Information Please

In this October 24, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads a captivating session featuring two literary titans: Russell Crouse, co-author of Life with Father, and C. S. Forester, creator of Horatio Hornblower. Joined by regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel dives into questions about nautical terminology, court trials in literature, and historical naval battles....

In this October 17, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes back the incomparable Fred Allen for a night filled with humor and quick wit. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant join Allen in tackling quirky questions about whimsical crimes, literary riddles, and the sources of famous book titles. Allen’s sharp comedic timing shines in an imaginary...

In this October 10, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a memorable session featuring Fiorello La Guardia, the charismatic mayor of New York City, and Deems Taylor, the celebrated composer and music critic. With regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the evening’s questions span topics from poetic references to bodies of water to unique moments i...

In this October 3, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a spirited trivia session featuring legendary New York Yankees pitcher Lefty Gomez. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant join Gomez to explore a variety of topics, from famous World Series moments and baseball slang to Shakespearean weather references and iconic nursery rhyme characters. Gom...

In this September 26, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a captivating trivia session featuring Sir Thomas Beecham, the legendary conductor, and Jan Struther, the delightful author of Mrs. Miniver. Alongside regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel tackles a broad range of topics, from etymology and musical cadenzas to the mysteries of Shakespeare’s characters....

In this September 19, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author Stephen Vincent Benét, known for The Devil and Daniel Webster. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant join in to tackle a delightful range of topics, including the poets behind famous musical compositions, literary farming heroes, and memorable...

In this September 12, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Margaret Leech and acclaimed novelist Louis Bromfield. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the team tackles an eclectic mix of questions, from the fates of literary villains like Uriah Heep and Iago to identifying geographic treasures in India, Canada, and R...

In this September 5, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a lively trivia session featuring composer and music critic Deems Taylor. Alongside regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the team dives into an eclectic mix of topics, from musical pieces every child learns to questions about literary characters and historical anecdotes. Taylor’s musical...

In this August 15, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a lively and humorous session featuring Russell Crouse, co-author of Life with Father, and the returning Deems Taylor, renowned composer and music critic. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel tackles an eclectic mix of questions ranging from crafting literary-inspired cocktails to unrave...

In this August 8, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a spirited trivia session with Larry MacPhail, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, alongside regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant. The evening’s questions cover a lively mix of topics, including baseball hoaxes, legendary frogs from Mark Twain’s tales, and historical anecdotes about mischief a...

In this August 1, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads an intellectually rich session featuring two distinguished educators: Professor Lyman Bryson of Columbia University and Dr. Henry Noble McCracken, President of Vassar College. Regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran round out the panel as they tackle questions ranging from genealogical trivia about famous presiden...

In this July 11, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a delightful trivia session with Mary Boland, the renowned stage and screen actress. Joined by regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the group tackles a mix of entertaining questions ranging from Shakespearean queens and historical draft ages to literary titles involving food. Boland’s theatri...

In this patriotic July 4, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman presents a thought-provoking trivia session with guests Walter Duranty, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and John Gunther, renowned author of Inside Europe. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the team tackles questions that span surrender terms in various contexts, treaties in internatio...

In this thrilling June 27, 1941, episode of Information Please, master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock joins host Clifton Fadiman and regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant for an evening of intellectual and playful trivia. Hitchcock’s wit and insights take center stage as the panel explores topics ranging from cinematic innovations and scenes of suspense to culinary termi...

In this June 20, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman moderates a captivating trivia session with former New York Governor Alfred E. Smith and Judge James Wallace. Regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran complete the panel as they explore an intriguing mix of topics, including presidential nominations, poetic gardens, and famous firsts in broadcasting history. Smith’s polit...

In this June 13, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes the legendary tennis champion Bill Tilden as the evening’s guest. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the panel tackles an exciting array of topics, including Biblical feats of strength, famous literary triangles, and clever uses of tennis terms in poetry. Tilden’s sporting expertise...

In this June 6, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a whimsical evening of trivia featuring Sally Benson, acclaimed author of Junior Miss. Joined by regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the panel explores topics ranging from mythological chariot rides and literary felines to nursery rhymes and operatic calls. Benson’s charm shines as the team unravels t...

In this May 30, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes Cornelia Otis Skinner, the celebrated actress and writer, and Jan Struther, beloved author of Mrs. Miniver. Joined by regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the team navigates a range of topics, from poetic lines about birds to identifying culinary distinctions between bouillon and broth. Skinner and S...

In this special May 23, 1941, third-anniversary episode of Information Please, the usual roles are reversed as composer and music critic Deems Taylor takes over hosting duties, while Clifton Fadiman joins the panel alongside Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant. The evening’s questions range from identifying champions and cabinet members who appeared on the show to exploring musical ge...

In this May 16, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a witty and engaging session featuring two entertaining guests: Dick Maney, the famous theatrical publicist, and humorist Frank Sullivan. Joined by regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the panel tackles a lively mix of questions ranging from oil tycoons who backed baseball leagues to iden...

In this May 9, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes guest Gene Tunney, former heavyweight boxing champion and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the panel dives into questions about iconic boxing maneuvers, Shakespearean quotes, and notable sporting nicknames. Tunney’s expertise takes center stage as he r...

In this May 2, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman moderates a witty and engaging session featuring special guests Donald Ogden Stewart, Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Philadelphia Story, and composer Deems Taylor, a celebrated figure in American music. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant join the duo to tackle topics ranging from poetic refe...

In this April 25, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes the distinguished actor Paul Lukas, star of Watch on the Rhine, as the evening’s guest. Joined by regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the team navigates a diverse range of questions, from literary lovers and the Merry Wives of Windsor to famous imaginary games and musical compositio...

In this April 18, 1941, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a lively session featuring Chief Magistrate Henry Curran, author of Pillar to Post, and Rex Stout, celebrated creator of the Nero Wolfe mysteries. Regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant complete the panel as they explore topics from nostalgic childhood games to the intricacies of military forms of...

In this April 11, 1941, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a fascinating trivia session featuring the distinguished actor Philip Merrivale, currently starring in The Talley Method. With regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, the panel explores a variety of topics, from Shakespearean farewell speeches to plays where generals take center stage. Merrivale brings...