Frank Gannucci
03-28-2014, 07:39 AM
Reviews: “Norton Interviews” (Part one): “Man Under The Street – Ed Sullivan” & “People To People – Robert Q. Lewis”:
DVD: Attached to radio versions of “Letter To The Boss” & “Love Letter”, “Additional Sketches & Commercials”, “New Featurettes” & scripts to “Easter Hats” & “Alice’s Birthday.”
“Man Under The Street”:
This interview is actually a very sought after piece of footage. One belief that I had was that I thought this was a rarely seen “Honeymooners sketch” that didn’t involve Jackie because of his broken leg as well as during the sketch Ed sang “Song of The Sewer.” I also thought that this sketch was “remade” in 1970 as “Incredible World of Ed Norton” with various changes (like the previous title was “The Private Life of A Sewerworker.”) I also thought that this was filmed in the spring of ’55. After Jackie broke his leg, various people substituted for him. This was filmed on Feb. 6, 1954.
Ed Sullivan is on the street at the manhole in which Ed works. Ed Norton rises up. Ed Sullivan: “I’m from CBS. I need to ask you a few questions. What is your name?” Ed Norton: “Ed Norton. What do I win?” Ed Sullivan: “This is not a quiz show. I would like the public opinion to the Jackie Gleason tragedy.” (Remember he broke his leg.) Ed: “I remember hearing this crash at 8:55pm on Saturday. I didn’t watch it because I don’t have a TV.” Ed says that he read about it the following morning. Ed Sullivan: “He suffered a double fracture of his fibula.” Ed Norton: “He was lucky. It could have been his leg.” Ed Norton reveals that he had an uncle that worked on as a painter on a skyscraper for a long time and nothing happened to him while he worked 20 to 30 feet in the air. He slipped on a cake of soap while he was working up all the way in the air. Ed Sullivan: “That is the way it goes. It’s lite boy.” Ed: “No, it was Ivory.” Ed Sullivan gives Ed Norton a look which causes Ed to say: “What a grouch.”
Ed Sullivan wants to know what happened to his uncle. Ed Norton says that he fell 17 feet but he didn’t get hurt because he landed on two old ladies. Ed Sullivan asks Ed Norton how long he has been working in the sewer. Ed Norton says 10 years (despite the fact that he said 17 years in “Teamwork Beats The Clock.”). Ed Norton revealed that despite being lucky, he got the job because his old man worked in the sewer. Ed Sullivan then asks did he have any trouble getting this job. Ed Norton: “They made 50 applicants take an intelligence test and the guy with the five lowest scores got the job.” Ha! Question: In the lost episode and radio versions of “Letter To The Boss”, didn’t Ed Norton say that in order for Ralph to work in the sewer that he would have to pass the floating test?
Bruce from the yells to Ed that he needs help fixing the busted water main. Ed Sullivan says that the public has never appreciated the heroism of the people who work under the New York streets. Ed doesn’t know about that because they made a picture about them called: “Hell & High Water.” Ed Sullivan gives him a look which causes Ed Norton to say: “This guy is worse than Ed Sullivan.” Ed Sullivan shoves him.
Ed Norton says that his job can be real dangerous especially when it pours and it starts gushing. When that happens, all the workers hook a rope around each other. One guy’s rope snapped and he got washed into Newark. It wasn’t a tragedy because he lives in Newark. He also says that it does get boring but they have a radio. Ed Norton’s favorite band is Chepfielder’s Rippling Rhythm. Ed Sullivan: “I am happy to find out a man who is happy to be working in the sewer.” Ed Norton: “What am I supposed to do, open my own sewer?” Ed Sullivan is laughing during this. Bruce says that the water is causing a problem. Ed Norton sees this and puts his hat on his chest. Ed Norton: “That is what I get for working with a man who is 4’11.” Ed Sullivan says that he is sorry that he lost his friend but thanks him for the interview. Ed calls Ed Sullivan a sweet kid. Shouldn’t they be more concerned about Bruce? That is the end of that sketch. I think somebody on the old board said that during this interview, Ed Sullivan gets told by Ed Norton that they pay for things on time and when the creditors come, Trixie scares them by playing the piano badly. This piece of information is not on the DVD.
“People To People”:
This was filmed on Feb. 13, 1954. The primitive graphic says: “Person To Person. Starring Ed Marroon.” Robert (as Ed Marroon) greets the audience. He says that he heard an Ed Norton interview in which he stated that his dad was still alive. So, he takes us to Ed Norton’s dad. Ed Marroon also smokes a lot during this interview.
At Ed’s dad’s house. The camera tries to catch Ed coming out only to be greeted by an angry woman. The camera cuts back to Ed Marroon. Robert: “Wrong apartment. We will have to interview her person to person.” He then cuts to the real apartment that is Ed’s dad’s. He comes out (played by Art Carney with fake facial hair and a hat.) Big Ed: “Hi Mr. Moron.” Ha! Big Ed: “I watch your show when there’s nothing better on. I’m in the sewer game just like my son. I taught him everything he knows from the ground on down. We are the greatest father/son team in the sewer today.”
Big Ed’s wife comes in cleaning. She is played by Zamah Cunningham. Big Ed introduces her to Ed Marroon whom Big Ed keeps on calling Mr. Moron. Ed Marroon gets irritated by that so Big Ed says: “Gee, what a grouch.” During the course of the interview, Big Ed still calls him Mr. Moron. Ed Marroon asks how she is doing. The wife says that she is feeling very bad and that she has Bright’s disease. So Big Ed says: “Back to work.” She is cleaning during an interview? Ed says that he is very firm with his wife and that he doesn’t believe in love, honor and cherish. He believes in love, honor and obey. That was in the contract and that is why his wife is so happy. Big Ed: “Isn’t that right Mr. Moron?” Ed Marroon: “We don’t take sides and that is up to you to decide what happiness is a thing called Ed. Do you wish to discuss with us how you met your wife?” Big Ed: “No.” Big Ed reveals his hobby by saying that he loves to bowl. He bowls with his son. Big Ed: “If I am not in the sewer, I am in the alley.” Ed Marroon: “As long as you don’t end up in the gutter.” Big Ed: “You got a good program. Don’t louse it up.”
Ed’s wife says that she is happy and that she needs help getting up from all that cleaning. The camera pans around the room. One of them is a bowling ball trophy. Half is in one room and the other half is in the other room. Another one is something that he got during a dinner. Big Ed: “Instead of me being given something useless like a gold watch, they gave me something I wanted all my life which is a manhole cover.” I pretty much guessed what that was. All the markings on the cover are from the guys who he worked with. Ed Marroon says that that object is delightful. Big Ed says that since that manhole cover was real, there is a manhole in New York that has no cover so he advises him to watch his step. I guess the cover was never replaced. I can only imagine the backlash that would happen if the city never replaced any one of their manhole covers. When the camera shows Ed Marroon speaking, smoke is emanating in the background. Ed Marroon asks Big Ed for his credo on life. Big Ed says that the New York sewers are the dirtiest in the county. Big Ed: “Keep our sewers clean.” Big Ed said that he went to a sewer academy. A sewer academy? Big Ed says that the alma mater from that academy was. He sings it. The crowd applauds. Ed Marroon likes it. Ed Marroon once again says that they don’t take sides and that he leaves us with this piece of information. When there’s smoke, there’s fire. It’s your burden.” (As fireman enter): “You people will have to shoulder the responsibility of to find a way..” (As firemen are carrying Ed Marroon): “…to good night and good luck.”
Curtain call time. Robert introduces Art who just prior to this sketch, received an Emmy from the Academy of Arts/Sciences. Art thanks Jackie and wishes him well because of his leg injury. That is the end.
DVD: Attached to radio versions of “Letter To The Boss” & “Love Letter”, “Additional Sketches & Commercials”, “New Featurettes” & scripts to “Easter Hats” & “Alice’s Birthday.”
“Man Under The Street”:
This interview is actually a very sought after piece of footage. One belief that I had was that I thought this was a rarely seen “Honeymooners sketch” that didn’t involve Jackie because of his broken leg as well as during the sketch Ed sang “Song of The Sewer.” I also thought that this sketch was “remade” in 1970 as “Incredible World of Ed Norton” with various changes (like the previous title was “The Private Life of A Sewerworker.”) I also thought that this was filmed in the spring of ’55. After Jackie broke his leg, various people substituted for him. This was filmed on Feb. 6, 1954.
Ed Sullivan is on the street at the manhole in which Ed works. Ed Norton rises up. Ed Sullivan: “I’m from CBS. I need to ask you a few questions. What is your name?” Ed Norton: “Ed Norton. What do I win?” Ed Sullivan: “This is not a quiz show. I would like the public opinion to the Jackie Gleason tragedy.” (Remember he broke his leg.) Ed: “I remember hearing this crash at 8:55pm on Saturday. I didn’t watch it because I don’t have a TV.” Ed says that he read about it the following morning. Ed Sullivan: “He suffered a double fracture of his fibula.” Ed Norton: “He was lucky. It could have been his leg.” Ed Norton reveals that he had an uncle that worked on as a painter on a skyscraper for a long time and nothing happened to him while he worked 20 to 30 feet in the air. He slipped on a cake of soap while he was working up all the way in the air. Ed Sullivan: “That is the way it goes. It’s lite boy.” Ed: “No, it was Ivory.” Ed Sullivan gives Ed Norton a look which causes Ed to say: “What a grouch.”
Ed Sullivan wants to know what happened to his uncle. Ed Norton says that he fell 17 feet but he didn’t get hurt because he landed on two old ladies. Ed Sullivan asks Ed Norton how long he has been working in the sewer. Ed Norton says 10 years (despite the fact that he said 17 years in “Teamwork Beats The Clock.”). Ed Norton revealed that despite being lucky, he got the job because his old man worked in the sewer. Ed Sullivan then asks did he have any trouble getting this job. Ed Norton: “They made 50 applicants take an intelligence test and the guy with the five lowest scores got the job.” Ha! Question: In the lost episode and radio versions of “Letter To The Boss”, didn’t Ed Norton say that in order for Ralph to work in the sewer that he would have to pass the floating test?
Bruce from the yells to Ed that he needs help fixing the busted water main. Ed Sullivan says that the public has never appreciated the heroism of the people who work under the New York streets. Ed doesn’t know about that because they made a picture about them called: “Hell & High Water.” Ed Sullivan gives him a look which causes Ed Norton to say: “This guy is worse than Ed Sullivan.” Ed Sullivan shoves him.
Ed Norton says that his job can be real dangerous especially when it pours and it starts gushing. When that happens, all the workers hook a rope around each other. One guy’s rope snapped and he got washed into Newark. It wasn’t a tragedy because he lives in Newark. He also says that it does get boring but they have a radio. Ed Norton’s favorite band is Chepfielder’s Rippling Rhythm. Ed Sullivan: “I am happy to find out a man who is happy to be working in the sewer.” Ed Norton: “What am I supposed to do, open my own sewer?” Ed Sullivan is laughing during this. Bruce says that the water is causing a problem. Ed Norton sees this and puts his hat on his chest. Ed Norton: “That is what I get for working with a man who is 4’11.” Ed Sullivan says that he is sorry that he lost his friend but thanks him for the interview. Ed calls Ed Sullivan a sweet kid. Shouldn’t they be more concerned about Bruce? That is the end of that sketch. I think somebody on the old board said that during this interview, Ed Sullivan gets told by Ed Norton that they pay for things on time and when the creditors come, Trixie scares them by playing the piano badly. This piece of information is not on the DVD.
“People To People”:
This was filmed on Feb. 13, 1954. The primitive graphic says: “Person To Person. Starring Ed Marroon.” Robert (as Ed Marroon) greets the audience. He says that he heard an Ed Norton interview in which he stated that his dad was still alive. So, he takes us to Ed Norton’s dad. Ed Marroon also smokes a lot during this interview.
At Ed’s dad’s house. The camera tries to catch Ed coming out only to be greeted by an angry woman. The camera cuts back to Ed Marroon. Robert: “Wrong apartment. We will have to interview her person to person.” He then cuts to the real apartment that is Ed’s dad’s. He comes out (played by Art Carney with fake facial hair and a hat.) Big Ed: “Hi Mr. Moron.” Ha! Big Ed: “I watch your show when there’s nothing better on. I’m in the sewer game just like my son. I taught him everything he knows from the ground on down. We are the greatest father/son team in the sewer today.”
Big Ed’s wife comes in cleaning. She is played by Zamah Cunningham. Big Ed introduces her to Ed Marroon whom Big Ed keeps on calling Mr. Moron. Ed Marroon gets irritated by that so Big Ed says: “Gee, what a grouch.” During the course of the interview, Big Ed still calls him Mr. Moron. Ed Marroon asks how she is doing. The wife says that she is feeling very bad and that she has Bright’s disease. So Big Ed says: “Back to work.” She is cleaning during an interview? Ed says that he is very firm with his wife and that he doesn’t believe in love, honor and cherish. He believes in love, honor and obey. That was in the contract and that is why his wife is so happy. Big Ed: “Isn’t that right Mr. Moron?” Ed Marroon: “We don’t take sides and that is up to you to decide what happiness is a thing called Ed. Do you wish to discuss with us how you met your wife?” Big Ed: “No.” Big Ed reveals his hobby by saying that he loves to bowl. He bowls with his son. Big Ed: “If I am not in the sewer, I am in the alley.” Ed Marroon: “As long as you don’t end up in the gutter.” Big Ed: “You got a good program. Don’t louse it up.”
Ed’s wife says that she is happy and that she needs help getting up from all that cleaning. The camera pans around the room. One of them is a bowling ball trophy. Half is in one room and the other half is in the other room. Another one is something that he got during a dinner. Big Ed: “Instead of me being given something useless like a gold watch, they gave me something I wanted all my life which is a manhole cover.” I pretty much guessed what that was. All the markings on the cover are from the guys who he worked with. Ed Marroon says that that object is delightful. Big Ed says that since that manhole cover was real, there is a manhole in New York that has no cover so he advises him to watch his step. I guess the cover was never replaced. I can only imagine the backlash that would happen if the city never replaced any one of their manhole covers. When the camera shows Ed Marroon speaking, smoke is emanating in the background. Ed Marroon asks Big Ed for his credo on life. Big Ed says that the New York sewers are the dirtiest in the county. Big Ed: “Keep our sewers clean.” Big Ed said that he went to a sewer academy. A sewer academy? Big Ed says that the alma mater from that academy was. He sings it. The crowd applauds. Ed Marroon likes it. Ed Marroon once again says that they don’t take sides and that he leaves us with this piece of information. When there’s smoke, there’s fire. It’s your burden.” (As fireman enter): “You people will have to shoulder the responsibility of to find a way..” (As firemen are carrying Ed Marroon): “…to good night and good luck.”
Curtain call time. Robert introduces Art who just prior to this sketch, received an Emmy from the Academy of Arts/Sciences. Art thanks Jackie and wishes him well because of his leg injury. That is the end.