Frank Gannucci
03-07-2014, 12:48 PM
Episode Reviews: “When In Rome” & “Curse of The Kramdens”:
Episode #160
DVD: Attached to “Away We Go”, “Plastered In Paris” & “Behind The Iron Curtain.”
The beginning of this episode is unique in that apparently it is the opening of the Jackie Gleason Show with fireworks in the background. Bulova is the sponsor. Much like in the Color Honeymooners, a camera zooms in on a Glee Girl as they announce the stars’ names. Jack Lescoulie says that the Kramdens and Nortons have arrived in Sunny Italy. Jack: “We are going to be joining them in just a moment…”
In Rome, a bunch of people (June Taylor Dancers) sing "You Got To Do As The Romans Do." Sounds like Jack Lescoulie’s intro was cut short on the DVD. The Italian representative, a Mr. Woodley, of the Flaky Wakey Company is waiting for the Kramdens & Nortons to arrive. He is played by George Petrie. They arrive in a rented convertible that they claim is small. It is indeed small. The Kramdens & Nortons have a bunch of bags and they are squished like sardines in a can. Ralph claims that when he saw the car, he thought it was a cigarette lighter. The representative checks for their reservations at the Hotel Excelsior. Ralph asks a paisan to help them get the luggage out of the car. They try to get out of their car. Ralph can't because he's stuck (due to the fact that he was the driver and he's so fat). Ed suggests taking out the floorboards if Ralph doesn't mind walking around with the remnants of the car for the rest of his life. Trixie says if he managed to get in there, how come he can't get out. Alice says that Ralph ate all of those pizzas (presumably while in the car). Everyone tries to shake the car so Ralph can get loose but to no avail because Ralph is getting seasick. Then Alice grabs one arm and Ed grabs the other and basically play the game “Tug-of-War” in hoping to get Ralph out. That doesn’t work. A paisan (who must have watched the entire proceedings) gives Ed some Olive Oil. Ed & the girls shake the car but Ralph complains of sea sickness. He claims that he used it on a guy who was stuck in the manhole and the olive oil set hi loose. Ed pours the Olive Oil on Ralph's lap. Ralph is upset. He gets out and it is revealed that the Olive Oil worked. Ralph gets upset with Ed and gets out to beat up Ed. If you look closely, I think you can see that Jackie wasn’t really doused with Olive Oil. Ralph asks a paisan if they can leave the car here. He says no but asks if they are from New York. Ralph: “Yes.” Paisan: “Than you must know my cousin. He is bigger than the President of the USA. He is Perry Como.” Ralph: “Never heard of him.” Ha! The paisan leaves. Ralph & Ed then move the car to a garage. Ralph steers from the outside while Ed pushes. It is revealed in this scene that apparently the car has no ignition sounds, no way of starting the car by using a key or by hotwiring it and apparently has no parking brake. How odd. They leave and the girls run into a young little boy (played by Sandy Renda) who just happens to speak English. The boy offers them postcards of Rome. The little boy than looks at Alice and says that she is so pretty. Alice is flattered. Boy: "You call me Tony lady. You are so pretty." Alice: "And you are such a flirt." The boys come back and claimed they found a parking place as they walk up the stairs of the Hotel Excelsior. Tony then asks Alice if he can give her a shopping spree of Europe because he's a classy guy and he can show her where to get real bargains. Alice loves the idea especially when he charges her nothing. They both sing and dance to a song that I think is called "You Will Always Be My Friend." I think that was one lucky boy to be dancing with Audrey. After the song, he kisses her on the cheek and she responds by hugging him. They plan to meet each other at 10am outside of the hotel. Tony leaves. Trixie comes out with the news that Olive Oil is needed because Ralph is stuck in the elevator. The June Taylor dancers come out and sing: “You Go To Do As The Romans Do.”
At the Kramdens & Nortons hotel room, a delivery boy has a rose with a note from Tony (Alice's Italian "boyfriend"). Alice reads the note to Trixie. In the note, Tony claims that Alice (the person he calls "lovely lady") has stolen his heart even though they met two days ago. Tony is planning on taking Alice shopping again and seeing her at the festival tonight. Alice claims that she fell in love with her schoolteacher and asks Trixie did she ever fall in love with an older man. Trixie says she did. Trixie fell in love with a doctor and wound up marrying on his patients. The boys aren't going to the festival tonight because they are going to see the wrestling matches. Trixie leaves. The phone rings and its Tony. Ralph comes out and overhears Alice talking with him. He listens to her saying that if she doesn't have any money, she will use Ralph's money which causes Ralph to misinterpret the words. He also hears Alice saying to Tony that she loves the flowers and loves him and calling him the sweetest boy she ever met. Ralph is thinking that Alice is cheating on him but doesn't let on. Alice: "In the meantime, Arrivederci." Alice goes into the other room. Ed enters. He just went sight-seeing and asks Ralph not to see the Roman Coliseum because the whole place is falling apart. Ralph tells Ed that Alice is cheating on him. He shows him the love letter and flowers and reads part of the letter to him. Ed: "It could be a business letter." Ralph: "It's a business letter all right. Monkey business." Ralph continues to read the letter. Ed thinks the letter could be for Trixie but when he reads lovely lady, he thinks it is for Alice. Ralph says to Ed all the things that he claims he heard Alice say on the phone. Ralph is hoping he can stop this in time. Ed tries to help out by saying: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't grow a stone on a moss." What? Ralph says that when he finds the guy, he will kill them. Ralph has clues. He knows his name. His name: Harry Vaderci (arrivederci). Alice comes out and tries to go to the beauty parlor. Ralph asks her to come here. Alice says that she is going to the beauty parlor for my great, big lover boy. Ralph: “HA-HA! Who is he?” Alice: “He is a gigolo that I met on the banks of the Kiver (sp?).” Ralph says that they are leaving Italy. Alice asks if Ralph lost his mind. Ralph says that he wants to go to another country, like Greece. Ed: “That is a great idea. You will never get suck in the car there.” Alice asks Ralph why he wants to leave a romantic county like Italy. Ralph tells her to go in there and pack. Alice wants to go to the festival. Ralph: “I want to go to Greece.” Alice says that that is okay. Alice: “You go to Greece and I will see you there in a couple of days.” Ralph (yells): “GO IN THERE AND PACK!” Alice wants to go to the beauty parlor unless Ralph can give her a good reason. Ralph: “All right. Harry Vaderci.” Alice: “All right. Goodbye.” She leaves. Ralph is more upset. Ralph says that that is proof. Ralph: “I say ‘Harry Vaderci’ to her and she says ‘goodbye’ to me.” Ralph wants to get her back. They sing a song: "That's When You Are Glad You Are Married." Ralph will go to the festival. Ralph says that when he finds the guy, pow. Right in the love bonza.
At the festival called the "Festa L' Uva", a bunch of dancers dance to an Italian song. Ralph and Ed arrive in disguise so they will look Italian. Ralph has a fake mustache. They look ridiculous. Ralph doesn't like spying on Alice and he hates this idea with every second. Ralph: “I suppose I have to do this. When I meet that guy, it is goodbye Harry Vaderci.” They see the girls without Tony. The girls somehow don’t hear them. The boys go somewhere. The girls see them and recognize them. Alice thinks that they said they were going to wrestling matches. The girls then plan to pretend that they think that they are strangers and flirt with them. The boys come back. Alice: “Do you two speak English?” Ralph (patting his stomach): “Si! Si!” They introduce themselves an Angelo (Ed) and Luigi (Ralph). Alice: "Our husbands are at the wrestling matches but don't talk about them with two cut boys like you around." Ralph claims he has more evidence. Alice: "What the old boys won't know won't hurt them." Ralph: “Did you hear that Luigi?” Ed: “I’m Angelo.” Ralph elbows Ed. Alice: “Our husbands are probably going to go somewhere else tomorrow night. What are you going to be doing?” “Luigi” then makes a fist is if he is going to punch someone. “Luigi”: “We are all going out together. You see, Pasquale…” "Angelo": “Angelo.” Ralph: “Angelo is going to take us out onto his boat.” Trixie: “I thought they were in Venice where all the canals are.” Ed: “That is why I moved down here. So, I can get no competition. While there may be no canals, my boat uses wheels.” Ralph: “His boat has wheels but there are no wheels up there in his brain.” Ha! Ralph: “Shut your mouth Luigi.” Alice: “You are Luigi. He’s Angelo. Why don’t we all stay here?” Trixie (to Ed): “You are cute." Ed: “You go take the girls. I got to go change tires on my boat.” Ralph: “You will stay here.” The girls go to powder their noses. Ralph claims that he has more evidence to his thoughts. Ed: “I am dressed like a dope just to pick up my own wife.” Ralph claims that they want to go out with us and they didn’t even know that it was them. Ralph: “Yesterday, I was sitting on top of the world. Now, it has collapsed.” Ed: “With you, it figures.” They leave.
All of them are in the hotel room the next day. Ralph tells Alice to admit that they didn't know that it was them and they were flirting with them. Alice & Trixie tell the truth. Ralph says Alice went to the festival to meet the man that he claims that she is in love with. Ralph says that he knows that Alice was given flowers by her lover and shows her the love letter. Alice & Trixie laugh. The phone rings. Alice answers it. It's Tony. Alice asks for Tony to come on up to their hotel room. Alice says that it was the guy who sent him the flowers and note. Ralph is now madder than ever. Alice decides to have fun with Ralph and says that she loves her new "boyfriend." Alice: "You got to let me go Ralph. My place is with him." Ralph: "Oh, I want him to come up here." A knock on the door is heard. Ralph opens it. It's Tony. Ralph: "Get out of the way kid. There is going to be a massacre and I don't want you to get hurt." Alice introduces him as Tony and says that he is the person who sent her all the flowers, the note and who was supposed to meet at the festival last night." Tony says that his mother wouldn’t let him out of the house and brought her more flowers. Alice & Tony tell Ralph the truth. Ralph: “Pal O’ Mine. Put it there pal. Ralph asks if he wants some ice cream. Tony says that his family is waiting for him. So Ralph asks him to bring his family up here for ice cream but when he sees Tony’s big family, he says that they will go down to the dining room. Ralph: “What a family. Alice, I thought you were running around with a guy named Harry Vaderci.” Alice explains that it is not a name and that is Italian for “Goodbye.” So Ralph blames Ed. Ed: “I thought that it was food.” Ralph asks Tony’s family and Tony to go on down to the dining room. They leave. They all sing: “You Got To Do The Romans Do.”
Jackie Gleason comes out and says hello to a new kid that was “just born.” He was the son of his dresser. He wishes Mr. & Mrs. DiVerno a very happy event and a Happy Birthday to William Francis DiVerno. Jackie says that due to lack of time the rest of the cast will not come out and bow. However, Jackie lets the kid (Sandy Renda) come out and take a bow before saying goodnight.
The announcer then plugs Old Gold Cigarettes and asks the audience to tune in next week as Old Gold presents the Jackie Gleason Show. The Glee Girls all come out one by one as the announcer tries to read EVERY credit line that wasn’t on the credit roll.
This is one of the few times, a kid is cast as a character on a Honeymooners show and even though he had two very small parts, it might be somewhat surprising to some people that Jackie allowed a kid to be a character in a Honeymooners episode since he never liked working with them because he was always afraid they would not perform on cue (he may have been even more receptive to having kids on his shows when they were performed live even though there were a few lost episodes that had kids starring as one of the characters). I like seeing an episode with a kid in it since those kind of scenes that have a kid perform were a good change of pace for these Honeymooners episodes (especially if the kid doesn't mess up their lines.)
Credit goes to the Honeymooners Lost Episodes Book.
Episode #161
DVD: Attached to “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”, “Framed In Spain”, “I Remember Au Mau” & “Manager of The Baseball Team” (’57 version.)
The beginning of this episode is unique in that apparently it is the opening of the Jackie Gleason Show with fireworks in the background. Old Gold Cigarettes are the sponsor. Much like in the Color Honeymooners, a camera zooms in on a Glee Girl as they announce the stars’ names. Jack Lescoulie comes out. Jack says that the Kramdens and Nortons are in Ireland.
The show opens in an Irish bar/hotel lobby in Ireland with a bunch of waiters & waitresses (the June Taylor Dancers) singing: “Hooray For The Irish!” After the song is over, the bartender is talking to a man about how a Kramden is coming to visit. The bartender then tells a story on how the curse of Shammus O’ Toole was formed and it hasn't been broken yet. The village of Dunnellon has been affected greatly by it. Part of the story is that the village is very fond of beer and was prospering because of its great beer until the curse was formed. The curse had a very bad effect on their beer and in turn the village was affected a great deal. They say if a Kramden spends the night in a castle that is the home of the Ghost of Shammus O’ Toole, the curse will be broken. He also tried to put a curse on America, but it didn't work. The man leaves. The mayor comes in with the news that the Kramdens are coming. The Kramdens & Nortons arrive at the bar and all the dancers greet them and sing. The mayor says that he found a Kramden because a Kramden has an eye of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the dignity of a king so he shakes Ed's hand thinking that he is Ralph. Ralph corrects him. Ed: "I only got the tooth of an elk." The girls can't believe the reception they got. The girls want to freshen up. The bartender/owner: "You can have the rooms 7 & 12. Ed Norton wants a glass of milk because he’s a Merry Mouseketter. Ralph says that Ed has a little of Irish in him. Man: "Did your mitther come from Ireland?" Ed: "What's a mitther?" Ralph: "He means your mother." Ed: "No, she didn't. Neither did my britther or my sitther. It was my grandfitther." Ed says a toast to Ralph. He thinks about what he says. Now he is ready for the toast. Ed: “Down the hatch.” Everyone drinks. Ralph does that yell that he does whenever he’s in pain or sick. After that, Ralph says: “Boy, that’s smooth.” Ralph buys more drinks. The mayor then makes a toast for all three. Mayor: “To Ralph Kramden, the first Kramden to set foot in Dunnellin since 1826.” They all drink. Ralph: “Whoo!” Ralph asks about his ancestors like his great-great-great-grandfather Patrick Kramden. The mayor says that he was one of the bravest people in Ireland. Ed says that Ralph is very brave. He once took on three guys single-handedly at once. Ed: "They murdered Ralph. Of course he had them outweighed by 50 pounds." Ha! Ralph then sings a song about his ancestors: Lafette Kramden, Livingston Kramden & “Hop-A-Long” Kramden. The song was called: “A Brave & Courageous Man Was He, A Kramden Through & Through.” They talk about Shammus O' Toole, the famous Irish ghost. The mayor asks if Ralph will spend a night in a castle. Ralph says sure. Ed asks to come to. The mayor says that he can. The mayor: "Tonight you will break the Old Kramden curse by spending the night with a ghost.” He realizes what he agreed to. Ed then says that he won’t spend the night in a castle with a ghost. Ed says that Ralph will much to Ralph’s chagrin. The mayor asks to pick up Ralph and carry him to his room on their shoulders. They try but to no avail. The mayor: “Just carry his bags.” They do. Ralph yells at Ed. They go back upstairs. The dancers sing: “Hoorah For The Irish.”
At the hotel, Ralph is a nervous wreck. Alice says that it is not necessary and the ghost and curse don't exist. Ralph: "I’m no fatted calf and don’t you dare say it. As soon as the curse is broken, they will make beer. I'm not risking myself for beer." Alice: "I bet you would for pizza." Ed comes in with Trixie. Ed: "How's the old ghost catcher?” Ralph isn't amused. Ed tries to relax Ralph by saying that the ghost can’t hurt him and stab him. Ralph is more relaxed…until Ed says that all the ghost can do is scare him to death. Trixie talks about the celebration about Ralph being a hero and breaking the curse. Ralph says that he is not going. Alice asks for him to stop acting like a 3-year-old. Ralph: “All right. So, I am a 3-year-old. Put me in the Kentucky Derby. I am ready to run.” The girls and boys break into song called: “You Needn't Fear, We'll Be Waitin' Right Here" It's a great song. The mayor comes in with people to take Ralph’s suitcases to take Ralph. Ralph is scared, he forces Ed to come. Ed is scared too despite the fact that he tried to relax Ralph earlier. After that, the boys leave.
At the castle, the counterfeiters are talking about their evil schemes and they plot how they will scare Ralph and Ed. In other words, they are the “curse”. They have to scare Ralph & Ed out of there so they can continue to use the castle to make counterfeit sweepstake tickets. They leave through automatic doors that open from the top. How is that possible without the doors having electricity? Ralph & Ed come in. The boys are scared. They try to pretend that they are not in the castle and for them not think about ghosts. That doesn’t work because Ed says that their room is haunted. They continue to not think about ghosts. They try to turn on the radio that Ralph brought along, but a scary show doesn't entertain them. After that, more screams are heard. The boys are even more scared." They must remain calm. Ralph: “Whatever you do Nervous, don’t act Norton. They try to read the books that Ralph brought along but that doesn’t work either since evil laughter is heard. Ed: “Is there any truth that a ghost can go through a wall?” Ralph: “If it is, I am going through a wall.” They try to go through the window, but it doesn't work. They lay on the bed without thinking about ghosts. Ralph asks Ed for a match, but someone else gives him one (unbeknownst to Ralph) Ralph thanks Ed but Ed tells him that he didn't light it. Uh oh! Ralph hears a scary laugh. Ralph: "Thanks for the light." More scary hi-jinks follow like Ed going through the door (that opened "by itself") on one side of the bed and not coming back. Ralph notices and goes into that door that opened "by itself" and tries to see Norton. Ed comes out on the other side (and slips) and one of the counterfeiters places a fake cat near the bed. Ed thinks that Ralph is now a cat. Ralph comes out and sees what Ed is doing and tries to convince him that he's not a cat. "Ghost": "I am the Ghost of Shammus O' Toole. If your name is Kramden, beware." Ralph lies down on the bed and from Ed's blindside, the bed moves into the wall and comes back without Ralph. Ed wonders where Ralph is. Ralph comes in and when he sees Ed with a blanket on his head trying to look for Ralph, he gets scared. He immediately sees that it is Norton. They hear a knock on the door and the door opens with boots walking "by themselves." They try to leave but a "ghost" (one of the counterfeiters with the blanket on his head) scares them. Ed pulls off the blanket and assumes that he is not a ghost. The counterfeiter goes into one of the two doors on the sides of the bed. They come to the conclusion something fishy is going on and then they go into one of the doors by the bed. Both of those times, the door opens “by itself.” They capture the counterfeiters and leave, supposedly breaking the curse.
The next scene opens up with a celebration at the bar/hotel lobby. The dancers are singing: “Hoorah For The Kramdens.” The Kramdens and Nortons come in ready to leave Ireland. The mayor thanks Ralph. Ralph says that he might be as brave as his ancestors. Ed replies that he helped out the most at least. They say their “goodbyes.” The girls leave. Ralph says that there is no such thing as a ghost. Evil laughter is heard. Ralph gets scared. The boys leave immediately. The dancers sing: “Hoorah For The Irish.”
Time for the curtain call. Jackie comes out. He thanks the crowd. He also says that these shows are tougher to do than the ordinary show. (Gee, I wonder why.) Jackie asks the audience to give a hand for Ray Bloch and his orchestra which they do. He praises June Taylor and her dancers and asks the audience to give them a hand which they do. He praises the writers Marvin Marx, Walter Stone and Herb Finn. Jackie asks the audience to give them a hand which they do. He brings out the lyric writers Lynn Duddy and Jerry Bressler as well as the main cast. Jackie gets the word from Stanley to end it by giving him the cut signal. Jackie: “No wonder he said ‘cut.’ I am bleeding to death out here.” Jackie then says goodnight.
The announcer then plugs Bulova (the world leader in fine watches and radios) and asks the audience to tune in next week as Bulova presents the Jackie Gleason Show. One of the stills that were used for the advertisement was a bit lopsided. The Glee Girls all come out one by one as the announcer tries to at first to read EVERY credit line (some of which weren’t on the credit roll.) The credit roll during these shows is very primitive.
Episode #160
DVD: Attached to “Away We Go”, “Plastered In Paris” & “Behind The Iron Curtain.”
The beginning of this episode is unique in that apparently it is the opening of the Jackie Gleason Show with fireworks in the background. Bulova is the sponsor. Much like in the Color Honeymooners, a camera zooms in on a Glee Girl as they announce the stars’ names. Jack Lescoulie says that the Kramdens and Nortons have arrived in Sunny Italy. Jack: “We are going to be joining them in just a moment…”
In Rome, a bunch of people (June Taylor Dancers) sing "You Got To Do As The Romans Do." Sounds like Jack Lescoulie’s intro was cut short on the DVD. The Italian representative, a Mr. Woodley, of the Flaky Wakey Company is waiting for the Kramdens & Nortons to arrive. He is played by George Petrie. They arrive in a rented convertible that they claim is small. It is indeed small. The Kramdens & Nortons have a bunch of bags and they are squished like sardines in a can. Ralph claims that when he saw the car, he thought it was a cigarette lighter. The representative checks for their reservations at the Hotel Excelsior. Ralph asks a paisan to help them get the luggage out of the car. They try to get out of their car. Ralph can't because he's stuck (due to the fact that he was the driver and he's so fat). Ed suggests taking out the floorboards if Ralph doesn't mind walking around with the remnants of the car for the rest of his life. Trixie says if he managed to get in there, how come he can't get out. Alice says that Ralph ate all of those pizzas (presumably while in the car). Everyone tries to shake the car so Ralph can get loose but to no avail because Ralph is getting seasick. Then Alice grabs one arm and Ed grabs the other and basically play the game “Tug-of-War” in hoping to get Ralph out. That doesn’t work. A paisan (who must have watched the entire proceedings) gives Ed some Olive Oil. Ed & the girls shake the car but Ralph complains of sea sickness. He claims that he used it on a guy who was stuck in the manhole and the olive oil set hi loose. Ed pours the Olive Oil on Ralph's lap. Ralph is upset. He gets out and it is revealed that the Olive Oil worked. Ralph gets upset with Ed and gets out to beat up Ed. If you look closely, I think you can see that Jackie wasn’t really doused with Olive Oil. Ralph asks a paisan if they can leave the car here. He says no but asks if they are from New York. Ralph: “Yes.” Paisan: “Than you must know my cousin. He is bigger than the President of the USA. He is Perry Como.” Ralph: “Never heard of him.” Ha! The paisan leaves. Ralph & Ed then move the car to a garage. Ralph steers from the outside while Ed pushes. It is revealed in this scene that apparently the car has no ignition sounds, no way of starting the car by using a key or by hotwiring it and apparently has no parking brake. How odd. They leave and the girls run into a young little boy (played by Sandy Renda) who just happens to speak English. The boy offers them postcards of Rome. The little boy than looks at Alice and says that she is so pretty. Alice is flattered. Boy: "You call me Tony lady. You are so pretty." Alice: "And you are such a flirt." The boys come back and claimed they found a parking place as they walk up the stairs of the Hotel Excelsior. Tony then asks Alice if he can give her a shopping spree of Europe because he's a classy guy and he can show her where to get real bargains. Alice loves the idea especially when he charges her nothing. They both sing and dance to a song that I think is called "You Will Always Be My Friend." I think that was one lucky boy to be dancing with Audrey. After the song, he kisses her on the cheek and she responds by hugging him. They plan to meet each other at 10am outside of the hotel. Tony leaves. Trixie comes out with the news that Olive Oil is needed because Ralph is stuck in the elevator. The June Taylor dancers come out and sing: “You Go To Do As The Romans Do.”
At the Kramdens & Nortons hotel room, a delivery boy has a rose with a note from Tony (Alice's Italian "boyfriend"). Alice reads the note to Trixie. In the note, Tony claims that Alice (the person he calls "lovely lady") has stolen his heart even though they met two days ago. Tony is planning on taking Alice shopping again and seeing her at the festival tonight. Alice claims that she fell in love with her schoolteacher and asks Trixie did she ever fall in love with an older man. Trixie says she did. Trixie fell in love with a doctor and wound up marrying on his patients. The boys aren't going to the festival tonight because they are going to see the wrestling matches. Trixie leaves. The phone rings and its Tony. Ralph comes out and overhears Alice talking with him. He listens to her saying that if she doesn't have any money, she will use Ralph's money which causes Ralph to misinterpret the words. He also hears Alice saying to Tony that she loves the flowers and loves him and calling him the sweetest boy she ever met. Ralph is thinking that Alice is cheating on him but doesn't let on. Alice: "In the meantime, Arrivederci." Alice goes into the other room. Ed enters. He just went sight-seeing and asks Ralph not to see the Roman Coliseum because the whole place is falling apart. Ralph tells Ed that Alice is cheating on him. He shows him the love letter and flowers and reads part of the letter to him. Ed: "It could be a business letter." Ralph: "It's a business letter all right. Monkey business." Ralph continues to read the letter. Ed thinks the letter could be for Trixie but when he reads lovely lady, he thinks it is for Alice. Ralph says to Ed all the things that he claims he heard Alice say on the phone. Ralph is hoping he can stop this in time. Ed tries to help out by saying: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't grow a stone on a moss." What? Ralph says that when he finds the guy, he will kill them. Ralph has clues. He knows his name. His name: Harry Vaderci (arrivederci). Alice comes out and tries to go to the beauty parlor. Ralph asks her to come here. Alice says that she is going to the beauty parlor for my great, big lover boy. Ralph: “HA-HA! Who is he?” Alice: “He is a gigolo that I met on the banks of the Kiver (sp?).” Ralph says that they are leaving Italy. Alice asks if Ralph lost his mind. Ralph says that he wants to go to another country, like Greece. Ed: “That is a great idea. You will never get suck in the car there.” Alice asks Ralph why he wants to leave a romantic county like Italy. Ralph tells her to go in there and pack. Alice wants to go to the festival. Ralph: “I want to go to Greece.” Alice says that that is okay. Alice: “You go to Greece and I will see you there in a couple of days.” Ralph (yells): “GO IN THERE AND PACK!” Alice wants to go to the beauty parlor unless Ralph can give her a good reason. Ralph: “All right. Harry Vaderci.” Alice: “All right. Goodbye.” She leaves. Ralph is more upset. Ralph says that that is proof. Ralph: “I say ‘Harry Vaderci’ to her and she says ‘goodbye’ to me.” Ralph wants to get her back. They sing a song: "That's When You Are Glad You Are Married." Ralph will go to the festival. Ralph says that when he finds the guy, pow. Right in the love bonza.
At the festival called the "Festa L' Uva", a bunch of dancers dance to an Italian song. Ralph and Ed arrive in disguise so they will look Italian. Ralph has a fake mustache. They look ridiculous. Ralph doesn't like spying on Alice and he hates this idea with every second. Ralph: “I suppose I have to do this. When I meet that guy, it is goodbye Harry Vaderci.” They see the girls without Tony. The girls somehow don’t hear them. The boys go somewhere. The girls see them and recognize them. Alice thinks that they said they were going to wrestling matches. The girls then plan to pretend that they think that they are strangers and flirt with them. The boys come back. Alice: “Do you two speak English?” Ralph (patting his stomach): “Si! Si!” They introduce themselves an Angelo (Ed) and Luigi (Ralph). Alice: "Our husbands are at the wrestling matches but don't talk about them with two cut boys like you around." Ralph claims he has more evidence. Alice: "What the old boys won't know won't hurt them." Ralph: “Did you hear that Luigi?” Ed: “I’m Angelo.” Ralph elbows Ed. Alice: “Our husbands are probably going to go somewhere else tomorrow night. What are you going to be doing?” “Luigi” then makes a fist is if he is going to punch someone. “Luigi”: “We are all going out together. You see, Pasquale…” "Angelo": “Angelo.” Ralph: “Angelo is going to take us out onto his boat.” Trixie: “I thought they were in Venice where all the canals are.” Ed: “That is why I moved down here. So, I can get no competition. While there may be no canals, my boat uses wheels.” Ralph: “His boat has wheels but there are no wheels up there in his brain.” Ha! Ralph: “Shut your mouth Luigi.” Alice: “You are Luigi. He’s Angelo. Why don’t we all stay here?” Trixie (to Ed): “You are cute." Ed: “You go take the girls. I got to go change tires on my boat.” Ralph: “You will stay here.” The girls go to powder their noses. Ralph claims that he has more evidence to his thoughts. Ed: “I am dressed like a dope just to pick up my own wife.” Ralph claims that they want to go out with us and they didn’t even know that it was them. Ralph: “Yesterday, I was sitting on top of the world. Now, it has collapsed.” Ed: “With you, it figures.” They leave.
All of them are in the hotel room the next day. Ralph tells Alice to admit that they didn't know that it was them and they were flirting with them. Alice & Trixie tell the truth. Ralph says Alice went to the festival to meet the man that he claims that she is in love with. Ralph says that he knows that Alice was given flowers by her lover and shows her the love letter. Alice & Trixie laugh. The phone rings. Alice answers it. It's Tony. Alice asks for Tony to come on up to their hotel room. Alice says that it was the guy who sent him the flowers and note. Ralph is now madder than ever. Alice decides to have fun with Ralph and says that she loves her new "boyfriend." Alice: "You got to let me go Ralph. My place is with him." Ralph: "Oh, I want him to come up here." A knock on the door is heard. Ralph opens it. It's Tony. Ralph: "Get out of the way kid. There is going to be a massacre and I don't want you to get hurt." Alice introduces him as Tony and says that he is the person who sent her all the flowers, the note and who was supposed to meet at the festival last night." Tony says that his mother wouldn’t let him out of the house and brought her more flowers. Alice & Tony tell Ralph the truth. Ralph: “Pal O’ Mine. Put it there pal. Ralph asks if he wants some ice cream. Tony says that his family is waiting for him. So Ralph asks him to bring his family up here for ice cream but when he sees Tony’s big family, he says that they will go down to the dining room. Ralph: “What a family. Alice, I thought you were running around with a guy named Harry Vaderci.” Alice explains that it is not a name and that is Italian for “Goodbye.” So Ralph blames Ed. Ed: “I thought that it was food.” Ralph asks Tony’s family and Tony to go on down to the dining room. They leave. They all sing: “You Got To Do The Romans Do.”
Jackie Gleason comes out and says hello to a new kid that was “just born.” He was the son of his dresser. He wishes Mr. & Mrs. DiVerno a very happy event and a Happy Birthday to William Francis DiVerno. Jackie says that due to lack of time the rest of the cast will not come out and bow. However, Jackie lets the kid (Sandy Renda) come out and take a bow before saying goodnight.
The announcer then plugs Old Gold Cigarettes and asks the audience to tune in next week as Old Gold presents the Jackie Gleason Show. The Glee Girls all come out one by one as the announcer tries to read EVERY credit line that wasn’t on the credit roll.
This is one of the few times, a kid is cast as a character on a Honeymooners show and even though he had two very small parts, it might be somewhat surprising to some people that Jackie allowed a kid to be a character in a Honeymooners episode since he never liked working with them because he was always afraid they would not perform on cue (he may have been even more receptive to having kids on his shows when they were performed live even though there were a few lost episodes that had kids starring as one of the characters). I like seeing an episode with a kid in it since those kind of scenes that have a kid perform were a good change of pace for these Honeymooners episodes (especially if the kid doesn't mess up their lines.)
Credit goes to the Honeymooners Lost Episodes Book.
Episode #161
DVD: Attached to “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”, “Framed In Spain”, “I Remember Au Mau” & “Manager of The Baseball Team” (’57 version.)
The beginning of this episode is unique in that apparently it is the opening of the Jackie Gleason Show with fireworks in the background. Old Gold Cigarettes are the sponsor. Much like in the Color Honeymooners, a camera zooms in on a Glee Girl as they announce the stars’ names. Jack Lescoulie comes out. Jack says that the Kramdens and Nortons are in Ireland.
The show opens in an Irish bar/hotel lobby in Ireland with a bunch of waiters & waitresses (the June Taylor Dancers) singing: “Hooray For The Irish!” After the song is over, the bartender is talking to a man about how a Kramden is coming to visit. The bartender then tells a story on how the curse of Shammus O’ Toole was formed and it hasn't been broken yet. The village of Dunnellon has been affected greatly by it. Part of the story is that the village is very fond of beer and was prospering because of its great beer until the curse was formed. The curse had a very bad effect on their beer and in turn the village was affected a great deal. They say if a Kramden spends the night in a castle that is the home of the Ghost of Shammus O’ Toole, the curse will be broken. He also tried to put a curse on America, but it didn't work. The man leaves. The mayor comes in with the news that the Kramdens are coming. The Kramdens & Nortons arrive at the bar and all the dancers greet them and sing. The mayor says that he found a Kramden because a Kramden has an eye of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the dignity of a king so he shakes Ed's hand thinking that he is Ralph. Ralph corrects him. Ed: "I only got the tooth of an elk." The girls can't believe the reception they got. The girls want to freshen up. The bartender/owner: "You can have the rooms 7 & 12. Ed Norton wants a glass of milk because he’s a Merry Mouseketter. Ralph says that Ed has a little of Irish in him. Man: "Did your mitther come from Ireland?" Ed: "What's a mitther?" Ralph: "He means your mother." Ed: "No, she didn't. Neither did my britther or my sitther. It was my grandfitther." Ed says a toast to Ralph. He thinks about what he says. Now he is ready for the toast. Ed: “Down the hatch.” Everyone drinks. Ralph does that yell that he does whenever he’s in pain or sick. After that, Ralph says: “Boy, that’s smooth.” Ralph buys more drinks. The mayor then makes a toast for all three. Mayor: “To Ralph Kramden, the first Kramden to set foot in Dunnellin since 1826.” They all drink. Ralph: “Whoo!” Ralph asks about his ancestors like his great-great-great-grandfather Patrick Kramden. The mayor says that he was one of the bravest people in Ireland. Ed says that Ralph is very brave. He once took on three guys single-handedly at once. Ed: "They murdered Ralph. Of course he had them outweighed by 50 pounds." Ha! Ralph then sings a song about his ancestors: Lafette Kramden, Livingston Kramden & “Hop-A-Long” Kramden. The song was called: “A Brave & Courageous Man Was He, A Kramden Through & Through.” They talk about Shammus O' Toole, the famous Irish ghost. The mayor asks if Ralph will spend a night in a castle. Ralph says sure. Ed asks to come to. The mayor says that he can. The mayor: "Tonight you will break the Old Kramden curse by spending the night with a ghost.” He realizes what he agreed to. Ed then says that he won’t spend the night in a castle with a ghost. Ed says that Ralph will much to Ralph’s chagrin. The mayor asks to pick up Ralph and carry him to his room on their shoulders. They try but to no avail. The mayor: “Just carry his bags.” They do. Ralph yells at Ed. They go back upstairs. The dancers sing: “Hoorah For The Irish.”
At the hotel, Ralph is a nervous wreck. Alice says that it is not necessary and the ghost and curse don't exist. Ralph: "I’m no fatted calf and don’t you dare say it. As soon as the curse is broken, they will make beer. I'm not risking myself for beer." Alice: "I bet you would for pizza." Ed comes in with Trixie. Ed: "How's the old ghost catcher?” Ralph isn't amused. Ed tries to relax Ralph by saying that the ghost can’t hurt him and stab him. Ralph is more relaxed…until Ed says that all the ghost can do is scare him to death. Trixie talks about the celebration about Ralph being a hero and breaking the curse. Ralph says that he is not going. Alice asks for him to stop acting like a 3-year-old. Ralph: “All right. So, I am a 3-year-old. Put me in the Kentucky Derby. I am ready to run.” The girls and boys break into song called: “You Needn't Fear, We'll Be Waitin' Right Here" It's a great song. The mayor comes in with people to take Ralph’s suitcases to take Ralph. Ralph is scared, he forces Ed to come. Ed is scared too despite the fact that he tried to relax Ralph earlier. After that, the boys leave.
At the castle, the counterfeiters are talking about their evil schemes and they plot how they will scare Ralph and Ed. In other words, they are the “curse”. They have to scare Ralph & Ed out of there so they can continue to use the castle to make counterfeit sweepstake tickets. They leave through automatic doors that open from the top. How is that possible without the doors having electricity? Ralph & Ed come in. The boys are scared. They try to pretend that they are not in the castle and for them not think about ghosts. That doesn’t work because Ed says that their room is haunted. They continue to not think about ghosts. They try to turn on the radio that Ralph brought along, but a scary show doesn't entertain them. After that, more screams are heard. The boys are even more scared." They must remain calm. Ralph: “Whatever you do Nervous, don’t act Norton. They try to read the books that Ralph brought along but that doesn’t work either since evil laughter is heard. Ed: “Is there any truth that a ghost can go through a wall?” Ralph: “If it is, I am going through a wall.” They try to go through the window, but it doesn't work. They lay on the bed without thinking about ghosts. Ralph asks Ed for a match, but someone else gives him one (unbeknownst to Ralph) Ralph thanks Ed but Ed tells him that he didn't light it. Uh oh! Ralph hears a scary laugh. Ralph: "Thanks for the light." More scary hi-jinks follow like Ed going through the door (that opened "by itself") on one side of the bed and not coming back. Ralph notices and goes into that door that opened "by itself" and tries to see Norton. Ed comes out on the other side (and slips) and one of the counterfeiters places a fake cat near the bed. Ed thinks that Ralph is now a cat. Ralph comes out and sees what Ed is doing and tries to convince him that he's not a cat. "Ghost": "I am the Ghost of Shammus O' Toole. If your name is Kramden, beware." Ralph lies down on the bed and from Ed's blindside, the bed moves into the wall and comes back without Ralph. Ed wonders where Ralph is. Ralph comes in and when he sees Ed with a blanket on his head trying to look for Ralph, he gets scared. He immediately sees that it is Norton. They hear a knock on the door and the door opens with boots walking "by themselves." They try to leave but a "ghost" (one of the counterfeiters with the blanket on his head) scares them. Ed pulls off the blanket and assumes that he is not a ghost. The counterfeiter goes into one of the two doors on the sides of the bed. They come to the conclusion something fishy is going on and then they go into one of the doors by the bed. Both of those times, the door opens “by itself.” They capture the counterfeiters and leave, supposedly breaking the curse.
The next scene opens up with a celebration at the bar/hotel lobby. The dancers are singing: “Hoorah For The Kramdens.” The Kramdens and Nortons come in ready to leave Ireland. The mayor thanks Ralph. Ralph says that he might be as brave as his ancestors. Ed replies that he helped out the most at least. They say their “goodbyes.” The girls leave. Ralph says that there is no such thing as a ghost. Evil laughter is heard. Ralph gets scared. The boys leave immediately. The dancers sing: “Hoorah For The Irish.”
Time for the curtain call. Jackie comes out. He thanks the crowd. He also says that these shows are tougher to do than the ordinary show. (Gee, I wonder why.) Jackie asks the audience to give a hand for Ray Bloch and his orchestra which they do. He praises June Taylor and her dancers and asks the audience to give them a hand which they do. He praises the writers Marvin Marx, Walter Stone and Herb Finn. Jackie asks the audience to give them a hand which they do. He brings out the lyric writers Lynn Duddy and Jerry Bressler as well as the main cast. Jackie gets the word from Stanley to end it by giving him the cut signal. Jackie: “No wonder he said ‘cut.’ I am bleeding to death out here.” Jackie then says goodnight.
The announcer then plugs Bulova (the world leader in fine watches and radios) and asks the audience to tune in next week as Bulova presents the Jackie Gleason Show. One of the stills that were used for the advertisement was a bit lopsided. The Glee Girls all come out one by one as the announcer tries to at first to read EVERY credit line (some of which weren’t on the credit roll.) The credit roll during these shows is very primitive.