More What's My Line?

Back in the days when he'd appear on a game show, we have a very young Sean Connery as the Mystery Guest on What's My Line?  What I always find a treat in these is watching (and listening) to the celebrity put on a fake voice to disguise himself from the panel.

As for the panel, I should note that two of them are married -- Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel.  Their son Peter actually appeared on the show as a Mystery Guest -- not once, but twice!  And they were real treats.  I'll try to track them down for a later posting.  Martin Gabel's name isn't well known today, but he was a well-regarded stage actor.  And since we talk about musicals a tad here, it's worth mentioning that he also was in the Broadway musical Baker Street, about (not surprisingly) Sherlock Holmes.  He co-starred as Professor Moriarity.  (The role of Holmes was played by Fritz Weaver.)

I never met Sean Connery, but did have a semi-passing with him.  Years back, I used to work in the PR Department at Universal Studios.  And one did we had our big, All Industry screening of Coal Miner's Daughter.  It wasn't a premiere officially, but a lot of celebrities were invited, in large part because the studio had high hopes for the movie (which were well-warranted and came to fruition).  It was held at the Motion Picture Academy, and I was there working, and when the screening finally started, I was able to find a seat in the center section, but near the back, on the left aisle.  At one point, some people near me on the left were talking -- and talking -- and it was quite pronounced and annoying.  I wasn't quite sure what to do, not knowing protocol as a low-level staffer, but then the decision was taken out of my hands.  About 10 rows ahead of mean a man turned around towards the nose -- and it was Sean Connery.  And with as piercing a look as you could imagine, and in a hiss as blunt as you wouldn't want directed at you, everyone around heard him snarl at the rude perpetrators -- "SHHHHHHHH!!!"

It will not shock you to discover that they shhhhhhhhhh'd.  Immediately.