"The Honeymooners" (1955) TV series 1955-1956

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

1 October 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

A bus driver and his sewer worker friend struggle to strike it rich while their wives look on with weary patience.

Plot Keywords:

Sewer | Bus Driver | Famous Opening Theme | Money Scheme | Neighbor

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Jan. 11	1:00 AM	CW	Pal O' Mine	#1.8
Mon. Jan. 11	1:30 AM	CW

Cast

Jackie Gleason	...	Ralph Kramden (39 episodes, 1955-1956)
Art Carney	...	Ed Norton (39 episodes, 1955-1956)
Audrey Meadows	...	Alice Kramden (39 episodes, 1955-1956)
Joyce Randolph	...	Trixie Norton (36 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Directed by
Frank Satenstein		(36 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Writing credits
Marvin Marx		(16 episodes, 1955-1956)
Walter Stone		(16 episodes, 1955-1956)
Leonard Stern		(14 episodes, 1955-1956)
Sydney Zelinka		(14 episodes, 1955-1956)
Herbert Finn		(9 episodes, 1955-1956)
A.J. Russell		(9 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Produced by
Jack Hurdle	....	producer (31 episodes, 1955-1956)
Jack Philbin	....	executive producer (31 episodes, 1955-1956)
Stanley Poss	....	assistant producer (31 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Original Music by
Sammy Spear		(1 episode, 1956)

Series Cinematography by
Jack Etra		(20 episodes, 1955-1956)
Doug Downs		(9 episodes, 1955-1956)
Daniel Cavelli		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Leonard Anderson		(29 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Costume Design by
Peggy Morrison		(24 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Production Management
Jackie Gleason	....	production supervisor (39 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Art Department
Richard Richtaryk	....	scenic designer (29 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Sound Department
Patrick Yacono	....	sound re-recording mixer: restoration (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Howard Block	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Pat Perkins	....	daytime dresses (18 episodes, 1955-1956)
Peggy Morrison	....	costumes / costumer (5 episodes, 1955-1956)

Series Music Department
Sammy Spear	....	musical director (39 episodes, 1955-1956)
Ray Bloch	....	musical director (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Jackie Gleason Enterprises

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1955-1956) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Viacom (1957-1995) (USA) (TV) (original syndication release)
• Paramount Television (1995-2006) (USA) (TV)
• CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006-2007) (USA) (TV)
• CBS Television Distribution (2007-) (USA) (TV)
• Fox Video (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• Fox Video (1993) (USA) (laserdisc)
• MPI Home Video (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Adelphi Theatre  filming location
• Buick Motor Division  sponsoring
• Pat Perkins  daytime dresses by

Runtime:

30 min (39 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Adelphi Theatre, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Jackie Gleason Enterprises

Trivia:

According to Art Carney, the elaborate procedure Ed Norton would go through whenever he had to sign something was originally an ad-lib. He based it on the performance his own father would go through when signing his school report card.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The background behind the stove and the window were actually curtains. There are a few episodes in which the corner (where the two meet) would separate and you could see a little of what was behind it.

Quotes:

Ralph: If any of the Racoons ever get sick, it'll be my responsibility to go and visit them.
Alice: Oh, that is a very important responsibility, Ralph. You better start now and find out what the visiting hours are at Bellevue.
Ralph: That did it, Alice - that did it. You have just broken the camel's back with that straw. You have ridiculed my brother Racoons. You have just made fun of something very big that's close to my heart.
Alice: The only thing big that's close to your heart is your stomach.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Undercover Blues (1993)

Soundtrack:

You're My Greatest Love

A Cultural Icon

This is one of the greatest TV shows of all time. If you have never seen this, you're in for a real treat. Ralph (Jackie Gleason) is a bus driver for the Gotham Bus Company. He lives in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn with his long-suffering wife Alice (Audrey Meadows). His best pal is the sewer worker who lives upstairs, Ed Norton (Art Carney). Ralph is always scheming to make money. His ideas never work. The things I like best about this show is a) the writing -- introduced phrases that are now part of the American language ("To the moon, Alice!" b) the directing -- look what they did with three cameras that never moved! c) the acting, esp. the improvisation when gags failed -- remember, this was live TV! This show was the influence of the cartoon "The Flintstones", plus a couple of generations of every other TV sitcom.