Queen for a Day

I remember that my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. S., appeared on this show at one time. The show must must have been filming appearances in New York at one time, because our school was on Long Island and I know she could not afford to travel to Los Angeles.

Mrs. S. and her husband were deeply involved in missionary activities, and I believe that they were trying to build and stock with supplies a school for children in that particular area. She told us that according to rules in the program, she couldn't ask for money directly, but she could ask for things such as books, paper, pencils, and things like that. I don't think she won the show, but is been almost 60 years since then, so I may have forgotten.

The show would have been on during the 1963-1964 school year. It would be quite interesting to see it, because way back then, there were no video tapers or dvds for the home audience.

My mother was a contestant in November 1956 (I was 3 years old). She told the story of my Uncle who was legally blind (only see close to his face)from a poor farm family in Kansas with no resources. In fact everybody in the family had serious eye trouble except my mother.

She became Queen for a Day, and my Uncle was given everything my mother asked for and more: A complete piano tuning tool set and a scholarship to a piano tuning school in Seattle. My mom got a full set of living room furniture and an Amana freezer (which lasted until 1983!).

On the show when Jack Bailey introduced my mother he made a big deal about her being a long-lost cousin because her last name is Bailey. Since she was a farm girl he asked her if she milked cows, and she demonstrated on his fingers.

Though some may disparage the show for excessive emotionalism, that is what it was built on. Hundreds of needy families, like mine, received things like appliances and prizes that helped them.Without Queen for a Day, my Uncle might not have had the opportunity to develop a skilled livelyhood. For decades he was the preferred tuner for all the Steinways at Carnegie Hall (Carnegie Mellon University) Pittsburg.

I remember this show as a kid. Mostly women from lower class families with lots of kids and little money would give their hard luck story to the audience then one of them via applause would be crowned and they would get their item to improve their lives. Generally the item was a washer or dryer or sewing machine etc. (which was an excellent way to advertise appliances etc.) I guess it was sad in a way and was meant to be very touching. However if they were to show these old episodes now it might be some of the most hysterical stuff on TV. Grace Lee Whitney who went on to become Janice Rand on Star Trek was a regular on the show.

My grandmother was a contestant and winner on this show on December 10 (unknown year), and at the request of my dad, a lot of our family is wondering if anyone has a recording of an episode with Johnnie Sue Howard/Johnnie Sue Bower or as they might have called her on the show Mrs. Charles W. Bower.

• from a newspaper article; "...the master of ceremonies Jack Bailey, not only presented Mrs. Bower with an electric sewing machine, but many other gifts including a refrigerator, a chrome dinette set, a vacuum cleaner, a deep fat fryer, an electric mixer, a set of dishes, a set of silver, a necklace and bracelet, a watch, a new outfit of clothes and toys for her little daughter and four dozen red roses. Her hair was styled at an exclusive hair salon and she and her husband were the dinner guests of Harry Mynatt at the Coconut Grove in Hollywood's largest hotel, The Ambassador." - Mary Fisher

She died a couple years after she aired on the show, so to see footage of her would delight many members of our family. This show was a great opportunity for families who genuinely used these items to improve their quality of life.

My grandmother ended up winning the sewing machine which she used to repair her veteran of war husband's pants (he wore a back brace which constantly wore his pants out)and any other garments in the family. Back then these were "depression era" families who understood means of "saving" "re-using" and "conserving".

If anyone has this episode, please contact me at CharlesB1127@aol.com we'd all love to get a copy.

The world of the TV Game Show was going full blast in TV's earliest days. We had the the Networks teaming with the likes of titles such as: "BREAK THE BANK" (Bert Parks 1948-57), "STRIKE IT RICH" (Warren Hull 1951-55), "STOP THE MUSIC" (Bert Parks 1949-56) and "THE BIG PAYOFF" (Bess Myerson & Randy Meriman 1951-59 ). There was plenty of music, flashing lights and tons of prizes as well as ca$h! A good time was had by all!

Then we had "QUEEN FOR A DAY" (Jack Bailey 1956-64). This show stands out from all others. It has been written up in sociological studies and psychological journals a like. It was highly unique in format and rules of engagement between competing contestants. In our proverbial nutshell, the show MC, strong lunged Jack Bailey, would introduce each of 3 contestants, one at a time. All the Lady contestants had so long a time to tell the Host, the Studio Audience and the Whole Televiewing world at large, just why she should be chosen "Queen for a Day!"

The sadder the story, the more tears and hankies used, the better as it was sad stories and those women caught up in that the show wanted. Prizes included furniture, household appliances and even cold ca$h, were those things among the prizes.

As each contestant was brought out on stage, Host Mr. Bailey would conduct a sort of interview, just to make sure that all the proper, relevant, squalid details weren't overlooked, omitted or otherwise forgotten. Jack also had a habit of attempting to put the ladies at ease with a little good-natured joshing. (That was really a sight to behold! On the one hand we had the little, teary-eyed sobstress; in contrast big, bellow-voiced Mr. Bailey, "gently" kidding the wretched, little teary eyed dear.

It would go something like:

LADY CONTESTANT: "…..and after that, Jack, (sob, sob!) My husband died, then (boo-hoo!), we were evicted, and were (wahhhh!) out in the cold Winter, and….." JACK BAILEY: "Well, HA, HA, HA!! Today is your Lucky Day, getting to tell your story here and having the chance at being chosen (raising the amplification on his already shattering voice level) QUEEN FOR A DAY!"

Toward the conclusion of the program, the studio audience would choose who would be that day's QUEEN FOR A DAY! We don't know, but we believe that the two runners-up did get some sort of prize or compensation for competing, telling their sad stories and otherwise baring their souls to the World.

No, we don't know; but we sure hope so!