This special Christmas episode begins with Garry introducing most
of the backstage people who make up the crew of the show. They include stage manager Joe Papp, later a
prominent NYC theatrical producer/director perhaps best remembered for his
Shakespeare in the Park series. Show
announcer John Cannon also appears.
On this special episode, each of the panelists presents some
secret performance they prepared, as a surprise to Garry and to the other
panelists. The secrets are displayed as
they would be for any contestant, as each panelist in turn takes a seat in the
contestant chair beside Garry.
Bill Cullen: “Magic Tricks”
Jayne Meadows: “A song (in Chinese)”
Jayne was born in the Wuchang District
of China. She sings “Santa Claus is
Coming to Town.”
Henry Morgan: “Old Jokes”
Actually an old routine from one of
Henry’s earlier radio shows.
Faye Emerson: “A dramatic reading”
Faye reads the classic “Is There a
Santa Claus?” editorial, accompanied on the celesta by husband Skitch
Henderson. Dr. Virginia O’Hanlon
Douglas, the eight-year-old author of the original 1897 question that prompted
the classic reply (“Yes, Virginia…”) is in the audience.
The show ends with the entire group, including Skitch, singing “Deck
the Halls.”
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