First guest (which required blindfolding) was Dr. Tom Dooley (1927-61). Both a renowned humanitarian and rabid anti-communist, Dr. Dooley was then in New York for melanoma treatments (the illness which would soon kill him) and was actively raising funds for Medico, his refugee humanitarian organization. While his identity was deduced by Ms. Francis, he received a check for $5000 on air from The Damon Runyon Foundation and made a appeal for donations. In keeping the anti-communist theme of sorts, the celebrity guest was the fervent right winger,
Walter Brennan.