"The Jackie Gleason Show" at the Paramount Theater NYC November 1954

[ChrisTV]

By the end of the 2nd season of 'The Jackie Gleason Show.' the show was so popular, Gleason was asked to bring his group to the Paramount Theater for 2 weeks.

The Paramount Theater gig starred Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Art Carney, Joyce Randolph, Stan Ross, jazz great Bobby Hackett, juggler Rudy Cardenas, dancer Lou Willis Jr., Eddie Hanley, Zamah Cunningham, June Taylor and her dancers, and a 44-piece orchestra.

The first performances started Wednesday, November 17th, 1954 and ran for 2 weeks,
6 - 50 minute performances each day, starting at 11am and the last starting at 11pm.

The show consisted of Gleason's monologue, special guests, Reggie Van Gleason III, and The Honeymooners in Gleason's favorite sketch, "Six Months To Live" in which 5 minutes of additional material was added.

In Audrey Meadows' "Love, Alice" book, Meadows goes into specifics, stating that during the 1st week of the Paramount shows, they had to stop after the 4th performance, go do the Jackie Gleason Show, that weeks show was "Teamwork Beat The Clock," & then head back to the Paramount for 2 more shows.

An interesting bit in one of the articles, Gleason mentions, they filmed one of these Paramount rehearsals.
Wouldn't finding this film, be the find of all finds?!

Some technical things to take away from these photos;
There is no light switch on the wall near the front door.
The detailed woodwork around the sink.

The photos were taken by Gleason favorite William 'Popsie' Randolph.
Nicknamed 'the legend of Broadway.'

Picture details:
1 & 2) The marquee showing Gleason & gang headlining.
3) Gleason's monologue.
4) Gleason & Stan Ross.
5) Gleason waiting backstage.
6) "Six Months To Live" Alice carrying basket to the roof.
7) "Six Months To Live" Ralph telling is George Washington bus story.
8) "Six Months To Live" One of these days Alice.
9 & 10) "Six Months To Live" Ralph begging for forgiveness.
11) Gleason saying thank you.
12) Gleason and troop curtain call (L-R):
Rudy Cardenas, Zamah Cunningham, Stan Ross, Joyce Randolph, Gleason, Meadows, Carney, Eddie Hanley, Lou Willis Jr. and the June Taylor Dancers in the background.
13) Gleason exhausted after show, with assistant, Tony Amico.
14) & 15) Magazine articles reflecting on the performances.
16 & 17) Newspaper clippings.

[ChrisTV]

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