Customer Reviews

The Honeymooners - The Lost Episodes [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I now have both collections -- the classic 39 and the "lost episodes", and thank God for whoever it was who decided to put the whole shebang on tape. The "bang, zoom", "Baby, you're the greatest", "Hey, Ralphie booooy", and "You're a sweet kid" won't ever get old. The only slight fly in the ointment as far as I'm concerned is Joyce Randolph's overacting, but that's a minor fly indeed -- the two collections are more than well worth the $ they cost, because there has never been another "Honeymooners", and there will never be another either. It's a classic no matter how you cut it!

I bought ALL the lost episodes, and all the 39 classics, and in my humble opinion, the lost episodes are even funnier than the original 39. More spontaneous, raw, boisterous. Really a whole bunch of gems in here and only a few stinkers. I did not grow up watching the originals, discovered the 39 and the Lost episodes about the same time, maybe that has something to do with it, I have not been indoctrinated into the 39 as being automatically the best. But anyway the two are both sides of one gold coin so get them ALL!

The Honeymooners, despite the incredible humor, is gritty and occasionally a bit difficult to watch: sometimes the arguments between Ralph and Alice are very intense and disturbingly realistic. I recall hearing of The Great One's response when someone involved in the production suggested that Alice should cry during an argument: He adamantly refused. Gleason realized that they were already so close to the edge that if Alice ever shed tears as a result of Ralph's browbeating he'd be seen as an abusive husband to be feared rather than a foolish blowhard to be ridiculed (with lines like "Awwww, SHADDUP!"): the comic opportunity would be lost.

Luckily, TV Land has recently reintroduced the country to the joys of the Honeymooners. I can't put my finger on just why I enjoy the program so immensely: "I Love Lucy" and many other 50's TV comedies bore me. Whatever the reasons, I'd place the Honeymooners in the same category as early "All in the Family" episodes and "Sanford and Son": some of the greatest American TV comedy ever made.

As for the correction: the last review mentions that, because of supposed 'racist' overtones, the rights to the "Little Rascals" were purchased to prevent their release on video tape. That's an urban legend: a search of the term: little+rascals+video+rights on any web search engine should take the curious to a number of sites that refute this story, although it's been around for a long time.

That chick up there is a thick wench who doesn't "get it." The Honeymooners, like the Stooges, appeal to men because we find it funny to see some big dumb fat guy boss his hot wife around. She always winds up making a fool out of him, and that's funny too. These tapes are a gem and well worth the money. You won't see them broadcast on television, so this is your only chance to watch them. They are a necessary item for any Honeymooners fan. Classic television like this is hard to come by. You won't find The Little Rascals anywhere because someone thought it was racist, so they bought the rights to the tapes. Imagine if that happened to the Honeymooners, because of some dumb broad like the one above got her hands on them. Viva Le Gleason!

How can ANYONE in their right mind not like "The Honeymooners?"
Jackie Gleason & the rest of the cast were comic geniuses.
The person who wrote the review "Tiresome Junk" needs a good
BANG, ZOOM to the kisser!!

I admit that I have never liked the Honeymooners. That "Ralphie Boy," "baby, you're the greatest" and "bang, zoom" got old mighty fast. The worst of the mix was the dreaded "hommina." That is one sound that is as irritating as hearing a stick being dragged across canvas. The Honeymooners were boring as all get out. They rarely left that hole in the wall, chauvinism was abound and good old Ralphie boy was a loudmouthed, stupid, windbag who said one stupid thing after another. Norton was an irritating nitwit, Trixie a driveling crybaby and Alice an annoying verago who at least had a brain. Good thing somebody did because the show was so darn stupid. Worst of all, it was downright BORING! You could predict inside of five minutes what the outcome would be and the script was chock full of chauvinsism and banal remarks. IT JUST WASN'T FUNNY TO ME! I admit, I hate the Honeymooners. Bang, Zoom! I wish they'd ALL remain on the moon!

Watch "I Love Lucy" instead. That's funny, the characters aren't tired cliches and the script and acting were firm and strong. That is a good cure for the Honeymooners.