Those of us of a certain age remember the popular game show What's My Line. The panel tried to discover a contestant's unusual profession. Later they would don masks and try to identify a "mystery guest." What's My Line began on the Dumont Network in the 1950s, and no, I didn't see it then. I do remember the "in color" resurrection of the show from the late 1960s. Hard to believe today, but 50 years ago it was not unusual to see classical musicians on all kinds of TV programs. What's My Line was no exception. If this were a different kind of blog, I could include Jane Russell, Ted Williams, Eleanor Roosevelt, the inventor of the shower curtain and the nudist camp manager. Here are some very popular classical stars trying to fool the panel. Note the 1950s sponsor Geritol. If you've never heard of Geritol, this post may not be for you. Proceed anyway. An operatic basso who became a huge Broadway and movie star late in his career. He starred with Mary Martin in South Pacific: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlk-I6Hz3c This is a wunderkind who lived to old age before passing away in 1990. At the time of his appearance, he was the hottest name in the business. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUFFZqXtoM This lady became an icon. She gave a concert on the National Mall in Washington DC on Easter Sunday, 1939, at the behest of Eleanor Roosevelt,after being denied the use of Constitution Hall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaLQnsLxAB0 And here's my favorite. This was not a mystery guest. He's a young man newly arrived in this country to make a career in music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8u6MoA7fv0 And if you want to know about the nudist camps or Tallulah Bankhead, call me up on the phone.
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.