Jackie Gleason Bus Depot

[The Great One]

I don't know if this was posted before but I came across this while searching the internet and I thought some of you on this messsage board might find this interesting.


Jackie Gleason Bus Depot:

On June 30, 1988 the New York City Transit Authority's Fifth Avenue Bus Depot in Brooklyn was renamed for native Brooklynite Jackie Gleason who played the character of bus driver Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners. Kramden worked for the fictional Gotham Bus Company. It is located on 5th Avenue & 39th Street in the neighborhood of Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York, adjacent to the 36th-38th Street Yard of the New York City Subway. The Jackie Gleason Depot is part of the Brooklyn Division of bus depots in the MTA New York City Transit buses.

Around 1995, the depot converted to compressed natural gas (CNG )operation. It is one of two CNG bus depots in New York (along with West Farms Depot) and the only all CNG bus depot in the city.

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Thanks for posting that! I know when entering Brooklyn there's a sign that says "Welcome to Brooklyn: How Sweet It is." I had heard about what you posted but didn't know all the details so big thanks .

[T-Greg]

There's a statue of Ralph there too. TV Land aired the unveiling when the bus depot was re-dedicated. If I remember correctly, Joyce Randolph attended and there were a couple of guys dressed up like Ralph and Norton. There were other statues done by TV Land: Andy Griffith, Bob Newhart, Liz Montgomery. and Mary Tyler Moore. See link below. You can watch short clips too:

http://www.tvland.com/landmarks/

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by T-Greg

There's a statue of Ralph there too. TV Land aired the unveiling when the bus depot was re-dedicated. If I remember correctly, Joyce Randolph attended and there were a couple of guys dressed up like Ralph and Norton. There were other statues done by TV Land: Andy Griffith, Bob Newhart, Liz Montgomery. and Mary Tyler Moore. See link below. You can watch short clips too:

http://www.tvland.com/landmarks/

[The Great One]

Originally Posted by AndAwayWeGo

Thanks for posting that! I know when entering Brooklyn there's a sign that says "Welcome to Brooklyn: How Sweet It is." I had heard about what you posted but didn't know all the details so big thanks .

No problem. I'm glad to be able to contribute to the Honeymooners message board with something that others will find interesting. If everyone pitches in and posts something unique it makes this a fun place to visit. You have posted some very interesting info yourself.

[The Great One]

Originally Posted by T-Greg

There's a statue of Ralph there too. TV Land aired the unveiling when the bus depot was re-dedicated. If I remember correctly, Joyce Randolph attended and there were a couple of guys dressed up like Ralph and Norton. There were other statues done by TV Land: Andy Griffith, Bob Newhart, Liz Montgomery. and Mary Tyler Moore. See link below. You can watch short clips too:

http://www.tvland.com/landmarks/

Great!!! Thanks for posting the link.

[MrBand]

Originally Posted by T-Greg

There's a statue of Ralph there too. TV Land aired the unveiling when the bus depot was re-dedicated. If I remember correctly, Joyce Randolph attended and there were a couple of guys dressed up like Ralph and Norton. There were other statues done by TV Land: Andy Griffith, Bob Newhart, Liz Montgomery. and Mary Tyler Moore. See link below. You can watch short clips too:

http://www.tvland.com/landmarks/

I was at the Kramden statue dedication in 2000 and it was a great morning. The TV Land staff caught sight of the pair dressed as Ralph and Norton, who portrayed the characters in a Long Island dinner theatre spoof. Don't laugh, I think it was called the Honeymoaners, or something to that effect. In short, it straddled the fine line between homage and copyright infringement. Anyway, I think the TV Land people were interested in having the pair shoot a soundbite (as they did with Joyce Randolph, who said "Take me to TV Land" a few times.) I watched the crew approach the TV Land honchos and point to the impersonators. The suits shook their heads, and the crew went back to the guys with apologetic looks. I think they were afraid of copyright issues or having to compensate the actors if they belonged to Equity.

As I wrote elsewhere, Joyce Randolph, ever the ambassador of good will, gave an impassioned speech of appreciation of her role of Trixie and the fans who have kept the show alive. As they unveiled the statue, the theme music of the Honeymooners crescendoed throughout the Port Authority and people cheered. I never saw a live show or personally met any of the cast, but that's my Honeymooners moment and a darn good one, at that.

[T-Greg]

Are these the 2 guys?



Here are their bios:

http://www.honeymooners.net/tribute/depaolo.htm

http://www.honeymooners.net/tribute/morgan.htm

[The Great One]

Originally Posted by MrBand

I was at the Kramden statue dedication in 2000 and it was a great morning. The TV Land staff caught sight of the pair dressed as Ralph and Norton, who portrayed the characters in a Long Island dinner theatre spoof. Don't laugh, I think it was called the Honeymoaners, or something to that effect. In short, it straddled the fine line between homage and copyright infringement. Anyway, I think the TV Land people were interested in having the pair shoot a soundbite (as they did with Joyce Randolph, who said "Take me to TV Land" a few times.) I watched the crew approach the TV Land honchos and point to the impersonators. The suits shook their heads, and the crew went back to the guys with apologetic looks. I think they were afraid of copyright issues or having to compensate the actors if they belonged to Equity.

As I wrote elsewhere, Joyce Randolph, ever the ambassador of good will, gave an impassioned speech of appreciation of her role of Trixie and the fans who have kept the show alive. As they unveiled the statue, the theme music of the Honeymooners crescendoed throughout the Port Authority and people cheered. I never saw a live show or personally met any of the cast, but that's my Honeymooners moment and a darn good one, at that.

Awesome info!!!