Twentieth Century Talkers

Monty Hall (1921-2017) was a radio and television show host who moved to the United States to pursue a career in broadcasting. Born as Monte Halparin in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Hall graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba, where he majored in chemistry and zoology. While still a student in the mid-Forties, he worked at CKRC radio in Winnipeg. 

For the next decade, Hall hosted and produced a number of programs for radio stations in Toronto before moving to New York City in 1955. Hall guest-hosted established game shows such as Strike It Rich on CBS and Twenty-One on NBC. He was also a radio analyst for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League during the 1959-1960 season, before succeeding Jack Narz as host of a game show called Video Village. 

Bigger things were in store with his move to Southern California, where he became the host of the game show Let's Make a Deal, which he developed and produced with business partner Stefan Hatos. It became his crowning broadcasting achievement and for what he is best known. The “Monty Hall” name became synonymous with a game show host and was often parodied in comedic skits, providing creativity for what was "behind door number one, two, or three." Hall was producer or executive producer of numerous other game shows throughout his career.

In May 1988, the Governor-General of Canada appointed him an officer of the prestigious The Order of Canada for his humanitarian work in Canada and other nations of the world. In 2003, the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba appointed him a Member of the Order of Manitoba.

Twentieth Century Talkers

 

Hal March (Harold Mendelson 1920-1970) was an American comedian, actor as well as accomplished musician and conductor. March began his career in broadcasting as an announcer in San Francisco. After World War II he teamed with Bob Sweeney for The Bob Sweeney-Hal March Show on CBS Radio until 1948. He also appeared in The Adventures of Sam Spade on CBS from 1946-1949. March co-starred as Harry Morton for sixteen episodes of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show on the NBC and CBS radio networks from the mid-1940s until 1950. When the show switched to television that year, he was replaced mid-season in 1951 by Fred Clark.

March's heyday was the 1950s. His popularity and comedic style cast him in single episodes of many popular shows of the era. The exceptions are four episodes of My Friend Irma and six appearances as himself on The Dennis Day Show. Today, March may be best known for his "guilt by association" with The $64,0000 Question scandal period. Unaware of the producer's and contestant's fraud, his career nevertheless suffered somewhat. In 1961, he played the lead in Neil Simon's first Broadway play Come Blow Your Horn, a hit that ran 677 performances. March finished out his career in 1968, though with fewer television appearances. 

Note: I have found it difficult to uncover much about Hal March's musicianship. In tribute, I have included one of his albums above. 

Grace and Charm

 

Arlene Francis (Arline Francis Kazanjian 1907-2001) was an American actress with nineteen acting appearances, a television talk show host, and game show panelist. She became a well-known New York City radio personality, hosting several programs. From 1938 to 1949 she became the sole female host of the radio game show What's My Name?. Beginning in 1950, Francis became widely remembered for her 25-year role as a panelist on the television game show with a slight name change, What's My Line?, hosted by John Daly. Francis was known on that show for wearing a heart-shaped diamond pendant, a gift from her husband Martin Gabel, a frequent panelist, which she wore on nearly all of her What's My Line? appearances. Another signature adornment was her blindfold outlined with sparkling studs. She could be frequently seen on Password and Match Game game shows as well through the mid-eighties. Francis possessed charm, grace, and sophistication. Three traits that made her a popular celebrity.

Earning Celebrity Status

 

Ruta Lee (Ruta Mary Kilmonis 1935-) has been a staple of television since the early Fifties with appearances in The Roy Rogers Show and the Adventures of Superman. The attractive and ageless actress was never typecast, whether roles in westerns, melodramas, or police dramas which carried her through television's first decade. In the Sixties, she often tapped into her Lithuanian heritage with a convincing German or Russian accent in comedies or dramas. There was no slow down as she plowed through the Twentieth Century. Her frequent appearances on the game show circuit, often with a panelist name placard, went a long way to place a name with the face. 

The 5' 1" Canadian-born actress was no stranger to the occasional film, her big break coming as one of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1954. Her supporting roles continued in Witness for the Prosecution, and the musical comedy Funny Face. 1972's low-funded Doomsday Machine is a campy science fiction adventure with the cast doing their best in spite of the screenplay. Her most recent role was in the 2021 film, Senior Moment starring William Shatner.

Everybody Wanted Moore

 

Garry Moore (Thomas Garrison Morfit 1915-1993) was an American entertainer, comedic personality, humorist and this versatility made him a force to be reckoned with in the 1950s and 1960s. Early in his career, he was recognized distinctly for his bow tie and his crew cut fashion and his on-air transparency. He hosted the hugely popular weekly prime-time panel show, I've Got a Secret, from 1952 until 1964. It was double duty for Moore with his variety series, the hour-long, The Garry Moore Show (1958-64) airing simultaneously. The show was a revival of his earlier 1950 30-minute talk-variety show. He was noted for promoting the careers of other entertainers, most notably, Carol Burnett. Moore later replaced the original host of To Tell the Truth, Bud Collyer, when the show was syndicated from 1969 to 1977. But health trouble resulted in numerous guest hosts during his tenure. After a forty-two-year career, Moore retired in 1977 after announcing on the show about his health. 

Before television, Moore recorded six of his radio monologues for Decca in 1944, including his incredible, triple-time speed reading of Little Ride Riding Hood, his classic “Hugh, the Blue Gnu,” and a calamity-filled version of “In the Good Old Summertime”. They were released as an album of three 78 rpm records titled “Culture Corner”.