Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.
3. One thing that made What’s My Line? special was that its grand reputation attracted many different guests from all over the world of notoriety. From entertainment to sports to politics, they pulled a lot of great and historic guests. For some of them, it ended up being special simply because it marked a rare instance of seeing people on television. Perhaps one of their grandest guests was former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Appearing on October 18, 1953, the widow of President Franklin D. Roosevelt had continued to carve her legacy as humanitarian and good will ambassador since her days as First Lady including helping with the formation of and acting as one of the first United States representatives to the United Nations. To see someone so respected and so connected to history appear in this medium was special to me because it connected a time of the past to a time of the present. John Daly answers for her during most of the proceedings, even cracking off a few good quips. By the time Mrs. Roosevelt starts to answer questions on her own, Dorothy becomes wise to it being the First Lady and quickly zeroes in. She spreads the word of the upcoming United Nations Week before being greeted by the entire panel standing as she exits the stage. It would be perhaps the highest profile guest they’d ever have. Another rumored story is that during the show’s trip to Chicago in 1956 while John covered the Democratic National Convention, former President Harry S. Truman was to be tapped as the Mystery Guest while they were there. Things seemed all set for it to go forward, but the show at the time was sponsored by Remmington Rand — which featured former Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Douglas MacArthur, as Chairman of the Board — who supposedly squashed the appearance when informed. For those unaware, it wasn’t an amicable split when Truman dismissed MacArthur during the Korean War only a few years prior. Socialite Pearle Mesta appeared instead. So, Mrs. Roosevelt stands as perhaps their greatest guest of record. Just a fascinating segment.
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