While we wait for next month's official release of the long-missing-in-action, The Honeymooners' Christmas Carol from 1977, here's an early Xmas gift-- even for the small group of my fans/creepers/stalkers at Stereo Central, who base their lives and hinge reams of discussion based on any and every post of mine they can scour from all corners of the internet..

In 2 parts, this special comes from the syndicated version, so a minute or two is missing, but the main parts are all there, including Jackie's famous recitation of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x84q014

Also included, Art Carney's walk-on appearance during a monologue, where he gives us a little bit of Ed Norton just for the heck of it.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x84q0df

password for both is:
jackie

And, just for fun, let's bring back another rarity:
The Jackie Gleason Show - Poor Soul In Christmas Land - 1967

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tu4np

password?
jackie

In this musical special from 1967, Gleason reprises his Poor Soul character in a visit to the Christmas Land of Fairy Tales.

Yes, it's blurry. Just watch it in a smaller window and you won't squint so much! Find me a better copy and I'll upgrade it faster than you can say, "BANG! ZOOM!!"

This special is not everyone's cup 'o tea, either, so spare us fans the grumbling if you're not interested, okay?

I had not heard anything of an official DVD release of the '77 Christmas special. Is this what you are referring to or is this a posting of a video somewhere? I have had the '77 special already and then someone posted a taped copy last year on daily motion. Is this what you're talking about, another posting, or is this an actual official DVD release of the '77 Christmas show?

While I'm asking is the Christmas American Scene special going to show up as an official DVD release too or just the posting on daily motion.

I have never heard of Stereo Central either, but I have heard of Jackie Gleason if that scores any points.;)

It's an official release of the 1977 special with Gale Gordon, where Ralph agrees to produce the Gotham Bus Company's Christmas play, spoiling a holiday trip to Miami (The Greatest City in the World!).

https://www.amazon.com/Honeymooners-Specials-Christmas-Carol/dp/B09CCH89M5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=honeymooners+christmas+carol&qid=1633645229&sr=8-1

It got overlooked when the previous specials were released years ago, prompting music rights speculation. Likely it just got, well, overlooked!

It's the same one I put on Dailymotion last year, with the Gleason curtain call added on from a different special (This one's for you, Bing!).

The American Scene shows are not slated for any official release for the foreseeable future.

Stereo Central is an offshoot of The Steve Hoffman Music Forums, where moderators and insiders go to trash Hoffman and other posters who were part of the Hoffman forum, like myself and Frank Gannucci. Best to avoid their private, obscene party. They get upset when you start giving back the cyber-bullying filth they dish out, ban your account, and start doxing you when you can't retaliate, even though doxing is illegal. Nonetheless, their "free" forums keep getting shut down by the providers. Can't imagine why?!!
:rolleyes2

Thank you for the information. I did watch your posting last year. I had a copy of the show from my old days of video trading. I even had an audio cassette recording of the show at one time I made when it was actually first on. I also remember taking Super 8 movie bits of those '70's reunion specials. Not sure if it was the '77 or '78 that I took Super 8 brief clips of, silent movies of course.

Those previous MPI color Honeymooners DVD sets were great. Best thing about them they didn't cut out the June Taylor Dancers like the lousy Time set did. Time Life really went to town with the massive editing:mad: they did to those what were once great shows.

Seems I've been lucky to not have heard of any of the warring factions on those various sites. Sometimes ignorance can be bliss. Surprising that Gleason's great show should inspire wars. Weird, actually.:crazy:

Season's Greetings From The Honeymooners - 1985

A look back at 3 classic, holiday themed episodes: "Santa And The Bookies", "Honeymooners Christmas Party" and "New Year's Eve Party", with your hosts, Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolph ANNNND Art Carney!

Also, watch for a rarely seen, special Christmas song at the end, performed by the cast during a curtain call.

Part 1
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7xu7po
Part 2
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7xu988

pass?
jackie

And, once again, for those who bought the MPI Color Honeymooners sets, here's the episode you're missing:

Life Upon The Wicked Stage
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tyds1

pass:
jackie

It's The Guys against The Gals as Ralph, Ed, Alice and Trixie enter a talent contest.
CBS. Color. 1967.
Running time: 42:00. Syndication edit. Station ID. No slate.

Seems I've been lucky to not have heard of any of the warring factions on those various sites. Sometimes ignorance can be bliss. Surprising that Gleason's great show should inspire wars. Weird, actually.:crazy:

You're not missing anything. It's just a bunch of lame keyboard jockeys burning off steam, taking one-sided jabs at people they randomly quote or, in the case of the Hoffman moderators, people they don't like (like Steve, himself). They just don't like being the butt of the jokes or taking the brunt of the insults.

The Jackie Gleason Show, Oct 19, 1968
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x84qjwf
pass:
jackie

Featuring:
Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Mike Douglas and Bob Newhart.

Got the Time-Life set? Here's what you missed! This episode was one that was cut to shreds on that collection. This includes the full monologue, original commericals and full performances from The June Taylor Dancers and others.

Also has one of those fun commercials for La Choy, featuring Jim Henson.

From a 1" dub of the broadcast master. CBS. Color. 1968. Color Bars/Slate/Time Code (window dub). 54:35 runtime with ads and continuity.

Are you going to reupload the Jackie Gleason Show episode from 1970 that was supposed to have Incredible World of Ed Norton?

It was still there, I just had to add a password, since all FailyMotion videos HAVE to be private, now.

The Jackie Gleason Show - January 17, 1970
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7uhga7
pass:
jackie


The infamous episode that SHOULD HAVE included "The Incredible World of Ed Norton". However, this 16mm copy that has circulated for years, has been physically cut to remove that portion and, in its place, we have the last half of an episode from 1969.

Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of "The Incredible World of Ed Norton" episode should seek out sitcomsonline.com and contact Frank Gannucci, who has searched and re-searched high and low for any trace of its existence!

Though, whatever you do, don't contact the Gleason family directly. They get "upset" over inquiries, to put it mildly!

Are you going to reupload the Jackie Gleason Show episode from 1970 that was supposed to have Incredible World of Ed Norton?

I love The Honeymooners classic 39 but just haven't been able to get into any of the other Honeymooners incarnations.

I wonder what the deal is with The Incredible World Of Ed Norton, does it no longer exist or perhaps the Gleason family is hiding it and doesn't want anyone to see it? :confused:

It was still there, I just had to add a password, since all FailyMotion videos HAVE to be private, now.

The Jackie Gleason Show - January 17, 1970
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7uhga7
pass:
jackie


The infamous episode that SHOULD HAVE included "The Incredible World of Ed Norton". However, this 16mm copy that has circulated for years, has been physically cut to remove that portion and, in its place, we have the last half of an episode from 1969.

Anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of "The Incredible World of Ed Norton" episode should seek out sitcomsonline.com and contact Frank Gannucci, who has searched and re-searched high and low for any trace of its existence!

Though, whatever you do, don't contact the Gleason family directly. They get "upset" over inquiries, to put it mildly!

Thanks.

As far as the whereabouts of the pilot, I spoke to a Mr. Slattery from Steve Hoffman Forums. Here is the link:

https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=403561

There's plenty of folks who dig the Classic 39, but can't deal with the "lost" episodes, as such, nor the Color Honeymooners which had a completely different feel from the Classic year. I enjoy them all on their own merits, and really dig a nice, well, corny (There! I said it!) variety show. Gives me a nostalgia for simpler times.

The tape with Incredible World.. has been confirmed (rather tersely and under apparent duress during a phone call placed by Frank Gannucci to a certain family member!) to exist in the Gleason archive. Whether it is still playable (those things happen) or, perhaps, labelled as "Do Not Air" for legal reasons, or what, is unknown, as those who could tell us won't! A simple picture of the box or documentation for that tape would answer much-- like the last play, air date, dub date or other archiving info. Quad tapes usually, usually, have pretty stringent documentation due to their fragility and limit of how many times they can, effectively, be played before degredation and damage occurs. Also, damage must be reported if the tape is run and something happens to avoid future mishaps.

Gleason was known for tossing around cash for vanity projects, and Incredible World had a distinction about it: Carney didn't want a series of his own with that character, and certainly not without Gleason as Ralph! Some say that doomed the project from the start.

Why we can't see it remains a mystery, as da famly don' wanna talk abouddit!

I love The Honeymooners classic 39 but just haven't been able to get into any of the other Honeymooners incarnations.

I wonder what the deal is with The Incredible World Of Ed Norton, does it no longer exist or perhaps the Gleason family is hiding it and doesn't want anyone to see it? :confused:

I also like all of the various incarnations of the Gleason show. I grew up in the '60's and I still favor the '60's Gleason shows as they remind me of my Saturday night viewing as a kid. But in the '70's was when I first saw the "classic 39" and agree those shows are pure comedy genius. My least favorite Gleasons are the American Scene Magazine shows as I don't find them funny (the ones with guests and blackout comedy bits) though those are the shows I remember also watching when new. I have always liked the Frank Fontaine segments of those shows though and I wish they would stop cutting out his great singing whenever they do show Crazy talking with Joe. Frank Fontaine is heard a lot of times in the Sounds Like Radio podcasts, not every show but he's in quite a few and when he's on the host there imitates Crazy Gugenheim in the style that he was on Jackie's show. He's on in Episodes 33, 59, 66, the St. Patrick's Day special
Here's where you'll hear Frank sing and the host there imitate him talking:
https://anchor.fm/your-humble-host

Sounds like it'd be awesome, but the stream keeps dying out on me. I'll keep trying it. Maybe downloading, first, would help?

He's on in Episodes 33, 59, 66, the St. Patrick's Day special
Here's where you'll hear Frank sing and the host there imitate him talking:
https://anchor.fm/your-humble-host

My least favorite Gleasons are the American Scene Magazine shows as I don't find them funny (the ones with guests and blackout comedy bits) though those are the shows I remember also watching when new. I have always liked the Frank Fontaine segments of those shows though and I wish they would stop cutting out his great singing whenever they do show Crazy talking with Joe.[/url]

To me, those American Scene shows were Comedy Gold and I loved seeing all the recurring characters, like The Poor Soul, Rum Dum, Reggie Van Gleason, III (the dramatic recitations were the best) and even Jackie "Wow-Wow!" The Clown!

And those catchy little ditties that played over the pantomime stuff:
La-La-La-La-La:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyP-yw_nnto
It's Such A Happy Day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Jrx0QIQ3c

IIRC, Captain Kangaroo borrowed a couple of those instrumentals, and and original composition for his own character, Mr. Backwards, was influenced by those Gleason creations.

For anyone interested, here is one complete American Scene show from those golden, b&w years:
Jackie Gleason's American Scene Magazine, 2/20/65

This week Jackie welcomes comedienne extraordinaire, Phyllis Diller (Ha-HAAAA-HAAaaa!), along with show regulars, Barbara Heller, Frank Fontaine, Phil Bruns, The June Taylor Dancers and Sammy Spear and his orchestra. Plus, original sponsor spots, and a special curtain call spotlighting Frank Fontaine!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7u1wcd
pass:
jackie

There's plenty of folks who dig the Classic 39, but can't deal with the "lost" episodes, as such, nor the Color Honeymooners which had a completely different feel from the Classic year. I enjoy them all on their own merits, and really dig a nice, well, corny (There! I said it!) variety show. Gives me a nostalgia for simpler times.

The tape with Incredible World.. has been confirmed (rather tersely and under apparent duress during a phone call placed by Frank Gannucci to a certain family member!) to exist in the Gleason archive. Whether it is still playable (those things happen) or, perhaps, labelled as "Do Not Air" for legal reasons, or what, is unknown, as those who could tell us won't! A simple picture of the box or documentation for that tape would answer much-- like the last play, air date, dub date or other archiving info. Quad tapes usually, usually, have pretty stringent documentation due to their fragility and limit of how many times they can, effectively, be played before degredation and damage occurs. Also, damage must be reported if the tape is run and something happens to avoid future mishaps.

Gleason was known for tossing around cash for vanity projects, and Incredible World had a distinction about it: Carney didn't want a series of his own with that character, and certainly not without Gleason as Ralph! Some say that doomed the project from the start.

Why we can't see it remains a mystery, as da famly don' wanna talk abouddit!

Interesting information and thanks for responding. Even if it isn't very good, The Incredible World Of Ed Norton should be made available for those who desire to see it before the existing tape degrades and the show is lost forever.

Seven years ago, Benno said this

Even with people who are critical of how some of his estate has been handled, I think the Johnny Carson Estate has done a fantastic job and johnnycarson.com is an example of what the Gleason Estate should be doing. Carson has a Youtube page, archieve releases on DVD from the vaults, show information. Gleason was The Great One before Johnny was King, and it is a shame that this is how Jackie's legacy is handled. With things like this newer generations will never discover the Genius of Jackie Gleason.

You can also add to the fact that since 2016, Johnny Carson era of the Tonight Show episodes have aired on Antenna TV and Pluto TV.

It’s almost as if the Gleason family doesn’t care about Jackie’s legacy with Geraldine Chutuk (Jackie’s daughter) acting scornfully when I called her, to them spreading false information like her saying the short Color sketches are owned by CBS when they owned them. She did say to me that Incredible World does exist with NO LEGAL issues but who knows if her info. Is accurate.

Hmm, I never have that trouble, I hit the play button and sit back, it doesn't cut out or anything. I just tried playing it again and it worked fine played smooth. Maybe your computer is loaded with cookies, that will make things stall. Sometimes clearing cookies works wonders on the computer.

But I have no trouble with the Sounds Like Radio site. You can also find Sounds Like Radio on Google Podcasts, Spotify and Breaker, I like Breaker too but I do mainly use the Anchor main site. Here though is where you'll find Sounds Like Radio on Breaker:
https://www.breaker.audio/sounds-like-radio

I also love that background music used in the "blackout" segments, in fact I've heard it used several times on different episodes of Sounds Like Radio. I know I've heard La La La... and Such A Happy Day.

In fact you hear the Captain Kangaroo theme at the beginning of the Gildersleeve record of the story of Jack & Beanstalk it's on the Library of Sound edition Vol. 32 on the Sounds Like Radio site. Capt. Kangaroo theme is heard other times in background on some other different shows too.
https://anchor.fm/your-humble-host

Interesting information and thanks for responding. Even if it isn't very good, The Incredible World Of Ed Norton should be made available for those who desire to see it before the existing tape degrades and the show is lost forever.

As cut as it was, I really think the Time-Life set was to include all Honeymooners related material that hadn't been released, yet, from the variety portion of the show (Excluding "Life Upon The Wicked Stage", a full episode of The Honeymooners from that era that has yet to see a home video release). As mentioned in the set's accompanying booklet, some of the episodes presented playback problems and could not be included. While the show that included Incredible World wasn't mentioned, the set did include all the short, pre-recorded Honeymooners sketches, as well as Carney's "If I Were A Rich Man" performed in character as Ed Norton, leading me to believe that, maybe, one of the problem tapes included Incredible World and got left off.

You might notice that, for tapes that haven't been handled much, if at all, for 60 years, they look pretty grungy, marked-up and over and just downright moldy-looking, which may give a clue as to what general shape they are in.



\https://i.ibb.co/pvwqPL9/tapes.jpg (https://ibb.co/jvft5r1)

After a brief exchange with the head of DC Video of Burbank.CA, the firm that provided the transfers for the Time-Life set (pre-butchering, of course!), I was unable to obtain any information about the condition of the tapes or which ones were unable to be restored, as the firm employs a strict Non-Disclosure policy with its clients. More frustrating is the lack of interest from the rights holders (read:Gleason Family) to answer any direct questions as to what still exists in the archive yet to be transferred, what shape it's in, or anything!

In the best of scenarios, the simplest thing would be to have the curator of the archive just open the storage case and check the documentation. If the tape can't be used for any reason it will be stated on or in the can in simple terms. Some of the Carson tapes can't be used "for reasons", and we know that one episode of Hawaii Five-0, "Bored, She Hung Herself", has a DO NOT AIR stamp for legal reasons.

Just that no one will answer a simple question about Incredible World.. is, well, incredible!

That bolded part about no legal issues-- I forgot about. Thanks for clarifying that.

Seven years ago, Benno said this



You can also add to the fact that since 2016, Johnny Carson era of the Tonight Show episodes have aired on Antenna TV and Pluto TV.

It’s almost as if the Gleason family doesn’t care about Jackie’s legacy with Geraldine Chutuk (Jackie’s daughter) acting scornfully when I called her, to them spreading false information like her saying the short Color sketches are owned by CBS when they owned them. She did say to me that Incredible World does exist with NO LEGAL issues but who knows if her info. Is accurate.

As far as Life Upon The Wicked Stage episode goes, a guy who used to post here (Videowack) used to have the uncut episode. Unfortunately he passed away in 2008. His daughter and son in law posted here once immediately after under the name aboz. They said that they will continue to tape trade his Gleason material but in the last few years, I have been unable to get a hold of them. Shame.

As far as Life Upon The Wicked Stage episode goes, a guy who used to post here (Videowack) used to have the uncut episode. Unfortunately he passed away in 2008. His daughter and son in law posted here once immediately after under the name aboz. They said that they will continue to tape trade his Gleason material but in the last few years, I have been unable to get a hold of them. Shame.

If anybody ever passes an uncut copy my way, I'll share it here. Not doing the "trade" thing here, anymore, since the board is littered with Video Trade Gods who only do 20:1 trades in their favor since they have soooo much to offer, or folks who just try to gyp people out of money. People dick around too much on the trading board and act all high and mighty, string you along and deliver abso-smurfly-nothing!

But if I have something I think is worth posting, I just put it out there. Folks who like it'll love it, those who don't can just go right on past to the famous Worprint Trading threads or those oh-so-engaging Wrong Answer and A-Z Game post fests.
And I don't use [strong language, I know] ********-ish logos ALL OVER the video like I produced and OWN the dern thing. People so scared somebody's going to download some awful Beta II copy of some old HBO crap and sell it and retire off the profits from someone's hard work of putting a tape in a machine and dubbing it to a flash drive.

Never did get that alleged copy of Dusty's Trail called "Danger Stranger", gosh-darn-it, kick-a-rock, mad-at-the-world, can't-get-my-way 'cause I don't have enough "workprints" to hand out!

Wait, what was this about, again?:crazy:

And, now, back for no reason at all other than I like it:
The Jackie Gleason Reunion Special - 1973
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7u1ax5
Pass?
jackie

Gleason, Carney, MacRae and Kean are reunited for a Honeymooners skit called "Women's Lib" as part of a Gleason special on CBS.

Also included is the second half of the program with 2 sketches not released on home video. DANCE!!!!

The "Great Entertainer" commercial spots featuring Gleason as Joe the Bartender and Reggie Van Gleason, III were not included with this review copy. They can be found on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaMBFd2HLVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0zXofruat0

Ol' Gleason was still watching his figure during this era, lending a slim-and-trim look to Ralph's bus driver uniform. This and prior years he had a waist line.. By late 1968 he really had gone through an amazing transformation from his much larger self. By the time we get to the Christmas Carol episode (released in November this year and available at your favorite online media retailers), Carney is heavier than Gleason! Talk about role reversal!?

I wonder if some of Jackie's weight loss had to do with more golfing (that perma-tan shows more time outdoors in Florida), less booze (he did try to straighten up for a long time), and the fact that he had his entire smile overhauled? I'm sure having teeth removed/replaced/denturized can play havoc with one's eating habits!

Just thoughts.

DANCE!!!

I've heard that Showtime ran some Honeymooners "Lost" Episodes in the 80's with conflicting reports that Gleason, himself, recorded intros for those. Never seen 'em, only the syndicated clip shows and anniversary specials. Did that actually happen with him hosting, or was it just clips or Best Of's? School meh!

Also, is anyone interested in seeing any of the series "Gleason, He's The Greatest"-- the half-hour anthology clip series featuring non-Honeymooners sketches and monologues from his early shows? I've got the discs banging around here, somewhere, and some spare time coming up. I know I wanna watch 'em again, but if no one's hip to it, here, I'll watch aloooooone!

The first show, just to sample:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x861vl0

Pass? jackie

Here's one more YouTube video to add to the odds and ends collection. Consider this an early Christmas gift from me to Frank G. and other Honeymooners fans and collectors.

The Jackie Gleason Variety Show - Petticoat Jungle (1966) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHG3grsgyWE)

Merry Christmas!

Thanks a lot Sal.

Sal, I got a question. What’s on the above print that is not on the MPI DVDs if any?

Sal, I got a question. What’s on the above print that is not on the MPI DVDs if any?

I don't know. I don't have the DVD and I've never seen the episode before. The video looks like it came from the TV feed. It's almost 50 minutes without commercials so it looks like it's unedited. I hope you like it.

Ok. Thanks.

I just checked it out. It is different. The opening has different Glea girls. So, I will record it before it gets taken down by Geraldine Chutuk and Co. Thank you very much Sal.

Just recorded it.

Just found this and saved it, as well! Thanks for bringing this to the forum!

Bad news. It got pulled today. But, I did record it. I was hoping the poster would unearth some other versions of the episodes that differ from syndication and DVD especially Life Upon The Wicked Stage. A poster who used to post here was named Videowack (RIP). He had the uncut version of this episode and even his daughter and son-in-law who posted here said they were going to continue tape trading Videowack’s tapes, they stopped.

The older videos are gone. I am also retiring from sitcomsonline.

Adieu.

The older videos are gone. I am also retiring from sitcomsonline.

Adieu.

Thanks for sharing the stuff you have. :)

I see that cloggedmind took down the info that he posted about him uploading the Color episode "Life Upon The Wicked Stage" (uncut version that is NOT on MPI Home Video and has not been seen in syndication.) The video was alos took down probably due to Geraldine Chutuk and company.

I HAVE this episode on DVD due to a tape trade where I also acquired various other rarities like I said in a previous thread.

Last month Sal posted a link to a YouTube video where someone posted a kinoscope copy of the Color Honeymooners episode "Petticoat Jungle." It was taken down because of Geraldine Chutuk and company (Jackie's daughter.). It has different Glea Girls.

Now is the Kinoscope 1966 print.

Season's Greetings From The Honeymooners - 1985

A look back at 3 classic, holiday themed episodes: "Santa And The Bookies", "Honeymooners Christmas Party" and "New Year's Eve Party", with your hosts, Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolph ANNNND Art Carney!

Also, watch for a rarely seen, special Christmas song at the end, performed by the cast during a curtain call.

Part 1
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7xu7po
Part 2
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7xu988

pass?
jackie

It’s too bad these clips and the other links are offline. Hopefully someone out there will repost them.

It’s too bad these clips and the other links are offline. Hopefully someone out there will repost them. I have them. Here's the seasons greetings video.

https://mega.nz/folder/BBgxiIBT#pA_C9jqF6O6RVhHvuIbNxg

Thanks for the mega link.