Information Please

June 14, 1943: Combined Operations and Literary Laughs with Hilary St. George Saunders

In this June 14, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes Hilary St. George Saunders, the noted British author and co-creator of the pen names Francis Beeding and David Pilgrim. Saunders joins regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant for a rich and varied evening of trivia and humor.Topics span World War II military campaigns such as the Battle of Britain and the Tunisian campaign, along with literary quizzes featuring heavy drinkers in fiction and scenes involving flirtation and gambling from classics like Vanity Fair and Casablanca. Saunders offers firsthand insights into commando operations and British customs, while the panel delves into geographical challenges, classical music references, and whimsical hat traditions.Blending serious wartime reflections with light-hearted banter and deep cultural knowledge, this episode delivers another delightful installment of Information Please.

May 31, 1943: Musical Mischief and Literary Journeys with Sir Thomas Beecham

In this May 31, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a brilliant panel featuring Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and their distinguished guest, Sir Thomas Beecham—the celebrated conductor and author of A Mingled Chime. This lively session brims with classical music insights, theatrical references, and historical musings.Listeners are treated to questions about the settings of famous plays, the magic of operatic and symphonic compositions, and seasonal poetry. Sir Thomas Beecham shares witty commentary on musical works and cultural trivia, including the origins of The Blue Boy painting and Richard Strauss’s Intermezzo. The panel also explores proverb-inspired menus, literary sequels from Esmond to The Virginians, and whimsical queries about famous uncles and fictional prisoners.A delightful blend of erudition and charm, this episode captures the wit and wisdom of its guests while offering a window into the arts, literature, and music of the time. Tune in for a thoughtful and entertaining journey with Information Please!

May 24, 1943: Stage and Shadows with Ethel Barrymore and Richard Maney

In this May 24, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes the distinguished Ethel Barrymore, star of The Corn Is Green, and theatrical publicist Richard Maney to join regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The panel serves up literary wit, historical savvy, and theatrical charm in a lively session filled with poems, plays, and playful banter. Barrymore and Maney shine as they field questions on literary quotes, baseball trivia, and poetic riddles. From “Time, you old gypsy man” to “Out, out, brief candle,” the conversation spans Shakespeare, Longfellow, and even Rudy Vallée. The group dissects limericks, tracks famous elopers in fiction, and solves detective story mysteries with flair. Theatrical questions suit Barrymore perfectly, including one about her own performances, while Maney impresses with quick recall on baseball managers and stage families. Cultural connections abound—from Cicero to Yamanoto, and from The Hound of the Baskervilles to The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. This episode brims with classic charm, deep literary references, and Barrymore’s commanding elegance. Tune in for an enriching and spirited hour on Information Please!

May 17, 1943: Monsters and Myths with Boris Karloff and Jan Struther

In this May 17, 1943, fifth-anniversary episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads a cross-continental session featuring panelists John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams in New York, while Jan Struther, author of Mrs. Miniver, and Boris Karloff, the master of movie monsters, join from a Hollywood studio. Using Harpo Marx’s horn and Frankenstein’s growl as buzzers, the guests bring both humor and horror to this uniquely entertaining episode. Listeners are treated to playful explorations of vampires, zombies, and ogres, distinctions between pirates and mutineers, and chilling tales from literature like The Monkey’s Paw and The Tell-Tale Heart. Karloff’s gothic expertise lends authenticity, while Struther’s dry British wit keeps the panel on its toes. The episode also celebrates the show’s fifth birthday with questions on nursery rhymes, romantic endearments, classical legends, and seasonal poetry. In a nod to wartime, it includes discussions on European unity and heroic mythologies. Brimming with literary references, theatrical flair, and comedic chemistry, this milestone edition of Information Please is a rich tapestry of culture and fun. Tune in for a birthday episode that blends brains and the bizarre!

April 26, 1943: Presidential Math and Peacock Alley with Leon Henderson

In this April 26, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates from Cleveland, the fourth stop on the show’s war bond tour, where over $250 million in bonds have been raised. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant welcome back returning guest Leon Henderson, former head of the Office of Price Administration. The panel entertains a vibrant crowd with a mix of historical, musical, literary, and political questions. Henderson proves his mettle with sharp answers on Mark Hanna, Ruth Bryan Owen, and the Wilson Peace Commission. Levant dominates musical trivia, including inventive links between Shakespearean characters and popular songs like “My One and Only.” The group recalls Gilded Age socialites in Peacock Alley and pinpoints poetic phrases from Whitman and Byron with style and humor. Highlights include quizzes on presidential ages, tree-based expressions, and cocktails like the Horse’s Neck. Amid laughs and learning, the show maintains its patriotic edge, reminding listeners of the ongoing war bond drive. Join Information Please for a high-spirited hour of intellect, trivia, and wartime purpose!

April 19, 1943: Ballparks and Battlefields with Ford Frick and Grantland Rice

In this April 19, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a sporty and spirited panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside two titans of the athletic world: Ford Frick, president of the National League, and Grantland Rice, legendary sportswriter and poet. With baseball season just underway and wartime morale high, the panel dives into a hearty lineup of sports trivia and cultural commentary. From the endurance of Mel Ott and Connie Mack to the poetic connections of war bonds and bridge innovations, the episode is a home run of intellect and amusement. Listeners are treated to musings on Babe Ruth’s greetings, Will Rogers’ folksy charm, the invention of the screwball pitch, and the innovations of Charles Comiskey. There’s even a musical tribute to famous Rose Bowl games and a literary look at battlefields from Vanity Fair to Rabble in Arms. Packed with historical gems, clever repartee, and a nod to both cow pastures and cricket fields, this episode delivers a grand slam of cultural wit and sports wisdom. Step up to the plate with Information Please!

April 12, 1943: Global Insights and American Wit with Wendell Willkie

In this April 12, 1943, episode of Information Please, the program broadcasts live from Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, during a remarkable war bond drive that raised over $200 million. Clifton Fadiman presides over an enthusiastic panel featuring regulars John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, Oscar Levant, and distinguished guest Wendell Willkie, the statesman, author, and 1940 presidential candidate. This special episode celebrates Willkie’s new book One World and highlights his eloquent contributions across a wide range of topics—from American constitutional freedoms and historical quotations to famous abdications and literary soundscapes. The panelists tackle everything from Shakespeare and Gilbert & Sullivan to outlaws in classical music and Connecticut inventors who transformed the world. Willkie’s insightful remarks, particularly on international cooperation and democracy, lend a thoughtful and inspiring tone. With humor from Levant, sharp historical recall from Kieran and Adams, and the host’s lively moderation, the episode combines serious reflection with classic Information Please charm. Tune in for a memorable hour of high intellect, wry banter, and patriotic spirit on Information Please!

April 5, 1943: Courtships and Corsets with Cornelia Otis Skinner and Jan Struther

In this April 5, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman returns to host a witty and vibrant panel with regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by two sharp and entertaining guests: Cornelia Otis Skinner, actress and co-author of Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, and Jan Struther, creator of Mrs. Miniver. This spirited episode pits the men against the women in a battle of brains and banter. The panel tackles an eclectic mix of questions—from the meanings of “bisque,” “basque,” and “busk,” to the literary nuances of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Tennyson. Discussions include a whimsical examination of clothing etymology, courtship plot twists in Little Women and Henry Esmond, and the various fates of fictional lovers who failed to keep their dates. Highlights also include playful musical trivia, biblical references, and cultural insights into famous figures like Churchill, Stalin, and Chiang Kai-shek. With humor, charm, and clever repartee, Skinner and Struther shine in their intellectual sparring, ultimately triumphing over their male counterparts. Tune in for a delightful hour of engaging questions, literary wit, and laughter on Information Please!

March 29, 1943: Philippine Valor and Literary Detectives with Carlos P. Romulo

In this March 29, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a distinguished panel including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Colonel Carlos P. Romulo—Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of I Saw the Fall of the Philippines.The panel delves into global geography, historical conflicts, and literary references, with Colonel Romulo providing firsthand insight into the Pacific theater of World War II. Highlights include discussions of famous wartime messages, fictional professions, and symbolic phrases like “soft belly of the Axis” and “unsinkable aircraft carrier.” Romulo recounts heroic missions such as the SS Legaspi’s blockade run and sheds light on Filipino contributions and culture.With lively exchanges and sharp wit, the episode blends wartime commentary, musical trivia, and classic literature. It’s an illuminating and spirited installment of Information Please, where intellect meets entertainment.

March 15, 1943: Knots, Legends, and Literary Feats with Jan Struther

In this March 15, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes Jan Struther, the celebrated creator of Mrs. Miniver, as the special guest alongside panel regulars John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and Oscar Levant. The panel tackles a lively set of audience questions ranging from the meanings of nautical knots and the quirks of British and American officials, to famous literary references involving colors, hair, and statues. Jan Struther charms the panel with her wit, offering insights into everything from English folk songs to legendary creatures like griffins and harpies. The team sings their way through “Johnny” songs, debates ration stamps for Cinderella and Popeye, and unravels poetic quotations with humorous banter. Highlights include quickfire answers about world leaders and historical battles, classic riddles, and clever wordplay around plants, feet, and movement. Blending spirited trivia, cultural knowledge, and spontaneous laughter, this episode is a delightful testament to the show’s unique blend of intellect and entertainment. Tune in for a memorable hour with Jan Struther and the Information Please team!