Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1948)

plex. Typical of these is "The Golden Book in which the Angel Wrote" from the poem Abou Ben Adhem, or "The Thorn In the Lion's Foot" from the legend of Androcles and the Lion. All the topics are sent in by listeners. They are taken from literature, current events, proverbs, history, famous personalities or places, and just about anything else that might be fairly common knowledge. Generally the panel prefers subjects that have a direct connection with a famous individual. If, for example, they can pin down the fact that the topic has something to do with John L. Lewis, it is a very easy and logical step to the conclusion that they are after John L. Lewis' Eyebrows. The hardest items for the panel to get are the ones they call "class categories." By this they mean subjects that have no personal, or fictional associations. "To get a subject like the one we had recently, 'A Can Opener,' is practically impossible," says Van. "Once we got to the point where we knew we were after some kitchen utensil, we were sunk. With no further clues to go on, we could have named every pot, pan, knife and fork in a typical kitchen before we reached the 'Can Opener.' These class categories are haphazard guesses to us, and the audience is always surprised when we miss them because they seem so easy." DURING its two years on the air, Twenty Questions has won a number of laurels. The program has been honored by the American College Association for its educational value. The National Parent and Teachers Organization has given it top rating as recommended listening. For two years it has received a blue ribbon for excellence from the New Jersey State Fair Committee, and Fred Vanderventer has received an honorary degree as a Doctor of Letters from Ryder College in New Jersey. In addition to all of this recognition, Twenty Questions has inspired several imitators, which as the saying goes, is the sincerest form of flattery. The British Broadcasting Company developed a popular quiz modeled after our American program. There are also radio versions of the game in France and Japan. Radio Tokyo calls its quiz Twenty Doors. All of this attention and success has left the Vanderventers' life surprisingly untouched. Florence and Van are still as modest as they were in the days when they had to sell fudge to candy stores. They think that they have been very lucky for the most part, and the fact that their names are household words all across the country has not affected their way of life. Usually, on Sunday afternoons, there are several of the Vanderventers' neighbors in the living room. Most guests drop in for a few minutes and end up by staying a few hours. They very frequently play games, because it would be hard to resist an invitation to play and compete with America's prime parlor professors. Florence has gotten used to the fact that some of her precious vases and lamps are bound to be knocked around when Van's enthusiasm for the game of charades gets a little out of hand. She is also used to the rumpus in the rumpus room when Van and Bobby get together for another session in their endless ping-pong tournament. And Nancy may bring sixteen of her "very best friends" home for a party, but it's all in a -full day at the Vanderventers. when you're getting a sneeze instead of a squeeze . . . IMPROVED-SOFTER THAN EVER © 1948, Sitroux ln«. !/' til'"' rfioux /#SS Free Booklet— The Marvel Co., 11 East St., New Haven, Ct AMAZING OFFER-$40 IS YOURS For Selling Only 50 Boxes Christmas Cards Each box contains 25 brand new, entirely different De-luxe Christmas cards with or without name imprinted. Also 50 for $1.00. Free samples. Other boxes on approval. Write today. It costs nothing to try. CHEERFUL CARD CO., Dept. U-14, White Plains, N. Y. 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