“New Years Week” begins.
On December 26, 1953, CBS’s “The Jackie Gleason Show” was devoted to a “Honeymooners” sketch in which the Kramdens and Nortons usher in 1954 together.
The story opens with Alice (Audrey Meadows) asking Ralph (Gleason) to take her out on New Year’s Eve, but he resists, saying he doesn’t like big crowds. Besides, Ralph reminds Alice he took her out for her birthday.
“I hardly call watching you bowl a night out,” Alice retorts.
Entertainers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey drop by the Kramdens’ apartment to pick up a lost briefcase that Alice found on the street; they invite Ralph, Alice and Ed and Trixie (Art Carney, Joyce Randolph) to attend their New Year’s Eve show at the Hotel Statler.
Ralph fakes being sick to get the night off – then runs into his boss at the show. Fortunately, the boss’s wife takes a shine to Alice and Trixie and persuades her husband to not fire Ralph. The whole gang enjoys the show – and then Ralph and Alice kiss at midnight.
See for yourself: The “New Year’s Eve Party” is part of “The Honeymooners: The Lost Episodes” DVD set.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Saturday, December 26, 1953:
7: “Topper” (CBS), “Mr. Wizard” (NBC)
7:30: “The Trouble With Father” (CBS), “Ethel & Albert” (NBC)
8: “The Jackie Gleason Show” (CBS), “Bonino” (NBC)
8:30: “The Original Amateur Hour” (NBC)
9: “Two for the Money” (CBS), “All Star Revue” (NBC)
9:30: “My Favorite Husband” (CBS)
10: “Medallion Theatre” (CBS)
10:30: “Your Hit Parade” (NBC)
The Record
For the week of December 20, 1953:
Top novel: “Lord Vanity” by Samuel Shellabarger
Top song: “Rags to Riches” by Tony Bennett
New at the movies: “How to Marry a Millionaire”
In the news: President Eisenhower cut ground forces in Korea
Captions: Ralph and Alice argue over how to spend New Year’s Eve (top); the Kramdens and the Nortons arrive the Hotel Statler to attend the Dorsey brothers’ show (middle); and Ralph and Alice kiss at midnight (bottom).
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