US Mint Director on Game Show

[WoodenJefferson]

GSN (Game Show Network) hosts a old black & white program called “What’s My Line?” The October 11, 2008 program, the Director of the United States Mint, W.H. Brett was the first contestant. The panel did not guess his occupation but they were close. A lot of the panelists did not know that the US Treasury (paper money) and the US Mint (coins) were two separate federal entities and got themselves confused about who made what US currency.

 

Ivy Baker Priest’s name did come up as the then Treasurer of the United States,(January 28, 1953 - January 29, 1961) but they never connected the two as holding a high government appointment.

 

 

William H. Brett, Ohio

Mint Director from July 1954 – January 1961

 

1954

President Eisenhower appoints William H Brett of Ohio the 29th Director of the Mint. Position was vacant for over one year.

 

“What’s MY Line?”

339. Season 8, Ep 13: EPISODE #338

 

Game 1: W. H. Brett (William H. Brett) - "Director of the United States Mint" (salaried; from Cleveland, Ohio) Game 2: Kathleen & Fred Esgen - "Pub Keepers" (self-employed; this husband and wife team own "The Sussex" pub in London, England; they are in America to travel and to promote tourism in Britain; John explained that the term "pub" evolved from "public house") Game 3: Charles Laughton (as Mystery Guest) . .

Aired: 11/25/1956

 

Stars:

John Daly (Moderator (1950-1967))

Arlene Francis (Regular Panelist (1950-1967))

Bennett Cerf (Regular Panelist (1951-1967))

Dorothy Kilgallen (Regular Panelist (1950-1965))

Guest Star:

Charles Laughton (Mystery Guest)

Burgess Meredith (Guest Panelist)

 

Mr. Brett passed away on April 13, 1989 at the age of 95! I was surprised to learn he lived that long as he looked rather aged when he appeared on this show.

 

Death Notice

 

 

Note: William H. Brett also appeared on another Game Show, it was good to be the director!

 

To Tell the Truth , hosted by Bud Collier

 

8/13/57 – PB, RB, KC, HG

Game 1 - U.S. Mint Director William H. Brett

 

Panel:

Polly Bergen, Ralph Bellamy, Kitty Carlisle, Kitty Carlisle, Hy Gardner