Jeri Jacquin
Time Life is bringing some of the best in comedy for the
next generation as THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW In Color comes in February.
John Herbert Gleason who came to be known as Jackie brought
his unusual comedy styling’s through the character of Ralph Kramden the bus
driver in the television series The
Honeymooners. His life didn’t start out quite as funny being raised by a
single mother after his father walked out with hat in hand and didn’t come
back.
When his mother Mae passed away when Jackie was 19, he was
taken in by a friend who introduced him to his first comedy job. A few years
later he would be signed by Jack Warner and appeared in such films as the 1941
NAVY BLUES and in a film with Humphrey Bogart in 1941 with ALL THROUGH THE
NIGHT.
Television came to call in 1949 and after several shows, he
would host The Jackie Gleason Show in
1954-55 that brought audiences iconic characters such as Joe the Bartender,
The Poor Soul, Charlie Bratton and Fenwick Babbit with so many more.
In 1966, Jackie Gleeson returns with a new season and color
episodes of The Honeymooners. His
guests would include Milton Berle, Red Buttons, George Carlin, Nipsey Russell,
Phil Silvers in color.
This DVD gives viewers a look at four never-before-seen
released episodes that have been beautifully remastered. There are also three
Honeymooners sketches that haven’t been seen since originally aired.
The show was recorded in Miami Beach and happily had bragging rights
as the place of sun and fun. Taped there until the final 1970 season, the
master tapes stayed in the vault until now.
Staring off with Jackie spending a little time with Red
Buttons is comedy and timing that is nothing short of delightful. Seeing the
very handsome and young Frankie Avalon singing once again is such a treat for
me as he was one of my mother’s favorite singers.
Not to be outdone, Jackie spends time with Phil Silvers are
they dance and annoy one another over the word ‘aluminum’. On stage with a
cigarette in one hand and an comedic insult in the other, Jackie lets
everything fly. Instead, Phil gives us a bit of his own version of a mix of
romantic song with an operatic flare.
The most amazing part of the DVD is the revisit of The Honeymooners as Jackie returns as
Ralph Kramden, Art Carney as Ed Norton, along with Sheila MacRae as Alice
Kramden and Jane Kean as Trixie Norton. When a dog’s doctor report comes into
Ralphs hands, comedy is inevitable.
Sammy Spear as Jackie’s orchestra leader, he musically
announces guests such as song-bird Florence Henderson and the very funny Morey
Amsterdam who also provides a little cello entertainment. There is also more
from those amazing Honeymooners.
Nipsey Russell brings song, dance and clever poetry with his
comedy and Jackie knows a talent when he sees it. The comedy of Jan Murray
decides to teach Jackie how to golf just a little better.
Milton Berle stops by to exchange humor with Jackie and the
show also includes Edie Adams singing about the famous cabaret and sharing some
famous impressions. A suit wearing young man you may know as funny man George
Carlin has short hair and no bear but still hilarious.
Time Life continues to bring never before released anywhere
classic collections of television shows for fans to revisit and remember what
has made television so special. Time Life has released Mama’s Family, CPO Sharkey
and The Tonight Show and they now
reminds of us of a time when sex and politics were up for grabs with ROWAN
& MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN. For more of what Time Life has to offer fans of
classic television visit www.timelife.com.
That’s what makes this collection so amazing; revisiting the
weekly entertainment that kept families laughing can now be experiences once
again. The comedy is superb and even racy at times (especially for the time
period), the music is very nostalgic yet the ladies are lovely and the fun was
clearly had by all.
Jackie Gleason came to be known as The Great One and for
good reason. He gave us all laughs and from stage, television and the big
screen, Gleason made an impact in every genre he undertook. Even in his later
years nothing stopped him from making us all laugh from his character in SMOKEY
AND THE BANDIT to his final film role in that is beautiful with NOTHING IN
COMMON along side Tom Hanks.
In the end – he reminds us all of ‘how sweet it is!’
No comments:
Post a Comment