Gleason on Beat The Clock

[Bill S.]

I remember hearing that Gleason made a cameo appearance on Beat the Clock to promote a Honeymooners time change around February '56. Can anyone confirm this or give me any details about the show (if he participated in any stunts, etc.)? Thanks.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

Jackie DID make an appearance on "BEAT THE CLOCK" in February 1956 [just before his own "HONEYMOONERS" series was to change time periods, from 8:30pm(et) to 8pm, immediately following "BEAT THE CLOCK" on Saturday nights; he did indeed appear to publicize the time change] on a special "Honeymooners" stunt show- he did participate in a stunt where his wide girth was a hurdle to the contestants, but they did "beat the clock" on that one! That was shown on GSN {Game Show Network} earlier this year on their "Black & White Overnight" rotation of game shows...

Of course, Gleason's ties to "BEAT THE CLOCK" went back a bit farther- in November 1954, there was a "Honeymooners" sketch on "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" where Ralph and Alice appeared on Bud Collyer's set (they could do this because both studios were close to each other and they were on live, back to back, on CBS' Saturday schedule) to try to win a big prize for Alice's pregnant sister...of course, Ralph and ED have to complete the stunt when Alice has to help her sister out in the delivery room, but I'm sure you've seen this. I saw the "BEAT THE CLOCK" episode [on GSN] that aired the week after Gleason's sketch, where Bud thanked Jackie and company for making their appearance on Gleason's show a memorable one.

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

Of course, Gleason's ties to "BEAT THE CLOCK" went back a bit farther- in November 1954, there was a "Honeymooners" sketch on "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" where Ralph and Alice appeared on Bud Collyer's set (they could do this because both studios were close to each other and they were on live, back to back, on CBS' Saturday schedule) to try to win a big prize for Alice's pregnant sister...of course, Ralph and ED have to complete the stunt when Alice has to help her sister out in the delivery room, but I'm sure you've seen this. I saw the "BEAT THE CLOCK" episode [on GSN] that aired the week after Gleason's sketch, where Bud thanked Jackie and company for making their appearance on Gleason's show a memorable one.

While it is true "Beat The Clock" and "The Jackie Gleason Show" were on back-to-back in November of 1954, I honestly believe the entire episode of "Teamwork Beat The Clock" originated (like all of Jackie's shows did) live from his own theater, CBS Studio 50 located at 53rd Street and Broadway (now the Ed Sullivan theater) while "Beat The Clock" was produced out of The Maxine Elliot Theater (then, CBS Studio 51) located on 39th Street. It's possible Bud Collyer could have made it up to Gleason's theater in time for the 8 pm air time (given the fact of the opening June Taylor number and Gleason's monolgue, etc.), but more likely that he simply took the night off from BTC and had a replacement emcee take over, which was done quite frequently in the live days of TV. It's just a thought....and one I have considered ever since I saw that Honeymooners episode with Collyer.

[W.B.]

Originally Posted by VIDEOWACK

While it is true "Beat The Clock" and "The Jackie Gleason Show" were on back-to-back in November of 1954, I honestly believe the entire episode of "Teamwork Beat The Clock" originated (like all of Jackie's shows did) live from his own theater, CBS Studio 50 located at 53rd Street and Broadway (now the Ed Sullivan theater) while "Beat The Clock" was produced out of The Maxine Elliot Theater (then, CBS Studio 51) located on 39th Street. It's possible Bud Collyer could have made it up to Gleason's theater in time for the 8 pm air time (given the fact of the opening June Taylor number and Gleason's monolgue, etc.), but more likely that he simply took the night off from BTC and had a replacement emcee take over, which was done quite frequently in the live days of TV. It's just a thought....and one I have considered ever since I saw that Honeymooners episode with Collyer.

My understanding is that at the time of Gleason's bona fide BTC appearance in February, 1956, that program was based out of CBS Studio 52, located at the future "Studio 54" site at 254 West 54th Street; and that the Studio 51 / Maxine Elliott Theatre had been decommissioned at or around 1951 (that year, What's My Line?, which was based in that studio up to that time, moved to Studio 59, a.k.a. the Mansfield Theatre, later transformed into the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, located at 256 West 47th Street).

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by W.B.

My understanding is that at the time of Gleason's bona fide BTC appearance in February, 1956, that program was based out of CBS Studio 52, located at the future "Studio 54" site at 254 West 54th Street; and that the Studio 51 / Maxine Elliott Theatre had been decommissioned at or around 1951 (that year, What's My Line?, which was based in that studio up to that time, moved to Studio 59, a.k.a. the Mansfield Theatre, later transformed into the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, located at 256 West 47th Street).

Well, according to the book "Lost Broadway Theaters" by Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, CBS's lease on the Maxine Elliott Theater expired in 1959. It was demolished in 1960. Yes, "What's My Line" and "I've Got A Secret" (and who knows what other shows) were done from the Mansfield, and they had to leave somewhere between 1960-61 and they ended up at Studio 52 (the former Gallo Opera House). But I was referring to the Honeymooners November 1954 "Teamwork Beats The Clock" episode, not JG's appearance on BTC in February 1956. By then, it's possible that BTC was, infact originating from Studio 52.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

....Lucille Ball certainly did NOT make ANY appearances on "BEAT THE CLOCK".
She was too busy filming her series in Hollywood. When she (and Desi) had something to promote in New York, they would appear on shows like "THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW", "WHAT'S MY LINE?" and "I'VE GOT A SECRET". There was no reason for her to appear on a "little stunt show" like "BEAT THE CLOCK".
Gleason did because he used the show's backdrop for one of his "Honeymooners" sketches, and obviously returned the favor by actually appearing on the show in February 1956 (excerpts of his appearance were seen on "GAME SHOW MARATHON" this past Wednesday night!). Audrey Meadows did not actually appear on the show itself; only in character as 'Alice' in that "Honeymooners" sketch did she appear on the "show".

[Jacklite]

Is the 1956 clip available to view anywhere. Apparently it was available on YouTube but link long since dead. I would love to see it.

[ChrisTV]

I grabbed this video when I saw it a few years back on YT. The segment with the contestants is only 4 minutes, & Gleason is only on stage for 2 mins. Here are some pics.

[Jacklite]

Thanks. Hopefully one day it will get reupload and I can get to see it in full.

[df17]

Hey I found that episode on dailymotion.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8o7t49



Here's the file:

https://mega.nz/file/oAoDWTAL#AMshdz...64g1V2SjXV6vmU

[Jacklite]

That is brilliant, Thank you. Another one off my missing list