1956
– 1966
“I’ve
Got a Secret” is
a panel game show derived from “What’s My Line?.” Instead of
celebrity
panelists trying to determine a contestant’s occupation, the panel
tries to determine a contestant’s ‘secret’; something that
is unusual, amazing, embarrassing, or humorous. The show premiered
on June 19, 1952 on CBS and ran until April 3, 1967. It began
broadcasting in black
and white,
switching to color in 1966. From
1952 to 1960 the show was done at CBS Studio 59, formerly the
Mansfield Theatre, now the Brooks Atkinson.
When
“I’ve Got A Secret” first went on the air it was an immediate
disaster, in part because producers Goodson-Todman tried too hard to
differentiate it from “What’s My Line?” It had an awkward
courtroom set in which the panelists would interrogate contestants
seated in a witness box. After the first broadcast, Goodson ordered
the set scrapped and a new one built which would mirror the “What’s My Line?” set. One of the show’s two sponsors
canceled so for the remainder of the first season the show only
aired every other week, alternating with “Racket Squad.”
The
show was originally hosted by radio and television personality Garry
Moore.
After several months of an ever-changing panel, game show host Bill
Cullen,
acerbic comedian Henry
Morgan,
TV hostess Faye
Emerson,
and actress Jayne
Meadows
became
the four regular panelists. In 1958, Emerson left the show to star in
a play and was replaced by actress Betsy
Palmer.
Later that year, Meadows relocated to the West
Coast
and
was replaced by former Miss
America
Bess
Myerson.
Other comedians and celebrities appeared as guests on the panel when
others were away. The announcer for most of the run was John Cannon.
Moore
left the show after the 1963–64 season. When his comedy program “The
Garry Moore Show” was canceled by the network, Moore chose to retire
from television to travel the world with his wife. He was replaced by
Steve
Allen,
who left his own syndicated
talk show
to
take over the game.
A
typical episode featured two regular contestant rounds followed by a
celebrity guest round, occasionally followed by an additional regular
round, if time permitted. “I’ve Got a Secret” was more informal
than its sister show “What’s My Line?” in most respects. The
panel and host were generally on a first-name basis. The formal time
limit on questioning was removed early in the show’s run, and time
limits were set more for entertainment. The men on the panel always
wore informal suits or even sport jackets. The panel was introduced
at the start of each episode by the host (as opposed to by each
other, as on “What’s My Line?”), sometimes with a series of
descriptive puns, but generally without plugging their other
projects.
“I’ve
Got a Secret,” along with “What’s My Line?” and “To Tell the
Truth,” were canceled
in
a mass axing of CBS’s remaining panel shows in 1967; the shows were
financially successful but were not drawing good ratings. Between
1952 and 1967, “I’ve Got a Secret” ranked among the top 30
television shows for ten out of fifteen seasons, peaking at #5 during
the 1957–58 season. The show was nominated for three Emmy Awards
during the 1950s.
The
first theme music used on the show from 1952 to 1961 was “Plink,
Plank, Plunk!” by Leroy
Anderson.
The second theme, used from 1961 to 1962, was an upbeat arrangement
of the “Theme from A Summer Place” by Max Steiner. The
third theme, used from 1962 to 1967, was an upbeat
march composed by the show’s musical director Norman Paris and played
by a live studio combo.
February
8, 1956 at 9:30pm
Directed
by Frank Satenstein
The
program is sponsored by Winston
cigarettes. Because of this, host Garry Moore smokes continually
throughout the program. Those contestants who stump the panel win a
carton of Winstons and a cash prize [$80 in 1956].
Garry
Moore (Host)
says that Faye Emerson is on vacation and that Lucille Ball will be
taking her place that evening. Unbeknownst to him (supposedly)
Lucille Ball shadows Moore on his entrance, making funny faces behind
his back. When he turns to introduce her they come face to face and
scream. Moore mentions that Lucy is there to promote her film Forever
Darling.
John
Cannon
(Announcer)
The
Panel (left
to right)
- Bill
Cullen
hosted
23 shows in his lifetime and earned the nickname “Dean of Game
Show Hosts”. Aside from his hosting duties, he also appeared as
a panelist / guest on many other game shows, including “To Tell The
Truth,” a sister show to “I’ve Got a Secret.” - Jayne
Meadows
was an actress who was also quite a popular game show panelist, often
beside her husband Steve Allen, whom she wed two years before this
telecast. In 1970 she appeared on an episode of “Here’s Lucy”
(S3;E16). She is sister to “Honeymooners” star Audrey Meadows,
who appeared with as Lucille Ball’s sister on an episode of “Life
With Lucy” (1987). - Henry
Morgan
(not to be confused with actor Harry Morgan) was
a frequent guest panelist on three of the most popular prime-time
game shows in the 1950s and ‘60’s: “I’ve Got a Secret,”
What’s My Line,“ and "To Tell the Truth.” - Lucille
Ball (Guest
Panelist). Two days earlier, “I Love Lucy” broadcast “The Fox
Hunt” (S5;E16) for the first time, part of the Ricardos and Mertzes
trip to Europe. A few days after this appearance on “I’ve Got A
Secret,” Ball returned to California to begin rehearsals for the
classic episode “Lucy Gets a Paris Gown” (S5;E20), in which Lucy
and Ethel are duped into wearing burlap bags as fashion. The episode
was filmed on February 16, 1956 and aired a month later.
The Contestants
- Bertha
Pierce
is from Olean, New York. Her secret is that she built the chairs that
the panel is sitting on. Lucy is put on the spot when asked to go
first. She notes that Olean is very close to her hometown of
Jamestown. Lucy is startled by the buzzer of the timer. Jayne Meadows
guesses the secret correctly. - Seymour
J. Seymour is
96 years old and appears on the stage with a patch on his eye, using
a cane. Moore says Seymour had a fall in the hotel the previous
evening. His secret is that he saw John Wilkes Booth shoot President
Lincoln on April 14, 1865. [Seymour
passed
away two months after the airing of the show.]
At the time, Seymour was the last living witness to the shooting.
Jayne Meadows guesses his secret and Moore gives Seymour the full
prize of $80. Before the show, Seymour informed Moore that he does
not smoke cigarettes, so he is given a can of Prince Albert pipe
tobacco instead. [In other instances, the sponsor was not so
amenable. Both Groucho Marx and Ernie Kovacs wanted to smoke their
trademark cigars on the show, but Winston forbade it. In the case of
Groucho, they eventually relented.] - Desi
Arnaz
(Guest Contestant) is introduced by his wife, reading a script
written by the show that comically goes on…and on… and on. The
panel leaves the stage while Moore and Arnaz discuss Forever
Darling,
which opens the next day at the Loewe’s State in NYC. [Lucy and Desi
expected the film to open at Radio City Music Hall, just like their
last MGM feature The
Long, Long Trailer.
But the Music Hall declined to premiere the film. They did not expect
it to be a blockbuster, which it was not.] Desi has planned to play
a trick on his wife by telling everyone else on the panel his
‘secret’ and telling them to pass their turn to Lucy. Desi’s secret
is “I love Lucy.” When Bill Cullen disqualifies himself, Lucy is
immediately suspicious. Lucy is totally confounded by being the only
player and she and Desi devolve into good-natured husband and wife
bickering. With a big smile of realization, Lucy finally gets it!
Before they depart, Moore reads a wire from the Heart Fund, thanking
Lucy and Desi for their time and energy on their behalf.
February
15, 1961 at 9:30pm
Directed
by Franklin Heller
The
program is sponsored by Bristol Myers’ Bufferin. Doing a live pitch
for the pain remedy, Garry Moore says that an in-store display
features a mirror in which his face appears. The associate sponsor
was Clairol.
The
show begins with a cold open of Lucille Ball talking to the viewers:
“My
name is Lucille Ball and I’ve got a secret.”
Garry
Moore (Host)
notes that Bill Cullen is on vacation and introduces the panel,
staring with Cullen’s replacement, Johnny Carson.
John
Cannon (Announcer)
The
Panel (left to right)
- Johnny
Carson
(Guest Panelist) did a dozen episodes of the game before assuming the
hosting duties of “The Tonight Show” in October 1962. He played
himself on a 1969 episode of “Here’s Lucy” (S2;E11). Ball made
many appearances on “The Tonight Show” during his tenure. - Betsy
Palmer was
an actress equally at home on Broadway, film and TV. She became
known for her many appearances in regional theatre, particularly at
New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. Later in her career she became
famous for her role in the 1980 horror film Friday
the 13th. - Henry
Morgan (not
to be confused with actor Harry Morgan) was
a frequent guest panelist on three of the most popular prime-time
game shows in the 1950s and ’60’s: “I’ve Got a Secret,”
What’s My Line,“ and "To Tell the Truth.” - Bess
Myerson
was a former Miss American (1945). She was the pageant’s first and
only Jewish winner. Myerson was a panelist and talk show guest on
many television programs.
The
Contestants
- The
Smith Family
– four children from Kenmore New York (Herman, Theresa, Mary
Margaret, and Ralph) are introduced by Moore. Their secret is that
they each have a twin backstage. The Smith Family consists of 13
children. Henry Morgan guesses the secret. Moore says the odds of
such a thing happening are 40 million to one! - Pat
Patterson
from Washington DC sailed from there to Jacksonville, Florida… in a
paper boat made of water-proof cardboard and wood supports. The trip
took him six weeks. Patterson is a corrugated box manufacturer. The
boat itself is on the stage. Moore is a boating enthusiast.
The
panel is sent offstage while Moore introduces a filmed Clairol
commercial: “Only
her hairdresser knows for sure.”
He then introduces Lucille Ball.
Lucille
Ball
(Guest) was then starring on Broadway in the new musical Wildcat,
her only Broadway credit. Moore tells Lucy that her secret will be
to get the panel
to imitate her.
The panel returns for the questioning. The word “EXCITED”
appears on the screen to prompt Lucy. While Betsy Palmer is talking,
the word turns to “HAPPY” and Lucy laughs out loud continually.
The questioning turns to Henry Morgan and the word turns to
“DIGNIFIED” then to “SAD” – Lucy reacts accordingly. During
Bess Myerson’s turn the word is “NERVOUS”. During Carson’s turn,
the word is “ROMANTIC” and then “TIPSY.” They play out the
whole game even though someone gets it early. Moore later confesses
that (for the first time ever) he cheated in order not to spoil the fun.
In
closing, there is an extended filmed commercial for next week’s
sponsor, Winston Cigarettes. The announcer also reminds viewers that
Bristol Myers also sponsors “Candid Camera” (consult your local
listings).
March
8, 1965 at 8:00pm
Directed
by Paul Alter
The
program is sponsored by Toni Home Permanent.
Steve
Allen
(Host) was a
humorist who starred in his own television show on another network
five nights a week. More than thirty years later, Allen would guest
star as himself on “Lucy
Calls the President” (1977). Allen tells viewers that half the panel is on vacationing so his ‘better half’ (Jayne Meadows) and Lucy’s ‘better half’ Gary
Morton will be sitting in for the absent Bill Cullen and Bess
Myerson.
John
Cannon
(Announcer)
The
Panel (left to right)
- Henry
Morgan (not
to be confused with actor Harry Morgan) was
a frequent guest panelist on three of the most popular prime-time
game shows in the 1950s and ’60’s: “I’ve Got a Secret,”
What’s My Line,“ and "To Tell the Truth.” -
Jayne Meadows was an actress who was also quite a popular game show panelist, often beside her husband Steve Allen, whom she wed two years before this telecast. In 1970 she appeared on an episode of “Here’s Lucy” (S3;E16). She is sister to “Honeymooners” star Audrey Meadows, who appeared with as Lucille Ball’s sister on an episode of “Life With Lucy” (1987).
- Gary
Morton
was a comedian who wed Lucille Ball in 1961. He acted as Producer on
“The Lucy Show” as well as making occasional on-camera
appearances and doing voice-overs. - Betsy
Palmer
was an actress equally at home on Broadway, film and TV. She became
known for her many appearances in regional theatre, particularly at
New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. Later in her career she became
famous for her role in the 1980 horror film Friday
the 13th.
The
Contestants
- Marie
Rhodes
from Los Angeles is Marlon Brando’s stand-in. Betsy Palmer guesses
her secret. Her husband is his make-up man. She started on Mutiny
on the Bounty,
in order that she could be with her husband in Tahiti for the year it
took to make the film. The most recent film where she stood in for
Brando was Morituri,
which she says will be released soon. Rhodes has also stood in for
many other stars: Anna Magnani, Ben Grauer, Carol Williams, Judith
Anderson, Patricia Owens, and others. Steve Allen is fixated on Ben
Grauer. - Four
Lieutenants in
the US Armed Forces: Joe Amlong (Air Force), Billy Mills (Marines),
William Stowe (Navy), and Lones Wigger Jr. (Army) enter. Allen
declines to give their names at first. Their secret is that each has
won a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.
Lucille
Ball (Guest)
was then finishing her third season of “The Lucy Show.” At
9pm that evening, CBS broadcast “Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (TLS
S3;E23). The evening before, Lucy had appeared on “What’s My
Line?” She is introduced as the National Chairman for the Easter
Seals campaign.
Before the show, questions were solicited for Lucille
Ball. The panel is asked to answer as if they were Lucy. Lucy gives her response as well.
- “Are you temperamental?” Henry
Morgan says yes, but Lucy says no, but that she has flare-ups after
long periods of frustration. - “Are you a
natural redhead?” Jayne Meadows (also a bottle red head) and Lucy
both say “of course!” - “Who has
the final say at home?” Gary naturally says Lucy. Lucy says the
only thing she has the final say on is whether the windows stay open
or closed at night. - “Are you inherently
witty or do you have to have a script?” Betsy Palmer tactfully replies that Lucy
is inherently witty but that a good script helps. Lucy says she is
not witty, and that she doesn’t “think funny.” - “What is it like to be a millionaire?” Lucy seriously says
she is not a millionaire, which Henry Morgan doubts. Lucy says that
all her money goes into her business [Desilu Studios]. - “Do you do
your own cooking?” Jayne Meadows says that Lucy doesn’t cook.
Lucy says she can cook, but doesn’t have time and often let’s her
husband Gary plan the meals. Gary adds that Lucy makes meatballs
that taste like hockey pucks. - “Are you as funny offstage as you
are on?” Gary Morton says that Lucy doesn’t think she’s funny –
but she is. - “Why do you work so hard?” Jayne Meadows and Lucy
agree that she works so hard because she loves it. She mentions “The
Lucy Show.”
The
program ends with the women sitting on the mens’ laps, even Henry and
Betsy, the only two that are not husband and wife. Allen says that
the young people will be pleased to know that next week Neil Sedaka
will be the guest. As the final credits roll, the network announcer
promotes “The Lucy Show” guest starring Arthur Godfrey coming up
in a half hour’s time.
Two
weeks later Vivian Vance appeared on the “I’ve
Got a Secret” (guest hosted by Steve Allen). Vivian
purposely talked very fast because her ‘secret’ was that everything
they said was being written down in short-hand backstage.
October
17, 1966 at 10:30pm
Directed
by Paul Alter
The
color telecast was sponsored by Westinghouse.
[Note: No color prints were available for preview, so the photographs
are in black and white.] The show is sponsored by Lucky Strike
cigarettes. [Ironically, during the early years of “I Love Lucy”
the show was sponsored by Philip Morris and the writers were
prohibited from using the word “lucky.”]
Steve
Allen
(Host) was a
humorist who starred in his own television show on another network
five nights a week. More than thirty years later, Allen would guest
star as himself on “Lucy
Calls the President” (1977).
The
Panel (left to right)
- Betsy
Palmer
was an actress equally at home on Broadway, film and TV. She became
known for her many appearances in regional theatre, particularly at
New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. Later in her career she became
famous for her role in the 1980 horror film Friday
the 13th. Steve
Allen introduces her as starring in Cactus
Flower on Broadway. - Henry
Morgan (not
to be confused with actor Harry Morgan) was
a frequent guest panelist on three of the most popular prime-time
game shows in the 1950s and ’60’s: “I’ve Got a Secret,”
What’s My Line,“ and "To Tell the Truth.” - Bess
Myerson
was a former Miss American (1945). She was the pageant’s first and
only Jewish winner. Myerson was a panelist and talk show guest on
many television programs. Steve Allen reminds the viewers that she
can also be seen on “Candid Camera.” - Bill
Cullen
hosted
23 shows in his lifetime and earned the nickname “Dean of Game
Show Hosts.” Aside from his hosting duties, he also appeared as
a panelist / guest on many other game shows, including “To Tell The
Truth,” a sister show to “I’ve Got a Secret.”
The
Contestants
- Rufus
Harley (Contestant)
is at first identified only
as ‘Mr. X’. His secret is that he is a jazz musician who plays
the bagpipes. No one guesses his secret. Harley also appeared on “To
Tell the Truth” and in 1968 appeared on syndicated “What’s My
Line?” during its first week.
He
released two albums on Atlantic and plays “Feelin’ Good” with his
Jazz combo on the show. Fittingly, the background is a tartan plaid! - Howard
Goodrich
and his dog Fritz
(Contestant) whose secret is that both he and his dog are wearing
contact lenses. Henry Morgan asks Mr. Goodrich if HE has a tail. No
one guesses the secret.
Lucille
Ball (Guest).
Earlier in the evening, CBS broadcast “Lucy Flies To London”
(S5;E6) which was “The Lucy Show’s” set-up for the following
week’s location-filmed special “Lucy in London.” Lucy promotes
the special talking about her love for London, especially Carnaby
Street, and the mod fashions.
To see if American people have taken to
these garments, the show has given 100 audience members voting buttons to
express their opinions. Three fashion models come out, while Lucy
describes their outfits. [Despite the show being broadcast in color,
Lucy still describes the vivid colors of the clothing, aware that not
all viewers will be watching on a color television.]
Before asking
the audience to vote, Steve Allen asks Lucy if she likes them. Lucy
hesitates, but says “On
some very young people, at some very special places, for a very short
time.” Before
finding out the result of the audience vote, Lucy guesses that just
35% of the audience will like them. The panel guesses that probably
only 15% to 35% will. Allen surprisingly reveals that only 7% of the studio
audience likes the mod fashions. [The clothing was supplied by Lord
and Taylor.]
The
second poll asks the female audience which of the three looks the
audience favors. Lucy thinks ‘B’ will be the most popular, Betsy says
‘A’, Bill and Bess says ‘C’ and Henry agrees with Lucy that it is
‘B’. The results show that 54% of the women liked ‘A’ – the pant
suit; 10% prefer ‘B’ – the mini skirt; and 36% liked ‘C’ – the
vinyl look.
The
men are then polled and Lucy and the panel stick with their previous selections. Steve Allen likes ‘C’. 54%
of men liked ‘C’; 40% liked ‘A’; and only 6% chose ‘B’.
Lucy
asks a totally different question of the men; would their wives chose
a brand new kitchen or a fur coat. Lucy says that 95% will go for
the kitchen. The result says that 54% said their wives would want a
new kitchen. Lucy says that if the women were asked, they would
chose the kitchen.
Papermoon Loves Lucy 
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