The Honeymooners | Why It's Still Great | A Docu-Mini
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- čas přidán 13. 05. 2020
- For educational purposes only.
Written, Edited and Compiled by Joe Ramoni
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The Honeymooners was a definitive American sitcom that paved the way for the medium today. Created by and starring Jackie Gleason, it represented many real life frustrations by Americans at that time. I take a look at what make the show and its star still so special.
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Beautifully put together,thank you!!!!
@Hats Off Entertainment You're Talking a lot of Ball...
I grew up listening to my old man laughing at this before I understood it. All I knew was that it was funny for him!!! We watched it together years later when it was in syndication. I was four in 55!!!
Wow. Simply fantastic. Can't thank you enough. The fireworks and voice over that begin each episode still hold a certain excitement, and send me back to a better time and place. After all these years and having heard the jokes and gag lines numerous times, I still laugh. Gleason's facial expressions and timing -- simply timeless.
Thanks for the documentary on The Honeymooners. It is still as hilarious today as it was originally. Surely it is comedy in perfection !!
As a kid growing up in the fiftys the family watched The Honeymooners with glee. I'm 72 now but those weregreat years.
It was a big deal for my Mom as a kid, because she came from a loud, working-class family the kind of which wasn't represented much of anywhere else at the time.
My grandmother raised me on this show, Leave it to Beaver, and I love Lucy. I’ve been watching this show since I was 6 in 1980.
I still can't look at a full moon rising without thinking of Jackie Gleason.
Or see a fireworks show.
Jackie Gleason must of been pretty amazing in real life never heard of any scsndals or stuff like that seemed like a class act..
Oh my...me too! I thought I was the only one. Glad I'm not. :-D
i love that show... it says it alll
In my opinion, the 7 minute scene in "A Matter of Record" in which Ralph claims his mother-in-law will start a fight in 3 minutes without him saying a word, culminating in "YOU! Are a BLABBERMOUTH! A BLABBERMOUTH! You!" is the tightest written and funniest few minutes on TV, ever.
I've often thought the same thing. What a setup; what a scene.
Comedic timing
stan Can't argue with solid logic. I agree! Did you see that same clip with Donald Trump? It's every bit as great!
You're right but it's reality with everybody
It kills me that one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen is known as “that domestic violence sitcom” among those of my generation. It’s not great that Ralph’s gesturing is milked for comedy, or that it’s even a thing, but the show is so much more than that. If you actually take the time to watch the episodes, Alice is always right. Any jam Ralph and Norton get into could’ve been avoided or lessened had he only listened to his wife. It’s not at all about Alice or Trixie needing to be “put in their place,” it’s never framed like that. Ralph is a hothead, the show knows full well. And the arguments you see is partly what’s great about The Honeymooners, for as was touched on in the video, it’s merely showcasing issues Americans went through at the time and to some extent still do.
I feel like people believe this about the show only armed with little knowledge about it that they’ve gleaned from outside sources rather than confirming for themselves whether it’s completely accurate, and that’s a real shame. This show is a far cry from your Father Knows Best type of program, but nobody would know it based on this reputation.
After watching this video and reading this comment, I think it's safe to say I'm ashamed of my ignorance and that there's more going on than I had been lead to believe. I still think it's wrong to threaten like that and perhaps many have seen to poke at that though it definitely is also wrong to ignore the deeper point. The character was deeply flawed but kept trying to be better; that is so relatable and human.
Feel exactly the same.
The reason why it has the domestic violence reputation is that people of our generation are butt hurt postmodernists that can't in anything but memes.
It's because people form their opinions based on the word of other people who formed their own opinions on the word of others. Even without watching the show, any sort of investigation into it in a video like this shows there's more to the show then Ralph's threats. But most people aren't willing to invest even a small amount of time challenging their own opinions no matter how half baked they are.
also he never ever actually hits her. He just blusters. Lucy DID get spanked by Ricky. But Ralph never hit Alice.
The Honeymooners were like "The Mamas and the Papas".... only around for a short time but when they were the stars were aligned; literally. Jackie Gleason knew how to play an audience and had a profound understanding of performance, sets and quality having grew up trying to become a known performer. That coupled with his up bringing gave him many tools. Audrey Meadows and Art Carney were incredibly gifted and striking at improvisational acting as well. Art Carney had some great performances on shows like the Twilight Zone and others.
Literally?!
AND AN OSCAR!
@@ichhasseamerika if you pick any two stars at random in the known universe, they are literally aligned. Literally.
c homme I've seen Carney in other roles, but for the life of me, I can't watch him without laughing, bc each time he delivers a line, I'm prepared for something hilarious!
I still eagerly await the airing of the Christmas episode every year. Ralph's little speech at the end always fills me with nostalgic joy...
I loved to curl-up in bed as a kid and watch the Honeymooner's on
my old beat-up black and white
television; in my room with one
of those one dollar frozen pizzas.
It's funny how some yesterday's that at the time, didn't mean anything, suddenly now, mean so much.
Ralph and Alice, Trixie and Norton,
and those crazy frozen pizzas my
mom always made sure were in
the freezer.
Thanks mom.
Dear Prudence Your comment is a wonderful poem.
This was really sweet. Thanks for sharing your memories. :)
its so cool to grow up watching characters like Peter Griffin, Homer Simpson, Doug Heffernan, Fred Flinston, James Evans, AL bundy, Phillip Banks,Carl Winslow and etc..and to see Ralph Kramden as the Original grouchy type patriarch in an american sitcom.
Growing up in NY during the 70s I used to love watching the Honeymooners reruns on channel 11
Yup, and on into the '80s, too. I overslept many a morning when I was in high school because I'd watch Honeymooners, Star Trek, and the Twilight Zone after the Yankee game ended. Holy cow!
@@adamfox9651 That's why I am a Mets fan , they were on Channel 9 and didn't interrupt my TV shows....
@@adamfox9651 I think it was The Odd Couple, Honeymooners, Star Trek, Twilight Zone from 11pm to 1:30AM, maybe 1982-1987.....Is that right?
@@pulsarlights2825 Yeah, I think Odd Couple was in that mix too, IIRC. "Let it be on your head, Oscar! Let it be on your head!"
You're a Met fan? You have my sympathies. 😝 (Although, the mid-80s was one of the few times in history that it didn't suck to be one of the Flushing Faithful.) Me, I'm a Yankee fan who misses the Scooter. "Happy 92nd birthday to Rosa Avanti in Hoboken!"
@@pulsarlights2825 I know for sure it was Odd Couple and Honeymooners Those other two great shows following I can't recall, but I can remember the Mets back then capturing the hearts of so many in New Jersey & New York!
HONEYMOONERS MUSIC MIX 2017
Found on U tube...This I made for a Honeymooners Party a few years back. Enjoy!
"Just hearing the opening theme music bring tears. The Great one Jackie Gleeson."
and I'm sure you know Jackie wrote the opening theme.
You can find Gleason and his orchestra on U Tube!
I love the music. ❤️
My wife and I were married in 1980. That song was our wedding song. There are lyrics to it. It's called You're My Greatest Love. Jackie never wrote any music. That was a scam to sell records. He and Art were both active alcoholics at this time.
I’m so happy that Joyce Randolph is still going strong. The stories she could tell 🤫
This is a brilliant tribute to one of the greatest comedy series of all time Period, and Jackie Gleason was terrific and superbly talented in every way possible!!!!!
None other than the great Orson Welles called him "The Great One". He was not only a tremendously funny comedian, but a serious actor as well as musician and composer, amongst other things. It's an enormous shame that the show is unjustly derided these days as misogynistic by people who have clearly never seen it and are merely parroting things other misinformed people have said about it.
Jackie was not a musician at all. They pretended he wrote music to sell albums. He was a cash cow.
The great one. Transcends generations. Just as funny today.
After 60 plus years it's still regarded as the best sitcom of all time Period!!!!!
James Dean died on September 30 1955. Honeymooners debuted the next day.
Still the greatest sitcom in history.
I know that this show was a little before my time, but when I was growing up, (born in the 70s and raised in the 80s), I used to watch reruns of these old "Honeymooners" episodes. I must admit, I loved it! This show cracked me up and it still does to this day!
A timeless TV classic. I still enjoy watching it today.
In Poland we had 'Miodowe lata', based almost exactly on Honeymooners dialogues and it was one of my favorites:) What's a bit sad is that the episodes were almost the same although the action took place in the 90' - like Poland was 40 years behind in how poor people were
There where many foregin versions of The Honeymooners, in Sweden we had "Rena Rama Rolf", which I loved as a kid and still do to this day =). The episodes where basically the same, but it took place in the 90's (when that version was made). And to be honest, most of the updates worked much better in that version than in The Honeymooners, but there where also some changed parts that worked much better in The Honeymooners.
Love this series...….Amazing how " The Flintstones " came from The Honeymooners...…:))
Thanks for watching!
I think Bilko was the inspiration behind Top Cat.
there is a Polish version named "Miodowe lata" airing between 1998 and 2003. it's probably the best Polish sitcom ever made and one of the greatest Polish TV shows of all time. it proves how great, influential and universal "The honeymooners" were
At 68 I remember seeing them for the first time as a kid. Love all of them. Nice upload, thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you SOOO much for this. My favorite show of all time. Hell... the GREATEST show of all time!
There are only 3 TV series that I can truly watch endlessly and have for decades: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners and M*A*S*H. I never tire of the great characters, acting, physical comedy and dark humor (in the case of M*A*S*H) to be found in all three series.
Dont Forget The Dick van Dyke Show !
I had a massive crush on Alice as a kid. You know, the way we got crushes on school teachers. She's so pretty.
Gleason fired the original 'Alice' that the studio hired because she was too pretty to play his wife.
@@victorjohnson7512 You're almost right. Pert Kelton was fired because she was a commie-pinko although the official CBS fake news story was that she was too ill to do anymore live tv. Audrey Meadows, then, begged for an audition with Gleason but Gleason turned her down saying she was way too pretty. So Audrey hired a photographer to take photos of her first thing in the morning. The photos were sent to Gleason and she got her audition and the rest is history. Pert Kelton did make a return appearance in one of the Miami Color Honeymooners as Alice's mother with Shela MacRae as Alice. I believe that was Pert's final TV appearance.
All my life I've been searching for a wife like Alice but will never find her .
@@Fred-kr5fs She was a tough cookie but kept it classy.
Absolutely Correct!...….I am 55 and my father loves the honeymooners too.....and I told him Alice was one HOT chick in those days!!….:))
Benny and Gleason were both untouchable as the greatest comic actors.
I find it amazing how well this show holds up today. I love watching it with my older uncle when I visit him
I grew up watching reruns of The Honeymooners. I never understood the opening of the show with the cityscape and the moon as a kid, I didn't put the title of the show together with that intro, most likely because I didn't even know what honeymoon or honeymooner meant at the time, I just knew I liked it. I'm sure I didn't get any of the jokes either but I loved the physical comedy aspect of it, Norman's flopping around and Ralph's reactions to everything (especially his subdued reactions like the picking up the check bit you showed), I just loved it. Thanks for making all these videos on the shows and times I love.
@Chang Noi Norman?
That's like saying Cheech & Chang
Sorry, but that's what I called him as a kid, didn't realize I called him that now lol
@@evilsdemise1287 Don't apologise for making a mistake. We all know who you were referring to. It's just some people have nothing better to do.
That’s Minnesota Fats, he plays a great game of pool !
Jackie Gleason did his own trickshots in that movie
@@ianfinrir8724 I saw a doc on 'The Hustler'. They got a pool champ in to do the shots.
I call this a new years Eve tradition since I grew up with this show as a child around that tim
So wonderful to see this! Thanks for keeping such great work alive!
Thanks for watching!
I watch it regularly still. Weekly !!!
"One of these days" I'm going to watch more episodes of this unique and game-changing sitcom. Stay safe and keep it up!
Audrey Meadows had such presence. She could make you laugh by just standing there without saying a word.
Gleason's willingness to let the other actors shine and make jokes at his expense was key. It shows how it really was about the comedy, and that it wasn't a vanity project.
Truly phenomenal show with such chemistry and humor. I will always remember Ralph’s “Bang, zoom!” that always sent me in stitches xD
I want you to know, that this was awesome.
Thanks so much, for this candid mini - documentary of the Greastest sit-com in Television ever, and the tribute to the one and only "Great One," Jackie my Boy Jack. The Gleasonator!
Less than a week ago my wife and I went to the Laundromat on Rossville Ave. in Staten Island, and we happened to bump into a fella we became acquainted with one year ago, who is from Bay Ridge Brooklyn. He's 84 years old. While I'm only 52, I'm in constant pain physically, and have been fighting for disability for over 3 years; Jerry, our 84 year old super slim, energetic, Brooklyn buddy is moving like the energizer bunny. Somehow we get talking about the Honeymooners, and he relayed a personal encounter with Gleason in Miami. Jerry and his wife were on their Honeymoon
down in Florida, and had just sat down in a highly recommended Italian restaurant; the waiter brings over an expensive bottle of Champagne to their table, and Jerry says to him, " we didn't order any Champagne, we just arrived, and didn't order anything yet." The waiter said, "it was from that gentleman over at that other table." "He bought it for you, and said, Congratulations to both of you." It was Jackie Gleason, who noticed them to be a young couple recently married, and he wanted to salute their wedding vows."
I said, " Once Jackie was on the Tonight Show with Carson, and Carson revealed a true story about Gleason's tipping techniques. He once asked a waiter, " What's the biggest tip you've ever received?" The waiter replied, " $100 Sir." Gleason proceeded to double that amount giving the waiter a $200 tip, now making it the new biggest tip he'd ever received. Jackie, said, " By the way waiter, who was the person who gave you your biggest, $100 tip ever, before Today's $200 new biggest tip ever?" The waiter shyly responded, " Why it was you Mr. Gleason."
We enjoyed exchanging Honeymooners stories while folding clothes, and I reminded him of the movie with Brendan Frasher, Christopher Walken, and Sissy Spacek, "Blast From The Past," when Walken, the father, in a fallout shelter rigs the T.V. to play reruns of the Honeymooners, and exclaims, " people will never get tired of watching this show!"
A friend of mine did Dinner Theatre theme shows, like Tony and Tina's wedding, and The Godfather Mashugguna; Anyway, He winds up writing a New Dinner Theatre show called, "Ralph Kramdens 50th Birthday party!" It was a huge success playing for several years in major wedding reception halls everywhere!
Yes, although I only watched reruns in syndication of "The Honeymooners," I actually GREW UP with these characters, and Today in my clothing walk-in closet, I have 2 spitting image dolls of Ralph and Ed in their proper attire, hats and all.
They're about 20" tall.
Bang! Zoom!
Greatest show ever. Period.
Cripe,I'm laughing and crying at the same time! The Honeymooners reminded me of my parents.My old man would never miss an episode,watching with a Camel cigarette in one hand and an Arrow77 beer in the other. The "to the moon,Alice" reference is priceless!
You need to contest that. Editorial, review, commentary and documentary are all protected from DMCA.
imagine the bunkers meet ralph and alice kramden
Be drinking beers together.
“Blabbermouth” is still one of the funniest damn things I have ever seen in my life.
This was THE best TV of the 50's , hands-down. My Dad loved it. And, as he grew older, he loved this show, even more. it took me getting older to see just why Dad loved it so much, but i too, have grown to treasure these 39 shows.-------WolfSky9, 74 y/o
Now it is clear as to why virtually ALL sitcom couples feature a lovable, knuckleheadish working class husband that is short on looks and often chubby, but has a gorgeous, knock-out of a wife.
4:59 i've seen that one! its a classic! thats the one where Ralph dresses up like a man from space!
Great video! No matter how many times I’ve watched every episode, no other show makes me laugh as hard as The Honeymooners still does.
Well done! I remember watching with my parents on our 15” Philco TV eating popcorn and drinking milk shakes.
A masterpiece of a show!!! Grew up watching this on reruns with my whole family!!!! Stands up to this day!!!
"And away we go." Thanks for the memories. I remember being torn between Jackie Gleason's Honeymooners (CBS), and Red Skelton (NBC) as they came on at the same time..
Thanks for watching!
My dad has them all on vhs, god i love that show
Bummer about the copyright stuff. Still a great video.
One of these days, Joe! ONE OF THESE DAYS!
It's so sad to me how many people don't get that. the legacy of this show is dumb past-bashing jokes characterizing it as nothing but a show about a guy hitting his wife. the _entire point,_ what made it funny, is that he's all hot air but ultimately impotent in the household. as usual, men's troubles get swept under the rug so more attention can be put on fictional women's problems.
I love this channel. It goes in depth into acts I loved growing up. I remember watching this entire series in three days when I was 15. This show is absolutely phenomenal. Highly recommend this.
Thanks for the support!
It was a "retro" production. Filmed in a overall financially booming post-war decade of the 1950's, but depicting life during the depression. Andy Griffith show did the same thing depicting the simpler times of the 1930's. Great post ~
Best show ever made, and will always be. God Bless you Jackie!
Hahaha that subtle roast of whoever reported you at 2:20 lololol
I like the part where he threatens to beat his wife. He never does it to my knowledge, but if he did we all know it would not be held against him.
New Yorker here: 60+ years later, The Honeymooners is still the definitive New York comedy TV show.
that was funny Alice i cant poor alice hasnt't got a phone either lol
Another great mini doc... Thanks Hats Off Entertainment
The Honeymooners is still great because it's still funny it's truly GREAT!
What a great video...I'd heard of the show of course, but this is the first time I've ever seen clips. The genius of the show and its characters are incredibly obvious just through a quick watch, and looking forward to seeing more of it. Thanks!
B&W classic tv shows and movies has always been the best to watch they don't get boring
I love love the honeymooners theme song at the beginning..🎈 love the show too..
Great video. I really think the Honeymooners - and Jackie Gleason - shaped how sitcoms would be.
Great presentation!!! Thank you!!!
Quickly becoming my favorite CZcamsr and channel
Awesome Video Presentation. Thank You.
I really enjoyed your video on one of my all time favorite shows. Hats off to you and you deserved the name!
Jackie Gleason definitely is a great one couldn't picture the world without The Honeymooners I remember I used to watch them when I was a little boy with my mother every night before we would go to sleep and I'm talkin about 40 45 years ago
As a non-American I have never seen or even heard of this show, but I think it is absolutely imperative that we cherish and protect where these art forms started. Thank you for making these. I have a new found respect for The Honeymooners now.
Thank you for watching!
I'm also not American and have never watched this show but I have heard of it because of Back to the Future and I heard The Flintstones was heavily inspired by The Honeymooners.
This is easily one of my favorite videos of yours. I loved The Honeymooners as a kid and would watch them every year at (I think) Christmas during the marathon. This brought back a lot of good memories and I thank you for that.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this whole channel!!!!!! Ridiculously awesome
Thanks for watching!
Wow, I always knew the name Jackie Gleason and was all ready to check his IMDB after this video to see if I'd seen him in anything, but when you mentioned Smokey and the Bandit the penny dropped. To an 80s kid that's how I know him, and I'd never have expected it was he same guy!
What a beautiful tribute. Touching, respectful and accurate. God bless you! 🎉🎉🎉
I'd watch this every new year morning with my father and siblings growing up in New York. Nothing but good memories
Very nice. I like your wrap ups. They always bring up the feels.
What a wonderful show. Loved every minute of it.
Fantastic video! It reminded me of staying up late on Saturday nights so I could watch reruns back in the 80s. Good memories...
Fantastic video my man!
Excellent mini documentary!
Your video was wonderful. Thanks for making it so funny and wonderful!
Hats Off Entertainment, you're the greatest!
Beautiful...laughing and crying at the same time...
Keep up the good work, amazing content!
Thanks, will do!
I gotta say, your channel is VERY quickly becoming my favorite on the whole website. My father and grandfather used to talk for hours about all the legends you cover on this channel, and being born in 1997 I always felt that I didn't have the whole picture. Thank you for taking the time to recognize some of the greatest entertainers of all time, keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching!
My father grew up in Brooklyn and told me there was a bar Gleason used to frequent early on and would still drop by from time to time. My father himself went there with friends.
There was talk in the 80s of doing a Honeymooners reunion series (or perhaps TV movie) showing the Kramdens and the Nortons retired in Florida and living at a retirement community (think, "The Villages") and the hijinks continuing into old age. I think it might have worked, but I can understand why it never happened.
There was also an episode which I'm surprised you missed in your review - which was when Ralph and Alice tried to adopt a baby, but the birth mother changed her mind and wanted the baby back. There was an episode full of strong emotions from all actors involved.
How about the WB spoof, "The Honey Mousers"?
Hey man you make really good content would you ever consider coming on my talk show for an interview about your Channel
For sure!
LoL
A year later and he still hasn't got back with you
I found this magical channel just this week! Keep it going!
Thank you! Will do!
As a kid growing up in the 80s, I first came to know Jackie Gleason as the "Ooof" man, in reference to the sound he would make when perturbed as the character "U.S. Bates" in the 1982 film, "The Toy."
I never thought of checking out this video until I watched the show first, but this was pretty good. And no spoilers whatsoever, if a little.
It's pretty informative over the thought of bringing the reality to media.
Your channel ist like a vintage candy shop: So many good memories, which one to choose.
Keep up the good work sir, I'm glad I joined.
Please do an entire history of the Honeymooners! Such a great series to cover and the fans will pay for this 100%.
My mom is a NYC city MTA bus driver and she used to have Joyce Randolph on her bus all
the time. My mom said she was always very put together and had the most beautiful blue eyes.
Definitely The Best Then & Remains The Best in 2021 ♡♡♡
great stuff! I remember watching on TV in the 60!
A truly great show and a wonderful cast.
bought the honeymooners blu-ray recently cause of this video. first time watching any of the episodes in full and I thoroughly enjoyed what I've watched so far