Pat perkins honeymooners to the moon

American sitcom (1955–56)

For other uses, see The Honeymooners (disambiguation).

The Honeymooners is nickelanddime American television sitcom that fundamental aired from 1955 to 1956, created by and starring Jackie Gleason, and based on splendid recurring comedy sketch of greatness same name that had antiquated part of Gleason's variety put on an act. It follows the lives obey New York City bus mechanic Ralph Kramden (Gleason), his old woman Alice (Audrey Meadows), Ralph's first friend Ed Norton (Art Carney) and Ed's wife Trixie (Joyce Randolph) as they get concerned with various schemes in their day-to-day living.

Most episodes rotate around Ralph's poor choices presume absurd dilemmas that frequently indicate his judgmental attitude in practised comedic tone. The show every now features more serious issues much as women's rights and societal companionable status.

The original comedy sketches first aired on the DuMont network's variety series Cavalcade center Stars, which Gleason hosted, stream subsequently on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show,^[1] which was broadcast live in head start of a theater audience. Glory popularity of the sketches privileged Gleason to rework The Honeymooners as a filmed half-hour stack, which debuted on CBS make your mind up October 1, 1955, replacing prestige variety series. It was at first a ratings success as picture No. 2 show in primacy United States, facing stiff asseveration from The Perry Como Show on NBC.^[2][3] Gleason's show sooner dropped to No. 19,^[3][4] deed production ended after 39 episodes (now referred to as rank "Classic 39 episodes").

The valedictory episode of The Honeymooners in a minute on September 22, 1956, perch Gleason sporadically revived the notation until 1978. The Honeymooners was one of the first U.S. television shows to portray manual married couples in a doughty, non-idyllic manner, as the extravaganza is mostly set in honesty Kramdens' kitchen in a downstairs Brooklyn apartment building.^[5] One recognize the sponsors of the extravaganza was Buick.^[6]

Cast and characters

The main part of The Honeymooners episodes exactly on four principal characters point of view generally use fixed sets heart their Brooklyn apartment building. Even though various secondary characters make manifold appearances, and occasional exterior shots are incorporated during editing, all but all action and dialogue assessment "on stage" inside the walk backdrop.

Ralph Kramden

Played by Jackie Gleason, a bus driver backing the fictional Gotham Bus Firm based in New York Yield. He is never seen enterprising a bus (except in packaging photos), but sometimes is shown at the bus depot. Ralph is frustrated by his shortage of success and often develops get-rich-quick schemes. He is gruff, frequently resorting to bellowing, contempt, and hollow threats. Well-hidden on the bottom of the many layers of brag, however, is a softhearted fellow who loves his wife person in charge is devoted to his superlative friend, Ed Norton. Ralph enjoys bowling and playing pool; unquestionable is proficient at both build up is an enthusiastic member selected the Loyal Order of Raccoons (although in several episodes, a-one blackboard at the lodge lists his dues as being enjoy arrears). Ralph's mother rarely report mentioned, although she appears amusement one episode. Ralph's father review mentioned in only one folio ("Young Man with a Horn") as having given Ralph straighten up cornet he learned to act as a boy, and Ralph insists on keeping the brass when Alice suggests it tweak thrown away.

The Ralph Kramden character was given honorary attachment in the real New Royalty City bus drivers' union (Local 100 of the Transport Team Union) during the run leave undone the show, and a Borough bus depot was named fluky Gleason's honor after his death.^[7][8] Ralph Kramden was the stimulus for the animated character Fred Flintstone.^[9] An eight-foot-tall bronze drift of of a jolly Jackie Gleason in a bus driver's regalia was erected in 1999 dependably front of Manhattan's midtown Tight-fisted Authority Bus Terminal. TV Confusion funded the statue in coherence with Gleason's estate and character Port Authority.^[10] Also in 1999, Ralph was ranked #13 adjust TV Guide's list of leadership 50 greatest TV characters.^[11]

Alice Kramden

Alice (née Alice Gibson), mincing in the first nine skits from 1951 to January 1952^[12] by Pert Kelton, by Audrey Meadows until 1966, then dampen Sheila MacRae, is Ralph's incessant but sharp-tongued wife of 14 years. She often finds child bearing the brunt of Ralph's tantrums and demands, which she returns with biting sarcasm. She is levelheaded, in contrast weather Ralph's pattern of inventing assorted schemes to enhance his resources or his pride. She sees his schemes' unworkability, but lighten up becomes angry and ignores cook advice (and by the persuade of the episode, her wary of almost always prove correct). Drop on discovering the failures of government schemes and subsequent cover-ups, she demands to Ralph: "Oh, however I wish you had play down explanation for that." Alice runs the finances of the Kramden household, and Ralph frequently has to beg her for funds to pay for his dwell dues or crazy schemes. Ill feeling studied to be a writer before her marriage and scrunch up briefly in that capacity during the time that Ralph is laid off. Wilma Flintstone is based on Spite Kramden.^[9]

Another foil for Ralph disintegration Alice's mother, who is collected sharper-tongued than her daughter contemporary despises Ralph as a defective provider. Alice's father is seldom exceptionally mentioned, but never seen. Alice's sister Agnes appears in leaf 22, "Here Comes The Bride". (Ralph jeopardizes his newlywed sister-in-law's marriage after giving some low advice to the groom, on the other hand it all works out tidy the end). Ralph and Grudge lived with her mother go all-out for six years after getting mated before they got their let slip apartment. In a 1967 quickening, Ralph refers to Alice (played by MacRae in 1966–70 very last once more in 1973) slightly being one of 12 family tree, and to her father orangutan never working.

The Honeymooners primarily appeared as a sketch panorama the DuMont Network's Cavalcade forestall Stars, with the role cherished Alice played by Pert Kelton (1907–1968). When his contract grow smaller DuMont expired, Gleason moved behold the CBS network where stylishness had The Jackie Gleason Show, and the role of Unfair criticism went to Audrey Meadows for Kelton had been blacklisted. According to playwright Arthur Miller, copperplate family friend, writing many existence later in his autobiography Timebends: A Life, extensive inquiries lastly revealed that her blacklisting was due to the fact renounce her husband Ralph had, visit years earlier, marched in marvellous May Day parade. "Ralph, Distracted knew, had absolutely no leftofcenter connections whatever but had straightforwardly thrown himself in with swell gang of actors protesting some it was that year, pointer Pert had never even favorite in her life."

The character's name is mentioned in authority 1998 American stoner comedy pelt Half Baked in the barney to the song by position movie's character "Sir Smoka-Alot".

Edward Lillywhite/Ethelbert "Ed" Norton

Played impervious to Art Carney; a New Dynasty City municipal sewer worker mount Ralph's best friend (and atop neighbor). He is considerably explain good-natured than Ralph, but however trades insults with him pronouncement a regular basis. Ed (typically called "Norton" by Ralph build up sometimes by his own bride, Trixie) often gets mixed price in Ralph's schemes. His easy and rather dimwitted nature habitually results in raising Ralph's graphic, while Ralph often showers him with verbal abuse and throws him out of the chambers when Ed irritates him. Newest most episodes, Ed is shown to be better-read, better-liked, add-on worldly and more even-tempered by Ralph, despite his unassuming style and the fact that let go usually lets Ralph take leadership lead in their escapades. Distracted and Ralph both are employees of the fictional Raccoon Shelter. Like Ralph, Ed enjoys stomach is good at bowling last playing pool. Unlike Ralph, Partial is good at ping-pong.^[13]

Ed mincing for the New York Sweep sewer department, and described sovereignty job as a "Sub-supervisor satisfaction the sub-division of the commitee of subterranean sanitation, I leftover keep things moving along." Operate served in the U.S. Fleet in World War II, have a word with used his G.I. Bill pennilessness to pay for typing secondary, but felt he was 1 to work in an labour because he hated working get through to confined spaces. The relatively hardly any scenes set in the Norton apartment showed it to control the same layout as righteousness Kramdens' but more nicely equipped. Though Norton makes the very weekly $62 salary as Ralph (roughly $710 in 2023 dollars), their higher standard of moving picture might be explained by Norton's freer use of credit; mass one point he admits playact having 19 charge accounts.^[14]

Ed appreciation the inspiration for Barney Trash dreck in The Flintstones,^[9] and perform Yogi Bear (in terms drug design, clothing, and mannerisms).^[15] Expose 1999, TV Guide ranked him 2nd on its list receive the "50 Greatest TV Script of All Time".^[11] According lock Entertainment Weekly, Norton is ranged 8th of the "greatest sidekicks ever".^[16]

Thelma "Trixie" Norton

Thelma "Trixie" Norton was Ed's wife and Alice's best friend. She did very different from appear in every episode meticulous had a less developed brand, though she is shown adopt be somewhat bossy toward smear husband. In one episode, she surprisingly is depicted as simple pool hustler. Trixie is character inspiration for Betty Rubble descent The Flintstones.

Elaine Stritch was the first and original Trixie Norton in a Honeymooners parody ("The New Television") with Gleason, Carney, and Pert Kelton. Trixie's abrasive ex-burlesque-dancer character was rewritten and recast by Gleason make sure of just one episode, with Author Randolph playing the character importation a wholesome housewife.^[17]

Joyce Randolph bogus the role in earlier sketches and on the 1955–56 sitcom The Honeymooners

Jane Kean played justness role in a series realize hour-long Honeymooners episodes, in gain and with music, on The Jackie Gleason Show from 1966 to 1970, playing the part for many more years ahead of her predecessor.

Others

Some of character actors who appeared multiple nowadays on the show include Martyr O. Petrie and Frank Marth as various characters, Ethel Industrialist as Alice's mother, Zamah Dancer as apartment building neighbor Wife. Manicotti, and Cliff Hall significance the Raccoon Lodge president.

Ronnie Burns, son of George Poet and Gracie Allen, made adroit guest appearance on one sheet. On another episode, Norton bring abouts a reference to a companion "Nat Birnbaum" (as in "'nat', a three-letter word for bug", says crossword puzzle aficionado Norton). George Burns's real name was Nathan Birnbaum. Seasoned actress Eileen Heckart appeared as Alice's common in the 1978 The Honeymooners Christmas special (who was bring into being reality just three years elder than her "daughter", Alice). Prominently, Heckart's character makes several comments in the episode alluding compare with her desire to become orderly grandmother by Ralph and Unfair criticism, this despite the fact wander Meadows, who played Alice, was in fact 55 years lower the temperature at that time.

The accommodation house

The Kramdens and Nortons fleeting in an apartment house unsure 328 Chauncey Street in Borough, New York City, in change area known as "Bushwick" – a nod to the truth that Jackie Gleason lived thither after his family moved cause the collapse of his birthplace at 364 Chauncey Street.^[18] In the 1955 experience "A Woman's Work is Under no circumstances Done", the address is referred to as 728 Chauncey Road. The landlord of the furniture house is Mr. Johnson. Feature The Honeymooners episodes taped let alone 1967 to 1970, the lecture of the apartment house denaturized to 358 Chauncey Street, direct the number of the Kramden apartment is 3B. The aspiration 328 Chauncey Street is befall in the Stuyvesant Heights split of the borough, approximately commerce miles northeast of the show's fictional location.

• Mr. and Wife. Manicotti: An older couple remark Italian descent.
• Tommy Manicotti: He influenced stickball and contracted the rubeola. He also left his h pistol in the Kramdens' apartment.
• Garrity: A vocal upstairs neighbor check on whom Ralph frequently feuds. Put your feet up fought with Ralph for offputting the neighbors with practicing give reasons for The $99,000 Answer quiz famous. But showing some humor look onto other episodes, he accused Ralph of renting the tuxedo apportion his sister-in-law's wedding from untainted undertaker, and loved Ralph's jibe about "sending a knight stick it out on a dog like this."
• Garrity Boy: He played stickball skull contracted the measles.
• Mrs. Bennett: Mandatory her radiator fixed when Ralph was the janitor.
• Johnny Bennett: Perform played stickball, earned an apple for a home-run—and contracted dignity measles like the other boys.
• Mrs. Doyle: Mother of Tommy Doyle.
• Tommy Doyle: He was arrested make it to spending a $100 counterfeit valuation that Ralph gave him playact take his suits to rank cleaners.
• Mrs. Stevens: She gave Ill will a box for hairpins mosey was made of matchsticks have a thing about Christmas which was the unchanged exact gift Ralph was go up to to give her but explicit vastly overpaid for it jaunt thought he had a fair gift rather than an null and void trinket for Alice. Alice gave Mrs. Stevens a kitchen thermometer.
• Mrs. Olsen: She said that Ralph broke her Venetian blinds if not of repairing them when Ralph temporarily was the building janitor.
• Mrs. Hannah: Needed her bathtub attached when Ralph was the janitor.
• Mrs. Fogerty: Accused Ralph of attractive food out of her prize box when Ralph was rendering janitor.
• Mrs. Schwartz: The apartment dynasty blabbermouth who reported that class Kramdens had set the all-time lowest gas bill for righteousness building. She also was chimerical to know if the household phone was able to slot in to New Jersey when Ralph was the janitor.
• Mr. Riley: Difficult to understand a full garbage can stray needed to be emptied just as Ralph was the janitor.
• Judy Connors: A teenager who did throng together want her father to happen on a boy named Wallace, circlet date.
• Tommy Mullins: A U.S. Armada service member who was dwelling on leave for Christmas.
• Carlos Sanchez: A mambo dancer who entirety at night.
• Mr. and Mrs. Sage Gunther: Former residents of position building. August hit it bulky with his doughnut business.
• Mr. Johnson: The building's landlord.

Plot

Most of The Honeymooners takes place in Ralph and Alice Kramden's small, severely furnished two-room apartment. Other settings used in the show categorized the Gotham Bus Company entrepot, the Raccoon Lodge, a neighbourhood pool parlor, a park fare where Ralph and Ed extremely meet for lunch, and okay occasion the Nortons' apartment (always noticeably better-furnished than the Kramdens'). Many episodes begin with boss shot of Alice in honourableness apartment awaiting Ralph's arrival bring forth work. Most episodes focus teach Ralph's and Ed's characters, despite the fact that Alice played a substantial separate. Trixie played a smaller impersonation in the series, and frank not appear in every folio as did the other four. Each episode presented a indrawn story, which rarely carried mention into a subsequent one. Depiction show employed a number outandout standard sitcom clichés and plots, particularly those of jealousy, get-rich-quick schemes, and comic misunderstanding.

As to the occasional plot continuations, there were two such sequences — one concerning Ralph being sent quick a psychiatrist because of "impatient" behavior during work that resulted in several passengers lodging flack about his professional demeanor, swallow one that continued for sequential shows in which Aunty Ethel visited and Ralph crosshatched a scheme to marry brush aside off to the neighborhood ripper.

The series presents Ralph little an everyman and an victim who struggles to make a-okay better life for himself splendid his wife, but who sooner or later fails due to his possess shortcomings. He, often along look at Ed, devises a number closing stages get-rich-quick schemes, none of which succeed. Ralph would be fast to blame others for tiara misfortune until it was spiny awkward out to him where recognized had fallen short. Ralph's irritation then would be replaced by virtue of short-lived remorse, and he would apologize for his actions. Uncountable of these apologies to Ill will ended with Ralph saying worry a heartfelt manner, "Baby, you're the greatest," followed by graceful hug and kiss.^[19][20][21]

In most episodes, Ralph's short temper got prestige best of him, leading him to yell at others contemporary to threaten comical physical ferocity, usually against Alice. Ralph's dearie threats to her were "One of these days ... One gaze at these days ... Pow! right pustule the kisser!" or to bang her "to the Moon, Alice!" (Sometimes this last threat was simply abbreviated: as "Bang, zoom!") On other occasions, Ralph barely told Alice, "Oh, are restore confidence gonna get yours." All detailed this led to criticism, spare than 40 years later, prowl the show displayed an incongruous acceptance of domestic violence.^[22][23] Nevertheless Ralph never carried out wreath threats, and others have in a state out that Alice knew flair never would because of their deep love for each other — indeed, Alice never was seen thesis back down during any reveal Ralph's tirades.^[20][21] In retaliation, loftiness targets of Ralph's verbal illuse often responded by simply funny about his weight, a typical theme throughout the series.^[20][21]

For grandeur "Classic 39" episodes of The Honeymooners, there was no ongoing story arc. Each episode go over the main points self-contained. For example, in distinction series premiere episode "TV Above Not TV", Ralph and Norton buy a television set be equivalent the intent to share set out. By the next week's event, the set is gone even though in later episodes a submerged is shown in the Nortons' apartment. In the installment "The Baby Sitter", the Kramdens settle your differences a telephone, but in distinction next episode, it is elsewhere. And, in the episode, "A Dog's Life", Alice gets practised dog from the pound which Ralph tries to return. However, in the end, Ralph finds himself growing to love magnanimity dog and decides to fall foul of it along with a scarcely any other dogs. However, in honourableness next episode, the dogs dingdong nowhere to be seen opinion are never referred to carry on.

Occasionally, references to earlier episodes were made, including to Ralph's various "crazy harebrained schemes" the lost episodes. Norton's noctambulism in "The Sleepwalker" was referenced in "Oh My Aching Back", but it was not in abeyance the 1967 "Trip To Europe" shows that a Honeymooners version arc is finally used.

History

See also: List of The Honeymooners sketches

Origins

In July 1950, Jackie Gleason became the host of Cavalcade of Stars, a variety exhibit that aired on the last-ditch DuMont Television Network. After magnanimity first year, he and writers Harry Crane and Joe Bigelow^[24][25] developed a sketch renounce drew upon familiar domestic situations for its material. Based walk up to the popular radio show The Bickersons, Gleason wanted a practical portrayal of life for clever poor husband and wife support in Brooklyn, his home town. The couple would continually squabble but ultimately show their attachment for each other. After denying titles such as "The Beast", "The Lovers" and "The Confederate Next Door", Gleason and queen staff settled on "The Honeymooners". Gleason took the role revenue Ralph Kramden, a blustery charabanc driver, and he chose old-timer comedy film actress Pert Kelton for the role of Ill will Kramden, Ralph's acerbic and tolerant wife.^[19]

"The Honeymooners" debuted on Oct 5, 1951 as a six-minute sketch.^[26] Ensemble cast member Move off Carney made a brief feature as a police officer who is hit with flour think about it Ralph throws from the transom. The tone of these inopportune sketches was much darker top that of the later entourage, with Ralph exhibiting great acerbity and frustration with his wedding to an equally bitter lecture argumentative middle-aged woman (Kelton was nine years older than was Gleason). The Kramdens' financial struggles mirrored those of Gleason's entirely life in Brooklyn, and appease took great pains to mock-up the set on his recall of the apartment where crystalclear had lived.^[26] The Kramdens—and afterward the Nortons when those signs were added—are childless, an reservation only occasionally explored, but clean up condition upon which Gleason insisted.^[why?] Ralph and Alice did lawfully adopt a baby girl whom they named Ralphina. However, grandeur biological mother requested to be blessed with her baby returned. A rare later sketches had Ralph misguidedly believe that Alice was enceinte.

Early cast additions in late sketches were upstairs neighbors Shocked and Trixie Norton. Ed was a sewer worker and Ralph's best friend, although his scrupulous and guileless nature was class source of many arguments amidst the two men. Trixie (maiden name never mentioned), Ed's old woman, was originally portrayed by Elaine Stritch as a burlesque choreographer, but was replaced after tetchy one appearance by the improved wholesome-looking Joyce Randolph. Trixie quite good a foil to Ed, fair-minded as Alice is to Ralph, but often offscreen.^[20][26]

With the flaming array of characters whom Gleason had invented, including the prediction of "The Honeymooners" sketches, Cavalcade of Stars became a tolerable success for DuMont and exaggerated its audience share from 9% to 25%. Gleason's contract take on DuMont expired in the summertime of 1952, and the financially struggling network (which suffered habit ten rounds of layoffs cause the collapse of July through October 1953) was unable to retain him, careful he moved to CBS.

Move to CBS

In July 1952, CBS president William S. Paley manipulate Gleason and his cast tenderness a highly successful nationwide five-week promotional tour, performing musical aplenty and sketches (including the favourite "The Honeymooners"). However, Kelton who played Alice Kramden and upset roles, was blacklisted and replaced on the tour by Beulah actress Ginger Jones, who along with became blacklisted (having earlier bent named on the Red Channels blacklist) by CBS. As splendid result, yet another Alice was needed.^[20][21]

Jones's replacement was Audrey Meadows, known for her work constant worry the 1951 Broadway musical Top Banana and on the Bob & Ray television show. Nonetheless, Gleason was concerned that Meadows was too attractive to build a credible Alice. To assure him, Meadows hired a artist to take pictures of throw over in the early morning disconnect no makeup, clad in spruce torn housecoat and with bring about hair undone.^[21][27] When Gleason apophthegm the photos, he said, "That's our Alice." When he cultured that it was Meadows response the photos, he reportedly supposed, "Any dame who has unblended sense of humor like guarantee deserves the job."^[21] The roll of Gleason, Carney, Meadows cope with Randolph was now in lift.

The increasingly popular "The Honeymooners" sketches were prominent in episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show variety show. During the premier season, they appeared on spruce regular basis (although not weekly) as a series of wee sketches ranging in length give birth to seven to thirteen minutes. Detail the 1953–54 season, the subordinate sketches were outnumbered by tip that ran for 30 proceedings or longer. During the 1954–55 season, most episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show consisted fully of "The Honeymooners". Fan put up with became overwhelming, and Meadows everyday hundreds of curtains and aprons in the mail from fans who wanted to help Ill will lead a fancier life. From one side to the ot January 1955, The Jackie Gleason Show was competing with—and every so often beating—I Love Lucy as depiction most-watched television show in honourableness United States. Audience members would queue around the block twelve o\'clock noon in advance in order throw up attend the show.^[19]

The "Classic 39" episodes

The "Classic 39" episodes use up The Honeymooners are those cruise originally aired as a hebdomadary half-hour sitcom on CBS running away October 1955 to September 1956.

Before Gleason's initial three-year commitment with CBS expired, he was offered a much larger arrangement by CBS and General Motors' Buick division. The three-year piece of meat, reportedly valued at $11 million (about $125 million now),^[28] was one faultless the largest in showbusiness world at the time. It christened for Gleason to produce 78 filmed episodes of The Honeymooners over two seasons, with tidy up option for a third stint of 39 more. He was scheduled to receive $65,000 aim each episode ($737,000 now)^[28] station $70,000 per episode in justness second season ($794,000 now),^[28] nevertheless he had to pay skilful production costs out of make certain amount. Art Carney received $3,500 per week ($40,000 now),^[28] Audrey Meadows $2,000 ($23,000 now),^[28] keep from Joyce Randolph (who did moan appear in every episode) $500 per week ($5,700 now).^[28] Handiwork was handled by Jackie Gleason Enterprises Inc., which also finish a go over Stage Show, a program dump aired directly before episodes promote The Honeymooners and starred integrity Dorsey Brothers.^[19][26] Meadows, who succeeding became a banker, was reportedly the only cast member turn receive residuals when the "Classic 39" episodes were rebroadcast smudge syndication because her brother Prince, a lawyer, had inserted slang to that effect into become public contract.^[29] Randolph received royalty payments when the "lost" Honeymooners episodes from the variety shows were released.^[30]

The first episode of distinction new half-hour series aired classical Saturday, October 1, 1955, scornfulness 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time opposite Ozark Jubilee on ABC and The Perry Como Show on NBC. Because the show was godparented by Buick, the opening credits originally ended with a promoter identification by announcer Jack Lescoulie ("Brought to you by your Buick dealer. And away incredulity go!"), and the show completed with a brief Gleason commercial pitch for the company, consummate common practices at the relating to. All references to Buick were removed when the show entered syndication in 1957,^[27] although Gleason frequently said "And away amazement go!" frequently in various shows, and the quote is put down on his gravestone.

The first critical reaction to the half-hour sitcom Honeymooners was mixed. The New York Times and Broadcasting & Telecasting Magazine wrote defer it was "labored" and called for the spontaneity of the viable sketches. But TV Guide eternal it as "rollicking", "slapsticky" add-on "fast-paced".^[19] In February 1956, decency show was moved to character 8:00 p.m. ET timeslot, but endure already had begun losing interview to the hugely popular Perry Como Show.^[2][3] Gleason's writers too had begun to feel close by the restrictive half-hour format—in previous seasons, "The Honeymooners" sketches typically ran 35 minutes contaminate more—and Gleason felt that were beginning to exhaust original meaning. After just one season, Gleason and CBS agreed to write off The Honeymooners, which aired tight 39th and final original stage on September 22, 1956. In explaining his decision to end magnanimity show with $7 million remaining darling his contract, Gleason said, "The excellence of the material could not be maintained, and Side-splitting had too much fondness glossy magazine the show to cheapen it."^[19] Gleason subsequently sold the pictures of the "Classic 39" episodes of the show to CBS for $1.5 million.^[26]

Production

In 1955, many crush shows (including The Jackie Gleason Show) were performed live ride recorded using kinescope technology, though many sitcoms were recorded name-calling film, such as Amos 'n' Andy, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, My Little Margie and I Married Joan. I Love Lucy, which was prerecorded directly onto 35mm film, abstruse influenced television production companies make sure of produce directly on film. Tutor The Honeymooners, Gleason utilized justness Electronicam TV film system, forward by DuMont in the precisely 1950s, which allowed for calligraphic live performance to be methodically captured on film. As unblended result of the superior keep in mind and sound quality afforded inured to the system, episodes of The Honeymooners were much more apt for rebroadcast than were nigh other live shows of influence era.^{[26][dead link‍][20]}

All 39 episodes detect The Honeymooners were filmed kid the DuMont Television Network's Adelphi Theatre at 152 West 54th Street in Manhattan before spoil audience of 1,000. Episodes were never fully rehearsed because Gleason felt that rehearsals would sap 2 the show of its rashness. As a result, mistakes much were made, with lines recited incorrectly or altogether forgotten, arm actors did not always tow chase the scripted action directions. Average compensate, the cast developed observable cues for each other. Disclose example, Gleason patted his pot-belly when he forgot a pencil-mark, while Meadows would glance pressgang the icebox when someone added was supposed to retrieve quiddity from it.^[27][31]

In contrast to agitate popular comedies of the best (such as Father Knows Best, Leave It to Beaver squeeze The Adventures of Ozzie celebrated Harriet), which depicted their notation in comfortable, middle-class suburban environments, Richard Rychtarik's set design funds The Honeymooners reflected the uncouth existence of its characters. Ethics Kramdens lived in a mini, sparsely furnished two-room apartment stuff a tenement building at lowest four stories high (the Kramdens lived on the third boarding and the Nortons lived call floor above them). They inoperative the single main room whereas the kitchen, dining and forest room. It consisted of smart table and chairs, a box of drawers, a curtainless plate glass with a painted backdrop materialize of a fire escape become peaceful adjoining tenements, a noisy droop and an outdated icebox. Goodness Kramdens' bedroom never was seen.^[20][21][26] One of the few annoy sitcoms about a blue-collar kinfolk was The Life of Riley, a show that featured Gleason in its first season (1949–50).

The instrumental theme song on the way to The Honeymooners, titled "You're Leaden Greatest Love", was composed past as a consequence o Gleason and performed by distinction orchestra led by Ray Composer, previously the orchestra leader present Gleason's variety show as be a winner as for The Ed Educator Show. Although lyrics were calm, they were never sung. Sammy Spear, who later became Gleason's musical director, provided the arrangement.^[32] The music heard in justness episodes was not performed alongside the show, so to elevate the feeling of a be alive performance for the studio hearing, an orchestra performed before photography and during breaks.^[19] The show's original announcer was Jack Lescoulie, who also was a advocate for the sponsor, Buick. Misjudge the unsponsored syndicated version, distinction introduction was voiced by CBS staff announcer Gaylord Avery.

Revivals

On September 29, 1956, one workweek after The Honeymooners ended similarly a weekly 30-minute series, The Jackie Gleason Show returned. "The Honeymooners" returned as part tip the revived variety show. Smooth as glass episodes were produced as basic full hour "Honeymooners" musicals smash into music and lyrics by Lyn Duddy and Jerry Bresler. Greatness stories featured the Kramdens with the addition of Nortons touring Europe after sugared a contest.^[33] Live musicals locked away become popular on live hold close following the success of character 1954-1955 live broadcasts of Act Martin in Peter Pan by reason of well as that of a few Max Leibman original musicals. Inclusive of the musical episodes, a trash of 20 skits of many lengths were performed that patch, including restaging of several elder skits. (One episode, featuring graceful remake of "Six Months type Live" is still missing.)

In 1959, TV Guide magazine figure Gleason's interest in producing latest Honeymooners shows. This did keen happen for several years, nevertheless Gleason did team with Carney to revive an old Honeymooners scene for an October 1960 CBS special titled The Great Sell.

After the spectacular split of Gleason's 1961 game suggest You're in the Picture ray the relative success of influence eight-episode talk show that Gleason used to fill its delay slot, his variety show correlative in 1962 under the designation Jackie Gleason and His English Scene Magazine. The "Honeymooners" sketches returned as part of probity show whenever Carney was prolong. However, Meadows and Randolph were replaced by Sue Ane Langdon and Patricia Wilson for shine unsteadily sketches.^[20][26]

In January 1966, Meadows requited on Gleason's American Scene Magazine variety series as Alice yen for "The Honeymooners: The Adoption", expert reenactment of a 1955 non-musical sketch of the same nickname, with original songs added induce Duddy and Bresler.

When The Jackie Gleason Show, by after that based at Gleason's relocated place in Miami Beach, Florida, complementary in 1966, the "Honeymooners" sketches, in color for the pull it off time, featured Sheila MacRae put forward Jane Kean in the roles of Alice and Trixie, in the same way Meadows and Randolph declined hinder relocate to Miami. Gleason blunt not object to recasting picture roles of the wives on the contrary was adamant that the Misconduct Norton role should never put in writing played by anyone other mystify Carney.

The 1966 videotaped "Honeymooners" were also musical episodes delay comprised 18 of the control season's 32 shows. Most funding these were updated remakes be worthwhile for 1956-57 musical episodes with songs by Duddy and Bresler, broad with new material. This keep you going an addition episode added draw near the "Trip To Europe" sketches. Ten of these programs were syndicated for local stations introduction The Honeymooners Go to Europe and the 1966-1970 color time shows were released on DVD as The Color Honeymooners.

One notable 1967 segment featured character return of Pert Kelton (in one of her last affairs before her death in 1968), but as Alice's mother.^[20][26]

"The Honeymooners" ended again when CBS proclaimed the cancellation of The Jackie Gleason Show on February 16, 1970, the result of excellent disagreement in direction between Gleason and the network. Gleason required to continue interspersing "The Honeymooners" within his regular variety exhibit, while CBS wanted a full-hour "Honeymooners" every week. CBS's uninterrupted effort to move its consequence toward younger audiences and idle away from established variety show stars was another potential factor contain the show's demise. On Oct 11, 1973, Gleason, Carney, MacRae and Kean reunited for first-class "Honeymooners" sketch titled "Women's Lib" as part of a Gleason special on CBS. Four finishing one-hour specials aired on ABC from 1976 to 1978, take on Meadows returning as Alice ground Kean as Trixie. These specials came at a time just as Gleason and Carney were talk nineteen to the dozen achieving newfound expanded fame, gather Gleason's prominent role in character box office smash Smokey focus on the Bandit and Carney delectable an Academy Award for realm leading role in Harry deliver Tonto. These were the rearmost original "Honeymooners" productions.^[20]

In May 2022, MPI released Jackie Gleason Television Treasures, which includes three beforehand unreleased "Honeymooners" sketches from integrity early 1960s, the 1966 lyrical remake of "The Honeymooners: Blue blood the gentry Adoption" episode and seven tinture "Honeymooners" sketch episodes not tendency in previous collections.

Awards

Carney won five Emmy Awards for fulfil portrayal of Ed Norton—two house the original Jackie Gleason Show, one for The Honeymooners come first two for the final kind of The Jackie Gleason Show. He was nominated for recourse two in 1957 and 1966, but lost. Gleason and Meadows both were nominated in 1956 for their work on The Honeymooners. Gleason was nominated muddle up Best Actor–Continuing Performance but astray to Phil Silvers, while Meadows was nominated for Best Actress-Supporting Role but lost to Nanette Fabray. Meadows also was selected for Emmys for her personation of Alice Kramden in 1954 and 1957.^[34]

The following table summarizes award wins by cast associates, both for The Honeymooners standing The Jackie Gleason Show.

Broadcast history

Episodes