MBS Twenty Questions 1951-02-22 - Panelist is Santa Claus

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: MBS Twenty Questions 1951-02-22 - Panelist is Santa Claus
Release Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Bill Slater
Panelists: Fred Vandeventer, Florence Renard, Herb Palazzi, Johnny McPhee, and Special Guest “Santa Claus”

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Episode Overview

This festive episode transports listeners back to the 1950s for a classic game of “20 Questions,” featuring as special guest the beloved Santa Claus. As the family gathers 'round the radio, the panelists energetically attempt to identify mystery subjects sent in by listeners, using yes/no questions and their own wit, all while indulging in holiday banter and playful jokes. The holiday spirit is high, with questions themed around Christmas lore, wordplay, and cultural touchstones of the era.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Set-Up (00:00–02:00)

• Host Bill Slater welcomes listeners and introduces the panel: Fred Vandeventer (news analyst), Florence Renard (musician), Herb Palazzi (producer), Johnny McPhee (teen student), and Santa as tonight’s guest star.
• Explanation of Game Mechanics: Listeners submit subjects (categorized: animal, vegetable, mineral) for the panel to guess in 20 questions or less. Prizes are awarded for subjects used or for stumping the panel.

2. Subject 1: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (02:00–04:00)

• Category: Animal.
• Clues: Four-footed, deer family, related to Santa.
• The panel rapidly narrows it down:
  • Florence: “Could it be of the deer family?” (03:47)
  • “Would it be one of Santa Claus’s reindeers?” (03:50)
  • Santa himself confidently asks, “Would it be little old Rudolph?” (03:53)
• Cute moment: Banter about why Rudolph’s nose is red.
  • Santa: “He was always sticking his nose out the door and he got nipped… by the cold, cold Alaska weather.” (04:06)
  • Bill jokes, “I thought for a minute we had some funny looking people up here. I was going to have a foot inspection like in the army.” (12:02)

3. Subject 2: Parking Ticket (04:00–07:12)

• Category: Vegetable (wordplay – paper product).
• Panel struggles, as “vegetable” refers to the parking ticket’s paper composition.
  • Florence: “Is it any kind of a traffic violation ticket or something like that?” (07:03)
  • Bill: "A what? The last thing you said." Florence: "Parking ticket." Bill: "Right. That is exactly it." (07:11)
• Laughter as Florence admits personal experience after parking meters were installed in Princeton.

4. Subject 3: The Panelists’ Ten Little Toes (08:42–12:02)

• Category: Animal (humorous take).
• Panel investigates:
  • “Is it part of a human being?” (09:59)
  • “Is it on the legs or the feet or any part of that?” (10:26)
  • Florence: “Is it the little toes we're after?” (11:32)
  • The answer: The ten little toes of the panelists—jovial confusion and giggling ensue.

5. Subject 4: "The Neck" in Roughneck (12:42–16:57)

• Category: Animal (figurative—part of a human in a phrase).
• Bill gives sly hints; panel explores sayings involving “neck.”
  • Florence: "Is it part of the neck?" (15:24)
  • Bill: "Is it the neck? It's the neck in an expression. Right?" (15:27)
  • The correct answer is “neck” as in “roughneck.”
• The panel is stumped, and listener Dan Harston wins the grand prize.

6. Subject 5: The Mouse from "The Night Before Christmas" (17:14–18:08)

• Category: Animal.
• Florence swiftly deduces the subject from clues: a four-legged fictional animal in poetry.
  • Florence: “Is it in the visit from St. Nicholas?” (18:02)
  • Florence: “Is it a mouse?” (18:08)
• Panel correctly identifies: “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

7. Subject 6: Die Fledermaus (The Bat) (18:08–21:17)

• Category: Animal.
• Panel sorts out clues on flying, size, and fictionality.
  • Van: “Can this thing fly?” (20:09)
  • Herb: “Is it a bat?” (21:16)
  • Florence: “Deflator mouse.” (21:17)
• Banter about the characteristics of the bat and confusion with opera references.

8. Subject 7: Warner Brothers (As "Animal") (21:31–26:08)

• Category: Animal (wordplay—surname as a group).
• Panel works through whether the group is men, Americans, in the entertainment industry, and if they are brothers.
  • Florence: “Is their name all the same?” (25:52)
  • “Are they brothers?” (25:55)
• The answer: Warner Brothers. The panel is stumped again.

9. “Quickies” Lightning Round (28:00–30:24)

• Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus: Guessed quickly, with affectionate banter about Santa’s wife.
• North Pole: Guessed as a mineral (“Is it snow?” “No.” “The North Pole would be excellent.”)
• Santa’s Reindeer: Guessed immediately once the clues fly.
• Chimney: Guessed as a part of a building in "The Night Before Christmas”.

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Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

• Introduction of Santa Claus and Banter
  • Bill: “Our special guest is the most popular man in the world tonight. Santa.” (01:45)
  • Santa: “You’re busy this year, Santa.” / Santa: "This has been a terribly, terribly busy year, Bill. A lot of good boys and girls this year. The boys and girls this year are passing all records and so are some of the parents.” (02:15)
• Bill on Wordplay and Anatomy:
  • “Here we go, hacking the human anatomy again, Johnny. Beheading. Is he above the head? No, it’s not above the head.” (14:05)
• On Panel Confusion:
  • Florence: “My toes are all little, Bill.” (12:00)
  • Bill: “Well, I thought for a minute we had some funny looking people up here. I was going to have a foot inspection like in the army.” (12:02)
• On Getting Stumped:
  • Bill: “You didn’t get it. So here goes the grand prize to Dan Harston of Dallas, Texas. He stumped you.” (16:57)
  • Florence: “You know, I said rubberneck, but that moves.” (16:57)
  • Bill: “That’s stretching it a bit too far.” (17:01)
• Panel Closes with Warmth:
  • Bill: “Thanks a lot to you, Santa Claus, for dropping in on us tonight. A happy Christmas to you, sir. Now, friends, we’ll be back this way again next week…” (30:24)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|------------| | Game Introduction & Panel | 00:00–01:45| | Santa Joins & Banter | 01:45–02:15| | Subject: Rudolph | 02:00–04:00| | Subject: Parking Ticket | 04:00–07:12| | Subject: Ten Little Toes | 08:42–12:02| | Subject: "Roughneck" Neck | 12:42–16:57| | Subject: Christmas Mouse | 17:14–18:08| | Subject: Die Fledermaus (Bat) | 18:08–21:17| | Subject: Warner Brothers | 21:31–26:08| | Quickies Lightning Round | 28:00–30:24| | Closing Holiday Wishes | 30:24–END |

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Episode Tone & Atmosphere

Reminiscent of a vintage family gathering, the panel’s warm camaraderie, Santa’s good-natured participation, plenty of quick-witted humor, and charming mid-century references ensure the holiday spirit is alive throughout. The playful teasing (“You’re a skywriter”; “Atta boy!”) and wordplay (decoding “vegetable” as parking ticket, calling “Warner Brothers” an “animal”) add a “Golden Age of Radio” sparkle to the episode.

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Conclusion

This edition of “20 Questions” is a delightful blend of nostalgia, classic game-show fun, and Christmas cheer, highlighted by Santa Claus’s jovial presence. Even as the panelists are sometimes stumped or baffled by clever wordplay and red herrings, the episode never loses its warm, festive tone.

Recommended for listeners who enjoy old-time radio, lighthearted trivia, and a hefty dose of holiday whimsy.

Transcript

[Bill Slater]

Limu Emu and Doug. Here we have the limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty, Liberty, Liberty. Liberty Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual insurance company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts. Mutual, the world's largest network with more than 500 stations from coast to coast, presents that absolutely unrehearsed animal, vegetable or mineral game. 20 questions. And here's your man of op questions, Bill Slater. Welcome again, all of you to 20 questions. Very briefly, this is the way we play the game of 20 questions. You listeners send in subjects for our experts here to identify by asking me not more than 20 questions. Now, if your subject is used on this program, you'll receive a beautiful, perfectly tailored crocodile pocket wallet through the courtesy of the Mark Cross shop of fifth Avenue, New York. But if our questioners do not get your subject and 20 questions, and sometimes they don't, you know, you win instead a grand prize, an exclusive traveling bag fashioned by Mark Cross. And so that you friends of ours at home there will always know what our experts are trying to guess, our mystery voice will tell you what the subject is. A poster informs our studio guests. Naturally, we're not going to tell our questioners who are. Fred Vandeventer, famous news analyst Lawrence Renard, talented musician Herb Palazzi, radio and motion picture producer Johnny McPhee. Our teenage student and our special guest is the most popular man in the world tonight. Santa.

[Florence Renard]

Fr. Hello, Santa.

[Bill Slater]

Hello, Santa. Lawrence, how are you? And Herb, how's your mother in law? Oh, she's fine. Oh, that's wonderful. Hello, Johnny. How's everything at school? That's wonderful. My mother in law has gone over the rooftops on her broom. Was that what I passed over Alaska? That was it. Oh, speaking of Alaska, Bill, I want to tell you I had to come around that way down here. And when I told him I was coming down to be in on 20 questions, they said we'll all be listening way up in Alaska. They're all listening up there in their igloos. Right, sir. Right, sir. In their igloos. You. You're busy this year, Santa. Oh, this has been a terribly, terribly busy year, Bill. A lot of good boys and girls this year. The boys and girls this year are passing all records and so are some of the parents. You like to play 20 questions? With us a little while, Santa Claus, and sort of relax a little bit. I'd love to. Okay, let's get. I was watching your television the other night and you were all wonderful. Well, we all thank you, Santa Claus. I hope you'll remember that to come Christmas Eve. I certainly will. Well, thank you. We got to get in good with him. Our first 20 question subject of the evening was sent to us by Alan Graham, who lives in McPherson, Texas. And because we're using it, she gets one of those beautiful, perfectly tailored crocodile wallets from the Mark Cross people on stylish Fifth Avenue here in New York. This subject's an interesting one and it's animal. This is the 20 questions mystery voice offstage in a soundproof room where the panel can't possibly hear me. Tonight's first subject is the hero of a very popular song. It's Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. Mystery voice has told our friends at home. Let the studio audience See it, Ms. Shepard. So we all know what it is except you 5. See if you can get it. Van. Is it a whole animal? It's a whole animal, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

A human being?

[Bill Slater]

No, John. Four footed animal. It's a four footed animal. Right, Herb. Is it a fur bearing animal? I think its outer coating could be used for fur, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Could it be of the deer family?

[Bill Slater]

It would be of that family.

[Florence Renard]

Would it be one of Santa Claus's reindeers?

[Bill Slater]

One of the half dozen? No, Santa. Would it be little old Rudolph? It would be Santa. I tell you, Rudolph's nose is no redder than Santa's, though. No, it's quite red. Do you know, Santa, how Rudolph's nose got so red? Why, there are many, many stories about that, Bill. What's yours before I tell you mine? Well, Santa, I don't. Nose. You don't know? I don't know. Well, your nose knows. Well, maybe they just called him Rudy for short and that switched into ruddy. And ruddy means red. And maybe, maybe it came about that way, I don't know. Well, I thought it was because he was so inquisitive when he was a little fellow. He was always sticking his nose out the door and he got nipped, you know, by the cold, cold Alaska weather. Oh, yes. Is that the way you got your nose so red, too? Well, it certainly has something to do flying down through those clouds in that atmosphere. Hold up there, you know. Oh, I bet it is. Well, you're pretty hot. However, here on 20 Questions. Santa Claus knocking that one off and set you hurry. That was Florence's good Building up for me there. She put it in the right family. All right, now let's see what you do with this one here. Martin Heglund of Venice, California, is going to find in his mail a perfectly tailored crocodile wallet from Mark Cross in New York. The subject is vegetable. This subject is one of those things you get for not being careful about where you park your car. That's right. It's a parking ticket. Now that they know at home, let the audience see the subject so that they'll know what it is, too. Did you say vegetable? Yes, I did, Van. And you can tell by the reaction from the audience this is going to be a rugged one. Go ahead, Van. Is it wood or a wooden product? Yeah. Johnny, is this made of paper? Yes, a form thereof. Van, does it have any printing on it? Yes, yes.

[Florence Renard]

Florence, Is it just one sheet of paper, one piece of paper or whatever it is?

[Bill Slater]

No, there are a lot of these things.

[Florence Renard]

No, but what I mean is, what we're after. Is it on one sheet even though there are a lot of them?

[Bill Slater]

Oh, yes. Charge for both of them. What Was that last question? 1Know if. What if the thing you were after was all on one sheet or whatnot? Johnny, is it generally folded once over like a Christmas card? No, I don't know how this is generally handled. I don't think it's more often folded once over than not. Let's not charge him for that, Gary. I didn't tell him anything. Van, is this paper that has anything any particular significance for Christmas? No, it has no. It has no particular Christmas significance. You have now used six questions. You have 14 left. John, does it have a very direct connection with financial transactions? Well, I should say fairly direct, Johnny. Herb, is it a legal piece of paper in any sense? Yes, it's legal. Johnny, do you write on it yourself? No, you don't. Santa Claus. Can you pay for Christmas presents with this legal tender, shall we say? You can't buy Christmas presents with this Santa Claus. Oh, boy. No, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Well, is it any kind of a traffic violation ticket or something like that? Yes, a traffic ticket. Parking ticket.

[Bill Slater]

A what? The last thing you said.

[Florence Renard]

Parking ticket.

[Bill Slater]

Right. That is exactly it. I hope you're not speaking so knowingly from experience, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Well, after they put parking meters in Princeton, I've had little experience.

[Bill Slater]

Yeah. What you laughing about? I never have that trouble. I just leave them right up there. Atta boy. You're a skywriter. You're doing very, very well tonight. You look awfully sharp, so I think we ought to try you with this one, see if we can't slow you down a little bit.

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[Bill Slater]

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[Florence Renard]

Florence, Is it fictional?

[Bill Slater]

No, it's real. It's real. Santa. Would it be my beard? No, no, it's not your beard, Santa. Although that's a luxurious beard you're sporting this year. VAN. Is what we're after. Above the shoulders? No, no. VAN Is it below the waist? Yes. Cutting up the human anatomy. Now, aren't you, Florence?

[Florence Renard]

Well, is it on the legs or the feet or any part of that?

[Bill Slater]

Yes. Van. Is it toes? Yes, it's toes. And you have now used eight questions. You have 12 left. It gives you a fighting chance. And you say this is real? Oh, yes, sure. I hope I'm not imagining things, Herbert. You had your hand up, took it down. Yes, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Are they the certain toes on people's feet that you want? Like the big toe or the little toe or something? Well, all the big toes are all little toes, one or the other.

[Bill Slater]

Not all of them.

[Florence Renard]

Part.

[Bill Slater]

Has them part of the people? Yes. In charge for it, Gary, old boy. That'll make us 11, won't it? 10. 10 left. Santa Claus.

[Florence Renard]

I don't think I learned it.

[Bill Slater]

No, Van. Well, are these on a large number of people? Well, these things you're after, I wouldn't call it a large number. No, Johnny. More than five people. No, no, Van. Is it the little toes we're after? It's little toes you're after, blonde.

[Florence Renard]

Well, are these toes on specific people?

[Bill Slater]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Florence Renard]

Let's be ours then.

[Bill Slater]

Well, now, who is ours?

[Florence Renard]

All of our little foes.

[Bill Slater]

What?

[Florence Renard]

All of our little toes are the panels.

[Bill Slater]

Yeah. Now we'll give you a couple more questions to add them up. Oh, wait.

[Florence Renard]

10, 20, 30, 40, 50.

[Bill Slater]

Not little. No, no. Yeah, that's better.

[Florence Renard]

My toes are all little, Bill.

[Bill Slater]

I see. Well, I thought for a minute we had some funny looking people up here. I was going to have a foot inspection like in the army. So you got that in 19 questions that came with one within two questions of stumping you. Maybe we'll have a little better luck later on. I want to sort of relax now. And while we're getting ready to come at our questioners again, I have for you all at home another Mutual note for super quick action crammed mystery adventure Hear Nick Carter, Master Detective this Sunday over most of these stations. Nick Carter is part of Mutual's lineup of Sunday shows that are tops in listening to suit everyone. Since 1886 when the first Nick Carter story was printed and sold to the general public, this famous detective has delighted and amused everyone in his radio adventures. Heard over mutual since 1942, he's become one of the nation's great favorites. And despite his long history, Nick Carter is outstanding as a modern day detective. Every Sunday when you join Nick Carter, you set out on an exciting trail of clues and deductions of action and suspense which reach the the heights of the mysterious Nick Carter's trigger fast mind provides his listeners with an opportunity to match wits with a master sleuth who solves crime bafflers with polished ease. So be sure to hear Nick Carter, Master Detective this Sunday over most of these stations. And now back to 20 questions, the game where you listeners and our theater audience are in on the subject. But all we tell our questioners is whether that subject is animal, vegetable or mineral. Okay, Bill, let's have 20 questions. All right, now, the first three subjects have been identified in very smart and short order. Let's see what happens now as we move a little bit deeper into the show. Dan Harston of Dallas, Texas is going to find in his mail a beautiful, perfectly tailored crocodile wallet. From the Mark Cross Shop on Fifth Avenue in New York. He submitted an interesting subject which is also animal. This is the 20 questions mystery voice again, telling you at home what the subjects are. And this one is a neck in an expression. It's the neck in a roughneck. All right, they know at home. Let them see it here. I think we may cause them a little bit of difficulty this time. Okay, who has the first question? It's animal. JOHNNY Is it a whole animal? No. HERB Is it part of a living animal? No. VAN Is it part of a human being? Part of a human being?

[Florence Renard]

FLORENCE Is that human being fictional in.

[Bill Slater]

A form of fiction? Yes. VAN Is it in prose fiction? Yes. JOHN A saying or an expression in a saying or an expression? Yes. Yes. VAN Is this part above the waist? Yes. Here we go, hacking the human anatomy again, Johnny. Beheading. Is he above the head? No, it's not above the head. VAN Is this a visible portion of the body? It. I think I should say sometimes, yes. And sometimes partly. You said now that it's between the waist and the shoulders, haven't you? I don't think so. Well, you said it wasn't above the shoulders. I don't think so. I didn't say that. Nobody asked. Well, you said it wasn't a part of the head. No, I didn't say that. I said, is it above the neck? And you said, no. That's right. Well, then it's between the shoulders. And it's between the neck and the waist then, isn't it? Funny looking person. You'll figure it out. Figure it out yourself. JOHNNY Is this a part of either arm? No, this is not a part of either arm.

[Florence Renard]

FLORENCE Is it part of the neck?

[Bill Slater]

No, it's not a part of the neck. Is it the neck? It's the neck in an expression. Right? You get it in the neck no charge for everything. Gary Stevens, old boy. Don't you got 13 used? You've got seven left. This is going to be a fight, Van. Well, is this the neck that you're not supposed to stick in a noose? Gee whiz, what a line you've got. No, it's not that neck, Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Well, Herb just said, don't stick your neck out. Is that it? And sticking your neck out.

[Bill Slater]

You said that, didn't you, Herb? I said no one charged you for a question. No, you didn't charge me for that. Let's charge him for it, then. Let's not overlook a chance to do that. Might as well be honest this close to Christmas. Johnny, does something happen to the object of this expression that he doesn't like? No. No. Van. How many questions left, please? You have four left. I'd like to establish whether or not this is in a saying or an expression, and therefore I'll ask, is it in a saying? No. Three questions left, John. Does the neck move in the expression? Yeah. No. No. Two left. Van. Wouldn't be a dirty neck. What an uncleanly thought. No, it wouldn't be Santa. Would it be the neck of the chicken? No. No. That's 20 questions. You didn't get it. So here goes the grand prize to Dan Harston of Dallas, Texas. He stumped you. And he gets, instead of the crocodile pocket wallet, he gets an exclusive traveling bag of imported English hide direct from the Mark Cross shop on Fifth Avenue in New York. And he stumped you with.

[Florence Renard]

You know, I said rubberneck, but that moves.

[Bill Slater]

That's stretching it a bit too far.

[Florence Renard]

I didn't. I didn't say that.

[Bill Slater]

He didn't. Congratulations, Mr. Harston. He stumped you with a roughneck.

[Florence Renard]

Oh.

[Bill Slater]

Misses James R. Vanderbilt, who lives in Providence, Rhode island, is going to get a perfectly tailored crocodile wallet from the Mark Cross people for submitting this next subject, which also is animal. Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. And that mouse that wasn't stirring is what the panel has to identify now, they now know at home. Let them see it in the studio here, our guests. Good look at it. Oh, it's a good one, isn't it, Johnny? Is this a whole animal? This is a whole animal. Herb, is this animal alive? No. Van. Is it human? The animal's not human? No. Try it again, Van. Four legged. Four legged, right. Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Is it in fiction?

[Bill Slater]

A form thereof? Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Is it in poetry?

[Bill Slater]

Yes.

[Florence Renard]

Is it in the visit from St. Nicholas.

[Bill Slater]

Yes.

[Florence Renard]

Well, is this one of the reindeers?

[Bill Slater]

No.

[Florence Renard]

Oh.

[Bill Slater]

Want to stop for a little bit? Try it, Johnny. Is it a mouse? Yeah. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. That's the mouse you were after. Very, very good. All right, all right. You've only been stumped once all evening long. But I am still in there fighting. This time with the help of KG Smith, who lives in Long Island City in New York. And he gets a perfectly tailored crocodile wallet of beauty direct from the cross shop on Fifth Avenue. And this subject also is animal. This subject is Deflator mouse and it's really a bat. It's also the title of the Strauss operetta, Deflator Mouse. I know at home. Let them see it here. Oh, I should say. Here we go. Van, is this a whole animal? This is a whole animal, right, Herb, Is this a female by any chance? See, I really don't know, so I'm not going to charge you. You don't? Johnny, is this from the night before Christmas? This is not from the night before Christmas. Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Is this a four legged animal?

[Bill Slater]

Oh, baby, I don't think you would consider it a four legged animal. Van, is this animal native to the United States? They have them here. Not exclusively native to the United States. Who has the next question? Van? Not. Not native now. No. You all do some thinking over there. You see, it's tough sometimes to answer these questions like whether this thing is four legged or not. And I said I didn't think you'd consider it. Matter of fact, we had a discussion here not long ago about the octopus. Somebody asked it was a fish and I said it was a scuttle fish. And. And somebody called me up from the museum and said it wasn't a fish at all, it was a mollusk. So you can't tell what's likely to happen. All right, let's see. The lesson is over. Yeah. Recite tomorrow. I don't know anymore about this question. Now, is this animal as small as, let's say, a rabbit? Oh, yeah. Florence.

[Florence Renard]

Who is this? A sea animal?

[Bill Slater]

No, this is not a sea animal, a water animal, but it's, it's as small as a rabbit. Oh, yes. Yeah. Who has the next question? Try it, Van. Is. Well, well, is this anything like an insect or anything like that? Well, it's not an insect, I'll tell you that. But what you mean by something that's like an insect. The only thing I can think of that's like an insect is an insect. Florence. Way up. A worm.

[Florence Renard]

What'd you say any kind of a worm?

[Bill Slater]

No, it's no kind of a worm. Van, is this as small as an ant? No. No. Johnny, do we know whether this thing actually exists? I don't know whether you do or not. Does it? What we're after actually doesn't. Johnny, is it in prose fiction? No, it's not in prose fiction. Van, can this thing fly? Yes. Herb. Is it a bat? Yes. And there's one particular batch you're after, the bat in your valley. Florence. What?

[Florence Renard]

Deflator mask.

[Bill Slater]

Right. I'd say Florence is batting a thousand. He took the words right out of my mouth.

[Florence Renard]

He always says that.

[Bill Slater]

Took the flavor out of you. Well, now you see why I couldn't. Florence, you see why I couldn't answer you on the question of four feet.

[Florence Renard]

Yes. Yes.

[Bill Slater]

Books say two feet, two arms with the lingo stuff and wings, the body and so on and so forth. Flying around. Yeah, okay. Think about her. Change my attack. Now, if I'm going to stump them more than once in this pretty sizzling evening that they're having, Charles D. Wants of Silver Spring, Maryland, is going to be my helper. Now, we're going to send him a beautiful crocodile wallet from the Mark Cross shop on stylish Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. And the subject sent by Mr. Watts, is animal. Let's see if our experts can name this group of Hollywood movie executives. The subject is the Warner Brothers. Unveil it for the audience. Ms. Shepard, please. All right. Whoo. Again, first, Bill, I would like to say that Der Flatermaus in the opera is actually a man. Really? Oh, yeah. I didn't know whether it was a man or a woman. No, it's a man. Dr. Dr. Costa or Dr. Fauste or something like that. I forget yet. Okay. All right. This is animal. This is animal. I often wonder whether I'm a man or a flight of mouse around my house. What's your mother in law say? Let's get going on this subject. Quit trying to rest on your loyal laurels here, my friends. This subject is animal.

[Florence Renard]

Florence, is it human?

[Bill Slater]

Subject is human. Van. Man. Partly Van. Are there more than two? Yes. Yep. Santa Claus. You've been pretty quiet. Yes, he. I'm having a wonderful time listening here. He's got his hand. Another thing I keep wondering. What is the audience laughing at? Everybody wonders that, except those of us who know Johnny. That's why it's so much fun being out front. You in on all the jokes up here. You know, you wonder why you're being laughed at. That's right, Johnny. Are these men American? The persons involved are Americans, Van. Are they members of some particular organization? Well, yes, I think they undoubtedly are. I mean, is that the way we identify? No charge for just one? Nope. No charge for both. Well, why? Because you asked two questions, I gave you two answers. Well, I tell you, there's no Christmas spirit in you. I should say not. But this organization comprise men and women. What organization? Well, this group that you're after. The group that you're after? Yeah, the group that I'm after. I thought you were after. Well, now, clean up the question. Let's have it. Wasn't it clean when I. It's a group of men and women. Clean. Men and women. Is it a group of boys and girls? This is not a group of boys and boys and girls? No.

[Florence Renard]

Florence, do these people function at a particular time of the year?

[Bill Slater]

No, they function year round more than any other man. I'd like to establish something. I asked if this was a man and you said, partly. That's right. And then. All right. Is this a large group of men? I wouldn't call it the large group. Charge, gear and a boy. 10 questions, 10 left. Santa Claus. What the subject of this question. Question be you say partly man. Does that mean the other half of the subject would be female? Not. Not necessarily Santa Claus. Although that's good logical thinking. But that isn't what I mean. Herb, is this a father and sons? No, they're not fathers and sons. Johnny, do we know these men by name? Yes. Van, are they living? They are living. Let's see where we stand now. 14 Gary. Six left. Hot dog.

[Florence Renard]

Florence, are these men in. In any government?

[Bill Slater]

No, these are not men from the government, Van. And we've already established that they're not in the entertainment world, haven't we? No, we haven't. Well, are they? Yes. Now, you have used 16. 4 left. Van's the only hand up. Go ahead. Well, you can call on me, you know. Go ahead. You got. Are they. Are these people connected with this particular show? No. Three questions left, Santa. Are they a singing group? No. No. Two questions left Flying.

[Florence Renard]

Haven't we established that the name is not identical with these people? Didn't hear about.

[Bill Slater]

Johnny asked if we would know them by name, and I said yes.

[Florence Renard]

Well, is their name all the same?

[Bill Slater]

Yes.

[Florence Renard]

Are they brothers?

[Bill Slater]

White Death II? Yes, they are. And that's 20 questions.

[Florence Renard]

Oh.

[Bill Slater]

Oh, isn't that.

[Florence Renard]

I wouldn't have asked the last if I'd known that was a 20. I would have taken a guess.

[Bill Slater]

What Brothers? Would you have said Florence?

[Florence Renard]

I would have said the Marks brothers.

[Bill Slater]

Well, your marks are just the same. Crosby brothers, not the Crosby Ritz brothers. First of all, let's sort of relax here and award the grand prize to Charles D. Wants of Silver Spring, Maryland. He stumped you for the second time this evening. And instead of the crocodile wallet, he gets that beautiful, exclusive, exclusive traveling bag of imported English hide direct from the Mark Cross shop on Fifth Avenue, New York. He stumped you with the Warner brothers. Now, while we get squared away for our quickies, here for you all at home is another Mutual note. Okay, Bruce Mutual's three musketeers of the news, Gabriel Heater, Bill Henry and Frank Edwards, who report to listeners every weeknight, have added a fourth member to their ranks to complete a full week of expert news coverage. Cecil Brown, veteran reporter, now brings you his commentary every Saturday and Sunday night. Every night, Monday through Friday. Here, Gabriel Heater, the man whose colorful and authoritative manner of presenting the news has made him must listening for millions. Later, Bill Henry skims to the top of the headlines in a five minute capsule digest. And Frank Edwards comes to you with penetrating and thought provoking analysis of events from Korea to Capitol Hill. Remember, Mutual is your network for news here. Gabriel Heater, Bill Henry and Frank Edwards every weeknight. And Cecil Brown Saturday and Sunday nights over most of these stations. And now back to Bill Slater. All right, now into our quickies. This Santa Claus you know is where I race you against the clock instead of counting the number of questions. And the usual prizes will be given if your subject is used, you're all at home. And if you stump them, the usual prizes. Now let's move into our quickies. You start when I say. On your mark, get set, go. When I say go, you're off. Dr. Ed Bloom of Spokane, Washington, sent in our first quickie of the evening. And it's animal. Mr. And Mrs. Santa Claus. They know it home. Let them see it here. Good look at it. Audience. Okay, on your mark, get set, go. Vance. Living American man. Part, part, no. I say partly, though, Florence, your answer.

[Florence Renard]

Is partly to that.

[Bill Slater]

Yeah.

[Florence Renard]

A group of men.

[Bill Slater]

Nope. A man and a woman? Yeah. Are they married? Yeah. Are they in the theater? Not primarily. Are they. Mr. And Mrs. Santa Claus. Mr. And Mrs. Santa claus. Hello. Her. Well done. Thank you, Santa. I asked you, but I thought I shouldn't be so egotistical. I once refer to my beard and that's too much. Too many references to myself. I always think you're very charming. She's wonderful, Bill and she sent her regards. She. But she still remembers what you said about her three years ago. Oh, yes, and let's not repeat that. Mr. Mr. Claus. No, that's not Got me in there. The only people in. The only person in the world I think that doesn't like Mr. Mrs. Claus is old man Stalin himself. Yeah, it could very easily. And Santa's not going to visit him. Well, I hope not. Trying to sharpen them up without making much headway. Mrs. Nelly Weatherby of Eureka, California, submitted our next quickie. See what you can do with this one. This one's mineral. The North Pole. Okay, let them see it. All right, panel, on your mark, get set, go. John, is this got a Santa in it? No. VAN Is it manufactured? No. Herb. Is it some kind of snow, by any chance? Well, that's part of it. Van. Wouldn't be. The North Pole would be excellent. Our next book is for Mrs. M. Mora, who lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. And this one also is animal. Satyrs. Reindeer. All right, let them see it here. They know at home. Try it. On your mark, get set, go. John. Human. Nope. Herb, are these reindeer? Yep. Santa's. Eight reindeer? Yep. Santa's reindeer. He's a good fellow to have in your corner tonight. I'm going to slow you down. Now, our next quickie comes from Carl W. Rock of Davenport, Iowa. And it's mineral. A chimney. All right, let him see it. On your mark, panel. Get set, go. Van, is this snow? No. Is it manufacturing? Yeah, in a sense. Johnny? No, no. Is it a. He starts to have his. Florida.

[Florence Renard]

Is it in the night before Christmas?

[Bill Slater]

Oh, mentioned. But is it a building? It's partly. Johnny Is it igloos? No, no. Snow huts.

[Florence Renard]

Is it part of a building?

[Bill Slater]

Yep.

[Florence Renard]

Is it a window?

[Bill Slater]

A chimney? Santa's 20 questions. Thanks a lot to you, Santa Claus, for dropping in on us tonight. A happy Christmas to you, sir. Now, friends, we'll be back this way again next week, so be sure to Send in your 20 question subjects. You just mailed your subjects one to a postcard, please to 20 Questions, Post Office Box 142, N.Y. 46, N.Y. all selections will be made by our judges, and in case of similarity or duplication, the one bearing the earliest postmark will be chosen. All entries become our property. 20 questions is brought to you by the world's largest network, serving more than 500 stations from coast to coast. Tune in again next week when Fred Vandeventer, Florence Renard, herb Palazzi, Johnny McPhee, and our guest star try to identify the subjects you submit. Next week's guest will be the noted stage and screen actor, a dramatic name of distinction, Mr. Walter Abel. Now, this is Bill Slater speaking for all of us here on 20 Questions. Wishing all of you at home there, a very merry, merry Christmas and a happy new Year. And so saying good night now for 20 questions. Good night.

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[Bill Slater]

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