This is a really nice episode. Ed and Ralph, after Ralph's urging, decide to become songwriters. Ralph thinks its the easiest thing in the world, but finds things are harder than they seem. He buys a piano (Norton is quite good) and Alice blows a fuse. But inspiration eventually comes and they end up at a music publisher. This tests their friendship. This is quite the touching episode for a change. There is the usual hollering, but the pacing is nice and it has a good message.
3 Reviews
Am I a "spoiler" for describing the ending of this great show?
lrrap20 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
My absolute favorite of all Honeymooners episodes ("Lost" or "39") should have been held back and broadcast as the very final chapter in the saga of Everyman Ralph Kramden and his struggle to find true happiness. Here's the ONE time when a "get-rich-quick" scheme actually works...with heartwarming results.
The beauty of the script is the way in which it unfolds so naturally (only the business with Norton fixing the clock seems like unnecessary padding), as Ralph hatches his scheme after the Racoons sing their newly composed Anthem. From that point on...as Ralph and Alice argue over the piano (Ralph taking his share of nasty personal jabs in the process), and Ralph and Ed stumble upon the inspiration for their new song, the writing and ensemble acting are nearly flawless in pace and execution. As the song begins to come together, Gleason is at his dynamic, emotionally-charged best; a stunning piece of acting. And to think that they threw this thing together with barely any rehearsal and performed it on live TV!
The scene in Ralph Stantley's publishing office features the priceless performance of the new song by Ralph and Ed, and the final scene (though stretched quite a bit to accommodate the slow tempo of Bob Manning's recording) at last reveals what any true fan of the show longs to see: Ralph, Alice, Ed and Trixie overjoyed, embracing, laughing..thrilled that there is finally hope for a better life. The look on Gleason's face as Art Carney says "You think anybody could split up our partnership"? is the ultimate testimony to the bond of friendship between the two men---Kramden and Norton AND, I believe, Gleason and Carney.
And for one brief, shining moment, the Kramdens and Nortons achieved Nirvana within the four walls of that squalid little apartment on Chauncey Street.
The beauty of the script is the way in which it unfolds so naturally (only the business with Norton fixing the clock seems like unnecessary padding), as Ralph hatches his scheme after the Racoons sing their newly composed Anthem. From that point on...as Ralph and Alice argue over the piano (Ralph taking his share of nasty personal jabs in the process), and Ralph and Ed stumble upon the inspiration for their new song, the writing and ensemble acting are nearly flawless in pace and execution. As the song begins to come together, Gleason is at his dynamic, emotionally-charged best; a stunning piece of acting. And to think that they threw this thing together with barely any rehearsal and performed it on live TV!
The scene in Ralph Stantley's publishing office features the priceless performance of the new song by Ralph and Ed, and the final scene (though stretched quite a bit to accommodate the slow tempo of Bob Manning's recording) at last reveals what any true fan of the show longs to see: Ralph, Alice, Ed and Trixie overjoyed, embracing, laughing..thrilled that there is finally hope for a better life. The look on Gleason's face as Art Carney says "You think anybody could split up our partnership"? is the ultimate testimony to the bond of friendship between the two men---Kramden and Norton AND, I believe, Gleason and Carney.
And for one brief, shining moment, the Kramdens and Nortons achieved Nirvana within the four walls of that squalid little apartment on Chauncey Street.
One of my all time favorites 😍
frezette3 August 2022
Time and time again we see Ralph and Ed's plan go belly up....but this is one time they've put their heads together and FINALLY hit the big time. I love The Honeymooners....been watching since I was a kid and I'll never stop. Classic comedy just doesn't get old.
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