In this January 22, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Together, they navigate an array of trivia, blending Hitchcock’s signature wit with a mix of cultural and literary questions.Highlights include tales of spy rings hidden in windmills, memorable movie murder cases, and debates over the culinary uses of tripe, sweetbreads, and giblets. Hitchcock shares insights into his own films, including Foreign Correspondent and Saboteur, while the panel identifies Shakespearean soliloquies and famous operatic compositions like Midsummer Night’s Dream and La Arlésienne.With lively humor, cinematic reflections, and intellectual banter, this episode offers a thrilling hour of unscripted fun. Tune in for a unique blend of trivia and suspense on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this January 15, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a lively panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and two distinguished guests: stage and screen actor Charles Coburn and composer and music critic Deems Taylor. Together, they explore a mix of literary, musical, and historical trivia.The panel debates Shakespearean quotes, solves musical riddles like identifying melodies from Don Giovanni and Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony, and deciphers historical messages from figures like Blondie Ryan. Coburn’s theatrical flair and Taylor’s sharp wit add depth and humor to the conversation.From cultural insights to unscripted laughs, this episode blends intellectual trivia with spontaneous fun. Tune in for an engaging hour of knowledge and wit on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this January 8, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a special broadcast from the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant is guest Will Rogers Jr., congressman and former tank destroyer lieutenant. Together, they tackle an array of topics, blending humor, history, and wartime insights.The panel explores curious military terms like “Geronimo” and “bazooka,” debates poetic characters who meet unusual fates, and deciphers musical codes tied to nations in the war effort. Rogers shares anecdotes from his military service, while Levant impresses with his musical expertise, identifying compositions from Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.With lively discussions and patriotic fervor, this episode offers a compelling mix of trivia and camaraderie. Tune in for an hour of wit, knowledge, and wartime spirit on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this New Year’s Day episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, alongside guest Gregory Ratoff, the dynamic actor, producer, and director. Together, they tackle topics ranging from literary love triangles to classical compositions, all with a witty and celebratory tone.Highlights include debates on famous literary runaways like Anna Karenina, culinary challenges with Victory-themed meals, and humorous reflections on historical figures like Natasha Rostov. Ratoff charms the audience with his humor and sharp insights, while Levant impresses with his musical expertise, identifying pieces like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody.With a blend of intellectual humor and cultural trivia, this episode is the perfect way to start the year. Tune in for a lively mix of laughter, learning, and New Year cheer on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this festive Christmas Day episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a warm and witty panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and guests Leon Henderson, Director of the Office of Price Administration, and Judge James Wallace of the New York Court of General Sessions. Together, they navigate holiday-themed trivia, historical anecdotes, and courtroom humor.Highlights include songs about Christmas gifts, debates on historical figures like Joan of Arc and Little Red Riding Hood, and lively discussions about courtroom salaries and legal trivia. Judge Wallace offers sharp insights with a touch of humor, while Leon Henderson charms the audience with his wartime wit.With a blend of holiday cheer, intellectual banter, and spontaneous fun, this episode captures the spirit of Christmas 1942. Tune in for a nostalgic and entertaining hour on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this December 18, 1942, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a delightful panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and the witty actress and author Ilka Chase. Together, they tackle a variety of topics spanning literature, music, and regal romances.The panel identifies love-struck princesses in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and the play The Swan, deciphers poetic lines involving honor, and hilariously debates items a lady might keep in her purse—suggested by musical titles like Kitten on the Keys. Ilka Chase adds charm and sharp humor to the lively banter.With topics ranging from African campaign geography to cartoon characters and literary insults, this episode blends wit, culture, and spontaneous fun. Tune in for an engaging and nostalgic hour on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this December 11, 1942, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes panel regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, along with renowned radio commentator William L. Shirer and literary great Christopher Morley. Together, they tackle an engaging blend of trivia spanning literature, history, and music.Highlights include identifying writers associated with rivers like the Styx and the Yukon, recounting pivotal historical events such as the signing of the Atlantic Charter, and debating famous fictional detectives like Mycroft Holmes and Charlie Chan. With humor and intellectual depth, the panel also dives into poetic first lines and musical excerpts from Scheherazade and Danse Macabre.Blending cultural wit and intellectual banter, this episode offers a nostalgic and thought-provoking hour of trivia and conversation. Tune in for a lively and entertaining installment of Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this December 4, 1942, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates an exceptional panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and guest Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., live from Symphony Hall in Boston. The audience, composed entirely of war bond purchasers, contributes to the war effort with over $4 million raised in bonds.The panel tackles questions about Boston’s history, literary poetry such as Wordsworth’s The Solitary Reaper, and imaginative trivia like which baseball teams Adolf Hitler might dislike. Senator Lodge’s sharp wit and knowledge shine as he delves into military ranks, bugle calls, and the economic impact of war.Blending patriotic fervor, cultural trivia, and humor, this special live broadcast offers an engaging hour of historical insight and lively conversation. Tune in for a memorable installment of Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this November 27, 1942, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a unique panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside guests Leon Henderson, Director of the Office of Price Administration, and Wilma Lord Perkins, editor of the Fannie Farmer Cookbook. Together, they explore wartime rationing, culinary creativity, and musical trivia with humor and insight.The panel delves into Mother Goose-inspired ration adjustments, creative uses for cabbage, and recipes like sauerkraut and clam bakes. Musical interludes add humor as the group speculates which government agency would challenge subversive songs like “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier.”With a perfect blend of cultural nostalgia, wartime practicality, and unscripted wit, this episode offers a delightful hour of engaging conversation. Tune in for a mix of culinary tips, trivia, and laughter on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this November 20, 1942, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and celebrated novelist Louis Bromfield as the guest of the evening. Together, the panel navigates questions ranging from Shakespeare to scientific riddles with their characteristic wit and charm.Highlights include lively debates on literary characters named March from Little Women and Middlemarch, musical trivia tied to Bach’s Goldberg Variations, and discussions on naval strongholds like Buna and Guadalcanal. Bromfield’s literary insights and humor shine as he engages with topics spanning poetry, science, and geopolitics.With an engaging blend of cultural trivia, historical references, and unscripted laughter, this episode offers a nostalgic glimpse into the golden age of radio. Tune in for an hour of thoughtful exploration and spontaneous brilliance on Information Please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.