Christmas episodes were performed at least once a year from 1951 to 1955: "Christmas Party" (a.k.a. "Honeymooners Christmas Show") was done in 1951, 1952 and 1953; "Santa (Claus) And The Bookies" was done in both 1953 and 1954; and "Twas The Night Before Christmas" was done in 1955. These specials were obviously popular, so what happened in 1956 and 1957? Does anybody know if any non-Honeymooners Christmas sketches were done during the variety hour in either '56 or '57?

Christmas episodes were performed at least once a year from 1951 to 1955: "Christmas Party" (a.k.a. "Honeymooners Christmas Show") was done in 1951, 1952 and 1953; "Santa (Claus) And The Bookies" was done in both 1953 and 1954; and "Twas The Night Before Christmas" was done in 1955. These specials were obviously popular, so what happened in 1956 and 1957? Does anybody know if any non-Honeymooners Christmas sketches were done during the variety hour in either '56 or '57?

And don't forget about "santa & the bookies" being done again in dec. 1966 with singing and in color!

And don't forget about "santa & the bookies" being done again in dec. 1966 with singing and in color!
I forgot about that one. Wasn't there a Poor Soul Christmas special as well?

Bill,

I believe the Christmas presentation in 1956 was the first performance of the Poor Soul in Christmasland or whatever it was called. I have a listing of Jackie Gleason Shows I copied from a book about variety shows, and it mentioned the Poor Soul for the 1956-1957 holiday season.

I believe the Christmas presentation in 1956 was the first performance of the Poor Soul in Christmasland or whatever it was called. I have a listing of Jackie Gleason Shows I copied from a book about variety shows, and it mentioned the Poor Soul for the 1956-1957 holiday season.
Interesting, I had no idea that sketch was originally done in the 50's. That would explain the 1956 holiday season, and come to think of it, The Jackie Gleason Show didn't even last until December 1957, did it? The last Honeymooners sketch from 1957 was done on June 1st, so I'd assume that was pretty close to the end.

Gleason was off the air for the 1957-1958 season, and came back in the fall of 1958 for the half hour variety series which, I wish, would come to light somewhere because I would love to see some.

Besides that variety show book, I believe the book published by the Museum of Broadcasting in the late 1980s for their Gleason tribute mentions the 1956 Poor Soul holiday show. When I have a chance I'll get the book out and double check for you, Bill.

Interesting, I had no idea that sketch was originally done in the 50's. That would explain the 1956 holiday season, and come to think of it, The Jackie Gleason Show didn't even last until December 1957, did it? The last Honeymooners sketch from 1957 was done on June 1st, so I'd assume that was pretty close to the end.

According to the catalog printed by the Museum of Broadcasting in 1987, the Poor Soul in Christmasland aired on December 22, 1956. The last episode of this incarnation of the Jackie Gleason Show was June 22, 1957. It would return briefly in October 1958 (the half hour version with Buddy Hackett). In any event, there's more than plenty of Gleason Christmas material to watch come December.