The Jackie Gleason Show

Jackie Gleason, his television shows and movies (i.e., The Toy) will always and forever be etched in my memory as family favorites. Starring at the beginning and up to sadly the end were great times for us at home. We always made sure to sit and watch, laugh in awe from the comedy to the stunts by guests. All of us always made sure to stay still when the presentation of Frank Fontaine (as Crazy Guggenheim) came on. Jackie would be behind the bar, Frank would would go through his skit, but always at the very end, coming from Jackie was the familiar, Hey Craz ! How about singing us a little song. For that even the dog had to be outside, Grandmother would come down from upstairs. Mr. Fontaine would sing some lovely melody that would really stick to you and your emotions. It was a favorite and wonderful time for us and something that was left in my parents, grandmother and brother's hearts ! For me, I'm the last of the family living (at age 66) and identify with a wonderful time whenever I hear talk of Jackie Gleason's name. He was a tremendous talent, actor (I even have early films that he was in with Humphrey Bogart) and especially comedy. His ability to keep you laughing without having written lines and everything from memory was something very few (if any) today can do. My favorite comedian ? Why of course, the GREAT Jackie Gleason.

FOLLOWING HIS HIGHLY successful return to network television's weekly grind, it was time for a course correction. The new program had been given the handle of JACKIE GLEASON'S American SCENE MAGAZINE and attempted to sort of update the focus of the comedy being produced. They also wanted to "modernize" the production with short, attention span friendly "blackout" type of skits.

BY THE END of the fourth season, that which had been considered "fresh" and "innovative" was now thought to be commonplace. So, what to do in order to fix things? Perhaps the thought crossed someone's mind that it was time to return to the well once again; but this time it would be to the old and familiar waters of THE HONEYMOONERS.

YES IT WAS true, the Gleason show was returning to Delancy Street and to the tenements of the Kramdens and the Nortons. It was a case of the old becoming fresh and "new" because of an extended absence. (Remember Schultz, "Absence makes the heart fonder!") SO WITH THIS news, the new segments were about to undergo some cast changes. Sheila Mac Rae would be Alice and Jane Kean would take over as Trixie. But without a doubt, no one could envision anyone else in the part of Ed Norton but Art Carney. We were right as it was indeed a reunion of what many believe to be the "Laurel & Hardy of TV" were now being reunited.

OTHER THAN THE live television aspect of the original incarnation of THE HINEYMOONERS, there were several items that could only be viewed as being updates. In addition to the aforementioned application of videotape, the series was now to be a musical. Original songs and production numbers would be the order of the day.

A PREVIOSLY USED IDEA that had both the Norton and Kramden families sharing a winning ticket in a contest and traveling away from their blue collar (Proletariat) existence and seeing Planet Earth from the decks of an Ocean Liner. They would also be taping the shows in beautiful color.

SOME GREAT MAN once said that "You can't go home!" But it would appear that THE HONEYMOONERS succeeded in doing it.

I grew up watching the "classic 39" reruns and I actually remember watching Gleason's late 60's color variety show at original airing during the same period. I thought for sure that once I saw these color episodes again, it would be a disaster. I remember enjoying them, but I also know that in many cases you "can't go home again". Well, forget that cliché' since these episodes hold up extremely well! Yeah, I know Ralph and Ed are a bit older. Yeah, I know the real "Alice" is no longer around. But Gleason and Carney's portrayal of Ralph & Ed have lost VERY little, and in some scenes they seem even sharper than the 50's! Maybe I'll whistle a different tune if and when they issue the later seasons eventually, but as far as I'm concerned, you can't lose investing in this fine and funny first season of "newer" Honeymooners! A-

GoodLife TV has been running reruns of the color episodes of The Honeymooners, which ran on The Jackie Gleason Show from 1966 to 1970. The production may seem overblown, but the shows themselves are fun to watch. They bring back great memories for me, as I saw them as a kid. Even when Gleason had the "variety," this show was still fun to watch. I especially remember seeing this show in 1968 in the basement of an Elks lodge in Owego, NY, and remember the pretty girls who would introduce the shows! Yes, it may be "comfort food," but it sure is fun. And it is a show CBS could be very proud of!!

This show was Jackie Gleason just doing what came natural to him. Enjoying himself and making people laugh. His portrayal of several different regular characters, all of whom were as memorable as Ralph Kramden, were all portrayed flawlessly. Frank Fontaine's songs were an added treasure! It seems unlikely to hit the airwaves again, so one can only hope that the shows are released on DVD.