1963-1964
“Password”
is
a game show created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions.
The host was Allen Ludden, who had previously been well known as the
host of the “G.E. College Bowl.” In the game, two teams, each
composed of a celebrity player and a contestant, attempt to convey
mystery words to each other using only single-word clues, in order to
win cash prizes.
“Password”
originally
aired from 1961 to 1967 on CBS,
along with weekly prime
time airings.
An additional 1,099 daytime shows aired from 1971 to 1975 on ABC.
The show’s regular announcers
were
Jack
Clark and
Lee
Vines on
CBS and John
Harlan on
ABC.
Two
revivals later aired on NBC:
“Password
Plus”
(originally titled “Password ‘79”) from
1979 to 1982, and “Super
Password”
from
1984 to 1989, followed by a primetime version on CBS from 2008 to
2009 “Million
Dollar Password.”
All
of these versions introduced new variations in game play.
The
theme song used on
“Password” from
1961 to 1963 was called “Holiday Jaunt,” composed by Kurt
Rehfeld. That theme was followed later by “You Know the
Password,” composed by Bob
Cobert,
which was used from 1963 until the CBS version’s cancellation in
1967 (listen above). When the show returned on ABC in 1971, Score
Productions composed
“The Fun of It.” The theme used later in that version’s
run, beginning in 1974, was called “Bicentennial Funk,” which was used until the ABC version’s finale in 1975.
“Password”
was
most often taped in New York at CBS-TV Studio 52 (later converted to
the Studio
54 disco)
and CBS-TV Studio 50 (the Ed
Sullivan Theater)
until the end of the daytime run in 1967. The original CBS version
made annual trips to CBS Television City during the 1960s. Mark
Goodson opposed a permanent move to Hollywood so the
network canceled the series.
The Milton Bradley Company introduced the first home version in 1962 and subsequently released 24 editions of the game until 1986. Owing to common superstition, these releases were numbered 1-12 and 14-25, skipping 13. It was tied with “Concentration” as the most prolific of Milton Bradley’s home versions of popular game shows. Milton Bradley also published three editions of a “Password Plus” home game between 1979 and 1981, but never did a version for “Super Password.” Lucille Ball was fond of playing the home game.
In
2013, TV
Guide ranked
it #8 in its list of the 60 greatest game shows ever.
“Password”
~ September 26, 1963
Lucille
Ball (Celebrity Player)
Gary
Morton (Celebrity Player)
[Note: No video footage of this episode was available for preview]
“Password”
~ December 26, 1963
Allen
Ludden (Host)
The
program is sponsored by Tame hair care products.
The top prize is
$500 and the consolation prize is $50.
Lucille
Ball
says that next Monday on “The Lucy Show” she will conduct a 45
piece orchestra. She is referring to “Lucy Conducts the Symphony”
(TLS S2;E13) on on December 30, 1963.
LUCY’S PARTNERS
- James
Waldo from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is in a stock broker training
program. - Mary
Ellen MacInally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a student who plans to enter
the ministry. - William
Sexton from Evansville, Indiana, has been married for a year and a
half. - Ralph
Jones from Westfield, New Jersey, is studying mathematics at Union
Junior College.
Gary
Morton
says that he, too, will be on “The Lucy Show,” in an episode that
Lucy had written for him about his favorite sport, golf. He is
referring to “Lucy Takes Up Golf” (TLS S2;E17) airing on January 27,
1964. In it, Gary plays Gary Stewart, Lucy Carmichael’s ‘golf nut’ boyfriend.
GARY’S PARTNERS
- Margery
Blom
from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a newlywed. - Robert
Davidson
from Rego Park, New York, has an insurance firm in Manhattan. - Jackie
Lane
from Nashville, Tennessee, is enjoying her trip to New York. - Sigrid
Newman
from New York City is a registered nurse at the New York Hospital.
TRIVIA
- In round four, the password “TINKLE” makes everyone giggle.
Ludden is relieved when Jones successfully guesses it in the second
try. - When
the password is “PROPOSAL” and the clue is “MARRIAGE,” Lucy’s
mind immediately goes to “DIVORCE.” Lucille Ball divorced Desi
Arnaz in the spring of 1960. - At
the end, Lucy says her son [Desi Jr.] beats both her and Gary when
they play at home. Ludden makes the usual mistake of guessing that
her son is named Ricky. Lucy corrects him, smiling. Ludden says
that Vivian Vance has challenged Lucy to a game. Vance appeared on
the game twice previously, once in 1961, and a second time in November 1963, where she likely issued the
challenge. A year later (September 24, 1964 – see below), the challenge was
accepted.
THE RESULTS
- Lucy
and James Waldo win the first round. - Gary
and Robert Davidson win the second round, despite Gary saying he’s not being sure of
what several of the words meant. - Lucy
and William Sexton win the third round. - Lucy
and Ralph Jones win the fourth round.
“Password”
~ May 7, 1964
Allen
Ludden (Host)
Bern Bennett (Announcer)
The
program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.
THE PLAYERS
Lucille
Ball
is introduced as the start of television, motion pictures, and the
Broadway stage. She had just finished her second season of “The
Lucy Show.” Allen Ludden implies that there was a question if it
would be renewed for a third season. Lucy reminds the audience that
the show will start at 9:00pm in the fall, a half hour later.
Gary
Morton is
introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Ludden talks
with Gary and Lucy about golf, Gary’s favorite pasttime.
Lucie
Arnaz
is from Los Angeles, California. She is 13 (in July) and in seventh
grade. She doesn’t know what she wants to do when she grows up.
Desi
Arnaz Jr. is
from Los Angeles, California. He is 11 and in sixth grade and plays
little league baseball. He is a center fielder but would like to
play second base.
- In round one, Lucy’s partner is Desi Jr. and Gary plays with Lucie.
- In
round two, Lucy’s partner is Lucie, and Gary plays with Desi Jr. - In
round three, Lucy’s partner is Gary, and Desi Jr. and Lucie play
together. The children are playing for their allowances; a quarter a
point.
TRIVIA
- This episode was taped in at CBS Television City in Hollywood.
- In
round one, the password is “LEOPARD” and Lucy’s clue is
“STRIPED.” She instantly realizes her mistake, as does the studio
audience. - When
the password is “HARP,” Desi Jr.’s clue is “MARX”, thinking of Harpo Marx, who made a guest appearance playing his namesake
instrument on an episode of “I Love Lucy.” The audience audibly
gasps at how clever Desi’s clue is. Gary gets it right. - In
the lightning round, the password is “THUNDER” and Gary’s clue is
“LIGHTNING,” to which Desi Jr. says “ROUND.” Ludden stops the
clock, momentarily confused if Desi is just repeating the name of the
game. In that same round, the password is “COWBOY” and
Gary’s clue is “GUNSMOKE.” Desi responds “CHESTER,” which is
the first name of one of “Gunsmoke’s” leading characters played
by Dennis Weaver. - In
the final round, the password is “CARROT” and Desi’s clue is
“RED.” He was probably thinking of his mother’s hair, not the
vegetable.
THE RESULTS
- Lucy
and Desi Jr. win the first round. - Gary
and Desi Jr. win the second round. - Lucie
and Desi Jr. win the third round.
All
their winnings will go to a summer camp for underprivileged children.
In the final moments, Ludden says that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be on the show next week. He gives a plea for helping the Peace Corps.
“Password” ~ September 24, 1964
Allen
Ludden (Host)
Jack Clark (Announcer)
The
program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.
THE PLAYERS
Lucille
Ball
is introduced as the comedy star of television, motion pictures, and
the Broadway stage. Lucy says the new time slot for “The Lucy Show”
is 9 o’clock and that Vivian Vance is still with her on the show.
She also mentions future guest stars like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Danny
Kaye, and Ann Sothern. The show’s third season premiered three days
earlier on CBS with “Lucy and the Good Skate” (TLS S3;E1).
Lucy’s
first partner is James
Horn
from Hubbard City, Texas. A student, he spent the summer working at
the Texas Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair. Ludden says that
the most popular day at the fair was ‘Lucille Ball Day.’ The event
was held on Monday, August 31, 1964.
Lucy’s
second partner, Vivian
Vance,
is introduced as “a
housewife from Stamford, Connecticut.”
This is indeed where Vance was living at the time, commuting to Los
Angeles to do “The Lucy Show.” Vance’s appearance is obviously a
complete surprise to Lucy, and even to Morton, who is just as shocked
to see her. She is playing for a charity called Medi Help.
In
round three, Lucy is partnered with Peter Lawford and Gary with
Vivian.
Gary
Morton is
introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Gary promotes
their 15-minute CBS radio show “Let’s Talk To Lucy.” As Lucy
tells listeners, “Don’t
boil water or you’ll miss it.”
Morton is the show’s producer and announcer. Dean Martin, Mrs. Dean
Martin, Red Skeleton, Mrs. Red Skeleton, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are
some of the upcoming guests.
Gary’s
first partner is Kelly
Brummer from
Denver, Colorado. She is a student with a merchandising major and a
French minor, which confuses Lucy.
Gary’s
second partner is Mr. Peter
Lawford.
At the time, Lawford was married to President Kennedy’s sister,
Patricia. Lawford had an uncredited role (voice over) in the 1945
film
Ziegfeld Follies that
starred Lucille Ball. He often appeared on Goodson-Todman’s other
panel shows “What’s My Line?” and “To Tell the Truth.” His
winnings will go to the Kennedy Library.
TRIVIA
- Trying
to get her partner to say “FRECKLE” Lucy is chastised by Ludden
to “watch her gestures.” Gary uses the clue “DAY” to get his
partner to guess it, to no avail. He is referring to the popular singer and actress Doris Day, who famously had freckles. - As
usual, Lucy is startled by Ludden’s “Yes!” when she gets it
right. - When
the password is “DRAPE” and the clue is “CURTAIN,” Lucy sings
a bit of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” from the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy: “Curtain
up, light the lights…” - During
Vivian’s entrance applause she and Lucy exchange some barely audible
chat:
Lucy: (to Vivian) “What a wonderful surprise. I was calling
and wondering why you weren’t home.”
Vivian: “I
wanted them to introduce me as Mrs. John R. Dodds.” [Vivian’s
husband at the time.]
- When
the password is “PANTS,” Gary gives Lawford the clue “STRETCH”
and he guesses correctly. Lucy says she would have thought
girdle.
Ludden: (to Vivian) “Does Lucy have a lot
of stretch pants?”
Vivian: “Yeah.”
Lucy: (chiding Vivian) “Don’t tell him everything!”
- As
usual with Lucy, Ludden has to admonish her for gesturing too much.
Ludden:
(to Lucy) “Watch those hands!”
Vivian: “Oh, she
cheats!” (laughs)
- While
Lawford is thinking about a clue, he tuts at Lucy and Vivian,
thinking they are cheating.
Vivian:
“Oh, no! She said I look thinner. We didn’t say a word about
what was here.” (referring to the word card)
- Ludden
stops the clock momentarily when Gary inadvertently says the password
during the lightning round.
When
the password is “FEMININE” and Lawford’s clue is “MASCULINE,”
Lucy guesses “VERILITY” and then makes a lewd gesture thrusting
forward her stiffened arm and clenched fist. She immediately softens
it. In a previous appearance she gave her husband the middle finger!
THE RESULTS
- Lucy
and James Horn win the first round. - Gary
and Peter Lawford win the second round. - Gary
and Vivian win the second round.
Ludden
closes by promoting that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be his next
celebrity guests.
“Password”
~ November 12, 1964
Allen
Ludden (Host)
The
program is sponsored by Clairol and Bufferin.
THE PLAYERS
Lucille
Ball
says “The Lucy Show” is on at a new time, 9:00pm. She promotes
that later in the season, for three episodes, Ann Sothern will
appear. Lucy says that they are trying to get Jean Arthur to guest
star. [This never happened.]
Gary
Morton promotes
Lucy’s radio show, “Let’s Talk to Lucy.”
Lucie
Arnaz
is 13 years old and in the 8th grade.
Desi
Arnaz Jr.
is 11 and a half years old. He has a new record out for Reprise
Record with Dino Martin and Billy Hinsche.
- For
round one, Lucy and Desi Jr. are partners against Gary and Lucie. - For
round two, Gary and Desi Jr. are partners against Lucy and Lucie. - For
rounds three and four, Lucy and Gary are partners against Desi Jr. and
Lucie.
TRIVIA
- When
the password is “FLEA,” Desi Jr. mistakenly thinks it means “RUN.”
He realizes his error in the second clue, which he gives as “DOG.”
Lucy says “We’re
going to have spelling lessons when we get home.”
Lucy and Desi Jr. win the round. - In the lightning round, Desi Jr. is
startled by the word popping up from the desk. It quickly goes back
in and pops back up again. - While Lucy and Desi are playing, Gary
unwittingly says the last clue “HUNGRY” even though he is not
playing. Ball momentarily shoots her husband the middle finger! [see above photo] - In
round two, Ludden starts with the wrong team and shouts “Cut!
Cut!” after hearing a voice from the booth. It is unclear whether
this was edited out for broadcast, but was left in for the syndicated
master print seen on the Game Show Network (GSN). - Mother
and daughter win round two. This time it is Lucille Ball who is
startled by the pop-up lightning round passwords. - In
round three, Lucie and Desi Jr. are playing for their allowance: 25
cents for each point they earn. Ludden says that they did this the
last time they were on. Lucy says if they win too much, they
can’t have it all at once. The youngsters prevail. - Time
runs out before the end of round four, but Lucy and Gary win $250 for
their charity anyway. Lucy announces that all the prize money will go to a Child Guidance Center in Los Angeles. - The
announcer promotes that Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows will be next week’s guests. Promoting Desi’s upcoming record Ludden says the titles are
“We Know” and “Since You Broke My Heart” although Ludden
mistakenly says “Your Heart”. Desi quickly corrects him. Although
Desi said earlier that the record due to be released soon, Desi
failed to realize that the program was pre-taped and would air ten
days after the single debuted.
Papermoon Loves Lucy 
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