yes, it's time for What's My Wednesdays!