The Christmas ep depresses me!!

[Frischman_Fan]

I don't know what it is. The part where Ralph starts to talk about Christmas and how someone always has someone warm to come home to and then they play "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" it kinda depresses me alil.

[treky]

which Christmas episode? There was more than one. Ther was an ep. of "the classic 39", there was a "lost" episode where Jackie played his other characters besides Ralph (he played Ralph at the beggining and end of it)(and I just found out, that was a remake of one of the Dumont sketches, where Pert Kelton played Alice), and another "lost" episode where Ralph & Norton are playing Santa and an elf-but they're really "fronts" for a bookie, unbeknowenst to them.

[Bill S.]

Originally Posted by treky

which Christmas episode? There was more than one. Ther was an ep. of "the classic 39", there was a "lost" episode where Jackie played his other characters besides Ralph (he played Ralph at the beggining and end of it)(and I just found out, that was a remake of one of the Dumont sketches, where Pert Kelton played Alice), and another "lost" episode where Ralph & Norton are playing Santa and an elf-but they're really "fronts" for a bookie, unbeknowenst to them.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about "Twas The Night Before Christmas." The episode where Gleason plays his other characters is "The Honeymooners Christmas Party" from 1953, which is actually the third time that particular sketch was done. As you mentioned, it was originally a DuMont sketch with Pert Kelton in 1951, but it was also remade in 1952. However, the 1952 version is considered "Still Lost." Finally, the episode where Ralph & Norton play Santa and his elf is "Santa And The Bookies" from 1953, which was also remade in 1954, however the latter episode, along with the 1952 "Christmas Party" show, is still unreleased. Hopefully MPI will include these in their re-release of the Lost Episodes.

[gilligan fanatic]

I think it is funny hearing about how gullible Ralph is. "Stolen from the emperor of Japan"

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by Bill S.

The episode where Gleason plays his other characters is "The Honeymooners Christmas Party" from 1953, which is actually the third time that particular sketch was done. As you mentioned, it was originally a DuMont sketch with Pert Kelton in 1951, but it was also remade in 1952. However, the 1952 version is considered "Still Lost." Finally, the episode where Ralph & Norton play Santa and his elf is "Santa And The Bookies" from 1953, which was also remade in 1954, however the latter episode, along with the 1952 "Christmas Party" show, is still unreleased. Hopefully MPI will include these in their re-release of the Lost Episodes.

According to the Donna McCrohan-Peter Crescenti book, "The Honeymooners Lost Episodes", one reel of the 1952 Christmas show is accounted for. Which half of the hour broadcast it is however, wasn't mentioned. It would still be fun to see it regardless.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...Jackie pulled out all the stops to make sure there was a warm, sentimental ending. When Ralph delivers his monologue about how hectic the holiday season is, and how great it is to be with someone you really love on Christmas night, and Sammy Spear's orchestra plays "God Rest Ye.." softly behind him, THAT is a tender and classic moment. If I'm in the right mood when seeing that ending, I cry. The curtain call afterwards by Gleason and the cast {VERY RARE within the syndicated filmed episodes; Jackie usually stepped out to plug his sponsor's automobile, and of course, that's missing from what we see today} is just as special. That ending affects people different ways, '3scompany'- I understand why that could make you uncomfortable.

[VIDEOWACK]

According to Joyce Randolph at a 1983 R.A.L.P.H. fan club Christmas party, she told us that the entire speech Ralph gives following the opening of his bowling bag ball...........I mean bowling ball BAG, was totally improvised by Gleason and unscripted. He made every word up on the spot as the cameras were rolling. I think it's one of the finest and most touching endings to ANY Christmas episode of ANY show EVER!

[TV Knowledge Fan]

When Jackie had something to say, even if it was completely off the top of his head, and KNEW what he was doing....that was "magic time". That ending to the Christmas episode was ONE of those glorious moments!!!! He completely transcended "Ralph Kramden" and virtually delivered his OWN philosophy on the holiday....even if the end of 1955 wasn't a great time for him personally, off-screen.

[MrBand]

Actually, I never answered the favorite episode thread, but this is my in my top 3 of the classic 39 (the others are TV or Not TV and Better Living Through TV). I never knew the speech was ad-libbed, but knowing Gleason's considerable talent, it doesn't surprise me. It's heartwarming. I watch a lot of classic tv Christmas episodes during December, but this one is reserved for Christmas Eve (along with Charlie Brown). I find it so evocative of the holiday that it was years before I realized that the whole episode was done in the Kramden apartment. (Quick, which of the other 38 stayed in the apartment?)

Years ago, back on the board at honeymooners.net, someone identified the opening music for the episode as an old madrigal. Anyone remember the name of it? I never bothered to write it down.

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by VIDEOWACK

According to the Donna McCrohan-Peter Crescenti book, "The Honeymooners Lost Episodes", one reel of the 1952 Christmas show is accounted for. Which half of the hour broadcast it is however, wasn't mentioned. It would still be fun to see it regardless.

Well, the reel does contain the debut of a trumpet playing youth named Frankie Avalon playing "Blue Skies." A short segment aired on "Jackie Gleason: The Great One" in 1988. An album of the audio of the entire show was released from a company in Australia some years ago. There is no date (presumably because they had no copyright), but the liner notes refer to the JGS as having left the airwaves recently, so perhaps it was in the 70s. The album has the complete broadcast, including commercials and WCBS-TV announcements, so a print must exist somewhere!

[VIDEOWACK]

Originally Posted by MrBand

Well, the reel does contain the debut of a trumpet playing youth named Frankie Avalon playing "Blue Skies." A short segment aired on "Jackie Gleason: The Great One" in 1988. An album of the audio of the entire show was released from a company in Australia some years ago. There is no date (presumably because they had no copyright), but the liner notes refer to the JGS as having left the airwaves recently, so perhaps it was in the 70s. The album has the complete broadcast, including commercials and WCBS-TV announcements, so a print must exist somewhere!

Ah yes, I remember Frankie Avalon in that clip and I should, since I have that 1988 special. In the 1953 re-make, Norton brings in young Eddie Hodges to sing where the Avalon bit went previously. On the DVD Eddie's appearance is 25 minutes into the sketch, which tells me that it was the second reel that was found. If you add in the opening of the show, and JG's monologue, it would pass the 30 minute mark, and since kinsecope reels only went to 30 minutes maximum, this would make sense.

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by VIDEOWACK

Ah yes, I remember Frankie Avalon in that clip and I should, since I have that 1988 special. In the 1953 re-make, Norton brings in young Eddie Hodges to sing where the Avalon bit went previously. On the DVD Eddie's appearance is 25 minutes into the sketch, which tells me that it was the second reel that was found. If you add in the opening of the show, and JG's monologue, it would pass the 30 minute mark, and since kinsecope reels only went to 30 minutes maximum, this would make sense.

I'm glad you remember Frankie Avalon. I always try to forget Eddie Hodges!

[Frischman_Fan]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...Jackie pulled out all the stops to make sure there was a warm, sentimental ending. When Ralph delivers his monologue about how hectic the holiday season is, and how great it is to be with someone you really love on Christmas night, and Sammy Spear's orchestra plays "God Rest Ye.." softly behind him, THAT is a tender and classic moment. If I'm in the right mood when seeing that ending, I cry. The curtain call afterwards by Gleason and the cast {VERY RARE within the syndicated filmed episodes; Jackie usually stepped out to plug his sponsor's automobile, and of course, that's missing from what we see today} is just as special. That ending affects people different ways, '3scompany'- I understand why that could make you uncomfortable.

Yea, that's the one I was talking about.."Twas The Night Before" part of the classic 39.....I always wanna cry also knowing that Jackie and Audrey are no longer with us along with Art. But Jackie was a very smart guy....pulling that ending off the top of his head like that. Very smart!! If he was still around he'd certainly do away with SNL!!

[W.B.]

The music which opened the very first scene of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," since you asked, was indeed from an old madrigal called "The Vicar of Bray." As was the case with "Greensleeves" whose melody was appropriated for "What Child Is This?", it's possible that a Christmas carol was penned with the melody of "The Vicar of Bray," thus its use in the opening of this holiday "Classic 39" episode.

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by W.B.

The music which opened the very first scene of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," since you asked, was indeed from an old madrigal called "The Vicar of Bray." As was the case with "Greensleeves" whose melody was appropriated for "What Child Is This?", it's possible that a Christmas carol was penned with the melody of "The Vicar of Bray," thus its use in the opening of this holiday "Classic 39" episode.

thanks, WB. This time, I wrote it down!