Everything about Jackie Gleason was big: his huge talent, his outsized personality, and his expansive waist line. Even bigger was "The Jackie Gleason Show," his successful TV Variety show, taped in color from beautiful Miami Beach from 1966 to 1970. And, on February 6, following their acclaimed, recent releases of THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE LOST EPISODES, THE RED SKELTON SHOW IN COLOR and, THE BOB HOPE TV SPECIALS, the TV DVD archivists at Time Life proudly release the inaugural DVD release of THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW IN COLOR, one of the '60s most beloved programs - and unseen for nearly 50 years!
Gleason was everyone's working-class hero, and his smash-hit show delivered an hour of non-stop entertainment every single week. Enthralled home audiences were treated to entertainment of the highest order - singing, dancing, hilarious comedy and Jackie at his very best as Ralph Kramden and on stage with all his famous friends - Milton Berle, Red Buttons, George Carlin, Nipsey Russell, Phil Silvers and more - and all in brilliant color! The single disc release of THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW IN COLOR features four never-before-released, remastered episodes of the show - including three unreleased Honeymooners sketches - all unseen for more than 50 years!
"The Jackie Gleason Show" had been broadcast live and later taped in New York City since 1952, but in 1964, Gleason wanted to be based where he could play golf all year round. Hank Meyer, a longtime South Florida publicist, knew just the spot and convinced Jackie to bring his show to Miami Beach, the sun and fun capital of the world. However, back in the '60s, it was a novel undertaking to broadcast from Miami Beach, and more than a hundred families relocated to stay with the show. Plus, there was barely any production infrastructure in South Florida, which all had to be created by Jackie and his team. However, it all paid off and the revamped show was a huge success!
"The Jackie Gleason Show" delivered Gleason's most indelible and legendary creation - Ralph Kramden - as well as an unforgettable gallery of characters he himself created and fine-tuned. But, most memorably, Gleason and Art Carney revived their Honeymooners roles, with Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean added as the new Alice and Trixie, all presented in glorious color for the first time.
Taped in Miami Beach until the final season in 1970, the master tapes had resided in a vault in South Florida - until now! So cue the travelin' music and heed the big man's message before he glides offstage: "And awaaay we go!" And how!
My Thoughts
Jackie Gleason is a comedy legend that reigned on the small screen between 1966 and 1970. He has entertained generations with his hilarious skits. And who can forget this classic line, "And awaaay we go!" This DVD includes hours of entertainment that will leave you laughing and reminiscing. Some of the scenes on this DVD haven't been viewed in over fifty years.
This DVD is even more exciting because you get to see several episodes that were never seen before. As a bonus, they are in color! There are also several Honeymooners sketches that haven't been seen since they originally aired on television. You'll also get to see guest stars like Milton Berle, Red Buttons, George Carlin, and many more. Even though this show aired before I was born, I do remember my family watching it when I was a kid. It brings backs lots of memories of a simpler time before cell phones and reality television were the norm. If you want to grab a copy of this DVD, you can find it in stores nationwide or online at Amazon.
0 comments:
Post a Comment