Jackie Gleason famously called himself "The Great One" - fatuously (no pun intended.) His early entertainment forays were lackluster, as far as I can tell. After the Honeymooners' Classic 39, his career, except for a haunting performance in "The Hustler" and a heartbreaking character-acting job in "Gigot" - was a shadow of this one 1955 TV season (though I loved the "Jackie Gleason Show.")
Did ever an actor catch lightning in a bottle better than Gleason with "The Honeymooners"? I cannot tell you the hours of entertainment I to this day continually find in about 90% of the Classic 39. I am not alone. Yes, I watched it every night on WPIX in New York City every night in the 60's and as a kid never figured out I was watching the same 39 episodes over and over again (bless childhood!)
I have come to see it isn't just some kind of groove. Like the Beatles, you can watch an notice new things and re-admire old things. For example, I watched last night the episode where Ralph makes a record to Alice after Alice leaves Ralph for calling his mother-in-law a blabbermouth. (I wish I knew more about the actress who played her. She is an incredible foil for Kramden. Those episodes - "Funny Money" and this one - are among the very best. But I noticed that Gleason has so many perfect-timing dramatic moments. I can watch it 100 times and see more. Gleason is so right - hits every note just right. The Great One is the Honeymooners itself.
Did ever an actor catch lightning in a bottle better than Gleason with "The Honeymooners"? I cannot tell you the hours of entertainment I to this day continually find in about 90% of the Classic 39. I am not alone. Yes, I watched it every night on WPIX in New York City every night in the 60's and as a kid never figured out I was watching the same 39 episodes over and over again (bless childhood!)
I have come to see it isn't just some kind of groove. Like the Beatles, you can watch an notice new things and re-admire old things. For example, I watched last night the episode where Ralph makes a record to Alice after Alice leaves Ralph for calling his mother-in-law a blabbermouth. (I wish I knew more about the actress who played her. She is an incredible foil for Kramden. Those episodes - "Funny Money" and this one - are among the very best. But I noticed that Gleason has so many perfect-timing dramatic moments. I can watch it 100 times and see more. Gleason is so right - hits every note just right. The Great One is the Honeymooners itself.
