What's My Line? Season 17 Episode 50

(1) "WML?" SPONSOR WATCH: Tonight's opening sponsor is Contac cold tablets. This was their first appearance in connection with the program since the 1961-1962 season.
(2) WHERE IN THE WORLD IS "WML?" - This is the fourth pre-taped episode this year not to mention the show's originating locale in announcer Johnny Olson's intro.
(3) "WML?" PANEL WATCH: This was Martin Gabel's fifth appearance on the "WML?" panel since the passing of Dorothy Kilgallen. Interestingly, the panel lineup tonight is the same as, albeit seated in a somewhat different order from, Mr. Gabel's most recent appearance up to tonight, EPISODE #804 of February 20, 1966. And once again, the "Suzy" nameplate is displayed on the panel desk for fellow guest panelist Suzy Knickerbocker.
(4) NANCY SINATRA: Around the time of tonight's show, Nancy Sinatra had a follow-up hit to her Number One smash "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (Reprise single #0432), with a number called "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?" (Reprise 0461). Less than a year after her mystery guest appearance this evening, she and her father, Frank Sinatra, would have a joint Number One hit with a duet, "Somethin' Stupid" (Reprise 0561), which would prove to be the last chart-topping single for either Sinatra. She also recorded some duets with her producer and "These Boots..." writer, Lee Hazlewood, including "Some Velvet Morning," "Summer Wine," and a cover of Johnny Cash and June Carter's 1967 country hit "Jackson." Mr. Hazlewood, who had previously worked behind the scenes with "twang" guitarist Duane Eddy (of "Rebel Rouser" fame) in the late 1950's, died from renal cancer on August 4, 2007 at age 78. As for Nancy, her other notable film credit was the Elvis Presley vehicle (no pun intended), "Speedway" (1968). Her song in the film, "Your Groovy Self" (written by Mr. Hazlewood), was featured in the movie's soundtrack LP (RCA LPM/LSP-3989, 1968), and turned out to be the only number sung by someone other than Mr. Presley to be included in an Elvis soundtrack album.
(5) "WML?" CREW CREDITS AND CREDITS CRUNCH WATCH: The same production team as credited on the last two shows is once again in place tonight. And as has been the custom over the last few days, GSN on January 12, 2008 showed the end credits in their usual (and extremely objectionable) "crunched" manner.
(6) Following GSN's January 12, 2008 airing of tonight's show, the cable and satellite channel ran the March 19, 1962 edition of "I've Got a Secret," hosted by Garry Moore, with the "classic '60's" panel of Bill Cullen, Betsy Palmer, Henry Morgan and Bess Myerson, and celebrity guest Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. - W-B (2008)

During the end credits, Johnny Olson announced that this episode was prerecorded. From Gil Fates' logs, we know this episode was taped on May 22, 1966, along with the next episode. - Suzanne (2004)

Welcome back Martin! This is the first appearance of Martin on the panel in months. His hair is now back to a shorter length than it was last Christmas. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong night to return, as the panel was completely stumped in all the regular games. In the first game, they were run through the ringer by the octogenarian harness driver. In the second game, they were driven batty by the woman who raised bats. However, they did partially redeem themselves when they identified mystery guest Nancy Sinatra. Recently divorced from Tommy Sands, Nancy didn't promote anything specific, but John mentioned her hit record by saying, "You've got the #1 hit, which is a rare thing for a young lady." However, nobody ever mentioned the title of her chart-topping song, "These Boots Are Made For Walking." (Ironically, Nancy didn't wear any boots this evening!) Evidently busy, Nancy did appear in three films in 1966: "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini" (which was the final "Beach Party" film produced by American International), "The Last of the Secret Agents?" and "The Wild Angels." The latter two films featured three recent mystery guests: Marty Allen and Steve Rossi in the first film, and Peter Fonda in the last film. Nancy Sinatra said, "My father, by the way, told me to give Bennett a kiss for him." Boy, did Bennett smile! He got his kiss, too, as Nancy left the stage. She kissed Arlene, too! In conclusion, adding insult to injury this night was the fact that the panel ran out of time before guessing that the final contestant developed the rose named for Arlene. - Sargebri (2004)

The Arlene Francis Rose was bred in the United States in 1956 by Eugene S. Boerner. Beginning in 1920, he developed numerous floribundas during his 45-year career at Jackson & Perkins Nursery. As the Director of Research, Gene Boerner became affectionally known as "Papa Floribunda." He passed away on September 5, 1966. See what his delicate rose looks like below. - Suzanne (2004)

Arlene Francis Rose

http://home.comcast.net/~s.astorino/Arlene_Francis_Rose.jpg

Tidbits: Mr. Daly was correct! Bennett's cannibalistic "Mudder ate 'er" in lieu of "Moderator" pun was one of the worst ever! But you just have to love Bennett anyway!

Panel: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Suzy Knickerbocker, Bennett Cerf.