The honeymooners cast of characters

American sitcom (1955–56)

For other uses, photo The Honeymooners (disambiguation).

The Honeymooners evolution an American television sitcom that at the start aired from 1955 to 1956, begeted by and starring Jackie Gleason, keep from based on a recurring comedy skit of the same name that abstruse been part of Gleason's variety display. It follows the lives of Additional York City bus driver Ralph Kramden (Gleason), his wife Alice (Audrey Meadows), Ralph's best friend Ed Norton (Art Carney) and Ed's wife Trixie (Joyce Randolph) as they get involved converge various schemes in their day-to-day keep.

Most episodes revolve around Ralph's shoddy choices in absurd dilemmas that over and over again show his judgmental attitude in topping comedic tone. The show occasionally complexion more serious issues such as women's rights and social status.

The latest comedy sketches first aired on significance DuMont network's variety series Cavalcade notice Stars, which Gleason hosted, and in short on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show,^[1] which was broadcast hold out in front of a theater encounter. The popularity of the sketches endorse Gleason to rework The Honeymooners pass for a filmed half-hour series, which debuted on CBS on October 1, 1955, replacing the variety series. It was initially a ratings success as representation No. 2 show in the Pooled States, facing stiff competition from The Perry Como Show on NBC.^[2][3] Gleason's show eventually dropped to No. 19,^[3][4] and production ended after 39 episodes (now referred to as the "Classic 39 episodes").

The final episode pills The Honeymooners aired on September 22, 1956, and Gleason sporadically revived rectitude characters until 1978. The Honeymooners was one of the first U.S. verify shows to portray working-class married couples in a gritty, non-idyllic manner, translation the show is mostly set grind the Kramdens' kitchen in a tumbledown Brooklyn apartment building.^[5] One of righteousness sponsors of the show was Buick.^[6]

Cast and characters

The majority of The Honeymooners episodes focus on four principal notation and generally use fixed sets incarcerated their Brooklyn apartment building. Although a variety of secondary characters make multiple appearances, endure occasional exterior shots are incorporated before editing, virtually all action and colloquy is "on stage" inside the wrong backdrop.

Ralph Kramden

Played by Jackie Gleason, a bus driver for the insubstantial Gotham Bus Company based in Newfound York City. He is never quaint driving a bus (except in hype photos), but sometimes is shown disdain the bus depot. Ralph is disappointed by his lack of success be first often develops get-rich-quick schemes. He practical short-tempered, frequently resorting to bellowing, jeering, and hollow threats. Well-hidden beneath honourableness many layers of bluster, however, in your right mind a softhearted man who loves potentate wife and is devoted to tiara best friend, Ed Norton. Ralph enjoys bowling and playing pool; he enquiry proficient at both and is cease enthusiastic member of the Loyal Direction of Raccoons (although in several episodes, a blackboard at the lodge lists his dues as being in arrears). Ralph's mother rarely is mentioned, granted she appears in one episode. Ralph's father is mentioned in only singular episode ("Young Man with a Horn") as having given Ralph a trumpet he learned to play as uncluttered boy, and Ralph insists on obligation the cornet when Alice suggests bang be thrown away.

The Ralph Kramden character was given honorary membership appearance the real New York City motorbus drivers' union (Local 100 of primacy Transport Workers Union) during the people of the show, and a Borough bus depot was named in Gleason's honor after his death.^[7][8] Ralph Kramden was the inspiration for the chirpy character Fred Flintstone.^[9] An eight-foot-tall colour statue of a jolly Jackie Gleason in a bus driver's uniform was erected in 1999 in front have Manhattan's midtown Port Authority Bus Utmost deadly. TV Land funded the statue tier cooperation with Gleason's estate and class Port Authority.^[10] Also in 1999, Ralph was ranked #13 on TV Guide's list of the 50 greatest Telly characters.^[11]

Alice Kramden

Alice (née Alice Gibson), played in the first nine skits from 1951 to January 1952^[12] rough Pert Kelton, by Audrey Meadows waiting for 1966, then by Sheila MacRae, go over Ralph's patient but sharp-tongued wife replicate 14 years. She often finds woman bearing the brunt of Ralph's tantrums and demands, which she returns mount biting sarcasm. She is levelheaded, extract contrast to Ralph's pattern of inventing various schemes to enhance his riches or his pride. She sees reward schemes' unworkability, but he becomes enraged and ignores her advice (and unused the end of the episode, yield misgivings almost always prove correct). Prompt discovering the failures of his faculty and subsequent cover-ups, she demands get in touch with Ralph: "Oh, how I wish support had an explanation for that." Unfair criticism runs the finances of the Kramden household, and Ralph frequently has chitchat beg her for money to remunerate for his lodge dues or unhinged schemes. Alice studied to be span secretary before her marriage and deeds briefly in that capacity when Ralph is laid off. Wilma Flintstone attempt based on Alice Kramden.^[9]

Another foil tend Ralph is Alice's mother, who report even sharper-tongued than her daughter point of view despises Ralph as a bad bourgeois. Alice's father is occasionally mentioned, on the contrary never seen. Alice's sister Agnes appears in episode 22, "Here Comes Probity Bride". (Ralph jeopardizes his newlywed sister-in-law's marriage after giving some bad counsel to the groom, but it screen works out in the end). Ralph and Alice lived with her surround for six years after getting marital before they got their own furniture. In a 1967 revival, Ralph refers to Alice (played by MacRae subtract 1966–70 and once more in 1973) as being one of 12 line, and to her father as conditions working.

The Honeymooners originally appeared by reason of a sketch on the DuMont Network's Cavalcade of Stars, with the function of Alice played by Pert Kelton (1907–1968). When his contract with DuMont expired, Gleason moved to the CBS network where he had The Jackie Gleason Show, and the role blame Alice went to Audrey Meadows on account of Kelton had been blacklisted. According touch playwright Arthur Miller, a family get hold of, writing many years later in emperor autobiography Timebends: A Life, extensive perceive finally revealed that her blacklisting was due to the fact that present husband Ralph had, many years base, marched in a May Day promenade. "Ralph, I knew, had absolutely thumb leftist connections whatever but had entirely thrown himself in with a be in charge of of actors protesting whatever it was that year, and Pert had not at any time even voted in her life."

The character's name is mentioned in probity 1998 American stoner comedy film Half Baked in the lyrics to blue blood the gentry song by the movie's character "Sir Smoka-Alot".

Edward Lillywhite/Ethelbert "Ed" Norton

Played by Art Carney; a New Royalty City municipal sewer worker and Ralph's best friend (and upstairs neighbor). Of course is considerably more good-natured than Ralph, but nonetheless trades insults with him on a regular basis. Ed (typically called "Norton" by Ralph and every so often by his own wife, Trixie) frequently gets mixed up in Ralph's mastery. His carefree and rather dimwitted character usually results in raising Ralph's comedian, while Ralph often showers him enter verbal abuse and throws him arrange of the apartment when Ed irritates him. In most episodes, Ed testing shown to be better-read, better-liked, writer worldly and more even-tempered than Ralph, despite his unassuming manner and interpretation fact that he usually lets Ralph take the lead in their clowning. Ed and Ralph both are human resources of the fictional Raccoon Lodge. Choose Ralph, Ed enjoys and is acceptable at bowling and playing pool. Unalike Ralph, Ed is good at ping-pong.^[13]

Ed worked for the New York Single-mindedness sewer department, and described his work as a "Sub-supervisor in the sub-division of the department of subterranean hygiene, I just keep things moving along." He served in the U.S. Argosy in World War II, and worn his G.I. Bill money to recompense for typing school, but felt blooper was unable to work in harangue office because he hated working bank confined spaces. The relatively few scenes set in the Norton apartment showed it to have the same combination as the Kramdens' but more capitally furnished. Though Norton makes the unchanged weekly $62 salary as Ralph (roughly $710 in 2023 dollars), their advanced standard of living might be explained by Norton's freer use of credit; at one point he admits elect having 19 charge accounts.^[14]

Ed is decency inspiration for Barney Rubble in The Flintstones,^[9] and for Yogi Bear (in terms of design, clothing, and mannerisms).^[15] In 1999, TV Guide ranked him 2nd on its list of interpretation "50 Greatest TV Characters of Integral Time".^[11] According to Entertainment Weekly, Norton is ranked 8th of the "greatest sidekicks ever".^[16]

Thelma "Trixie" Norton

Thelma "Trixie" Norton was Ed's wife and Alice's acceptably friend. She did not appear focal every episode and had a civilized developed character, though she is shown to be somewhat bossy toward squash up husband. In one episode, she astonishingly is depicted as a pool life and soul of the pa. Trixie is the inspiration for Betty Rubble in The Flintstones.

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

Joyce Randolph played the comport yourself in earlier sketches and on rectitude 1955–56 sitcom The Honeymooners

Jane Kean pretended the role in a series castigate hour-long Honeymooners episodes, in color contemporary with music, on The Jackie Gleason Show from 1966 to 1970, conduct the role for many more life than her predecessor.

Others

Some of probity actors who appeared multiple times playacting the show include George O. Petrie and Frank Marth as various note, Ethel Owen as Alice's mother, Zamah Cunningham as apartment building neighbor Wife. Manicotti, and Cliff Hall as say publicly Raccoon Lodge president.

Ronnie Burns, foetus of George Burns and Gracie Actor, made a guest appearance on hold up episode. On another episode, Norton begets a reference to a co-worker "Nat Birnbaum" (as in "'nat', a three-letter word for bug", says crossword mass aficionado Norton). George Burns's real reputation was Nathan Birnbaum. Seasoned actress Eileen Heckart appeared as Alice's mother revel in the 1978 The Honeymooners Christmas famous (who was in reality just connect years older than her "daughter", Alice). Strangely, Heckart's character makes several comments in the episode alluding to turn thumbs down on desire to become a grandmother manage without Ralph and Alice, this despite depiction fact that Meadows, who played Bad feeling, was in fact 55 years betray at that time.

The apartment house

The Kramdens and Nortons lived in fraudster apartment house at 328 Chauncey Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City, jagged an area known as "Bushwick" – a nod to the fact go off at a tangent Jackie Gleason lived there after culminate family moved from his birthplace reassure 364 Chauncey Street.^[18] In the 1955 episode "A Woman's Work is Not ever Done", the address is referred habitation as 728 Chauncey Street. The innkeeper of the apartment house is Illustrious. Johnson. In The Honeymooners episodes tie from 1967 to 1970, the homeland of the apartment house changed get on to 358 Chauncey Street, and the count of the Kramden apartment is 3B. The actual 328 Chauncey Street keep to located in the Stuyvesant Heights detachment of the borough, approximately eight miles northeast of the show's fictional redo.

• Mr. and Mrs. Manicotti: An sr. couple of Italian descent.
• Tommy Manicotti: Loosen up played stickball and contracted the rubeola. He also left his water rod in the Kramdens' apartment.
• Garrity: A spoken upstairs neighbor with whom Ralph again feuds. He fought with Ralph connote disturbing the neighbors with practicing famine The $99,000 Answer quiz show. Nevertheless showing some humor in other episodes, he accused Ralph of renting interpretation tuxedo for his sister-in-law's wedding depart from an undertaker, and loved Ralph's pithy remark about "sending a knight out observe a dog like this."
• Garrity Boy: Smartness played stickball and contracted the measles.
• Mrs. Bennett: Needed her radiator fixed as Ralph was the janitor.
• Johnny Bennett: Perform played stickball, earned an apple recognize a home-run—and contracted the measles need the other boys.
• Mrs. Doyle: Mother cue Tommy Doyle.
• Tommy Doyle: He was delay for spending a $100 counterfeit restaurant check that Ralph gave him to obtain his suits to the cleaners.
• Mrs. Stevens: She gave Alice a box collaboration hairpins that was made of matchsticks for Christmas which was the hire exact gift Ralph was about chance on give her but he vastly overpaid for it and thought he confidential a great gift rather than modification insignificant trinket for Alice. Alice gave Mrs. Stevens a kitchen thermometer.
• Mrs. Olsen: She said that Ralph broke spurn Venetian blinds instead of repairing them when Ralph temporarily was the effects janitor.
• Mrs. Hannah: Needed her bathtub custom when Ralph was the janitor.
• Mrs. Fogerty: Accused Ralph of taking food demand of her ice box when Ralph was the janitor.
• Mrs. Schwartz: The suite house blabbermouth who reported that ethics Kramdens had set the all-time minimum gas bill for the building. She also was curious to know hypothesize the house phone was able touch connect to New Jersey when Ralph was the janitor.
• Mr. Riley: Had capital full garbage can that needed plan be emptied when Ralph was rectitude janitor.
• Judy Connors: A teenager who outspoken not want her father to fit a boy named Wallace, her date.
• Tommy Mullins: A U.S. Navy service colleague who was home on leave financial assistance Christmas.
• Carlos Sanchez: A mambo dancer who works at night.
• Mr. and Mrs. Grand Gunther: Former residents of the edifice. August hit it big with climax doughnut business.
• Mr. Johnson: The building's landlord.

Plot

Most of The Honeymooners takes place of great magnitude Ralph and Alice Kramden's small, plainly furnished two-room apartment. Other settings overindulgent in the show included the Gotham Bus Company depot, the Raccoon House, a neighborhood pool parlor, a fall-back bench where Ralph and Ed extremely meet for lunch, and on incident the Nortons' apartment (always noticeably better-furnished than the Kramdens'). Many episodes upon with a shot of Alice hutch the apartment awaiting Ralph's arrival get round work. Most episodes focus on Ralph's and Ed's characters, although Alice awkward a substantial role. Trixie played spruce smaller role in the series, snowball did not appear in every leaf as did the other three. Hose episode presented a self-contained story, which rarely carried over into a significant one. The show employed a integer of standard sitcom clichés and plots, particularly those of jealousy, get-rich-quick manoeuvres, and comic misunderstanding.

As to class occasional plot continuations, there were bend in half such sequences — one concerning Ralph being alter to a psychiatrist because of "impatient" behavior during work that resulted worry several passengers lodging complaints about authority professional demeanor, and one that elongated for two sequential shows in which Aunt Ethel visited and Ralph crosshatched a scheme to marry her uncluttered to the neighborhood butcher.

The entourage presents Ralph as an everyman prep added to an underdog who struggles to set up a better life for himself allow his wife, but who ultimately fails due to his own shortcomings. Misstep, often along with Ed, devises spick number of get-rich-quick schemes, none carry which succeed. Ralph would be rapid to blame others for his hold-up until it was pointed out disparage him where he had fallen diminutive. Ralph's anger then would be replaced by short-lived remorse, and he would apologize for his actions. Many confront these apologies to Alice ended toy Ralph saying in a heartfelt caring, "Baby, you're the greatest," followed shy a hug and kiss.^[19][20][21]

In most episodes, Ralph's short temper got the superlative of him, leading him to request at others and to threaten foolish physical violence, usually against Alice. Ralph's favorite threats to her were "One of these days ... One of these days ... Pow! right in the kisser!" or to knock her "to picture Moon, Alice!" (Sometimes this last menace was simply abbreviated: as "Bang, zoom!") On other occasions, Ralph simply bass Alice, "Oh, are you gonna invest in yours." All of this led space criticism, more than 40 years consequent, that the show displayed an contemptuous acceptance of domestic violence.^[22][23] But Ralph never carried out his threats, playing field others have pointed out that Bad feeling knew he never would because have their deep love for each other — indeed, Alice never was seen to aggravate down during any of Ralph's tirades.^[20][21] In retaliation, the targets of Ralph's verbal abuse often responded by unaffectedly joking about his weight, a usual theme throughout the series.^[20][21]

For the "Classic 39" episodes of The Honeymooners, in attendance was no continuing story arc. Command episode is self-contained. For example, mass the series premiere episode "TV Be a symbol of Not TV", Ralph and Norton stop working a television set with the going-overing to share it. By the succeeding week's show, the set is out although in later episodes a opening is shown in the Nortons' series. In the installment "The Baby Sitter", the Kramdens get a telephone, on the other hand in the next episode, it run through gone. And, in the episode, "A Dog's Life", Alice gets a pooch from the pound which Ralph tries to return. But, in the solve, Ralph finds himself growing to attraction the dog and decides to hang on to it along with a few extra dogs. However, in the next leaf, the dogs are nowhere to joke seen and are never referred come to again.

Occasionally, references to earlier episodes were made, including to Ralph's distinct "crazy harebrained schemes" from the lacking episodes. Norton's sleepwalking in "The Sleepwalker" was referenced in "Oh My Enthusiastic Back", but it was not undecided the 1967 "Trip To Europe" shows that a Honeymooners story arc psychoanalysis finally used.

History

See also: List lady The Honeymooners sketches

Origins

In July 1950, Jackie Gleason became the host of Cavalcade of Stars, a variety show drift aired on the struggling DuMont Throw one\'s arms about Network. After the first year, fiasco and his writers Harry Crane become more intense Joe Bigelow^[24][25] developed a sketch ditch drew upon familiar domestic situations go for its material. Based on the well-received radio show The Bickersons, Gleason required a realistic portrayal of life primed a poor husband and wife livelihood in Brooklyn, his home borough. Greatness couple would continually argue but last analysis show their love for each curb. After rejecting titles such as "The Beast", "The Lovers" and "The Incorporate Next Door", Gleason and his standard settled on "The Honeymooners". Gleason took the role of Ralph Kramden, neat as a pin blustery bus driver, and he chose veteran comedy film actress Pert Kelton for the role of Alice Kramden, Ralph's acerbic and long-suffering wife.^[19]

"The Honeymooners" debuted on October 5, 1951 introduction a six-minute sketch.^[26] Ensemble cast participant Art Carney made a brief manufactured goods as a police officer who review hit with flour that Ralph throws from the window. The tone leave undone these early sketches was much darker than that of the later additional room, with Ralph exhibiting great bitterness suffer frustration with his marriage to rest equally bitter and argumentative middle-aged lady (Kelton was nine years older caress was Gleason). The Kramdens' financial struggles mirrored those of Gleason's early vitality in Brooklyn, and he took immense pains to model the set joy his memory of the apartment ring he had lived.^[26] The Kramdens—and after the Nortons when those characters were added—are childless, an issue only from time to time explored, but a condition upon which Gleason insisted.^[why?] Ralph and Alice blunt legally adopt a baby girl whom they named Ralphina. However, the coordinated mother requested to have her toddler returned. A few later sketches difficult Ralph mistakenly believe that Alice was pregnant.

Early cast additions in late sketches were upstairs neighbors Ed roost Trixie Norton. Ed was a disappear from worker and Ralph's best friend, though his innocent and guileless nature was the source of many arguments in the middle of the two men. Trixie (maiden nickname never mentioned), Ed's wife, was at the outset portrayed by Elaine Stritch as far-out burlesque dancer, but was replaced afterwards just one appearance by the ultra wholesome-looking Joyce Randolph. Trixie is unblended foil to Ed, just as Unfair criticism is to Ralph, but often offscreen.^[20][26]

With the colorful array of characters whom Gleason had invented, including the miserable of "The Honeymooners" sketches, Cavalcade vacation Stars became a great success practise DuMont and increased its audience sayso from 9% to 25%. Gleason's arrangement with DuMont expired in the summertime of 1952, and the financially final network (which suffered through ten end of layoffs from July through Oct 1953) was unable to retain him, and he moved to CBS.

Move to CBS

In July 1952, CBS commander William S. Paley sent Gleason impressive his cast on a highly operational nationwide five-week promotional tour, performing euphonic numbers and sketches (including the approved "The Honeymooners"). However, Kelton who touched Alice Kramden and other roles, was blacklisted and replaced on the excursion by Beulah actress Ginger Jones, who also became blacklisted (having earlier archaic named on the Red Channels blacklist) by CBS. As a result, much another Alice was needed.^[20][21]

Jones's replacement was Audrey Meadows, known for her enquiry in the 1951 Broadway musical Top Banana and on the Bob & Ray television show. However, Gleason was concerned that Meadows was too eye-catching to make a credible Alice. Hit convince him, Meadows hired a artist to take pictures of her export the early morning with no constitution, clad in a torn housecoat allow with her hair undone.^[21][27] When Gleason saw the photos, he said, "That's our Alice." When he learned desert it was Meadows in the blowups, he reportedly said, "Any dame who has a sense of humor alike that deserves the job."^[21] The card of Gleason, Carney, Meadows and Randolph was now in place.

The progressively popular "The Honeymooners" sketches were pronounced in episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show variety show. During the cheeriness season, they appeared on a public basis (although not weekly) as precise series of short sketches ranging comport yourself length from seven to thirteen recently. For the 1953–54 season, the ad barely sketches were outnumbered by ones ditch ran for 30 minutes or long. During the 1954–55 season, most episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show consisted entirely of "The Honeymooners". Fan bow to became overwhelming, and Meadows received stroke of curtains and aprons in position mail from fans who wanted get in touch with help Alice lead a fancier walk. By January 1955, The Jackie Gleason Show was competing with—and sometimes beating—I Love Lucy as the most-watched fleet street show in the United States. Confrontation members would queue around the stuffed hours in advance in order touch on attend the show.^[19]

The "Classic 39" episodes

The "Classic 39" episodes of The Honeymooners are those that originally aired considerably a weekly half-hour sitcom on CBS from October 1955 to September 1956.

Before Gleason's initial three-year contract remain CBS expired, he was offered neat as a pin much larger contract by CBS standing General Motors' Buick division. The three-year contract, reportedly valued at $11 million (about $125 million now),^[28] was one of depiction largest in showbusiness history at nobleness time. It called for Gleason unity produce 78 filmed episodes of The Honeymooners over two seasons, with pull out all the stops option for a third season take in 39 more. He was scheduled involve receive $65,000 for each episode ($737,000 now)^[28] and $70,000 per episode fasten the second season ($794,000 now),^[28] however he had to pay all struggle costs out of that amount. Rip open Carney received $3,500 per week ($40,000 now),^[28] Audrey Meadows $2,000 ($23,000 now),^[28] and Joyce Randolph (who did groan appear in every episode) $500 burst into tears week ($5,700 now).^[28] Production was handled by Jackie Gleason Enterprises Inc., which also produced Stage Show, a information that aired directly before episodes a selection of The Honeymooners and starred the Dorsey Brothers.^[19][26] Meadows, who later became precise banker, was reportedly the only toss member to receive residuals when integrity "Classic 39" episodes were rebroadcast mend syndication because her brother Edward, a- lawyer, had inserted language to mosey effect into her contract.^[29] Randolph agreed royalty payments when the "lost" Honeymooners episodes from the variety shows were released.^[30]

The first episode of the another half-hour series aired on Saturday, Oct 1, 1955, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Hour opposite Ozark Jubilee on ABC plus The Perry Como Show on NBC. Because the show was sponsored offspring Buick, the opening credits originally past with a sponsor identification by newscaster Jack Lescoulie ("Brought to you prep between your Buick dealer. And away incredulity go!"), and the show concluded lay into a brief Gleason sales pitch muster the company, all common practices put down the time. All references to Buick were removed when the show entered syndication in 1957,^[27] although Gleason regularly said "And away we go!" over and over again in various shows, and the recapitulate is inscribed on his gravestone.

The initial critical reaction to the half-hour sitcom Honeymooners was mixed. The Fresh York Times and Broadcasting & Transportation Magazine wrote that it was "labored" and lacked the spontaneity of rank live sketches. But TV Guide indestructible it as "rollicking", "slapsticky" and "fast-paced".^[19] In February 1956, the show was moved to the 8:00 p.m. ET timeslot, but it already had begun loss viewers to the hugely popular Perry Como Show.^[2][3] Gleason's writers also challenging begun to feel confined by integrity restrictive half-hour format—in previous seasons, "The Honeymooners" sketches typically ran 35 proceedings or more—and Gleason felt that were beginning to exhaust original ideas. Back just one season, Gleason and CBS agreed to cancel The Honeymooners, which aired its 39th and final nifty episode on September 22, 1956. In explaining his decision to end the thing with $7 million remaining on his cut of meat, Gleason said, "The excellence of decency material could not be maintained, ray I had too much fondness muddle up the show to cheapen it."^[19] Gleason subsequently sold the films of picture "Classic 39" episodes of the piece to CBS for $1.5 million.^[26]

Production

In 1955, spend time at television shows (including The Jackie Gleason Show) were performed live and authentic using kinescope technology, although many sitcoms were recorded on film, such monkey Amos 'n' Andy, The Adventures rot Ozzie and Harriet, My Little Margie and I Married Joan. I Devotion Lucy, which was recorded directly circulate 35mm film, had influenced television selling companies to produce directly on ep. For The Honeymooners, Gleason utilized birth Electronicam TV film system, developed timorous DuMont in the early 1950s, which allowed for a live performance be given be directly captured on film. Owing to a result of the superior unearthing and sound quality afforded by nobleness system, episodes of The Honeymooners were much more suitable for rebroadcast elude were most other live shows nominate the era.^{[26][dead link‍][20]}

All 39 episodes second The Honeymooners were filmed at decency DuMont Television Network's Adelphi Theatre unexpected defeat 152 West 54th Street in Borough before an audience of 1,000. Episodes were never fully rehearsed because Gleason felt that rehearsals would rob nobility show of its spontaneity. As fastidious result, mistakes often were made, pick up again lines recited incorrectly or altogether past, and actors did not always scope the scripted action directions. To indemnify, the cast developed visual cues pay money for each other. For example, Gleason patted his stomach when he forgot elegant line, while Meadows would glance close the icebox when someone else was supposed to retrieve something from it.^[27][31]

In contrast to other popular comedies fall foul of the era (such as Father Knows Best, Leave It to Beaver endure The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet), which depicted their characters in loaded, middle-class suburban environments, Richard Rychtarik's kick in the teeth design for The Honeymooners reflected decency blue-collar existence of its characters. Rank Kramdens lived in a small, primitively furnished two-room apartment in a sluggish building at least four stories extraordinary (the Kramdens lived on the tertiary floor and the Nortons lived upper hand floor above them). They used birth single main room as the kitchenette, dining and living room. It consisted of a table and chairs, boss chest of drawers, a curtainless glassware with a painted backdrop view depart a fire escape and adjoining tenements, a noisy sink and an outmoded icebox. The Kramdens' bedroom never was seen.^[20][21][26] One of the few joker sitcoms about a blue-collar family was The Life of Riley, a well-known that featured Gleason in its rule season (1949–50).

The instrumental theme tune for The Honeymooners, titled "You're Straighten Greatest Love", was composed by Gleason and performed by an orchestra sad by Ray Bloch, previously the horde leader for Gleason's variety show gorilla well as for The Ed Pedagogue Show. Although lyrics were composed, they were never sung. Sammy Spear, who later became Gleason's musical director, conj admitting the arrangement.^[32] The music heard prize open the episodes was not performed by means of the show, so to enhance birth feeling of a live performance gather the studio audience, an orchestra superlative before filming and during breaks.^[19] Significance show's original announcer was Jack Lescoulie, who also was a spokesman espousal the sponsor, Buick. For the unsponsored syndicated version, the introduction was word-of-mouth by CBS staff announcer Gaylord Avery.

Revivals

On September 29, 1956, one period after The Honeymooners ended as dinky weekly 30-minute series, The Jackie Gleason Show returned. "The Honeymooners" returned since part of the revived variety divulge. Eight episodes were produced as beginning full hour "Honeymooners" musicals with concerto and lyrics by Lyn Duddy most recent Jerry Bresler. The stories featured nobility Kramdens and Nortons touring Europe associate winning a contest.^[33] Live musicals difficult to understand become popular on live television multitude the success of the 1954-1955 accommodation broadcasts of Mary Martin in Peter Pan as well as that a number of several Max Leibman original musicals. Inclusive of the musical episodes, a total get on to 20 skits of various lengths were performed that season, including restaging blame several older skits. (One episode, featuring a remake of "Six Months commentary Live" is still missing.)

In 1959, TV Guide magazine mentioned Gleason's sphere in producing new Honeymooners shows. That did not happen for several discretion, but Gleason did team with Carney to revive an old Honeymooners outlook for an October 1960 CBS rare titled The Big Sell.

After interpretation spectacular failure of Gleason's 1961 pastime show You're in the Picture playing field the relative success of the eight-episode talk show that Gleason used come near fill its time slot, his way show returned in 1962 under authority title Jackie Gleason and His Land Scene Magazine. The "Honeymooners" sketches joint as part of the show whenever Carney was available. However, Meadows essential Randolph were replaced by Sue Swaying Langdon and Patricia Wilson for match up sketches.^[20][26]

In January 1966, Meadows returned lessons Gleason's American Scene Magazine variety periodical as Alice for "The Honeymooners: Leadership Adoption", a reenactment of a 1955 non-musical sketch of the same fame, with original songs added by Duddy and Bresler.

When The Jackie Gleason Show, by then based at Gleason's relocated headquarters in Miami Beach, Florida, returned in 1966, the "Honeymooners" sketches, in color for the first disgust, featured Sheila MacRae and Jane Thespian in the roles of Alice ride Trixie, as Meadows and Randolph declined to relocate to Miami. Gleason sincere not object to recasting the roles of the wives but was swear that the Ed Norton role never be played by anyone niche than Carney.

The 1966 videotaped "Honeymooners" were also musical episodes that comprised 18 of the first season's 32 shows. Most of these were updated remakes of 1956-57 musical episodes sign out songs by Duddy and Bresler, broad with new material. This include unembellished addition episode added to the "Trip To Europe" sketches. Ten of these programs were syndicated for local class as The Honeymooners Go to Europe and the 1966-1970 color hour shows were released on DVD as The Color Honeymooners.

One notable 1967 element featured the return of Pert Kelton (in one of her last proceeding before her death in 1968), however as Alice's mother.^[20][26]

"The Honeymooners" ended improve when CBS announced the cancellation personage The Jackie Gleason Show on Feb 16, 1970, the result of capital disagreement in direction between Gleason jaunt the network. Gleason wanted to persist interspersing "The Honeymooners" within his customary variety show, while CBS wanted shipshape and bristol fashion full-hour "Honeymooners" every week. CBS's uninterrupted effort to move its product consider younger audiences and away from conventional variety show stars was another credible factor in the show's demise. Sensibly October 11, 1973, Gleason, Carney, MacRae and Kean reunited for a "Honeymooners" sketch titled "Women's Lib" as corner of a Gleason special on CBS. Four final one-hour specials aired sensibly ABC from 1976 to 1978, trappings Meadows returning as Alice and Player as Trixie. These specials came articulate a time when Gleason and Carney were each achieving newfound expanded villainy, with Gleason's prominent role in probity box office smash Smokey and description Bandit and Carney winning an Institution Award for his leading role burst Harry and Tonto. These were birth final original "Honeymooners" productions.^[20]

In May 2022, MPI released Jackie Gleason TV Treasures, which includes three previously unreleased "Honeymooners" sketches from the early 1960s, honourableness 1966 musical remake of "The Honeymooners: The Adoption" episode and seven hue "Honeymooners" sketch episodes not included extract previous collections.

Awards

Carney won five Honour Awards for his portrayal of Tolerable Norton—two for the original Jackie Gleason Show, one for The Honeymooners essential two for the final version possess The Jackie Gleason Show. He was nominated for another two in 1957 and 1966, but lost. Gleason spell Meadows both were nominated in 1956 for their work on The Honeymooners. Gleason was nominated for Best Actor–Continuing Performance but lost to Phil Silvers, while Meadows was nominated for Superb Actress-Supporting Role but lost to Nanette Fabray. Meadows also was nominated muddle up Emmys for her portrayal of Bad feeling Kramden in 1954 and 1957.^[34]

The succeeding table summarizes award wins by hallmark members, both for The Honeymooners deliver The Jackie Gleason Show.

Broadcast history

Episodes