Frank Gannucci
05-09-2014, 07:23 AM
Episode Reviews: “Petticoat Jungle”, “Great Gleason Express” & “Run, Santa, Run”:
Episode #177 (Syndicated episode #8)
DVD: Attached to "You're In the Picture", "We Spy" & "The Great Gleason Express."
Color Honeymooners Title: "Petticoat Jungle."
Lost episode title: "Vacation at Fred's Landing."
At a shop in London (I think), everyone is buying sporting equipment or doing other things sports-related. They dance as they sing to: "World of Sports." After that, the Kramdens and Nortons enter. The girls want to buy some bathing suits. They plan to go to the Riviera. Ed wants a bathing suit with strips with chartreuse and fuchsia with sequins. Ralph: "You can't wear that in the Rivera. You'll be a laughingstock." Ed: "You're right. I may want to buy one of those because one of these days, we may go to Miami Beach." The audience applauds. The man asks for the ladies measurements which get Ralph upset. Man: "I am a married man." Ralph: "So is Frank Sinatra." The man at first shows them a one-piece blue bathing suit and then shows them a small box with six bathing suits that are popular in the Rivera this year. They guy shows the girls one of them. It looks to be a small two-piece bathing suit that Ralph says that Alice will not wear. Ed: "Get with the times Ralph. If Alice wants one, get her one." Trixie: "Can I get one two?" Ed: "You do and I will break your arm." Ralph says that she will not wear one of those six bathing suits. Ralph: "You wear the first one the man showed you or the one I gave you last year." Alice: "I can't wear the latter Ralph. It has a hole in the knee." They girls buy the one-piece bathing suits. They go to try them on. Ed goes to buy a bathing suit. The man measures Ed and it is revealed that his measurement is 37 inches around the waist. The man goes to measure Ralph since he wants a bathing suit too and the man's measuring tape doesn't even fit around Ralph's waist. The man goes to find a bathing suit for the boys. Ralph & Ed look around. Ed picks up a cricket bat. Ed: "What is it used for?" Ralph: "To kill crickets." Ed picks up a medicine ball. Ralph: "That is a medicine ball." Ed: "You must have to take a pretty big glass of water to swallow a thing like this." Ralph says that that ball is used for throwing around. They throw it around. When Ed throws it at Ralph, he throws it hard which hurts Ralph. Funny stuff. When Ed throws it at Ralph again, Ralph catches it and accidentally breaks a female mannequin. A game hunter comes in with his game hunting attire. He lives in Africa. He takes hunting expeditions and safaris into the jungle. He goes somewhere else in the shop. Ralph is all happy. He wants to go on a safari. They talk about the possibility of bringing to the Raccoons the head of a tiger that they caught. Ed then reveals a small piece of history about the Raccoons. It was called the Raccoons because one of the members ran over one with his car. The boys say that since they won the Flakey-Wake slogan contest and because of that, they have the final say over where they should go. I don't know about you but I rather go to the Riviera than on a safari. The man that did the measuring comes back and Ralph tells him the news that they are now going to Africa. Ralph instructs the man to get the big game hunter that is around because he wants to talk to them. They then sing: "We Are A Couple of Hunters."
At a hut, the girls are bringing stuff in. Trixie and Alice are very tired. Ed scares Trixie by wearing a witch doctor's mask. Ralph is busy talking to the natives. The natives don't like the idea of carrying Ralph over the rough spots. Ralph comes in with a ridiculous looking coat on. The girls say that for them, going into the safari is dangerous. Ralph says it is not. He has taken all the precautions. Ralph says that one woman had bagged an elephant. Ed: "How would you like to bag an elephant Alice?" Alice: "I already did." Ralph says that, according to his guide, they have to be at the Zambezi River by nightfall. Ed: "Why? I will tell you why. Because if you want to take a bath in the river, you should do it while the crocodiles are sleeping." The girls leave the room. Ralph practices using his gun while not shooting it. Ralph: "Did you oil your gun?" Ed: "I didn't have to. It wasn't squeaking." Ed checks to see if it is loaded. He points the gun at Ralph which scares Ralph. Ralph: "You carry only the camera since if I miss anything, you can take a picture of it." The guide comes to get everybody for the safari. Ralph finally lets Ed carry a gun that Ed claims is not loaded. When Ed pulls the trigger, it is revealed that it WAS LOADED. The gun shot scares Ralph but the "bullet" touches nobody.
At the camping site, the girls are tired of having to cook and do all the other things that Ralph and Ed tell them to do. They are scared of all the sounds of the jungle. Ralph, Ed and the guide are out hunting. Ralph & Ed have also been eating and sleeping while the girls do all the work as well. I would love to see an actual hunting scene with Ralph and Ed. The girls sing: "The Rivera." Ralph and the big game hunter come back. Ed is by the lake. Ralph says that the girls have been bored stiff. Ralph claims that he had a big day. He talks about hunting an animal. He was scared. He killed it…a rabbit. A rabbit that doesn't even look like it was real, but one that you would find in a kids' bedroom. Ed kills an elephant. Alice: "What was he doing when you killed him Ralph, coloring Easter eggs?" When I saw that quote for the first time, I laughed. Ralph says that the rabbit lost a lot of weight when he was chasing him. Alice: "The chase didn't make you lose weight." Ralph goes to the natives with the rabbit to make sure they will skin it and stuff it. A gun shot is heard. It came from Ed's gun. Ed: "Is Ralph back from camp yet?" Ralph: "Yes." Ed: "Oh that was an elephant I shot." When Ralph hears that Ed killed an elephant, he gets jealous. Ralph and Ed want to get some sleep before dinner. Alice then says to Trixie to help her put the wet leaves on a grill that is right near Ralph's tent so they can blow smoke in Ralph's direction. Question: How could Ralph not hear Alice when Alice is a few feet away from him? I guess that we were supposed to believe that Ralph goes to sleep very fast. The smoke doesn't even reach Ralph yet Ralph somehow is coughing because of it. Alice blows smoke in Ralph's tent. Ralph wakes up. Alice says to Ralph that she is cooking. Ralph: "Watch out! I'm not on the menu." Alice pours water over Ralph's legs. Alice claims that she slipped. The girls are visibly laughing. Alice then takes some hot charcoal and put them on the ground. Alice: "Look out Trixie! There's a snake!" Ralph wakes up and steps on the hot charcoal. Alice: "You must have scared the snake away. Alice and Trixie leave. Ralph and Ed say they are miserable here too. Ed: "Let's leave before the girls get back." Ralph concocts a plan to get them to leave here. Since the big game hunter shot a gorilla the other day, Ralph talks Ed into wearing a gorilla suit that will scare the girls.
Ed comes back wearing a gorilla suit sans the mask. He can't find Ralph. A "real" gorilla shows up. It is so obvious that the "gorilla" is not a real one. Ralph shows "Norton" the proper way a gorilla walks. Ed comes by wearing the gorilla suit with the mask on. Both of them notice the gorilla and get scared. The girls come by and get scared. They scare off the "real" gorilla. Ralph says that they are leaving because he says he wants to protect the girls. Ralph: "Me? Scared? No." An animal noise is heard and Ralph gets scared. They leave.
In the final scene, the Kramdens and Nortons aboard a boat called the S.S. Merrill. Ralph & Ed are wearing loud outfits. The wives are still mad at their husbands. Alice comes out. Ed leaves to go to his stateroom. Ralph starts to tell her of all the good stories about them going to Europe and the one little mistake he made on ship (he fell overboard.) Ralph: "You had a great time in Paris. It is not my fault that we got arrested for counterfeit money. I Sure, I made a fool of myself on English TV and anybody can be captured by the Russians." Ralph apologies and says that Alice spoiled the whole trip and spent all the money that they got on the trip and not coming back to Brooklyn with anything. Alice: "I had some wonderful memories and plus I am coming back with the best husband in the world: You." They embrace. The Nortons come out and they see the Statue of Liberty. They sing: "It's Much More Fun to Come Home." It is about how much more fun to come home from vacation. Sure, it is. At the end, a lot of people come out and streamers and confetti are flying everywhere.
At the curtain call, Jackie says it was a tough show. Jackie: "Climbing in and out of that tent wasn't easy." Jackie praises his audience at the stage and says that the studio audiences positive opinion is vital because "now" the rest of the country believes it. He must have been hearing about the ratings for his show. Jackie gives credit the people who wrote the show as well and the song introduces the cast (and it is revealed that George Barrows played the gorilla) Jackie then says good night.
This episode is very similar to "Vacation at Fred's Landing." That episode was done twice as a lost episode, again as a 1957 Trip to Europe and again as a color episode. No wonder Jackie didn't do an official color remake of "Vacation at Fred's Landing." By this time, he may have gotten tired of remaking the episode after technically four times (maybe five times if it’s true that this episode was done during the 1951-1952 season.
The Great Gleason Express extra that is shown on the MPI Color Honeymooners 3 Disc set:
The first clip that is played is from "We Spy" as Ed is carrying the luggage. Narrator: "Long before the Kramdens and Nortons took their (1960s) trip to Europe, Jackie moved his entire CBS variety show to Miami Beach Florida. Jackie was tired of those endless New York winters and wanted to enjoy outdoor life more." In an interview from the 60s, Jackie says he likes being in Miami Beach. It is revealed that to help charter his show to Florida, he got a train and dubbed it: "The Great Gleason Express" and used his train to help promote his show and was also used for publicity. Jackie's rep was on the line and had the responsibility of transporting a lot of people including people involved with the show and their families as well. Jackie in that same interview as mentioned above, Jackie says that he is grateful that the people, who worked with him, came with him. It is revealed that Hank Mitre proposed to Gleason the idea of moving down to Miami Beach and the president of WTVJ (the then-CBS affiliate down in Miami). Gleason loved train travel and a younger Marilyn Gleason is shown talking about the fact when Jackie first went out to California. I can tell it was a younger Marilyn Gleason because when she appeared on the Larry King Live Honeymooners Special in 2002, she looked much older and talked about him going down to Miami with the whole cast and crew. Marilyn: "We still talk about it today." That line alone reveals the age of this interview. It is revealed that Jackie did a Bon Voyage party at his restaurant in New York called Toots Shor. The actual train ride took a day and a half (save for brief stops along the way.) Music was played non-stop. Wow!
Marilyn: "Jackie didn't have to be on stage to entertain." A few dozen reporters were aboard on the trip, Jackie talked WTVJ into footing the bill for the train ride and remolding what is now called the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach into a TV studio which cost a quarter of a million dollars (I bet that it would cost more today.) TV Guide said that the publicity got more than $9 million dollars in publicity for Miami Beach. Jackie's greatest worker on the train ride was June Taylor (sister of his then-future wife Marilyn). June would be responsible for making those dance numbers on his shows. It was revealed that Jackie spent time with train employees who were working on the charter trip. When the express rolled into a town in the middle of the night, Jackie greeted his fans like a million bucks. When they arrived in Miami, they were greeted by a marching band, a rock and roll group and a lot of fans. While on a tour of Miami, Jackie was surrounded by a LOT of people. Narrator: "Jackie taped his last Honeymooners episodes in what is now called the Jackie Gleason Theater until the 1970s." That theater was renamed The Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theater in 2007. Jackie: "As always, the Miami Beach audiences are the greatest in the world." The End.
Episode #178 (Syndicated episode #10)
TV: One hour long musical
DVD: Attached to "King of The Castle" & "Movies Are Better Than Ever."
Ralph & Ed are having lunch outside. Ed has a table for him to eat on with a tall candle. Ed shows his napkin which has an "N" on it. Ralph: "What does the 'N' stand for, nut?" Ed: "No, the 'N' stands for napkin." Gee how clever. Ralph is upset that Alice hasn't been giving him good lunches lately, so Ed gives him a turkey leg for him to eat. Ralph is about to eat it when Ed tells him that that turkey leg was with him when he was down in the sewer. Ralph says that Alice has been acting strange. He says that he has been having tuna fish and he also mentions that she has been going to the supermarket early. Ed: "Maybe she wants to go on the picket line and get interviewed by Roger Mudd." Ralph says that she wants to get bargains, so that's why she goes to the supermarket early. Ralph & Ed then sing: "A Woman's A Curious Creature."
Alice is busy knitting clothes for some baby. Trixie comes in with a turkey leg that Ed brought for lunch. She brought it for Ralph, just in case he has to eat tuna fish again. Alice reveals her temporary job she has just so she can save enough money for Christmas (hence the reason she has been going to the "supermarket early".) She won't tell Ralph because Ralph will make her quit no matter how hard the job is. It's the principle of the thing to him. She did and said the same exact thing in "Expectant Father" too. Alice hurts her back so Trixie says she will make sure Alice go sees a doctor.
Ralph comes home and is upset that he has to have tuna fish again. Alice says that it isn't. She gives him the turkey leg. Ralph is happy until he finds out that it was left over from Ed's lunch. He wanders why that he couldn't have a hot meal. Ralph: "Don't you ever cook? Do you know what our gas bill was last time? 48 cents." Alice says that she is sorry, but she has been so busy. Ralph wonders why she ahs been putting on her best dress and going to the supermarket early. Alice says that she is going on a husband/wife picket line and going to be interviewed by Walter Cronkite. Ralph says that she isn't being interviewed by Walter but by Roger Mudd. Alice: "Don't cross-examine me." Alice goes into the bedroom. When Ed comes down, he asks Ralph if he can hide Trixie's Christmas present in the Kramdens' apartment, Ralph says yes and sticks the present in the bureau drawer -- where Alice has hidden the baby clothes. A moment later, when Norton tells Ralph that Trixie has made a doctor's appointment for Alice, Ralph is sure that Alice is pregnant. Now Ralph is remorseful for yelling at Alice. Alice comes in. Ralph: "Oh sugar-dumpling puss." Alice says that Ralph was right he deserves a hot meal. Ralph is acting all nice because he thinks that Alice is pregnant. Alice doesn't know what to make of it. Ralph: "When can we expect the happy occasion? Alice: "After I go to the butcher’s and get you two lamb chops." Ralph: "Did you hear that? It's going to be twins." Alice leaves, saying that she is going to get Ralph two lamb chops. Ralph only wants one because two are too heavy. She leaves. Ralph: "That son of mine is going to get things that I didn't have. He's going to have an education." He decides he has to make some more money in a hurry so that his future son can go to college. He needs so extra money for the kid. Ed: "I have some money that is owed to me and when I get it, it's just as good as yours." Ralph: "You're a good pal Norton. Who owes you?" Ed: "You do." Gee, that really helps Ralph. Ed finds some jobs that Ralph can do to earn extra money for the kid. One of them requires chemical engineering and it is in South America. Ralph says to forget about that job because he doesn't want to go to South America. Ed finally finds a job for Ralph, a street Santa. Ralph tells Ed that he is going to be his elf. Ralph & Ed sing "Father of the Year" in which Ralph says that his son will graduate from college in 1989. Also while they are singing, Jackie & Art walk off the set and walk back on.
The next day outside in New York, it is revealed that the people who wrote the ad are bookmakers, Lenny & Sidney. Ralph comes with his Santa outfit and the people identify themselves as Mr. Smith and Mr. Smith. Ralph and Ed begin their first day on the job. An old lady comes by. When she puts down her bet with the money, Ralph says that she doesn't have to do that. Lady: "I want 'Rocking Chair' for $2." Ralph still doesn't know what she meant. A person comes by and puts his money in the pot. Ralph says he will get that back many fold. Man: "I should. It's 20 to 1." Ed: "What are you talking about? It's half-past six." He leaves. A policeman comes by and puts his money in (thinking that what Ralph and Ed are dong something good.) When Ralph says to the police officer to put in his slip (everyone else put in their slips). The policeman sees what's really going on and sends Ralph and Ed to jail, thinking that they are the bookies they are looking for.
In the police station, a group of people (along with Ralph & Ed) show up and stand for their mug shots. Ralph & Ed try to explain their innocence. Crook: "Don't do this to Santa." The other crooks, Ralph & Ed sing: "Don't Put Santa In Prison." After the song, Ralph explains to the police officer that his wife is pregnant and he was just trying to make just as much money for the baby. Alice comes by and Ralph tells her that he was making extra money for their future baby. Alice says that she is not pregnant. Ed says that maybe Trixie is pregnant. Ed: "Are you with Elf?" Trixie: "No, I'm with Nincompoop." Now Ralph and Ed are in bigger trouble. When Ed says that the two Mr. Smiths are going to come by their street corner and collect the money soon, Ralph hatches a plan so the police can catch the real bad guys.
Later on, the police say that they are going to hide from the crooks and also instruct Ralph & Ed to wait until the two "Mr. Smiths" and when they come, they are to ring the bell so they can catch them. The two "Mr. Smiths" come but the bell doesn't sound so Ralph & Ed yell "DING DONG! DING DONG!" The two "Mr. Smiths" don't know why they are yelling "DING DONG!" The police come and catch them.
It looks like Ralph will have a Merry Christmas after all. Alice asks why Ralph thought she was having a baby. Ralph says that he found baby clothes, so Alice reveals the fact that she got a temporary job so she can get enough money to get Ralph's present, a rocking chair. Ed: "How do you like that? She's Knuckles Grogan." The Kramdens & Nortons sing "It's A Happy Time of The Year" as people dance in the background.
At the curtain call, Jackie introduces the cast (I'm sure this was edited by AmericanLife, now Youtoo TV). Because of that, we never found out who played the two "Mr. Smiths." (The audience clapped when they saw them for the first time.) This is not shown on the DVD as well.
Episode #177 (Syndicated episode #8)
DVD: Attached to "You're In the Picture", "We Spy" & "The Great Gleason Express."
Color Honeymooners Title: "Petticoat Jungle."
Lost episode title: "Vacation at Fred's Landing."
At a shop in London (I think), everyone is buying sporting equipment or doing other things sports-related. They dance as they sing to: "World of Sports." After that, the Kramdens and Nortons enter. The girls want to buy some bathing suits. They plan to go to the Riviera. Ed wants a bathing suit with strips with chartreuse and fuchsia with sequins. Ralph: "You can't wear that in the Rivera. You'll be a laughingstock." Ed: "You're right. I may want to buy one of those because one of these days, we may go to Miami Beach." The audience applauds. The man asks for the ladies measurements which get Ralph upset. Man: "I am a married man." Ralph: "So is Frank Sinatra." The man at first shows them a one-piece blue bathing suit and then shows them a small box with six bathing suits that are popular in the Rivera this year. They guy shows the girls one of them. It looks to be a small two-piece bathing suit that Ralph says that Alice will not wear. Ed: "Get with the times Ralph. If Alice wants one, get her one." Trixie: "Can I get one two?" Ed: "You do and I will break your arm." Ralph says that she will not wear one of those six bathing suits. Ralph: "You wear the first one the man showed you or the one I gave you last year." Alice: "I can't wear the latter Ralph. It has a hole in the knee." They girls buy the one-piece bathing suits. They go to try them on. Ed goes to buy a bathing suit. The man measures Ed and it is revealed that his measurement is 37 inches around the waist. The man goes to measure Ralph since he wants a bathing suit too and the man's measuring tape doesn't even fit around Ralph's waist. The man goes to find a bathing suit for the boys. Ralph & Ed look around. Ed picks up a cricket bat. Ed: "What is it used for?" Ralph: "To kill crickets." Ed picks up a medicine ball. Ralph: "That is a medicine ball." Ed: "You must have to take a pretty big glass of water to swallow a thing like this." Ralph says that that ball is used for throwing around. They throw it around. When Ed throws it at Ralph, he throws it hard which hurts Ralph. Funny stuff. When Ed throws it at Ralph again, Ralph catches it and accidentally breaks a female mannequin. A game hunter comes in with his game hunting attire. He lives in Africa. He takes hunting expeditions and safaris into the jungle. He goes somewhere else in the shop. Ralph is all happy. He wants to go on a safari. They talk about the possibility of bringing to the Raccoons the head of a tiger that they caught. Ed then reveals a small piece of history about the Raccoons. It was called the Raccoons because one of the members ran over one with his car. The boys say that since they won the Flakey-Wake slogan contest and because of that, they have the final say over where they should go. I don't know about you but I rather go to the Riviera than on a safari. The man that did the measuring comes back and Ralph tells him the news that they are now going to Africa. Ralph instructs the man to get the big game hunter that is around because he wants to talk to them. They then sing: "We Are A Couple of Hunters."
At a hut, the girls are bringing stuff in. Trixie and Alice are very tired. Ed scares Trixie by wearing a witch doctor's mask. Ralph is busy talking to the natives. The natives don't like the idea of carrying Ralph over the rough spots. Ralph comes in with a ridiculous looking coat on. The girls say that for them, going into the safari is dangerous. Ralph says it is not. He has taken all the precautions. Ralph says that one woman had bagged an elephant. Ed: "How would you like to bag an elephant Alice?" Alice: "I already did." Ralph says that, according to his guide, they have to be at the Zambezi River by nightfall. Ed: "Why? I will tell you why. Because if you want to take a bath in the river, you should do it while the crocodiles are sleeping." The girls leave the room. Ralph practices using his gun while not shooting it. Ralph: "Did you oil your gun?" Ed: "I didn't have to. It wasn't squeaking." Ed checks to see if it is loaded. He points the gun at Ralph which scares Ralph. Ralph: "You carry only the camera since if I miss anything, you can take a picture of it." The guide comes to get everybody for the safari. Ralph finally lets Ed carry a gun that Ed claims is not loaded. When Ed pulls the trigger, it is revealed that it WAS LOADED. The gun shot scares Ralph but the "bullet" touches nobody.
At the camping site, the girls are tired of having to cook and do all the other things that Ralph and Ed tell them to do. They are scared of all the sounds of the jungle. Ralph, Ed and the guide are out hunting. Ralph & Ed have also been eating and sleeping while the girls do all the work as well. I would love to see an actual hunting scene with Ralph and Ed. The girls sing: "The Rivera." Ralph and the big game hunter come back. Ed is by the lake. Ralph says that the girls have been bored stiff. Ralph claims that he had a big day. He talks about hunting an animal. He was scared. He killed it…a rabbit. A rabbit that doesn't even look like it was real, but one that you would find in a kids' bedroom. Ed kills an elephant. Alice: "What was he doing when you killed him Ralph, coloring Easter eggs?" When I saw that quote for the first time, I laughed. Ralph says that the rabbit lost a lot of weight when he was chasing him. Alice: "The chase didn't make you lose weight." Ralph goes to the natives with the rabbit to make sure they will skin it and stuff it. A gun shot is heard. It came from Ed's gun. Ed: "Is Ralph back from camp yet?" Ralph: "Yes." Ed: "Oh that was an elephant I shot." When Ralph hears that Ed killed an elephant, he gets jealous. Ralph and Ed want to get some sleep before dinner. Alice then says to Trixie to help her put the wet leaves on a grill that is right near Ralph's tent so they can blow smoke in Ralph's direction. Question: How could Ralph not hear Alice when Alice is a few feet away from him? I guess that we were supposed to believe that Ralph goes to sleep very fast. The smoke doesn't even reach Ralph yet Ralph somehow is coughing because of it. Alice blows smoke in Ralph's tent. Ralph wakes up. Alice says to Ralph that she is cooking. Ralph: "Watch out! I'm not on the menu." Alice pours water over Ralph's legs. Alice claims that she slipped. The girls are visibly laughing. Alice then takes some hot charcoal and put them on the ground. Alice: "Look out Trixie! There's a snake!" Ralph wakes up and steps on the hot charcoal. Alice: "You must have scared the snake away. Alice and Trixie leave. Ralph and Ed say they are miserable here too. Ed: "Let's leave before the girls get back." Ralph concocts a plan to get them to leave here. Since the big game hunter shot a gorilla the other day, Ralph talks Ed into wearing a gorilla suit that will scare the girls.
Ed comes back wearing a gorilla suit sans the mask. He can't find Ralph. A "real" gorilla shows up. It is so obvious that the "gorilla" is not a real one. Ralph shows "Norton" the proper way a gorilla walks. Ed comes by wearing the gorilla suit with the mask on. Both of them notice the gorilla and get scared. The girls come by and get scared. They scare off the "real" gorilla. Ralph says that they are leaving because he says he wants to protect the girls. Ralph: "Me? Scared? No." An animal noise is heard and Ralph gets scared. They leave.
In the final scene, the Kramdens and Nortons aboard a boat called the S.S. Merrill. Ralph & Ed are wearing loud outfits. The wives are still mad at their husbands. Alice comes out. Ed leaves to go to his stateroom. Ralph starts to tell her of all the good stories about them going to Europe and the one little mistake he made on ship (he fell overboard.) Ralph: "You had a great time in Paris. It is not my fault that we got arrested for counterfeit money. I Sure, I made a fool of myself on English TV and anybody can be captured by the Russians." Ralph apologies and says that Alice spoiled the whole trip and spent all the money that they got on the trip and not coming back to Brooklyn with anything. Alice: "I had some wonderful memories and plus I am coming back with the best husband in the world: You." They embrace. The Nortons come out and they see the Statue of Liberty. They sing: "It's Much More Fun to Come Home." It is about how much more fun to come home from vacation. Sure, it is. At the end, a lot of people come out and streamers and confetti are flying everywhere.
At the curtain call, Jackie says it was a tough show. Jackie: "Climbing in and out of that tent wasn't easy." Jackie praises his audience at the stage and says that the studio audiences positive opinion is vital because "now" the rest of the country believes it. He must have been hearing about the ratings for his show. Jackie gives credit the people who wrote the show as well and the song introduces the cast (and it is revealed that George Barrows played the gorilla) Jackie then says good night.
This episode is very similar to "Vacation at Fred's Landing." That episode was done twice as a lost episode, again as a 1957 Trip to Europe and again as a color episode. No wonder Jackie didn't do an official color remake of "Vacation at Fred's Landing." By this time, he may have gotten tired of remaking the episode after technically four times (maybe five times if it’s true that this episode was done during the 1951-1952 season.
The Great Gleason Express extra that is shown on the MPI Color Honeymooners 3 Disc set:
The first clip that is played is from "We Spy" as Ed is carrying the luggage. Narrator: "Long before the Kramdens and Nortons took their (1960s) trip to Europe, Jackie moved his entire CBS variety show to Miami Beach Florida. Jackie was tired of those endless New York winters and wanted to enjoy outdoor life more." In an interview from the 60s, Jackie says he likes being in Miami Beach. It is revealed that to help charter his show to Florida, he got a train and dubbed it: "The Great Gleason Express" and used his train to help promote his show and was also used for publicity. Jackie's rep was on the line and had the responsibility of transporting a lot of people including people involved with the show and their families as well. Jackie in that same interview as mentioned above, Jackie says that he is grateful that the people, who worked with him, came with him. It is revealed that Hank Mitre proposed to Gleason the idea of moving down to Miami Beach and the president of WTVJ (the then-CBS affiliate down in Miami). Gleason loved train travel and a younger Marilyn Gleason is shown talking about the fact when Jackie first went out to California. I can tell it was a younger Marilyn Gleason because when she appeared on the Larry King Live Honeymooners Special in 2002, she looked much older and talked about him going down to Miami with the whole cast and crew. Marilyn: "We still talk about it today." That line alone reveals the age of this interview. It is revealed that Jackie did a Bon Voyage party at his restaurant in New York called Toots Shor. The actual train ride took a day and a half (save for brief stops along the way.) Music was played non-stop. Wow!
Marilyn: "Jackie didn't have to be on stage to entertain." A few dozen reporters were aboard on the trip, Jackie talked WTVJ into footing the bill for the train ride and remolding what is now called the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach into a TV studio which cost a quarter of a million dollars (I bet that it would cost more today.) TV Guide said that the publicity got more than $9 million dollars in publicity for Miami Beach. Jackie's greatest worker on the train ride was June Taylor (sister of his then-future wife Marilyn). June would be responsible for making those dance numbers on his shows. It was revealed that Jackie spent time with train employees who were working on the charter trip. When the express rolled into a town in the middle of the night, Jackie greeted his fans like a million bucks. When they arrived in Miami, they were greeted by a marching band, a rock and roll group and a lot of fans. While on a tour of Miami, Jackie was surrounded by a LOT of people. Narrator: "Jackie taped his last Honeymooners episodes in what is now called the Jackie Gleason Theater until the 1970s." That theater was renamed The Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theater in 2007. Jackie: "As always, the Miami Beach audiences are the greatest in the world." The End.
Episode #178 (Syndicated episode #10)
TV: One hour long musical
DVD: Attached to "King of The Castle" & "Movies Are Better Than Ever."
Ralph & Ed are having lunch outside. Ed has a table for him to eat on with a tall candle. Ed shows his napkin which has an "N" on it. Ralph: "What does the 'N' stand for, nut?" Ed: "No, the 'N' stands for napkin." Gee how clever. Ralph is upset that Alice hasn't been giving him good lunches lately, so Ed gives him a turkey leg for him to eat. Ralph is about to eat it when Ed tells him that that turkey leg was with him when he was down in the sewer. Ralph says that Alice has been acting strange. He says that he has been having tuna fish and he also mentions that she has been going to the supermarket early. Ed: "Maybe she wants to go on the picket line and get interviewed by Roger Mudd." Ralph says that she wants to get bargains, so that's why she goes to the supermarket early. Ralph & Ed then sing: "A Woman's A Curious Creature."
Alice is busy knitting clothes for some baby. Trixie comes in with a turkey leg that Ed brought for lunch. She brought it for Ralph, just in case he has to eat tuna fish again. Alice reveals her temporary job she has just so she can save enough money for Christmas (hence the reason she has been going to the "supermarket early".) She won't tell Ralph because Ralph will make her quit no matter how hard the job is. It's the principle of the thing to him. She did and said the same exact thing in "Expectant Father" too. Alice hurts her back so Trixie says she will make sure Alice go sees a doctor.
Ralph comes home and is upset that he has to have tuna fish again. Alice says that it isn't. She gives him the turkey leg. Ralph is happy until he finds out that it was left over from Ed's lunch. He wanders why that he couldn't have a hot meal. Ralph: "Don't you ever cook? Do you know what our gas bill was last time? 48 cents." Alice says that she is sorry, but she has been so busy. Ralph wonders why she ahs been putting on her best dress and going to the supermarket early. Alice says that she is going on a husband/wife picket line and going to be interviewed by Walter Cronkite. Ralph says that she isn't being interviewed by Walter but by Roger Mudd. Alice: "Don't cross-examine me." Alice goes into the bedroom. When Ed comes down, he asks Ralph if he can hide Trixie's Christmas present in the Kramdens' apartment, Ralph says yes and sticks the present in the bureau drawer -- where Alice has hidden the baby clothes. A moment later, when Norton tells Ralph that Trixie has made a doctor's appointment for Alice, Ralph is sure that Alice is pregnant. Now Ralph is remorseful for yelling at Alice. Alice comes in. Ralph: "Oh sugar-dumpling puss." Alice says that Ralph was right he deserves a hot meal. Ralph is acting all nice because he thinks that Alice is pregnant. Alice doesn't know what to make of it. Ralph: "When can we expect the happy occasion? Alice: "After I go to the butcher’s and get you two lamb chops." Ralph: "Did you hear that? It's going to be twins." Alice leaves, saying that she is going to get Ralph two lamb chops. Ralph only wants one because two are too heavy. She leaves. Ralph: "That son of mine is going to get things that I didn't have. He's going to have an education." He decides he has to make some more money in a hurry so that his future son can go to college. He needs so extra money for the kid. Ed: "I have some money that is owed to me and when I get it, it's just as good as yours." Ralph: "You're a good pal Norton. Who owes you?" Ed: "You do." Gee, that really helps Ralph. Ed finds some jobs that Ralph can do to earn extra money for the kid. One of them requires chemical engineering and it is in South America. Ralph says to forget about that job because he doesn't want to go to South America. Ed finally finds a job for Ralph, a street Santa. Ralph tells Ed that he is going to be his elf. Ralph & Ed sing "Father of the Year" in which Ralph says that his son will graduate from college in 1989. Also while they are singing, Jackie & Art walk off the set and walk back on.
The next day outside in New York, it is revealed that the people who wrote the ad are bookmakers, Lenny & Sidney. Ralph comes with his Santa outfit and the people identify themselves as Mr. Smith and Mr. Smith. Ralph and Ed begin their first day on the job. An old lady comes by. When she puts down her bet with the money, Ralph says that she doesn't have to do that. Lady: "I want 'Rocking Chair' for $2." Ralph still doesn't know what she meant. A person comes by and puts his money in the pot. Ralph says he will get that back many fold. Man: "I should. It's 20 to 1." Ed: "What are you talking about? It's half-past six." He leaves. A policeman comes by and puts his money in (thinking that what Ralph and Ed are dong something good.) When Ralph says to the police officer to put in his slip (everyone else put in their slips). The policeman sees what's really going on and sends Ralph and Ed to jail, thinking that they are the bookies they are looking for.
In the police station, a group of people (along with Ralph & Ed) show up and stand for their mug shots. Ralph & Ed try to explain their innocence. Crook: "Don't do this to Santa." The other crooks, Ralph & Ed sing: "Don't Put Santa In Prison." After the song, Ralph explains to the police officer that his wife is pregnant and he was just trying to make just as much money for the baby. Alice comes by and Ralph tells her that he was making extra money for their future baby. Alice says that she is not pregnant. Ed says that maybe Trixie is pregnant. Ed: "Are you with Elf?" Trixie: "No, I'm with Nincompoop." Now Ralph and Ed are in bigger trouble. When Ed says that the two Mr. Smiths are going to come by their street corner and collect the money soon, Ralph hatches a plan so the police can catch the real bad guys.
Later on, the police say that they are going to hide from the crooks and also instruct Ralph & Ed to wait until the two "Mr. Smiths" and when they come, they are to ring the bell so they can catch them. The two "Mr. Smiths" come but the bell doesn't sound so Ralph & Ed yell "DING DONG! DING DONG!" The two "Mr. Smiths" don't know why they are yelling "DING DONG!" The police come and catch them.
It looks like Ralph will have a Merry Christmas after all. Alice asks why Ralph thought she was having a baby. Ralph says that he found baby clothes, so Alice reveals the fact that she got a temporary job so she can get enough money to get Ralph's present, a rocking chair. Ed: "How do you like that? She's Knuckles Grogan." The Kramdens & Nortons sing "It's A Happy Time of The Year" as people dance in the background.
At the curtain call, Jackie introduces the cast (I'm sure this was edited by AmericanLife, now Youtoo TV). Because of that, we never found out who played the two "Mr. Smiths." (The audience clapped when they saw them for the first time.) This is not shown on the DVD as well.