"Queen for a Day" (1956) TV series 1956-1964

Release Date:

3 January 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show | Reality-TV

Plot:

Four women, each with a sob story, vie to become "Queen for a Day."

Plot Keywords:

Partially Lost TV Series | Partially Lost Film | Lost Film | Non Fiction

Cast

Jack Bailey	...	Host (1956-1964)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ann Baker
Gene Baker	...	Announcer (1956-1960)
Shirley Buchanan	...	Page girl (1956-1959)
Jeanne Cagney	...	Fashion Commentator (c. 1956 et seq.)
Harry L. Fraser	...	Various Roles
Bonita Gaylord	...	Contestant Escort
John Harlan	...	Announcer (1960-1964)
Loi Sullivan	...	Page girl (1956-1958)
Grace Lee Whitney	...	Contestant escort

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Moulin Rouge Night Club - Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

The Raymond R. Morgan Company

Trivia:

Despite it's long run, less than 10 episodes survive of this popular series. Please check your attic.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time" (2006)

Popular Game Show Bestowed Gifts and Cold Ca$h on The Lady with the Saddest Story. Its Format was Fatally Flawed in Competition of Needy vs. The Other Needy.

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!