Queen for a Day was an American radio and television game show that helped to usher in American listeners' and viewers' fascination with big-prize giveaway shows. Queen for a Day originated on the Mutual Radio Network on April 30, 1945, in New York City before moving to Los Angeles a few months later and ran until 1957. The show then ran on NBC Television from 1956 to 1960 and on ABC Television from 1960 to 1964.
The show became popular enough that NBC increased its running time from 30 to 45 minutes to sell more commercials, at a then-premium rate of $4,000 per minute.
Format
The show opened with host Jack Bailey asking the audience—mostly women—"Would YOU like to be Queen for a day?" After this, the contestants were introduced and interviewed, one at a time, with commercials and fashion commentary interspersed in between.
Each contestant was asked to talk about the recent financial and emotional hard times she had been through. The interview would climax with Bailey asking the contestant what she needed most and why she wanted to win the title of Queen for a Day. Often the request was for medical care or therapeutic equipment to help a chronically ill child, or might be for a hearing aid, a new washing machine, or a refrigerator. Many women broke down sobbing as they described their plights.
The winning contestant was selected by the audience using an applause meter; the harsher the contestant's situation, the likelier the studio audience was to ring the applause meter's highest level. The winner, to the musical accompaniment of "Pomp and Circumstance", would be draped in a sable-trimmed red velvet robe, given a glittering jeweled crown to wear, placed on a velvet-upholstered throne, and handed a dozen long-stemmed roses to hold while her list of prizes was announced.
The prizes began with the help the woman had requested, and included a variety of extras, many of which were donated by sponsoring companies, such as a vacation trip, a night on the town with her husband, silver-plated flatware, an array of kitchen appliances, or a selection of fashion clothing. The losing contestants were each given smaller prizes.
Bailey's trademark sign-off was: "This is Jack Bailey, wishing we could make every woman a queen, for every single day!"
Cast
Jack Bailey as Himself
Jeanne Cagney as Herself
Gene Baker as Announcer
Fort Pearson as Announcer
John Harlan as Announcer
Maxine Reeves as Head Model (1945-1964) Carol Silversparre as Model (1945-1964) Jann Darlyn as Model Suzanne Alexander as Model (1953-1964) Jolene Brand as Model Pat Sheehan as Model (1952-1953) Dorene Georgeson as Model Beverly Adams as Model Beverly Christensen as Model Doris Gildart as Model Naida Curtis as Model (1953-1954) Barbara Luke as Model Suzanne Ames as Model Beverly Lyon as Model Millicent Deming as Model Patricia Nanton as Model (1953) Virginia Bingman as Model Darlene Stuart (née Coats) as Model Jackie Kenley as Model Mary Ellen Gleason as Model Josephine Burris as Model (1953) Dolores Fuller as Model Marilyn Burtis as Model (1953-1964) Jewell Glasser as Model Mary Lou Morgan as Model Lois Schaumburg (née Kiecker) as Model Gloria Moore (née Crawford) as Model (1952-1954) Eunice Hadley as Model Rosenell "Revell" Krech (née Farrell) as Model Nicole De Meyer as Model Katherine "Kathy" Taylor (née Cook) as Head Model Marilyn Hare as Model Mary Tobin as Model (1955) Cathie Righter as Model Jean Spangler as Model Wendy Waldron as Model Marie Gray as Model Lisa Davis as Model Lesley Alexander as Model Jo Anne Saravolatz as Model Lois Rayman as Model Diane Mills as Model (1964) Marilyn Crooker as Model Barbara Lyon (née Miller) as Model Sharon Overman (née Moss) as Model Paulette Lollar as Model Crystal Reeves as Head Model June Lyden as Model June Blanchard as Model (1949-1950) Lee Whitney as Model (1953) Anna-Lisa as Model Linda Waddle as Model (1960) Barbara Stagge as Model (1960) Sally Sublette as Model (1960) Joan Foellger as Model (1960) Mary Beth Hempfling as Model (1960) Dee Sandvig as Model (1963) June Kirby as Model Eve Bernhardt as Model