Missed cue & Audience member on stage?

[Bill S.]

In Donna McCrohan's book, "The Honeymooners Companion," there is a story on page 95 about a missed cue. It explains the whole story, how Gleason and Meadows went in the bedroom and never came back. Carney was left alone on stage and didn't say a word for two minutes straight, instead he peeled an orange that he found in the ice box. The person who told the story said it was "the funniest two minutes I've ever seen." This is a great story but the episode is never revealed. From what I can make of the story, the sketch was being filmed but I can't figure out what episode it was. Anyone have any idea?

The second thing that caught my attention was on page 98 of the same book. It reads as follows: "On one of the trip-to-Europe episodes, someone from the audience marched up on stage on an impulse. Art Carney, thinking it was a gag arranged by Gleason, played along. Gleason, knowing better, clowned around just long enough to get the man off stage." Once again, it doesn't mention which episode it was. It also doesn't mention if it was from the 50's europe shows or the 60's ones. Does anyone know?

I've also noticed one possible mistake in the book that I just wanted to point out. It's on the same page as the Europe incident (Page 98). It mentions the story of "Stand-In For Murder," how there was so much laughter from the audience that it ran overtime. Now, we all know this story as being about the released version (aired on 4-17-54). This is the episode released by MPI. However, the book says that this took place on June 4, 1955, which is the date the remake of "Stand-In For Murder" aired. Is the book wrong or did MPI mix up the dates like they did with several other episodes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

[W.B.]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

In Donna McCrohan's book, "The Honeymooners Companion," there is a story on page 95 about a missed cue. It explains the whole story, how Gleason and Meadows went in the bedroom and never came back. Carney was left alone on stage and didn't say a word for two minutes straight, instead he peeled an orange that he found in the ice box. The person who told the story said it was "the funniest two minutes I've ever seen." This is a great story but the episode is never revealed. From what I can make of the story, the sketch was being filmed but I can't figure out what episode it was. Anyone have any idea?

The second thing that caught my attention was on page 98 of the same book. It reads as follows: "On one of the trip-to-Europe episodes, someone from the audience marched up on stage on an impulse. Art Carney, thinking it was a gag arranged by Gleason, played along. Gleason, knowing better, clowned around just long enough to get the man off stage." Once again, it doesn't mention which episode it was. It also doesn't mention if it was from the 50's europe shows or the 60's ones. Does anyone know?

I've also noticed one possible mistake in the book that I just wanted to point out. It's on the same page as the Europe incident (Page 98). It mentions the story of "Stand-In For Murder," how there was so much laughter from the audience that it ran overtime. Now, we all know this story as being about the released version (aired on 4-17-54). This is the episode released by MPI. However, the book says that this took place on June 4, 1955, which is the date the remake of "Stand-In For Murder" aired. Is the book wrong or did MPI mix up the dates like they did with several other episodes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

I seem to remember that as to The Color Honeymooners, there was at least one episode where Mr. Gleason, in the closing curtain call, mentioned an incident on stage that was (to be) cut out. I'll have to go back to see what's what. Sounds like it was one of the c.1967 episodes.

But The Honeymooners' Companion seemed to mess up on certain dates, period. Confusing the 4/17/54 and 6/4/55 versions of "Stand-In for Murder" (as was probably the case) was the least of it. Ms. McCrohan had Gleason moving to Miami (not Miami Beach) in 1962, and in a conversation I had with her at one of the Honeymooners conventions in the '80's she remained firmly convinced this was the case even though I pointed out that the first two seasons of The American Scene Magazine originated (in Johnny Olson's words) "from New York City, The Entertainment Capital of the World," and that The Great One's actual move to Florida was 1964. (And at the time I spake with her on this, I'd already seen the first TASM episode at what was then the Museum of Broadcasting.) And of course, not mentioning the titles of the non-"Trip to Europe" color episodes, and skipping the 1969-70 season (and the sketch from Gleason's 1973 special) altogether. But then, in a way, back then this was all understandable, I suppose - interest in The Honeymooners was at an absolutely low ebb in 1978 when the book was published (by the same company whose other famous publication was something called TV Book by Judy Fireman), there was a very real danger that the show would drift into obscurity like so many B&W shows made way-back-when, and there wasn't the kind of abundance of information we see today on everything Honeymooners. As to the bit with the orange, sounds like one of the Lost Episodes, though which one I can't ascertain at this time.

[Bill S.]

I just found a couple more interesting things in "Love, Alice" that I was hoping somebody might know about. Here's an excerpt about a door:

"Of course, it happened to me as the only one left onstage, but, as I recall with clarity, while Jackie made his exit, hearing an ominous click as the door slammed. I thought there couldn't possibly be a lock on that door, no reason for it, but there was. Art was to enter next, but all I could hear were people jiggling the knob back and forth and whispering. Meanwhile, left all alone onstage, I resisted the temptation to exit myself through the bedroom door. I hummed my way over to the stove and started to put a pot on, stirring nothing furiously. Consequently, my back was to the window. It seemed as though an hour had gone by--it was probably a few seconds--when I turned to see Art coming through the window saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." He had forgotten to open the window, since there was naturally no glass in it. Jackie had sent him around to the Kramden fire escape outside our window, hissing, "Run, Aud can't stall out there forever." The next one supposed to enter was a Western Union boy. He knocked, and as I started for the door, Art said, "Good luck." The studio audience had caught on by now that the door had turned into concrete, and they loved it. Yet this time it opened to applause for the door, and, thank God, another live TV crisis was over." (Page 173)

Anyone have any idea what episode that might be? Since she said "another live TV crisis," I'd assume this is something we've all seen. My other question is, when they did a two-week gig at the Paramount, were those shows filmed? There was a gag Gleason and Carney pulled on Audrey during that time that would be hilarious to see. Any help would be appreciated.

[VIDEOWACK]

The episode where Gleason tells the home audience about a "surprise" visitor to the stage during the taping was "We're Off To See The Wizard" from 2/21/70.

[Bill S.]

Originally Posted by VIDEOWACK

The episode where Gleason tells the home audience about a "surprise" visitor to the stage during the taping was "We're Off To See The Wizard" from 2/21/70.

I guess they made another mistake in the book by saying it was a "Trip To Europe" episode.

Any idea about the episode with the orange or the door not opening?

[W.B.]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

I guess they made another mistake in the book by saying it was a "Trip To Europe" episode.

I figured that it might've been post-Trip to Europe . . . but thanks for pinpointing it specifically.

[Teck]

on the wit and wisdom of ed norton after the narrator says norton eats the kramdens out of house and home, he seems to be retrieving an orange in one segment (he's wearing a coat) could this be the episode? Arrgh! Someone tell me the "missed cue" episode. thanks.

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

The second thing that caught my attention was on page 98 of the same book. It reads as follows: "On one of the trip-to-Europe episodes, someone from the audience marched up on stage on an impulse. Art Carney, thinking it was a gag arranged by Gleason, played along. Gleason, knowing better, clowned around just long enough to get the man off stage." Once again, it doesn't mention which episode it was. It also doesn't mention if it was from the 50's europe shows or the 60's ones. Does anyone know?

I've also noticed one possible mistake in the book that I just wanted to point out. It's on the same page as the Europe incident (Page 98). It mentions the story of "Stand-In For Murder," how there was so much laughter from the audience that it ran overtime. Now, we all know this story as being about the released version (aired on 4-17-54). This is the episode released by MPI. However, the book says that this took place on June 4, 1955, which is the date the remake of "Stand-In For Murder" aired. Is the book wrong or did MPI mix up the dates like they did with several other episodes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

I don't know about a "Trip to Europe" episode, but in the episode titled "We're Off To See The Wizard" that aired on 2/21/70, Jackie explains during the curtain call that a piece had to be cut out and that "you people at home won't see it", that a "dirty ole" (as he would say) came running up on stage during a scene. As far as "Stand In For Murder" is concerned.....the episode that ran "over" and went off air before they could end it for the home audience was from 1954. The 1955 remake finished on time....so much so, in fact, that Gleason had to ad-lib about 2 minutes during his curtain call, and joking as to how they ended the previous year. I was able to view a kinescope of the remake at a 1985 R.A.L.P.H. convention.....that's the only reason I am able to state this.

[C Ingram]

I don't recall this episode, and have never seen it, but I do remember the "skin a cat" line being quoted in Donna Crohan's book or elsewhere. No idea which episode this might be.

[T-Greg]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

I've never seen "The Wit and Wisdom of Ed Norton," but I might have to pick that up just to see what episode you're talking about.

It's on the Lost Episodes Box set #3.

http://www.mpihomevideo.com/?p=25467&pid=55&pcid=&ccid=

[Benno123]

I think once the color Europe shows are out, then the originals will make their appearance on the home video market. I've always wondered if one reason why they weren't released wasn't because there wasn't an interest to see the b&w versions (which I don't believe) but because of rights issues with the songs. Just an idea . . .

I do think that as far as the Trip To Europe shows go, the color episodes are better known than the original. My Dad (who got me hooked on all the old comedy movies and TV shows) remembers the color shows very well (he was in his teens when the Gleason show was on in color) and he remembers watching the Honeymooners go to Europe. He was shocked when I told him that there were the originals in the 50s. When the DVDs of the color shows come out, I can't wait to show them to him, I know he's going to enjoy them.

[Benno123]

For some reason, Bill, I think the Gleason Estate, as well as private collectors, sit on a wealth of footage that will be making itself to the home market in due time.

I'd like to see a release of Gleason's "Million Dollar Incident" special that he did. Is that even available on the collectors market?

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

So I guess that verifies that the "Stand In For Murder" remake WAS shown at one of the R.A.L.P.H. conventions. Can you tell us anything about how it ended differently?

I honestly can't recall EXACTLY how the 1955 remake ended (in detail) since 21 years has gone by since I viewed it only once, but Ralph, Alice and Norton were together and happy as Ralph recounted what he had been thru. Somehow, the crooks "got theirs".

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Benno123

I'd like to see a release of Gleason's "Million Dollar Incident" special that he did. Is that even available on the collectors market?

Ben, "Million Dollar Incident" has not surfaced in the collectors market.....at least, not as far as I have ever seen, and I have been a collector for 30 years.

[C Ingram]

Originally Posted by Benno123

For some reason, Bill, I think the Gleason Estate, as well as private collectors, sit on a wealth of footage that will be making itself to the home market in due time.

I certainly hope they put the "American Scene Magazine" shows on DVD in their original form, as well as the color Gleason variety hours from the late 1960's.

And, of course, I'd love to see the DuMont kinescopes make it to DVD, but those would have to come from the MT&R (to which they were donated by Snag Werris' family).