When the Jack Paar era of the Tonight Show ended in March of 1962, Arlene Francis appeared as the first woman guest-host of the late night talk show. During the 26 week interim between Jack Paar's exit and the appearance of his replacement, Johnny Carson, she was one of many celebrity guest-hosts including Soupy Sales, Art Linkletter, Merv Griffin, Jerry Lewis, and Groucho Marx.

Arlene was one of the original panelists of the 1950's What's My Line television show.

During an audience Q & A on What's My Line, a woman asked Arlene her opinion of the women's lib movement. She thought for a moment and replied, "I think we sometimes go too far." Some in the audience immediately responded with applause, to which she retorted in her quick wit, "All of that applause came from men!"

The fact that Arlene co-hosted a radio variety show, Fun For All, with Bill Cullen in the early 1950's is not a well known fact. However, it is documented in newspaper radio listings from that time, such as the New York Times, and is included in several old-time radio books. Phil Chavin, who graciously provided us with this piece of trivia, remembers the show and has a memory of Arlene and Bill singing "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" on every broadcast. If you have any information regarding Fun For All, you may write to Mr. Chavin by clicking  HERE. He would love to hear from you!

Arlene's favorite song, My Funny Valentine, is the background music featured on the introductory page of this web site. The lyrics of My Funny Valntine were written by Lorenz Hart, with the music by Richard Rodgers. The song is from the 1937 and 1939 staqe and screen, respectively, productions of Babes In Arms. You may listen to another rendition of this beautiful Rogers and Hart song by clicking on the valentine icon below.

"My Funny Valentine"

Mary Cooper, also a star of stage and screen, was Arlene's closest friend from 1942 until she left New York to go to San Francisco. Mary remembers Arlene was always very conservative in her eating habits. When they were playing in The Doughgirls together, Arlene ate steak and salad. She was very careful about her diet, and had a wonderful figure. She worked very hard all of the time, and always did some exercises when she got up in the morning.

Arlene and Mary played in The Doughgirls on Broadway in 1946. They then played in Old Acquaintance, Kind Sir, The French Touch with Brian Ahern, and Janus in Palm Beach.

"Arlene was the best friend I've ever known. Whatever is good about me is partially because she has been my dearest friend."..... Mary Cooper

Arlene enjoyed playing tennis and dancing. Because of her love for her work, she rarely took time off for vacations.

When enjoying her week-ends with her family in the country at Mount Kisco, New York, Arlene would often do very ''normal'' things like: cleaning the swimming pool, taking walks in the woods, reading books or information about an upcoming show or television program. But she wasn't intense about it, she always enjoyed the country.

Arlene often went to watch her son, Peter, play in Little League baseball games.

Arlene loved to decorate, including the country home at Mount Kisco where she did her own interior decorating.

''Bal a Versaille'' by Jean Deprey was one of Arlene's favorite perfumes.

Arlene's HOME SHOW was on the air from March 1, 1954, to August 9, 1957. It was followed by a half-hour mid-morning program, THE ARLENE FRANCIS SHOW, from August 12, 1957, to February 21, 1958.

Arlene was always been very partial to red, but liked all colors and wore any color very well. She liked beige's and she used to have a lot of Adolfo suits in beige's and browns.

*The Arlene Francis Rose was bred in the United States in 1957 by Eugene S. "Gene" Boerner, who was also known as Papa Floribunda. As the Director of Research for Jackson & Perkins Nursery, Boerner raised many beautiful roses, until his death on September 5, 1966. His rose, named after our beautiful Arlene, is pictured below.

Class: Hybrid Tea (Hybride de Thé, Teehybride), Large-flowered     Seed: s01705

Pollen: Golden Scepter     Bloom: Medium yellow blooms. Licorice, Sweet fragrance. 30 petals.

In addition to the rose, Arlene Francis has a racehorse and a glass bottomed boat named after her.

Arlene was into middle age when she discovered caviar and she just went crazy about it. She had a very good friend who used to get caviar from the Shah of Iran and send it to her. Caviar was a Christmas tradition.

It is difficult to determine whether Arlene was known more for her signature heart, or her signature smile. Those of us who grow up watching her on "What's My Line?", knew her for both her diamond studded heart and her warm, contagious smile. However, her smile may very well be the one thing we select as our primary memory of Arlene. It was her smile, the quintessence of Arlene, which endeared her heart to all of us.

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This Site Created May 16, 2000



This Page Last Updated October 2005