It's been far too long since we checked in on the gang over at What's My Line?, and here to do something about that are regulars Mr. Cerf, Mr. Daly, and Miss Kilgallen, joined by Mr. Linkletter and the enchanting Miss Betty White.  They do well against some stiff competition, not least from a Mystery Challenger who was, indeed, to me a total mystery.

If his memoirs are to be believed, Bennett Cerf (second from right, as if Café regulars didn't know that) had a marvelous life.

This week, a day-late salute to birthday boy Mr. Steve Lawrence, and (at 19:30) a very special Mystery Challenger.  It really is a lovely episode if your time allows you to take it all in, if only to appreciate both Arlene's fur shrug and Dorothy's wiglet (and at least one other Hair Hall of Fame potential entry).

Arlene (and her most individual blindfold) is particularly endearing in this segment from 1954, although the Mystery Challenger today may have a slightly more faded reputation than most.

Today's mystery challenger (and Birthday Girl - an I'm sure still elegant 111) may now be the most unfashionable of Hollywood greats, but she nonetheless gets that satisfying murmur of appreciation from the audience as she she appears...

78 years ago today, the London International Surrealist Exhibition opened to a startled public, marking according to many the apex of the movement's success.

Color me organized this week - I'm actually and at last running Our New Wednesday Feature on a Wednesday.  And it's a little love, my little loves...

Today we have a whole episode of What's My Line?, because while I have enormous admiration for the Mystery Challenger of the week (which was, for the record, March 29, 1959, and Easter), the wonderful writer and actress Miss Cornelia Otis Skinner (who were she still gracing us with her presence would be an I'm sure still elegant 115), she is in truth quickly guessed and really rather put in the shade by the other competitors.

The birthday celebrations may have thrown me off my rhythm, but I didn't want to deprive you of this week's quick glimpse into a more elegant past...

Welcome to a new feature here at the Café:  Yes, it's time for What's My Wednesdays!

Can you imagine flying the Mermy skies? I'm picturing lots of Manhattans and a crew of cowering stews. Where Bennett Cerf fits in, I can't quite figure out.

Have I mentioned recently how much I loathe travel? At this point - and apologies, by the bye, for the long silence, but being as nice to people as I've had to be for the past week is exhausting - all I want is to be on the plane and back in our quiet little house.

Hell, I'd even sit Mermside to get there that much faster...

(There was, it turns out, a cavalcade of these "If you've got it..." spots for Braniff - and this was, in fact, one of the least odd couples involved.)