April 26, 1943: Presidential Math and Peacock Alley with Leon Henderson

In this April 26, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates from Cleveland, the fourth stop on the show’s war bond tour, where over $250 million in bonds have been raised. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant welcome back returning guest Leon Henderson, former head of the Office of Price Administration. The panel entertains a vibrant crowd with a mix of historical, musical, literary, and political questions. Henderson proves his mettle with sharp answers on Mark Hanna, Ruth Bryan Owen, and the Wilson Peace Commission. Levant dominates musical trivia, including inventive links between Shakespearean characters and popular songs like “My One and Only.” The group recalls Gilded Age socialites in Peacock Alley and pinpoints poetic phrases from Whitman and Byron with style and humor. Highlights include quizzes on presidential ages, tree-based expressions, and cocktails like the Horse’s Neck. Amid laughs and learning, the show maintains its patriotic edge, reminding listeners of the ongoing war bond drive. Join Information Please for a high-spirited hour of intellect, trivia, and wartime purpose!