Guest - Wendell Willkie

In this April 12, 1943, episode of Information Please, the program broadcasts live from Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, during a remarkable war bond drive that raised over $200 million. Clifton Fadiman presides over an enthusiastic panel featuring regulars John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, Oscar Levant, and distinguished guest Wendell Willkie, the statesman, author, and 1940 presidential candidate. This special episode celebrates Willkie’s new book One World and highlights his eloquent contributions across a wide range of topics—from American constitutional freedoms and historical quotations to famous abdications and literary soundscapes. The panelists tackle everything from Shakespeare and Gilbert & Sullivan to outlaws in classical music and Connecticut inventors who transformed the world. Willkie’s insightful remarks, particularly on international cooperation and democracy, lend a thoughtful and inspiring tone. With humor from Levant, sharp historical recall from Kieran and Adams, and the host’s lively moderation, the episode combines serious reflection with classic Information Please charm. Tune in for a memorable hour of high intellect, wry banter, and patriotic spirit on Information Please!