Information Please

December 13, 1943: Exiles, Clocks, and Conferences with Quincy Howe & T. F. Tsiang

In this December 13, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran with two distinguished guests: news commentator Quincy Howe and diplomat-scholar T. F. Tsiang. The panel ricochets from literature to geopolitics—quoting Shakespeare and Confucius, revisiting wartime maps, and trading quips about clocks, conferences, and courtship—while Heinz’s sponsor spots keep the proceedings savory.  
Highlights include: authors “about man” (Hamlet’s “What a piece of work,” Confucius via the Analects, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida); territories to be taken from Japan (Mandate islands; Manchuria, Formosa, Pescadores; Guam/Wake); and literary parenthood (Lady Macbeth, Madame Bovary, Peggotty). The crew recalls Lincoln refusing to sack Grant over whiskey, Perry at Nagasaki, and Columbus pressing on; then maps famed journeys (the 622 Hijra from Mecca to Medina; de Soto’s El Dorado; Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage). They trace exiles who lived in America—Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Garibaldi (Staten Island), and Trotsky—swap poetic timepieces and “by/to/from sea” lines, tick off wartime conferences (Mena House near Cairo; Quebec’s Château Frontenac; Moscow’s Spiridonovka House), and close with literary lovers who couldn’t quite propose (Cyrano, Sydney Carton, and Miles Standish/John Alden).  

December 6, 1943: Poets, Phrases, and Panel Sparks with Lewis Browne and Sinclair Lewis

In this December 6, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman presides over a lively panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and special guests Lewis Browne and Nobel Prize–winning novelist Sinclair Lewis. Wit flies as the “friendly enemies” trade barbs and brainpower across literature, language, and legend.
Highlights include melodrama in verse from “The Highwayman” to “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” the origins of everyday words like “goodbye,” “amen,” and “vamoose,” and first names hiding in plain sight (Wilfred Ivanhoe and Dr. John Watson). The panel matches poets to melodies (“Excelsior,” “The Two Grenadiers,” and “Sweet and Low”), unpacks why groups like Rotary, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Masons are so named, and recalls famous figures’ dramatic arrivals in great cities—Lenin’s sealed train to Petrograd, Joseph’s sale into Egypt, and Shakespeare’s footsore London beginnings. Blending quick quips, cultural trivia, and spirited debate, this sparkling half hour delivers classic Information Please charm.

May 17, 1938: Stumping the Experts with Clifton Fadiman and Panel

Journey back to the golden age of radio with this lively episode of Information Please, aired on May 17, 1938. Hosted by the witty Clifton Fadiman, this quiz show flips the traditional format by allowing the public to quiz a panel of renowned experts, each one ready to field questions on topics ranging from classical literature and science to history and humor. The esteemed panel for the evening includes Franklin P. Adams (FPA), beloved columnist and humorist; Bernard Jaffe, noted science educator; Marcus Duffield, day editor at the Herald Tribune; and Dr. Harry Overstreet, a philosopher with a knack for practical wisdom.With a $5 prize for each question they fail to answer, the experts must think quickly on their feet. Listeners from across the country send in their toughest questions, creating a delightful battle of wits as the panel faces tricky queries, lighthearted banter, and even a few surprise stumbles. This episode captures the charm and intellectual curiosity that made Information Please a household favorite. Will tonight’s experts come out on top, or will the listeners win the day? Tune in to find out, and enjoy a nostalgic trip to a time when trivia and laughter ruled the airwaves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 29, 1943: Pianistic Paraphrases and Poetic Duels with Arthur Rubinstein

In this November 29, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the familiar panel of Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by the eminent guest Artur Rubinstein, the celebrated concert pianist. Together, they mix sharp wit with high culture in a lively wartime broadcast.
Highlights include painterly trivia from Goya to Whistler, a dazzling test of musical paraphrases from Strauss and Verdi to Chopin, and Rubinstein’s insights into Brahms concertos and European royalty. The panel navigates literary fortunes from Dickens and Dumas to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, recalls poets who died by brawl, duel, or battle, and plays with animal imagery in verse from “Pop! Goes the Weasel” to Emerson’s “The Mountain and the Squirrel.” Two-piano mashups of Chopin, Verdi, Gounod, Schumann, and Grieg showcase the evening’s musical flair, while historical puzzles trace the tangled bloodlines of World War I monarchs.
Blending sparkling banter, Rubinstein’s virtuoso knowledge, and the panel’s trademark humor, this episode delivers a captivating mix of art, music, literature, and laughter on Information Please! 

November 22, 1943: Broadway Wit and Wartime Trivia with Russell Crouse & Moss Hart

In this November 22, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman quizzes regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams alongside special guests Russell Crouse and Moss Hart—fresh from Broadway hits and wartime stages—for a brisk, funny hour of brainy parlor sport.
Highlights include year-matching puzzles spanning Washington’s inauguration to Dempsey–Willard, debates over Fulton’s steamboat lore, and a gangster suite from Blind Alley to Brother Orchid and The Earl of Chicago. The panel riffs on etymology (from “hussy” to “coquette”), psychiatry-by-song (“I Love Me,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” “I Ain’t Got Nobody”), and billiards terms in verse. Wartime flavor runs through musical clues to aircraft (Zero, Corsair, Thunderbolt, Hurricane, and the Soviet Stormovik), color similes in poetry, and “last lines” lightning rounds touching Rain, The Show-Off, and Kaufman & Hart’s Once in a Lifetime. They even decode service slang—topside, upstairs, and “going over”—and nod to stage tunes from Lady in the Dark and Oklahoma, with timely Thanksgiving asides from the Heinz mic.

October 18, 1943: Pittsburgh Pride and Literary Artists with Marcia Davenport

In this October 18, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a distinguished panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, Oscar Levant, John Kieran, and special guest Marcia Davenport, acclaimed novelist and biographer. Broadcasting live from the Syria Mosque Theater in Pittsburgh, the episode celebrates the city’s cultural heritage while supporting the National War Fund campaign.The lively discussion features Pittsburgh trivia, with Levant and the panel recalling the city’s musical geniuses and playwrights, and identifying famous natives such as George Kaufman and Adolph Mongeau. The conversation then turns to poetry, songs, and operatic characters who feign death, sparking playful debates and witty banter. Marcia Davenport shares her insights on the arts, hats in literature, and the origins of spices, drawing from her expertise and her novel set in Pittsburgh.Other highlights include questions on historical events in Sicily and Italy, memorable song lyrics, pig Latin and jive talk, and the artistry of fictional characters. The program also features a special wartime message from Wendell Wilkie and an address by H.J. Heinz II, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian efforts during World War II.With humor, cultural knowledge, and camaraderie, this episode delivers an engaging hour of trivia and intellectual entertainment, offering a unique snapshot of American life during wartime. Tune in for an informative and delightful evening on Information Please!

June 7, 1943: Operatic Adventures and Epic Rides with Marcia Davenport and Deems Taylor

In this June 7, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads an entertaining panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by special guests Marcia Davenport, author of The Valley of Decision, and renowned composer and commentator Deems Taylor.The episode offers an eclectic blend of literary, musical, and mythological trivia. Highlights include lively discussions about operatic scenes from Tosca, The Valkyrie, and Porgy and Bess, plus tales of legendary rides—from Mazepa’s wild flight to Europa’s journey on a bull. The panel also unpacks culinary curiosities like clambakes and planked fish, and navigates poetry, historical references, and peculiar hiding spots in literature.With sharp wit and cultural insight, Davenport and Taylor add charm and depth to this spirited hour of spontaneous fun. Don’t miss this vibrant blend of intellect and humor on Information Please!

May 10, 1943: Military Tunes and Myths with George Denny Jr.

In this May 10, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest George V. Denny Jr., moderator of America’s Town Meeting of the Air. The episode is rich with political insight, musical flair, and historical context. Listeners are treated to a clever musical guessing game connecting famous songs to potential Allied invasion points, followed by debates inspired by imaginary matchups on Denny’s own Town Meeting program. The panel explores historical quotes, presidential speeches, and enduring myths—from Lafayette’s welcome in France to Parson Weems’ cherry tree tale. Denny’s political acumen shines in questions on cabinet appointments and wartime plans like the Rummel Plan. Trivia ranges from poetic lines on loneliness to contests for spouses and valets in literature and opera. The panel’s humor and quick thinking bring levity to topics like wartime advertising, literary partnerships, and American geography. This episode blends patriotic themes, intellectual play, and historical reflection. Tune in for another engaging hour with Information Please!

November 15, 1943: Rivers, Furs, and Literary Lovers with Gregory Ratoff

In this November 15, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a quick-witted and intellectually vibrant panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and returning guest Gregory Ratoff, the Russian-born Hollywood director and actor. Together, they tackle a rich assortment of listener-submitted questions with a blend of scholarly insight and comic flair.
 
The panel dives into geopolitical geography, identifying rivers like the Amur and Dniester as international borders, and deciphers musical punishments suitable for Adolf Hitler. Ratoff shines with personal anecdotes and lively participation in discussions about Russian language quirks, historical figures like Catherine the Great, and his own name’s pronunciation.
 
Highlights include a humorous fur coat substitution game, Shakespearean and poetic references to seasons and numbers, and a clever musical guessing segment interpreting Allied invasion routes through Europe. The episode ends with engaging trivia on literary pseudonyms and legendary city founders.
 
Full of laughter, learning, and lively banter, this episode of Information Please captures the charm of spontaneous intellect and timeless trivia.

November 8, 1943: Senators and Symbolism with Joseph H. Ball and Lister Hill

In this November 8, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is joined by regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, along with distinguished guests Senator Joseph H. Ball of Minnesota and Senator Lister Hill of Alabama. This unique session blends politics, poetry, and trivia as the senators join in the intellectual repartee.
 
Highlights include creative chemistry jokes involving senators and toddies, historical trivia about constitutional amendments, and literary sleuthing through Shakespeare, Poe, and Kipling. The panel also tackles questions about fictional impersonators, father-son political duos, and historic campaign managers.
 
With spirited exchanges and plenty of laughter, this episode offers a glimpse into wartime America’s wit, curiosity, and appreciation for knowledge. Tune in for a truly memorable hour on Information Please!