A few weeks ago we brought you
the first heads-up info about
The Jackie Gleason Show - The Color Honeymooners: Collection 1, and soon after we also had
your first look at the cover art (which the MPI has verified is indeed the final design of the front of the packaging). Now the studio has formally divulged the details of this release. Here is their description:
The Color Honeymooners (a/k/a The Jackie Gleason Show), a top-rated comedy/variety program aired, "from the sun and fun capital of the world - Miami Beach!" on Saturday night from 1966-70 on CBS-TV. This long-running series marked the final weekly TV show for "The Great One."
Reprising their famous characters from The Honeymooners, the cast was led by Jackie Gleason (Ralph Kramden) and Art Carney (Ed Norton). Newcomers Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean played long-suffering wives Alice and Trixie. Like popular variety series of the time, the show's format was a clever combination of new comedy sketches coupled with classic Honeymooners bits. Plenty of big name guest stars and a generous helping of singing and dancing rounded out the hour.
Regulars included Gleason's glamorous Glea-Girls; the June Taylor Dancers; Sammy Spear and His Orchestra, and announcer, Johnny Olson.
The original info we had gotten said there would be nine episodes on this release, but MPI and distributer Ventura are now listing 10 of them in their announcement:
- "In 25 Words or Less"
- "Ship of Fools"
- "The Poor People of Paris"
- "Confusion, Italian Style"
- "Curse of the Kramdens"
- "The Mod Couple" (a.k.a. "The Honeymooners in England")
- "You're in the Picture"
- "We Spy"
- "Petticoat Jungle"
- "Mexican Hat Trick"
The first nine in that list appear in order, and then the "Mexican Hat Trick" episode aired much later on. Running time is 450 minutes, price is $39.98 SRP, and the date is confirmed as
June 27th. Details about the bonus features have not been announced just yet, but stay tuned and we'll fill you in just as soon as the information reaches us!
