Information Please

June 7, 1938: Quick Wit and Trivia with Clifton Fadiman and Guests

Join us for the June 7, 1938, episode of Information Please, where moderator Clifton Fadiman orchestrates another delightful battle of wits between the listening public and a panel of esteemed experts. This week’s lineup includes humorist Franklin P. Adams, science educator Bernard Jaffe, Herald Tribune editor Marcus Duffield, and special guest, sports columnist John Kieran. With $5 on the line for each unanswered question, the panel must tackle trivia on popular songs, sports terms, classic literature, and even quirky science facts.As always, the panelists face the questions live and unprepared, keeping the energy fresh and spontaneous. Will they be able to identify famous literary streets, recall details about American presidents, or match philosophers with rhyming descriptors? Enjoy this lighthearted clash of intellect and humor as these distinguished experts attempt to keep up with the quick-fire questions from across the country. Tune in to see if they emerge victorious or if the public claims the cash! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

December 25, 1944: Christmas at St. Albans with Fred Allen and Judge James Wallace

In this Christmas Day 1944 broadcast of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads the panel from the Naval Hospital in St. Albans, New York, bringing holiday cheer to service members and listeners alike. Regular experts Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran are joined by special guests Fred Allen, the famed radio comedian, and Judge James G. Wallace of the New York Court of General Sessions. The panel tackles a wide-ranging set of listener-submitted questions covering advertising slogans, classic songs, literary quotations, and colorful moments from theatrical and boxing history. Fred Allen’s sharp wit keeps the room lively, while the experts puzzle through riddles about Gilbert and Sullivan lyrics, the traditional “birthday” of racehorses, and the origins of familiar catchphrases. Highlights include musical clues that lead the panel to sing well-known tunes, humorous speculation about whether one would dare play cards with fictional characters like Clark Kent, and stories from vaudeville and early stage acts involving unusual props—from ham sandwiches to ears of corn. Broadcast in a festive wartime setting and closing with a heartfelt holiday message to servicemen and women, this episode blends trivia, laughter, and seasonal goodwill—capturing the spirit of Christmas with the quick minds and camaraderie that made Information Please a radio classic.

February 5, 1945: Clifton Webb and Moss Hart Join the Panel

In this February 5, 1945, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by special guests Clifton Webb and Moss Hart, both prominent figures of the stage and screen. The evening blends literary wit, theatrical insight, music, and art in a fast-moving session of cultural trivia and spirited banter. Highlights include a lively debate over animal footprints and toe counts, musical excerpts ranging from Carmen and Faust to Show Boat, and quotations from Shakespeare and other poets. The panel also tackles classic New Yorker cartoons, youthful troublemakers in contemporary plays like Tomorrow the World, The Philadelphia Story, and Junior Miss, and artistic connections linking figures such as Gene Tunney, Alicia Markova, and Earl Sande to painters like George Bellows and Degas. Webb and Hart shine with quick humor and theatrical flair, trading barbs and stories while demonstrating impressive knowledge of opera, literature, and Broadway. With its signature blend of intellectual challenge and show-business sparkle, this episode captures Information Please at its witty and urbane best.

October 23, 1944: Musical Monarchies and Judicial Jesters with Artur Rubinstein and Lewis Browne

In this October 23, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a uniquely cultured panel featuring virtuoso pianist Artur Rubinstein and celebrated author and lecturer Lewis Browne, alongside series regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. Together, they dive into a rich mix of history, music, and literature, wrapped in the show’s trademark humor and intellectual charm. Highlights include Rubinstein’s musical insights on European royal houses, Browne’s knowledge of philosophers like Spinoza and European monarchies, and a spirited discussion of famous paintings of nudes. The panel also tackles questions on linguistic etymologies, operatic influences, legendary conquerors from Genghis Khan to Napoleon, and literary characters in unlikely judicial roles. Whether parsing poetry about glory or recalling fictional foods with heavenly praise, this episode offers a delightful blend of highbrow wit and cultural curiosity. Don’t miss this wide-ranging and engaging hour of Information Please!

September 11, 1944: Musical Titles and Political Tales with Jan Struther and Alexander Knox

In this September 11, 1944, season premiere of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes poet and Mrs. Miniver creator Jan Struther and actor Alexander Knox—acclaimed for his role as Woodrow Wilson—alongside beloved regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. Originally slated to appear, Wendell Willkie sends his regrets due to illness, offering a touching note that opens the episode. Highlights include matching musical pieces to aristocratic titles like “Prince,” “Count,” and “King,” revealing the literary and historical depths of terms like “miniver,” and exploring everything from philosophical conflicts and naval history to political trivia. Knox impresses with keen historical knowledge, while Struther charms with literary wit and cross-Atlantic perspective. This episode blends a warm welcome back with cultural insights and humor, kicking off a new season of Information Please with signature flair. Tune in for music, monarchy, and meaningful conversation!