Scope and Content Note
The vast majority of the Goodson-Todman collection consists of 16mm kinescopes. Unlike theatrical prints made from edited pre-print elements, kinescopes are created by filming the live broadcast as it plays on a monitor. Capturing exactly what television audiences would have watched in their living rooms, these kinescopes include the announcer’s introduction (some with Johnny Gilbert of Jeopardy! fame), advertisements, sign-offs promoting the following program, and of course, the show itself. The Goodson-Todman collection contains the following shows from the noted years.
Series I, Beat the Clock, 1952-1958, 1969 - Either individually or together, a married couple attempts tasks utilizing regular household objects, moving to the next round of game play if they succeed before the clock runs out. In the third and final round, the wife must unscramble words to make a common saying.
Series II, I've Got a Secret, 1952-1967 - Four panelists ask a contestant "yes" or "no" questions during a designated time to discover what interesting accomplishment the contestant has experienced. The contestant wins money for each round that he/she stumps the panelists. The last round features a celebrity that usually leads the panelists to perform some physical activity.
Series III, Judge for Yourself, 1953-1954 - In the first season, contestants and show business experts rate three song acts in first, second and third order they believe would appeal to the public’s musical taste. To win, a contestant must arrange the acts in the same order as the experts. In the second season, contestants choose which song they think the audience will like best, measured on the applause-meter.
Series IV, The Name's the Same, 1952-1955 - Three (later four) panelists ask contestants "yes" or "no" questions to discover their well-known or interesting given name. Each panelist is allocated 10 questions and the loosing panelists write the contestants a check for their winnings.
Series V, Password, 1961-1967 - Two teams (each consisting of a celebrity and a contestant) alternate giving single word clues to prompt the guesser to say the designated word first. The winning pair plays a lightening round to say five designated words in one minute.
Series VI, The Price Is Right, 1956-1964 - Four contestants incrementally bid for high-value items stopping when they think their bid is close, but not over, the actual price. The big winner of the day returns to compete on the following show.
Series VII, To Tell the Truth, 1955-1968 - Four panelists listen to an affidavit describing an individual’s interesting life. Presented with three people who claim to be that individual, the panelists try to decipher who is truly that person and who are the two imposters by asking questions. After each panelist runs through their allotted time, they vote who they believe to be the individual.
The daytime episodes of To Tell the Truth have a slightly different format than the evening episodes. Someone with a connection to the individual in question precedes the first group of contestants and answers panelists’ questions about their relationship. For each round of contestants, the studio audience votes for whom they believe to be individual.
Series VIII, Two for the Money, 1952-1956 - Over the course of three rounds, two contestant alternate listing items that belong to the designated category, raising their prize money with each correct answer.
Series IX, The Web, 1951-1957 - A mystery anthology series, including four episodes by pioneering female director Lela Swift.
Series X, What's My Line, 1950-1960, 1966 - Four panelists take turns asking a contestant "yes" or "no" questions to discover their line of work. For each "no" answer the contestant makes five dollars until time or money runs out, or a panelist correctly guesses. Panelists are blindfolded to guess the identity of the celebrity "mystery guest."
Series XI, Miscellaneous Programs and Unaired Pilots, 1963, 1969, and undated.