Movie spotlight
Information Please: Series 1, No. 1
Information Please: Series 1, No. 1 is a 1939 short film of the famous show from RKO Radio. The segment stars Clifton Fadiman, Rex Stout, and John Kieran.It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, One-Reel, a rare instance of a game show being nominated for an Academy Award.
Insights
Plot Summary
"Information Please" was a popular American radio quiz show that ran from 1938 to 1952. The first episode of its first official season in 1939 featured a panel of intellectuals and celebrities who answered questions submitted by listeners. The panel, led by host Clifton Fadiman, engaged in witty banter and demonstrated their broad knowledge across various subjects, making for an entertaining and educational broadcast.
Critical Reception
As a radio program, "Information Please" was a critical and popular success, lauded for its intelligence, humor, and the intellectual prowess of its panelists. It became a benchmark for quality radio entertainment and is remembered as one of the most significant programs of the Golden Age of Radio.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its sharp wit and intellectual stimulation.
Celebrated the chemistry and erudition of the panelists.
Recognized for its innovative quiz format that appealed to a broad audience.
Google audience: While direct user reviews for this specific 1939 radio episode are not available, historical reception indicates audiences found the show to be highly engaging, informative, and a delightful escape.
Awards & Accolades
None notable (as a radio program, awards were tracked differently and less formally than modern media; its success was measured in listenership and cultural impact).
Fun Fact
The show's success was so immense that it inspired a Hollywood film adaptation, also titled "Information Please," released in 1940.
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