American Sean Magazine

[Woolworth27]

:confused: Do you think they will come out with episodes of Jackie Gleasn American Sean Magazine?

[treky]

I don't know; but I sure hope so! I remember seeing that show when I was growing up, and I'd LOVE to see it again!

[T-Greg]

When I spoke to Paul Brownstein (the distributor) a few years ago, he told me no one was interested in the TV rights to them. So, they just sit there.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

"...THE AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE" (1962-'65) had topical material---and not too many people would understand the sketches and blackouts satirizing them today. Gleason's characters were also seen from time to time {primarily "Joe The Bartender"}, but not often enough. Some of the sketches from the 1964-'65 season were repackaged as a half-hour syndicated series in the mid-'80s, but was NOT successful. So Brownstein may be right.......

[VIDEOWACK]

"...THE AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE" (1962-'65) had topical material---and not too many people would understand the sketches and blackouts satirizing them today. Gleason's characters were also seen from time to time {primarily "Joe The Bartender"}, but not often enough. Some of the sketches from the 1964-'65 season were repackaged as a half-hour syndicated series in the mid-'80s, but was NOT successful. So Brownstein may be right.......

Actually, THE AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE ran from September 1962 thru June of 1966 with the first season being the weakest of the 4. Gleason didn't really bust out his many other characters until the start of the 2nd season in September '63. Then we got to see The Poor Soul, Rum Dum, lots more of Reggie and yes, Joe The Bartender would always close out the hour. The syndicated 100 half-hours that were distrbuted by 20th Century Fox TV in 1979 were taken from all 4 years of ASM, with sketches being tossed into 22 minute shows from various seasons. I have read that 1-hour versions were available, but I never saw any evidence of that, nor have I ever heard anyone confirm it. Maybe MPI will pick these up and put them out as well as the Color Honeymooners....time will tell. :wave:

[Gleasonclown]

Does anyone know how many actual episodes there were of the American Scene Magazine?

Thanks-

[VIDEOWACK]

Does anyone know how many actual episodes there were of the American Scene Magazine?

Thanks-

This is a "guesstimate" but I think I'd be fairly close. I don't believe they did 39 each season because they would go off for the summer for 13 weeks and during the late winter thru spring would air roughly half a dozen repeats. I would say 32 or 33 episodes were produced in each of the 4 seasons.

[Gleasonclown]

Thanks for the info. Another question...has anyone ever seen an episode of the Red Skelton show...roughly very late 50's, with Gleason and Skelton performing together? I believe Arthur Godfrey was also a guest on the episode.
Thanks-

[T-Greg]

Thanks for the info. Another question...has anyone ever seen an episode of the Red Skelton show...roughly very late 50's, with Gleason and Skelton performing together? I believe Arthur Godfrey was also a guest on the episode.
Thanks-

I'm not aware of Gleason ever being on The Red Skelton Show. However, both Gleason and Carney were on The Arthur Godfrey Show together. Gleason did a skit with the Poor Soul in the army.

[Benno123]

Greg,

Do you have the date that the Arthur Godfrey appearance was? Just curious!

[T-Greg]

Greg,

Do you have the date that the Arthur Godfrey appearance was? Just curious!

I believe it was about 1950 or 1951.

[Gleasonclown]

The photo I saw was dated around 1959...Gleason & Skelton in a jail cell. Gleason looked like he may have had the mustache and a slight painted "beard", kinda like a tramp clown (Freddie the Freeloader-ish?).

Still another question...when did Rum Dum become a regular character? Was it during the half hour variety show in the late 50's, with Buddy Hackett?

[VIDEOWACK]

The photo I saw was dated around 1959...Gleason & Skelton in a jail cell. Gleason looked like he may have had the mustache and a slight painted "beard", kinda like a tramp clown (Freddie the Freeloader-ish?).

Still another question...when did Rum Dum become a regular character? Was it during the half hour variety show in the late 50's, with Buddy Hackett?

Yes, Gleason started doing Rum Dum on that half-hour short-lived series in 1958. He brought him back in 1962 for American Scene Magazine and would perform that character into 1966. As far as Gleason and Skelton being together on a show, I must admit I never knew they did anything together....although it sure is possible. If I am not mistaken, I believe Red Skelton may have been one of Jackie's replacements in 1954 when he was out with his broken leg, the end result of a sketch he did on January 30, 1954.

[Benno123]

Thanks for the date on the Godfrey appearance. I wondered if it was before Gleason and Co. moved to CBS or not.

As for Rum Dum, can someone explain him to me? I've never seen a sketch of his before, so I'm curious. Thanks!

[VIDEOWACK]

Thanks for the date on the Godfrey appearance. I wondered if it was before Gleason and Co. moved to CBS or not.

As for Rum Dum, can someone explain him to me? I've never seen a sketch of his before, so I'm curious. Thanks!

Ben, Rum Dum was a character that was always a bit tipsy (shall we say drunk?) and always got in his own way. He was dressed in a 3-piece suit (usually plaid or checkered) with his tie hanging out of his vest. He wore a straw hat and a huge mustache which hanged downward in a "broomlike" fashion. He never spoke, he never had to....his actions spoke for themself. I had the joy of attending the taping of the first episode of "American Scene Magazine" for the 1963-64 season, and got to see Gleason perform him "live" for MY first time.

[Gleasonclown]

How lucky to have seen Gleason perform his variety show live. Can you elaborate on any specifics of the actual show taping? Iv'e always heard that Gleason liked the show to "move" as fast as possible, and not bore the audiences with long set/costume changes. And for all the legend of Gleason not rehearsing, these American Scene shows offerup alot of pantomine/prop-heavy sketches, which would seem to be hard to excute without some preplanning on Gleason's part. Anyone ever see a script for the American Scene shows?
-Greg

[VIDEOWACK]

How lucky to have seen Gleason perform his variety show live. Can you elaborate on any specifics of the actual show taping? Iv'e always heard that Gleason liked the show to "move" as fast as possible, and not bore the audiences with long set/costume changes. And for all the legend of Gleason not rehearsing, these American Scene shows offerup alot of pantomine/prop-heavy sketches, which would seem to be hard to excute without some preplanning on Gleason's part. Anyone ever see a script for the American Scene shows?
-Greg

American Scene Magazine was typically taped on either a Tuesday or Wednesday. The average taping time would be about 90 minutes for a "normal" one hour show. However, I remember attending a taping in February of '63 that took about 3 hours. That was because they taped segments and guest shots (comedians, singers) that would be used in other shows, I guess they had to grab these people when they were in town. It's the main reason Gleason wore that floor length robe.....he didn't have to worry about what to wear to match other segments and the home audience would never know the difference. As for keeping the studio audience amused he took care of that too.......he had Max Kaminsky and his dixieland band off to the side, and whenever there were set changes or any down-time, Max and the guys would rip into some great dixieland. It was like going to a party, great fun! Btw, here is a picture of Rum Dum, going back to previous post!

[W.B.]

With that type of production style, is it little wonder that TASM has been cited in James Bacon's Gleason bio as a possible part-influence on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In? Also, one of the 1964 shows was entered into the Montreux festival and, as a result, was shown on BBC-2 in Britain, so I wonder if the format of Benny Hill's show in the last two-plus decades of his TV career was also influenced, at least in part, by American Scene? Certainly many of Mr. Hill's shows would film or tape several segments in one fell swoop and be scattered among many of his specials - in some cases, over a period of a few years.

[VIDEOWACK]

With that type of production style, is it little wonder that TASM has been cited in James Bacon's Gleason bio as a possible part-influence on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In? Also, one of the 1964 shows was entered into the Montreux festival and, as a result, was shown on BBC-2 in Britain, so I wonder if the format of Benny Hill's show in the last two-plus decades of his TV career was also influenced, at least in part, by American Scene? Certainly many of Mr. Hill's shows would film or tape several segments in one fell swoop and be scattered among many of his specials - in some cases, over a period of a few years.

Very true, especially when you consider the opening "newsreel" blackouts. I'm sure Benny Hill's show reflected much of American TV, considering the many "take-offs" he did on many of our shows.

[T-Greg]

I'm not aware of Gleason ever being on The Red Skelton Show. However, both Gleason and Carney were on The Arthur Godfrey Show together. Gleason did a skit with the Poor Soul in the army.

Correction. After doing some checking, I found that Gleason did appear on the Arthur Godfrey Show, but it in 1958. It was on the Kate Smith Hour that he appeared with Carney and it was in 1951. In that show, Gleason does a Fenwick Babbit military skit.

[Benno123]

Thanks for the picture of Rum Dum. I've seen a picture of Gleason as that character but I never knew what his name was.

Also, thanks for the corrected date on the Godfrey show. I'll have to see if that's available out there in collectors land!

[Lamont]

if anyone is interested
i actually have all 100 of the syndicated episodes of Jackie Gleasons American Scene on 22 discs

email me if u are interested

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...of the half-hour edition of "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" syndicated in the mid-'80s are good "samplers" of what "THE AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE" had to offer...but you'd have to see the complete hour shows to get a good idea of what the format was really about!

As I mentioned, the "AMERICAN SCENE" format was abandoned at the start of the 1965-'66 season, as "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" reverted to its original format of comedy/variety, with sketches (featuring Gleason's "stock company" of characters), guest star turns, production numbers, an occasional "book" show, and a regular visit from George Jessel introducing a "new talent discovery" he'd found while criss-crossing the country for the show. The ratings declined to such a point that Jackie decided to revive "The Honeymooners" for a "one-time only" appearance in January 1966- which, as we all know, was that hour-long updated version of "The Adoption"....which led to the "Color Honeymooners" sketches the following season, when the show finally converted to full color.


:tv:

[TV Knowledge Fan]

CBS used "Rum Dum"'s picture when promoting "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW"
in the pages of TV GUIDE (in its listings) when it returned for its new season on September 18, 1965 {"The Great Man and his gang light up the nation's homes with their rollicking extravaganzas"}. Little did Jackie and the network know that 'Jeannie' would whisk away a good chunk of their audience when she premiered the same evening...on NBC...at 8pm(et), halfway through Gleason's "extravaganza"!

:tv:

[VIDEOWACK]

...of the half-hour edition of "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" syndicated in the mid-'80s are good "samplers" of what "THE AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE" had to offer...but you'd have to see the complete hour shows to get a good idea of what the format was really about!

As I mentioned, the "AMERICAN SCENE" format was abandoned at the start of the 1965-'66 season, as "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" reverted to its original format of comedy/variety, with sketches (featuring Gleason's "stock company" of characters), guest star turns, production numbers, an occasional "book" show, and a regular visit from George Jessel introducing a "new talent discovery" he'd found while criss-crossing the country for the show. The ratings declined to such a point that Jackie decided to revive "The Honeymooners" for a "one-time only" appearance in January 1966- which, as we all know, was that hour-long updated version of "The Adoption"....which led to the "Color Honeymooners" sketches the following season, when the show finally converted to full color.


:tv:

Each season of ASM had a flavor all its own. If I had to cast a vote for my favorite, it would be season 2 (1963-64). Aside from the fact that it was produced in New York City where far superior TV facilities existed, it was a Gleason break-thru season. Jackie stopped doing the newsreel blackout intro's and had Barbara Heller doing them instead. This gave him the opportunity to get into many more sketches than in season 1. On the season opener we got to see the Poor Soul for the first time in years doing a funny bit trying to shovel coal into a furnace whose door kept on closing just as he got the shovel to it. There were tons of sketches that would follow that year with him, Rum Dum, Reggie, Joe the Bartender of course, also the introduction of Sid Fields to the cast of regulars including Helen Curtis, Phil Bruns, Alice Ghostley and Horace MacMahon. Then came Miami Beach!! :lol:

[W.B.]

And of course, the opening back then was . . .
"From New York City, The Entertainment Capital of the World . . . "

Seems to me that was why, when they went to Miami Beach in '64, they came up with "Sun-and-Fun Capital." It sorta fit . . .

[VIDEOWACK]

And of course, the opening back then was . . .
"From New York City, The Entertainment Capital of the World . . . "

Seems to me that was why, when they went to Miami Beach in '64, they came up with "Sun-and-Fun Capital." It sorta fit . . .

OK...equal time is now given to the Miami Beach "Magazine" cover.....it's only fair. :wave:

[W.B.]

I knew that the "American Scene Magazine" layout was positioned different on the New York-based shows than on the Florida installments . . . but I'd forgotten that, apart from the "the JACKIE GLEASON" part, they used different fonts for the rest of the title. Thanks for the memory jog.

[VIDEOWACK]

Here's another view of the "Magazine" cover. This would be the shot (on most shows, especially in the first season) following the Glea Girls announcing the sponsors, Johnny Olson would inform us of guests, June Taylor Dancers, Sammy Spear and his Orchestra, "And Awaay We Go!" At that point the camera would dolly thru the center of the "magazine" and adjust focus to the dancers. Beginning with the second season the "thru the front cover" opening would be used very little. Instead, following the Glea Girls and sponsors products, the camera would shoot caricatures of the cast as Johnny Olson would announce each name, beginning with Gleason of course. I'm not certain, but they may have been Al Hirschfeld drawings....if not, they were similar. Then on Johnny Olson's "And Awaay We Go!" there was a shot of the full front of the "magazine" and just as the first note from the orchestra sounded to begin accompanying the June Taylor Dancers, the famous "star-wipe" would open from the center of the "magazine" and wipe to the full shot of the girls going into their dance. The same opening would exist for season 3 (first Miami season). For season 4, all was the same, except they dropped the caricatures and replaced them with hand puppets depicting everyone on the show. Also, for the start of season 4, for SOME reason I never figured out, they re-orchestrated "Melancholy Serenade" (JG's theme) and it sounded absolutely horrible. Fortunately, that lasted only a few weeks and they went back to the original (and sweeter) orchestration.

[C Ingram]

Looks to me like they blocked out something on the bottom left hand side of the "magazine." Sponsor name, perhaps?

[VIDEOWACK]

Looks to me like they blocked out something on the bottom left hand side of the "magazine." Sponsor name, perhaps?

No, I did that. It's from a video recording I have and what I blocked out was a broadcast time-code which is visible while viewing.

[C Ingram]

Ah, okay. I have a few of those (shows with time-codes). Better than not having the show at all.

[C Ingram]

By the way, I love that picture of Rum Dum. It looks like he's wearing a small whisk-broom under his nose.