This show was aired on the day my parents were married. Just a few weeks ago they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Obscure observation: I always thought if I was in John Daly’s role I’d always forget which card they were on. I’ve often looked for a note on the back of the cards, and finally I think I’ve spotted one! At 24:09 - 24:10 “5 Down. 5 To Go” handwritten on back of card. (My life is now complete! 😂)

The DeMarco Sisters sound like those singers used in the 50s and 60s on the radio identifying the station.

Arlene wearing a tiara unironically. What a time to be alive.

exactly 70 years old today , this episode - happy birthday George

Love the DeMarco sisters voices. They seemed like a fun bunch. Sad to say, I didn't hear of them til now.

DeMarco's harmonize beautifully

I like when Mr Daly says " Mr Block would you sit down please" haha like he's a school teacher

Hooray for Hal Block! His suggestion that they give the contestant the whole $50 to contribute to the Boy Scouts.

Beautiful harmonization at 19:27, in a style that you just don't hear in today's music (or even in music from, say, the last 20-30 years of the 20th century).

I like when Daly slips up a little and says "GIRLS" and part of the audience screams. Those girls have great harmony.

Hal Block had some crazy eyes.

Audience can’t help giving the game away

At 11:58, Dorothy gasps (not her usual sounds when she suddenly comes up with an idea). 5 seconds later, Hal leans over to find out what happened. Dorothy puts her head down in some embarrassment. Arlene tells Hal, "Down Gilmore." A few seconds later, Steve chimes in, "Sounds like she forgot to wear one," implying whatever article of apparel the second challenger was involved with. Dorothy is now even more embarrassed, John laughs uproariously and the audience and other panelists join in. Then at 12:20, Arlene calls for a conference under the guise that Dorothy had an idea, but I think it was actually done to cover some of Dorothy's embarrassment. The uncertainty of Dorothy's response indicates to me that she had no idea worth calling a conference for. So the question is, what happened to make Dorothy gasp? If it wasn't a great idea, the only thing I can think of, especially in light of Hal and Steve's reactions and Dorothy's embarrassment was a near wardrobe malfunction. Was there ever any further discussion of this incident that would shed some light on this? Arlene's remark to Hal also intrigued me. I had never heard that phrase used. Why Gilmore? I couldn't come up with a connection of that name to Hal. But I believe I did find the answer, under the assumption that this event led to a phrase that was in use for a few years. From 1942-43, Howard W. Gilmore was Commander of the U.S.S. Growler, a submarine in the U.S. Navy. In action during two patrols in 1942, Gilmore was awarded the Navy Cross and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for sinking four enemy merchant ships, and sinking one enemy destroyer while severely damaging two others while narrowly avoiding two torpedoes. In January-February 1943, having already done more heavy damage on enemy shipping in the area of the Solomon Islands, the Growler was preparing a surface attack on another convoy. Suddenly, an enemy escort vessel closed quickly on the sub and prepared to ram it. Evasive maneuvers were not successful and the Growler was significantly damaged. At the same time, the enemy vessel attacked the Growler, killing two men of the bridge party and wounding three others, including Gilmore. Gilmore then ordered the surviving men of the bridge party to go below deck. Waiting for his Commander to follow, the Lt. Commander suddenly heard the order: "Take her down!" Gilmore realized that he couldn't make it to the hatch in time and ordered the sub to submerge with him still on deck. He sacrificed his own life to save the lives of the rest of the crew. (The Growler was able to limp back safely to Brisbane, Australia.) His body was never recovered and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in this incident. The legacy of Gilmore's heroics is more than a popular phrase. "Take her down" is still one of the legendary phrases of the U.S. Submarine Force. It also inspired similar scenes in five different vehicles, in a couple of instances being mentioned directly. These vehicles are the novel "War and Remembrance" by Herman Wouk, the movie "Operation Pacific", the movie "Submarine Command", the movie "U-571" and the novel "Up Periscope" by Robb White.

Mr. Spooner was in WWI (in the Austrian army), and emigrated to the US after that. He took observations he made in WWI into his bulletproofing endeavors, and worked with the NYPD, the NYPD's bomb squad, and also the FBI. The Times obit says he demonstrated the vests via being shot at himself, which is certainly an effective indication you trust the workmanship. He was married (to someone named Pearl) and had three kids. He died in 1957, at age 67, so he was 63 here, and looks a little older.

Ah, the innocence of 1953. at 13:36 Hal Block asked Mr Spooner "if this could be worn by children" referring to the bullet proof vest. Im glad the folks on this show could't see into the future 70 years.

Watching the DeMarco sisters was very funny!

Really enjoy watching these shows.

I know very little about Hal Block outside of this show, but I couldn't agree with you more. I picked up a used copy of producer Gil Fates's book on WML (which is excellent), and he corroborates this impression-- Block just didn't fit in well at all on the panel. I couldn't be a bigger fan of Fred Allen's, but if you ask me, he was far from his best on the show. The only regular 4th member of the panel who really shined was Steve Allen.

Mr. Hartnett was a pioneer in weather forecasting for utilities, which I imagine is fairly important if you want to predict where you'll have to rush repairs to. The rainmaking was kind of a sidelight. He was a big ol' outdoorsman in his private life, and supported various Catholic charities. He and his wife Kathleen had five kids together. Obit from FindaGrave: www.findagrave.com/memorial/48189917/william-j-hartnett

"Thank you so much...deeear panel!" ...

Thaaaank you so much, dear panelllllll

John is having far too much fun with the DeMarcos!

Solong Hal Block! We will miss you on the show. The show's advertiser, Stoppette deodorant, wasn't particularly thrilled when Hal said you could turn your "armpit into a charmpit." I think it's hilarious, but it was considered a tasteless remark back in the day. Hal also made many double entendre references to women on the show which concerned many conservative viewers. This episode was his final appearance on What's My Line.

I agree that Hal Block didn't fit with the rest of the panel. I do agree that Steve Allen was a better fit than Fred Allen, but I think that Martin Gabel was the best fit with the other 3.

This showed aired the day I was born!

The passage of time: The DeMarco sisters were born between 1923-1933 and so were between the ages of 20-30, in 1953, (which is the year of my birth) and look much younger. In 2016, only one is still alive, (Jeanette) and she's 91.

How the hell did Hal hit on rain? It's miraculous!

I like what John Charles Daly had to say about national brotherhood week and the National Conference on Christians and Jews.

For a man who recently got fired, Hal Block seems to keep up appearances in a jolly mood (The Show must go on). But he doesn't call John "my favorite newscommentator" any longer.

Wow! When they said Rainmaker, I thought of the current usage of rainmaker... someone who brings in business (magically like a shaman!). So when they went along that line of questioning I was concerned he was leading the panel astray! Who knew it was literally someone who made rain! LOVE THIS SHOW!

I can understand the confusion, but the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri is a separate organization from the more famous one in Nebraska. At the time of this video they did not accept girls, so it was called Boys Town of Missouri. Living in MO currently, so I can tell you they still do outstanding work in the community.

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I was six-months-old when this aired.

I almost thought William Hartnett was going to write William Hartnell as in Doctor who

The audience always give it away.

John Daly gives it away more often than not.

Poor Hal Block. He was actually funnier than history paints him, but his brash style of humor was so far removed from Steve Allen's erudite comedy and Arlene Francis' stylish wit that it made him appear even more crass and vulgar than he really was, especially in those less-permissive times. You can see John Daly and even the usually serene Ms. Francis getting impatient and upset with him.

12:06 In the latter half of 1965, YES Dorothy would have use of one of these, Sadly.

Oh Arlene - she's rocking that tiara! How come we don’t dig out the tiaras and wear them more often? I’m getting mine out now! ❤️🇦🇺

RAINMAKER MAKES BULLETPROOF VESTS MAKES HEATING PADS

20:28 - "You had to be married, huh?" Hilarious!

How come on the last contestant, the heating pad lady... why is John Daly answering all the questions for her? He does do that sometimes, but with this person, he's doing just about all of it..

I found out that Mr. Hal Block was in n apartment fire in Chicago I’ll n got burned really bad n after two months in hospital he diesel so so sad to

Bloch: "You had to be married." He may have already been fired, but it's like he can't help himself. He's trying hard to be funny, and it's coming out wrong. Steve Allen has the quips too, but he knows what the punchline should be. You can see the difference in talent. I don't mean to imply Block deserves scorn forever, but his type of humor is not appropriate for this show.

What happened to wholesome society like this?

In the late 1950s , author and philosopher Gerald Heard, worked with psychiatrist Sidney Cohen to introduce intelligent, adventurous people to LSD, and Steve Allen was one of these.

How did Hal make that jump to rain?

John Daly's facial expression at 21:38 shows how worried he is about another crass line of questions from Hal Block. Fortunately Hal goes back to legitimate inquiry soon here. But as funny as he could be at his best, I'm looking forward to the post-Hal era as I watch these in order...too often his crude behavior gets out of control and spoils the positive impressions left by his quick wit.

John regularly pitches the WML radio program on Wednesday nights. Do we have any recordings from these programs? I wonder who was on the panel.

Insinuating that someone might need a bulletproof vest is pretty rude and insulting.

Boys Town was in Missouri?

see De Marco dance with Yolanda in 1934 film LADY IN RED staged by Busby Berkeley

They really should have admonished the audience with their Neverending giveaways with the clapping during a conference.

Participants keep saying Missoura for Missouri. Is it still pronounced that way?

I googled DeMarco sisters, not much on them, what was their story and history? They don't even have a wikipedia article, and their official page looks like it was made in 1996.

16:19 Hal Block trying to cheat, maybe?

Interesting that Block said (at about 6:25) hurricanes have nothing to do with rain - my respect for a University of Chicago degree just went down a notch or two.

The early 50's versions sucked because they spent too much time having the guest walking back and forth in front of panel checking their hands and garments and then they had to rush each one , throw over the cards and rush for the mystery guests. The newer concept was better as they left show, just pass by and greet panel!

I really love this program but I’m thinking that Mr.C .Daily was kind of hard on Mr.Hal Block I fell he’s a human bey. Should be treated with respect

After Steve Allen was brought on, Hal Bloc toned his intros of Daly WAY down.

8:08

Why did Steve Allen get to always ask questions that would always fit the occupation in a hilarious way? I once read a comment that his questions were scripted

Perfect panel line up, two of the funniest guys. Only improvement imo would’ve been Martin Gable as host.

The world was just better. BETTER FOR EVERYONE before 1965. My mom was 25 in 1965. She says its been downhill ever since

"I Hate to Ask a Lady This Question.. ...but, do You Have More than one Head .?" 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂😂😂🤣😂

No offense to the deceased, but I can't stand when I open one of these and Hal Block is in it, lol.

Why is Arlene Francis wearing a crown?

Steve was the NAUGHTY one tonight! Not Hal.

The first time there was more than one person as a mystery guest, I believe.

And the hated hal block gets off to a great start with the bulletproof vestmaker.

i will miss Hal Block :((((

Were Arlene and Steve married at the time this show was aired?

Hal Block was great!!

Hal said is it to do with Rain & yet Daly didn't give it to him & then Arlene Francis says Rain Maker & She's Right! Just shows how against Hal Daly was. Wonder why they ever chose him for the Show when they had such a dislike for him.

Let's face it we never heard of the Dimarcos..

Sinatra dated one of them, but she was too shy to kiss him, she was 18. He sent her a gift basket later, the note said;'' Stay as innocent as long as you can.'' I'm paraphrasing.

Bennett is right. Hal Block was a clod. I would simply rather not watch any episode he's in.

Mr. Block was bad to the last drop, “So where are the De Marco Sisters?” As with most long running series one follows, the characters become a bit like part of your family. Hal would be the weird uncle nobody misses much after he’s gone.

Once again John is uncharacteristically sloppy in summarizing the rules; at 3:45 he says to the first contestant "every time you can dredge a No answer out of them" and at 21:18 "every No answer you get from the panel"; both are backward, as the contestant is the one to give Yes and No answers. I'll be glad later when the rules are assumed to be understood, rather than taking time from the actual game play to go over them in each round.

I adored this show in its day, but I believe the earlier shows were rigged. The panel guessed with little to no hints and typically before the person could even win $25-30. And John allowed excessive yes answers to what should have been, No. The show was getting low ratings and things changed fast. John later pushed for, No answers, the panel wasn’t able to guess very easy and people won most of the time or if they didn’t, John would flip all of the cards over. Their ratings went up and the show became a hit!

They falsely answered the question, "Are there two of you?" Last time I checked five does not equal two, so the answer should have been "no."

It’s bad enough that Missourians can’t pronounce Missouri but it’s even worse that they can’t pronounce Louis. They should have called it St. Lewis if they wanted to pronounce it that way.

I hated it when Dorothy gasps.

WHAT, in God's sake does seeing the Label of a Man's Suit got to do with anything pertaining to the Line of the Contestant....having watch this show from the 1950's onward....Never, Never understood Dorothy's nearly psychotic insistence on seeing them. In the woman's fashion; especially the Men....Dorothy, What gives? No, no coy response is acceptable....it is either a 'search' for snobbery or a 'peculiar' addiction. LOL....

Oh god I hope they kept Hal away from the sisters…

To me Hal Block was an annoying person and took away from the quality of the show. He was a ringleader of toxic masculinity.

Who the phuck are the Demarco sisters?

dorothy is always so full of herself

Im pleased they got rid of Block. He’s more foolish than he looks. Hahahahaha