When Jackie Gleason moved from Dumont and CBS, he brought the Honeymooners and all of his other characters with him. He also had to find a new 'Alice' since Pert Kelton had either been blacklisted or had a heart attack, (or maybe both, depending on what you read). Famously, glamour girl Audrey Meadows wanted the role and overcame Gleason's objections that she was too young and pretty for the part by having a friend photograph her just after she had awakened and without make-up or even combing her hair. Gleason looked at the picture and said "That's Alice!
Alice, as portrayed by Meadows, was more attractive, intelligent and capable than the Kelton version, not the sort of person you'd expect Ralph Kramden to wind up with - and Ralph knew it. Now we see why he had to act like a big man and chased dreams of riches and importance. He wanted to be the kind of husband he thought Alice deserved. Now we know why he's angry and frustrated that he can't be that man. He finds out each week that he doesn't have to be that man for their relationship to continue. Alice loves him and he loves her and that is enough. But he has to forget that lesson by the next show, so he can find it out all over again.
Art Carney's Norton also becomes a bigger part of the show, with more dialog and his relationship with Ralph is explored more. Trixie remains a sounding board for Alice - but there never was a better sounding board than Joyce Randolph, who holds her own in any scene.
They began experimenting with longer sketches and with taking the action outside the Kramden's apartment, ("The Dorsey Brothers Show, "Vacation at Fred's Landing"). There's more sentiment and real humor. Ralph's threats of physical violence, so difficult to hear with modern ears, have been more comical. Gleason and his writers are figuring it out and a classic TV comedy begins to emerge.
Alice, as portrayed by Meadows, was more attractive, intelligent and capable than the Kelton version, not the sort of person you'd expect Ralph Kramden to wind up with - and Ralph knew it. Now we see why he had to act like a big man and chased dreams of riches and importance. He wanted to be the kind of husband he thought Alice deserved. Now we know why he's angry and frustrated that he can't be that man. He finds out each week that he doesn't have to be that man for their relationship to continue. Alice loves him and he loves her and that is enough. But he has to forget that lesson by the next show, so he can find it out all over again.
Art Carney's Norton also becomes a bigger part of the show, with more dialog and his relationship with Ralph is explored more. Trixie remains a sounding board for Alice - but there never was a better sounding board than Joyce Randolph, who holds her own in any scene.
They began experimenting with longer sketches and with taking the action outside the Kramden's apartment, ("The Dorsey Brothers Show, "Vacation at Fred's Landing"). There's more sentiment and real humor. Ralph's threats of physical violence, so difficult to hear with modern ears, have been more comical. Gleason and his writers are figuring it out and a classic TV comedy begins to emerge.
