It's amazing. Fred looks so well in this episode. It just goes to show that one can never tell when one's life is gonna end.

It is eerie that the saddest man (Kelly) is on the week before Fred Allen's death.

Dorothy and Arlene look at Emmett Kelly with such genuine affection and delight after unmasking and as he was leaving. It was heartwarming to see the effect Emmett Kelly had on people.

I'm surprised they didn't mention Emmett Kelly spent many years as the unofficial mascot of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Bums). The King of Clowns retired in 1956 and a year later, his Dodgers moved to the left coast. Four years later, his little clown son took over the vocation, much to his father's dismay. I interviewed Jr. in 1988, when he was dedicated to working for non-profit organizations and found him very affable. (WML is my favorite KZfaq channel. Thanks for the memories)

It gives me pause to think that Fred Allen appeared on WML in this episode on March 11, 1956, and fully expected to be back the following week -- and, of course, his fellow panelists and Mr. Daly expected it, too. Then, on March 17, 1956, he had that fatal heart attack that no one anticipated. So often in life, our expectations and what really happens don't coincide, and as to life, well, there are just no guarantees. The barrier between life and death is simply more tenuous than we realize.

I admit I welled up when they said Goodnight Fred, not knowing it would be the last time :(

Every one had such class and dignity. I truly love watching these shows! TFS!

I've been dreading this. Rest in peace Fred.

What a charming figure Emmett Kelly makes, and from his handwriting; no doubt about a very sharp and clear mind he has too!

Arlene looks especially lovely ... pleasant, beautiful, woman ... Kelly was a proper clown not one of the garish, alarming creatures one now sees ...

I enjoy watching the shows where Fred Allen appears more than any others. He makes me laugh all the time.

Everyone’s handwriting seems more fluid and elegant back then

"Now just a minute, John!" Those are the BEST moments.

After Emmett Kelly's identity is revealed to the audience, Bennett asks John if he would come to next week's show looking like Mr. Kelly. John said he didn't think he could pull it off as well as he; however, with hindsight being 20/20, that was rather an eerie statement, for the entire panel would arrive at next week's show looking just as sad as Mr. Kelly after hearing of Fred's sudden passing.

Emmett Kelly..King of the clowns....his spotlight sweeping routine was great...

The ladies always have such beautiful dresses an gowns . I can't remember them wearing them twice.

OMG I JUST REALIZED THE CLOWN TOY IN TOY STORY 3 WAS BASED ON EMMETT!

Remembering America for what it once was.

Emmett Kelly was wonderful. ♥️

Emmett Kelly was one of the most beloved performers ever.

This is when America had class. The Stars are so nice and the people who come on the show are always dressed so nice.

What a shame that the rest of Fred's last show is gone.

I so miss Fred Allen.

I just read all the comments and someone asked how you know you are having a heart attack. It's pressure in your arm, stomach, the back, jaw, shortness of breath, feeling lightheaded. So not necessarily a sudden event, that's a cardiac arrest (heart suddenly stops). And remember many people ignore the symptoms for hours. So, there, if Fred can help save a life, then that's one more good thing he did. RIP

Emmett Kelly was one-of-a-kind. I'm not much of a clown fan, but I would love to have a painting of him as Weary Willie.

Not to be morbid but Emmett Kelly, John Daly and Fred Allen all died of heart attacks. It's very sad, they just don't have celebrities of this caliber anymore. Miss them all. RIP.

THE EPITOME of a CLOWN in my youth ♥♥♥♥ EMMETT KELLY

Poor Emmett Kelly's son stole his act, performed it badly and gave him immense grief.

Emmett Kelly was one who built his success truly on his raw and self made talent and efforts. A wonderful and Eunique man.

Mr. Emmett Kelly Jr.--THE MOST FAMOUS & GREATEST CLOWN IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!

Fred was so brilliant.:)

1956 was the first year that Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey started performing in auditoriums instead of the tent. For one thing it was a lot cheaper and quicker to set up and take down. Safer too -- and RBBB had to be obsessive about safety given the money it and its underwriters had to pay out as a result of its 1944 circus tent fire in Hartford.

John's 'my name is U.S. Treasury' joke deserved more!

Poor Fred had no idea what was about to happen to him. He seemed fit and cheerful on the show.

I never liked Clowns or Puppets, saw Kelly at MSG and he gave me a paper flower so I LOVED HIM. Years later, really too old for "Trick-or-Treating", three of us dressed as him using burnt cork on our faces. We told people we were Emmett Kellyy's kids and got great response !!

Fred Allen was my first cousin twice removed. I’ve been doing some family research of late and though I was well aware of where he placed in my family I only now started exploring his celebrity. I just finished Much Ado About Me and will soon start Treadmill to Oblivion. It’s a shame he and Portland never had children. He was the original shock jock but was a true gentlemen and kind soul in person.

Yeah, Emmett Kelly's demeanor was presciently perfect for Fred Allen's last episode.

John was a master disassembler

I loved Fred Allen’s droll and sly wit. I am sorry we lost him at such a young age.

This show aired the day before my birthday! The day before my BIRTH day. Wondering if my mother was trying to maintain comfort while watching this show. :)

As far as I know the missing segment with Dinah Shore is missing as it was used in the “What’s My Line at 25” special from 1975. Apparently several kinescopes or segments thereof were lost while making that special. 😢

I cannot confirm this, BUT I have been informed by one who knows that as Dinah saved everything, her archives MAY have the complete episode.

Ironically, this is the first episode I've watched with Fred.

Rip Mr Allen

Poor Fred Allen died young

My lady has a ventriloquist Emmett Kelly doll. He was so funny. I met him when I was 8. He entertained us MD children.

Have you all noticed , everyone who signs in has beautiful handwriting?!!

This episode was filmed 16 days before my birth!

Fred Allen is my favorite W. M. L. Panel member although they are all 😊

This was a time when *NO ONE* gave any concern about their blood pressure or cholesterol! They all smoked cigarettes and cigars daily and consumed hard liquor socially and in private. Also hardly *ANYONE* exercised!

“That covers a lot of ground” Depends on who--oh my!

I think what happened is that Dinah's segment may have been irreparably damaged when the kinescopes were being studied for finding clips for the "What's My Line at 25" special that aired in 1975. This is how the 1954 episode with Martin and Lewis was lost leaving behind only the brief clip that was used in the special. There are other examples where clips used in the special are now missing from the original kinescope (a Woody Allen panel question in a 1963 show for instance). In 1975 they were still running these things on film projectors and making splices from the original element and while Dinah wasn't included in the final special, her appearance may have been under consideration in the round of clips not used in the special.

wow never thought I'd see Emmett Kelly talk (kind of)

I found it interesting how it was Fred Allen, who corrected Bennett Cerf on the home town of Jack Benny. This was right after the famed 'feud' the two entertainers supposedly had.

That clown make-up was so good. He made me feel sad for him lol. 😢🤣Very talented.

A rarely mentioned fact about Fred Allen. The Looney Tunes character Foghorn Leghorn was based on a character, Senator Claghorn, from Fred Allen's radio show from the 30s and 40s. RIP to a legend

great tv show!

Fred WAS very clever. Cerf thought he was very clever

I got to see him when I was a little boy!!

They are actors and had fathers at home. GOD is in their lives.

A hero and a talented artist

The ladies got more beautiful the older they got. ❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹

Even though he was before my time, I always loved Emnitt Kelly! HEY! WAUKESHA WISCONSIN!!!

Dinah Shore was on this episode, but the segment is lost :( Emmett Kelly, like Allen, would also die of a heart attack, but 23 years later, at age 80. In those days, heart attacks claimed the lives many, mostly men. When I was a child, it seemed all too common.

Very nice sharing

I met Emmett Kelly once as a child. Interesting, EK was neither sad nor happy while signing autographs.

Sometimes I think John Daly talked just to hear himself talk. Love the show though.

Aww his frown is so endearing 😢

The reference that John makes early in the show with respect to the fate of coins placed in mailboxes references Deputy Postmaster Stans. That would be Maurice Stans. Stans was later Nixon's Secretary of Commerce and then the finance chairman of Nixon's reelection campaign. Stans was convicted of violating federal campaign laws, but he denied having any knowledge or role in the Watergate scandal, and prosecutors were not able to prove that Stans had any role in the scandal, notwithstanding many suspicions of illegality on his part.

A smile is a frown turned upside down,,, Emmett The Clown. Forgive the poetry I just had to go there once. 🍎🎭

Little Miss 1565 Was identified in 1991. As the article is written... The little blonde girl became known as Little Miss 1565, the number given her at the morgue. Eleanor's identity remained a mystery until this spring, when Hartford Fire Lt. Rick Davey, whose nine-year investigation into the fire turned from hobby to obsession, revealed that Little Miss 1565 was Eleanor Cook.Jun 22, 1991

Arlene Francis and especially John Daly are eloquent and articulate in the English language. İt is such a pleasure to listen to them speak.

Mr. Allen's last Sunday.

Lovely Handwriting 😍

Fred was a heavy smoker.

This was the second contestant within about a month who came to NYC all the way from Waukesha, Wisconsin to appear on WML. The first one was the brewery guide for Pabst who said that she was happy with her work and didn't want to capitalize on her charming appearance and go to Hollywood.

The second contestant had some really noticeable frosting in her hair. When did that particular style come into vogue? Was she on the vanguard?

Before he introduced Emmett Kelly John Daly said they would have a famous mystery guest later on in the show. I looked quickly through the show and didn’t see any other mystery guest.

Wonder what the "new" commercials Fred was singing in were about. Bennet Cerf brings it up at the end

Emmett Kelly's Mom lived on Center street Bridgeport CT.

8:21 - Bennett: "Same barber, too."

The panelist were looking at the contestants as they walked by and were able to get clues from their cothes, hands.😊

This show was prophetic to the point of being spooky. Fred uses the word "fatal" referring to himself in this episode. Plus Emmett Kelly was frowning and severely downcast the entire time. Did Fred know what was coming? What say his friends, relatives and biographer?

Hey I knew the truant officer! Quite well. She used to come and round me up from behind the school. Used too play doctor with these little young girls of my age. Skipped many a class all the time. How many people out there have ever played in mud?

No offense to fred, but he pretty much looked like that all the time

Yes-give Emmett the $50!

I wish someone would have asked Mr. Kelly to smile, just once.

Fred looked terrible. Even though this is B&W, you could imagine that his complexion was pasty white.

SUCH WONDERFUL HANDWRITING Now adays even teachers can't write that well and they're bigger Clowns then Emmett 🤣

I don't believe this is Fred Allen's last appearance on WML. Remington Rand , which was a subsequent sponsor to the sponsor here , (Stopette), was the sponsor of WML when Fred made his last appearance. Still a great episode. Thanks for posting .

Omgoodness I love happy clowns! He’s so cute!

to "none none"": I was not intellectualizing, but you're rationalizing. It's a new world out there, get with it.

Clowns have always creeped me out but I ❤ Emmett Kelly.

These broadcasts represent the age and the day with almost zero thought of the people who will watch them in the future AKA us and beyond

It Is good that Arlene got Emmett but to be fair , John's original no should have stuck

I was born on this day, 3/11/1956 8o)

What's here was posted a few years ago in three shorter segments. The poster said that the Dinah Short mystery-guest segment was not available anywhere.

Does the size of the product depend on the size of the person? 🤣

Who is the announcer

Only 6 days before Fred Allen's fatal heart attack.