Bill comes out to loud applause--and a garish evening robe ("I wonder why everyone is staring at me")--and introduces the contestants:
* - The returning champ, back for his third appearance, is Francis Henehan, a clerk from New York City. He was so far won $15,906 in merchandise.
* - Henrietta Isaacson is a housewife from Denver CO.
* - Wayne Wright is a truck driver from Long Island. He had four children and then, in his words, "My wife put a stop to it...I have to make a short haul now!"
* - Mary Pine is a housewife from New Brunswick N J.
All players receive a year's supply of Dove soap, courtesy of Lever Brothers (which today is known as Unilever International). First item up for bids: A canopy-top bar, custom designed in walnut finish with curl-pattern inserts. It has a formica counter top and two storage compartments. It measures 98 inches long and comes with six matching stools upholstered in naugahyde. Price authority: Willow & Reed Inc., New York City.
Mr. Henehan starts and may open anywhere; minimums are $50:
(*--frozen bid; last bid buzzer follows bid in bold)
- - HENEHAN - - - ISAACSON - - - WRIGHT - - - PINE - -
.................100 ..............150 ...........200 ...............250
.................350 ..............400 .........* 200 ...............500
...............* 350 ...........* 400 ........* 200 ............* 500
Actual retail price: $1279, with Mrs. Pine winning and she hit the bonus bell. For her bonus, the next time Mrs. Pine holds a party, she will have entertainment by the Woody Herman Orchestra. Big Band legend Woody Herman himself and his orchestra appear live on the show and have the entire theater clapping to the beat of their hit "The Woodchopper's Ball." The show will furnish an auditorium for Mrs. Pine's party.
Next item: A reproduction of a motorized surrey, with the capability of traveling 35 mph. Constructed of steel, has an 8-hp engine and three speed transmission (2 forward, 1 reverse). Price authority: Dyer Products, Athens OH.
Mrs. Isaacson opens anywhere; minimums are $50:
- - HENEHAN - - - ISAACSON - - - WRIGHT - - - PINE - -
....................... ..............200 ...........250 ...............300
.................350 ...............450 ...........500 ...............550
.................600 ...............650 ...........700 ...........* 875
...............* 600 ............*1000 .........*1050
Actual retail price: $1295, with Mr. Wright the winner, and he hit the second bonus bell. For this bonus, Bill puts on and displays three hats--a derby, a homburg which, as a malapropism, Bill called a hamburger, and a top hat (which was way too big). For $500, Mr. Wright had to pick out the most expensive hat (price tags are displayed inside each hat). He chose the homburg. Price of the homburg is $100; the price of the derby was $20; price of the top hat was $35, so Mr. Wright won $500. Next, Bill shows three jackets, including the one he's wearing ("And for those of you who do not have color television, may I say you're very fortunate"). He also tries on sports jacket, then a western motif jacket. Mr. Wright now must choose the most expensive jacket for another $500. He chose the western jacket. The price tags inside each jacket's pocket is revealed. The western jacket is $39.50; the sports jacket was $55, and the evening jacket was $100. He missed that $500 but he gets the jackets plus the $500 he won before.
The new home sweepstakes is announced. The item: a 25-ft. boat, the Empress model by Rebelcraft Company of Arnold MD. A cabin cruiser powered by a 185-hp Dearborn Interceptor engine. It's decorated with Robertson upholstery and wall-to-wall carpeting. It has a foam berth, a dinette that coverts to a berth for two, plus icebox and stove. Loaded with options including fire extinguishers and pump.
Next item: A complete kitchen from Westinghouse, with maple finish cabinets. It has a washer-dryer combination, utility cabinet, oven, platform range, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Price authority: Westinghouse Corp., Mansfield OH.
Mr. Wright is the starter, asked to open at least with $1000; minimums are $100:
- - HENEHAN - - - ISAACSON - - - WRIGHT - - - PINE - -
....................... ................... .............1000 .............1100
................1200 .............1500 ............1600 .............1700
................1800 .............2000 ..........* 1600 .............2100
................2200 ............3000 ..........* 1600 ...........*3100
..............* 2200 .........* 3200
Actual retail price: $3185.67, with Mrs. Pine the winner.
Final item time: A few weeks prior, just to see if they were paying attention, shares of CBS stocks were put up for bids. So in the interest of equal time, the final item here is 100 shares of RCA stock, common, with the price determined at the close of business February 21 (the markets were not open on this telecast date as it was Washington's Birthday, a federal holiday).
Mrs. Pine starts with the opening asked to be at least $1000; minimums are $100:
- - HENEHAN - - - ISAACSON - - - WRIGHT - - - PINE - -
..................... ..................... ................. ...............1000
................1200 .............1300 ..........1400 ..............1500
................1600 .............1700 ..........1800 ..............1900
................2000 .............2100 ..........2200 ............* 1900
................2300 .............2450 ..........2550 ............* 1900
................2650 ..........* 2450 ..........2750 ...........* 1900
..............* 3000 ..........* 2450 ........* 3100
Bill gauges the audience as to who they think the winner is, and they say Mr. Wright is the winner. Actual retail price: $5437.50, with Mr. Wright the winner.
Final totals:
- - HENEHAN - - - ISAACSON - - - WRIGHT - - - PINE - -
.....................0 .................0 ........* 7232 .............4464
Mr. Henehan won big last week; Mrs. Isaacson receives a Polaroid Land camera kit. Mr. Wright is the new champion and returns next week to defend. As the ending sponsor plug, a PSA for Radio Free Europe and the credits roll, the Woody Herman Orchestra regales the audience with an encore of "The Woodchopper's Ball."