Unidentified boxer: "I entered the boxing ring without my trunks"
As usual, Gil Fates does not identify the contestant by name in his notes, and this sort of silly story made the papers several times. Still, our money is on Allie Gronik, a journeyman fighter whose greatest claim to fame is that he was, at the time of this program, the welterweight champion...of Michigan. Al forgot his drawers in an undercard fight on November 7, 1951.
Special guest Rocky Graziano
is suspended
by a harness, and effectively acts as a human thermometer—he’s
raised 1 foot higher on “Yes” answers and lowered 1 foot on “No” answers.
Graziano, who presumably never entered the boxing ring without his trunks, was a popular boxer of the 1940s who briefly held the World Middleweight title. After retiring from the sport in 1952, Rocky tried to parlay his popularity and fame into a show business career. Acting roles were scarce however, and typically involved playing roles not too different from himself. However, as a personality on shows like this one (this is the first of five appearances he would make on Secret alone) he remained a fan favorite. His profile would rise even higher with the release of Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956), a well-received movie based on his autobiography. It was a star-making vehicle for a young Paul Newman.
Mr X: “My
name is McNamara, I’m the leader of a band”
"McNamara's Band" (1889) was a music hall song that came to be closely associated with Ireland and especially with St Patrick's Day (note today's date). It also became a fixture in several generations of elementary school music classes. Bing Crosby's 1945 recording brought the song its greatest fame, but there are many other artists who have recorded it before and since. According to one newspaper report, once the panelists realized they were looking for an Irish name, any thought of taking turns went out the window and they just shouted names until they got it. We do not know who this particular McNamara happens to be, but he does get to perform "his" song, leading his band through the audience, at the end of the program.
This episode has not been reviewed. Information comes from alternate sources, including Gil Fates' handwritten notes. Quoted secrets are based on those notes and are believed to be accurate.
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