The Jackie Gleason Show

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.

I was in the vocal group through the entire run, some variety and all Honeymooners shows. The only ones rerun were the first season in which they win a trip around the world. Twentieth Century Fox paid the rerun checks on those. The Poor Soul's Christmas was rerun all over the place. The word I have is that ownership of the rest of the tapes (we did, I think, something like 49 shows all together) cannot be proved, and so none of those shows can ever be shown. I'd give a great deal to experience them again. To my knowledge, only one or two of the orchestra are still living--my husband was lead trumpet. Most of the singers and dancers are still around. Marilyn Taylor was NOT around these shows. She and Jackie got together again later.

If one would likes to see how a husband should treat his wife and how his wife reacts to his ways, this is the show, no matter how bad this turn out, they always fix it at the end on the day. I hope we can have more of there shows aired to let us know how in a funny way to deal with regular lives problems we face today with couples. I know that cleaning is a very hard work. This reminds me on the Honeymooner (1966-1970), they had an episode on the wives at work, Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) told his wife that she did not work and that he was the bread maker in the house. Alice Kramden (Sheila MacRae) said, "A women's work is never done from sun up to sun down" and that is so true. While the husband was working outside she did the work at home and when he got home she still worked on taking care of him. Thank You!

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.

The talent of Jackie Gleason and Art Carney made for an awesome chemistry on stage/screen. Anyone who can't see that should envy bats. "The Great One" has not only secured his rightful place in the history of show business but also in the hearts of millions of his fans for all time!!