Information Please

February 19, 1945: Masquerades and Mare’s Milk with Gregory Ratoff and John Gunther

In this February 19, 1945, episode of Information Please, quizmaster Clifton Fadiman leads the panel with regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by two fascinating guests: foreign correspondent and author John Gunther, and Hollywood director-actor Gregory Ratoff.
The conversation takes a cosmopolitan turn as Ratoff offers spirited insight into Russian drinks like kvass and kumis, while the panel navigates masquerading literary figures, wartime capitals, and famous ballet romances—from dancing dolls to lovestruck swans. Ratoff’s rich storytelling and theatrical past provide charming flair, including anecdotes about playing roles from Chekhov to Andreev.
Topics include wartime history, Shakespearean characters, literary false accusations, and the significance of Moscow, San Francisco, and Yalta in postwar planning. Whether it’s naming “old men” in poetry, recalling legendary heroines, or identifying the original name of Chicago, this episode blends culture, comedy, and international flavor in one brisk, witty hour.
Tune in for a globe-trotting blend of intellect and entertainment on Information Please!

December 24, 1945: Tides, Skulls, and Stage Murders with Boris Karloff

In this December 24, 1945, episode of Information Please, quizmaster Clifton Fadiman leads a spirited panel featuring regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams, joined by distinguished editor and critic John Mason Brown and special guest Boris Karloff, the legendary actor known for his horror roles.
The episode flows with wit and curiosity through a variety of challenging topics—from the scientific explanation of spring and neap tides to a literary count of corpses in Shakespearean tragedies. Karloff's macabre charm is on full display as he dives into questions about fictional murders, skulls in literature, and poetic executions. The panel also navigates through history, exploring Channel crossings by Julius Caesar, William the Conqueror, and the D-Day landings, and delves into psychiatry in literature, works of Gilbert and Sullivan, and mythological love stories.
With humor, intellect, and just the right touch of the morbid, this holiday broadcast is a delightful blend of education and entertainment. Tune in for skulls, Shakespeare, and the sly commentary of Boris Karloff on Information Please!

March 27, 1942: Musical Muses and Presidential Firsts with Wallace R. Deuel

In this March 27, 1942, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a dynamic panel including regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by special guest Wallace R. Deuel, the esteemed journalist and foreign correspondent. The evening features spirited exchanges across history, music, literature, and global affairs.
Topics range from the mythic origins of Pandora’s box and the winds of Aeolus to the first presidents of nations such as Turkey, Colombia, and the Philippines. The panel dissects the musical tributes behind Beethoven’s Eroica and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and recalls Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms and World War II communication lines. There's also a lively debate on wines for each course, romantic entanglements of Goethe and Mary Queen of Scots, and instrument-playing conductors like Toscanini.
With sharp humor, quick recall, and lively disagreements, this wartime episode blends deep knowledge with entertainment, offering a fascinating glimpse into mid-century intellectual camaraderie on Information Please.

January 30, 1948: Operatic Antics and Vocal Virtuosity with Lauritz Melchior and Helen Traubel

In this January 30, 1948, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes two of the most powerful voices in opera: Wagnerian greats Helen Traubel and Lauritz Melchior. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel delivers a program brimming with musical insights, operatic humor, and classical knowledge.
The evening’s highlights include identifying famous delusions in literature, distinguishing dog breeds by size, and recognizing dubbed opera recordings—including one clever pairing of Traubel and Melchior that never actually happened in the studio. The musical stars tackle flower-themed song lyrics, cultural appetizers like smörgåsbord and antipasto, and even a perilous onstage fall during a performance of Siegfried.
From parody performances by Florence Foster Jenkins to Melchior’s tale of an operatic plunge, the show strikes a brilliant balance between high art and high comedy. A must-listen for opera lovers and trivia fans alike!

July 23, 1940: Laughter and Lore with Fred Allen and Howard Lindsay

In this July 23, 1940, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes comedic radio genius Fred Allen and acclaimed playwright Howard Lindsay to the panel, alongside regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The result is a fast-paced, hilariously unpredictable half-hour brimming with satire, sharp wit, and impressive trivia knowledge.
Fred Allen's dry humor and Lindsay's theatrical flair shine through in rounds covering socially elite cities, peculiar birds in baseball, classic American songs, and verbal punchlines from vintage jokes. From dissecting Annie Oakley’s legacy to speculating whether a “million-dollar baby” is rich or just shopping at the five-and-dime, the conversation bounces between cleverness and chaos.
Special highlights include a question sent in by Harpo Marx (ten years in the making!), and a baseball-themed bird quiz designed by Kieran himself. Whether you’re a fan of radio legends or trivia with a twist, this episode delivers a rich mix of entertainment and intellect.

June 20, 1939: Political Insight and Comic Chaos with Gracie Allen and John Gunther

In this June 20, 1939, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a dynamic and delightfully contrasting duo—famed journalist and author John Gunther and comedienne Gracie Allen. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel dives into trivia with a unique blend of intellect and whimsy.
Highlights include a comical exploration of mythical flying figures, political and historical insights into U.S.-Asian relations, poetic musings about babies, and a spirited round of musical and movie trivia. Gracie Allen’s surreal humor and quick wit keep the experts on their toes, while Gunther offers incisive commentary on Far Eastern diplomacy and global affairs.
With questions ranging from the ridiculous to the scholarly, and answers delivered with equal parts clarity and chaos, this episode is a true showcase of Information Please’s brilliance. Tune in for an unforgettable hour where highbrow meets hilarity!

January 10, 1944: Latin Lessons and Literary Allusions with John M. Coffey and Christopher Morley

In this January 10, 1944, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a dynamic panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside special guests Congressman John M. Coffey and celebrated author and essayist Christopher Morley. The show brims with erudition and wit as the panel tackles an eclectic mix of history, literature, language, and even cosmetics.
Highlights include humorous political banter as Congressman Coffey lists edible surnames in Congress, a spirited quiz on famous treaties, and the origins of literary terms like "farce" and "satire." The panel also dives into Latin grammar via Shakespeare, recounts significant historical battles, and explores fictional banking institutions from Dickens to Conan Doyle. Morley’s deep literary knowledge shines, especially in discussions of Sherlock Holmes and poetic etymology.
Laced with laughter, learning, and cultural insight, this episode showcases the lively camaraderie and intellectual depth that defines Information Please. Tune in for a charming blend of trivia and timeless banter.

January 3rd, 1944: Literary Matchmaking and Animal Attacks with Louis Bromfield

In this January 3, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a sharp-witted panel including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Louis Bromfield, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and conservationist. The discussion meanders through literary pairings, famous paintings, and even barnyard brawls in classic Information Please fashion.
Listeners are treated to thoughtful (and sometimes hilarious) speculation on whether Betsy Trotwood and Sancho Panza would make a good match, debates about cows’ kicking styles, and references to Nietzsche, Dickens, Schubert, and Shakespeare. Bromfield adds a unique rural charm and literary insight, including forgetting his own character, Cassie Struthers, much to the panel's amusement.
With banter as bright as ever, this episode delivers an illuminating blend of culture, trivia, and good-humored storytelling. Tune in for an engaging hour that captures the wit and intellectual fun of Information Please!

December 27, 1943: Word Origins and Political Rivalries with Leon Henderson and Jan Struther

In this December 27, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a spirited session with panelists John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and special guests Leon Henderson, noted New Deal economist and former OPA head, and Jan Struther, poet and creator of “Mrs. Miniver.” The panel tackles a wide array of questions ranging from the etymology of peculiar phrases like “namby-pamby” and “hocus pocus” to discussions of mythological references, famous duos in history and literature, and seasonally themed musical and poetic quizzes.
Henderson adds dry wit and unexpected musicality, while Struther charms with her literary knowledge and humor. Highlights include an amusing musical round requiring the panel to sing embedded songs from familiar lyrics, reflections on geopolitical time zones during FDR’s Christmas broadcast, and clever poetry references tied to turkey parts.
This episode offers a delightful mix of intellect and entertainment with a wartime flair, providing both levity and learning to listeners across the globe.

December 20, 1943: Kentucky Wit and Literary Toolsheds with Jesse Stuart

In this December 20, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the ever-engaging panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Jesse Stuart, celebrated author of Taps for Private Tussie. Hailing from Kentucky, Stuart brings homespun charm and literary insight to the witty exchanges.
The panel fields a lively assortment of trivia, ranging from fictional characters and American poets to curious animals and funeral marches in music. Stuart delights with tales of cowbirds, Appalachian traditions, and his poetic influences, while the panel riffs on everything from Steinbeck’s characters to toolshed-worthy book titles.
Brimming with humor, culture, and intellect, this episode offers a delightful holiday-season blend of down-home storytelling and erudite repartee. Don’t miss Jesse Stuart’s unique voice and the panel’s merry mischief on Information Please!