Information, Please

His choice for the all-important moderator of this intellectual sparring was Clifton Fadiman, (the once-literary editor at New York publishers Simon and Schuster.) An inveterate reader, he was known for syndicated book reviews and knowledge on a range of subjects. He turned out to be a perfect host - warm, witty and always ready to help the panel and guests feel comfortable. The other regulars were Franklin P. Adams, (columnist of the New York Herald Tribune), who knew as much about New York City and her social whirl as anyone. Raconteur, he was. Two other experts were on the panel, and their expertise formed the basis for many of the questions. Over the shows early run, the third chair was taken by John Kiernan, a sports columnist who could quote Shakespeare, spoke Latin, was as at home in the museums of the Big Apple as at its prize fights, and had a great native New York accent to boot. The final expert who became the fourth cog in the wheel was Oscar Levant, the Pittsburgh piano prodigy who came to Broadway early to play along side George Gershwin, and whose nervous mind moved as fast as his fingers. Kiernan wrote of Levant, "…a positive genius for making offhand cutting remarks that couldn't have been sharper if he'd honed them a week in his mind. Oscar was always good for a bright response edged with acid."

This panel was then treated to a guest. Some were famous, such as Gracie Allen, who was an airhead only when trading quips with George Burns, William Shirer, or Orson Welles, who proved himself as brilliant as anyone on the panel. Groucho Marx was a guest, and his appearance certainly made You Bet Your Life seem like a good bet. Some were well-known politicians writers or sports figures. Some were experts in a certain field, and were given tough or tricky questions in their field that were often hot potatoes.

Due to the nature of the show, it couldn't be done twice for the West Coast, as were most national shows of the time. Transcription was necessary and was finally allowed in 1939. This was a groundbreaking decision at the time. History would prove that, except for time-sensitive material such as news or sports, a recording is fine. As early as 1940, sponsor and networks were trying to tamper with the format, and doing battle with Golenpaul. Like a stubborn parent, he knew was best in all cases, and stood his ground always. Oscar Levant went on to Hollywood in 1943, and so the early great panelist lineup, like a great baseball team, became history. When the show ended, Golenpaul went on to publishing the well-known Information, Please almanac. An attempt to bring the show to TV in 1952 didn't work. It was just too perfect as it was on radio. Happily, the wit and wisdom of Information, Please lives on in recorded form for listeners to enjoy. For more game show fun, see also the Game Show Collection, Guess Who, and You Bet Your Life. See also, the informative program, The Answer Man.