If there has ever been a likeable bus driver in New York, it’s Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners. I’m a little young to remember this show (okay, a lot young – my parents were kids when it originally aired), but it’s definitely an agreeable oldies sitcom, even if it is in black and white.
In the 1970s, Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Art Carney and Jane Kean came together again to reprise their roles in The Honeymooners and film four specials for the show, each an hour long and in COLOR! Crazy, right? Two of the four specials are being released this week.
The first special is “Second Honeymoon.” In this episode, Ralph Kramden (Gleason) decides to do something really special for his 25th wedding anniversary and remarry his wife, Alice (Meadows). Hijinks ensue when Ralph believes he’s discovered that Alice is pregnant and neighbor/close pal Ed Norton (Carney) opts to teach Ralph all he knows about raising a baby. It’s cute and quirky, if a little unbelievable, but isn’t that what sitcoms are all about?
The other special coming out this week is “Valentine Special.” Ralph and Alice Kramden are planning secret Valentine’s Day presents for each other, but Ralph isn’t sure he wants the gift he thinks Alice is getting him. It seems that Ed Norton has convinced Ralph that Alice’s notes, which are from her eavesdropping on calls at her telephone operator job, are really a plan to kill him off so she can cash in on his life insurance policy and be with her secret boyfriend, Armand. Meanwhile, poor Alice is only trying to get her husband a new suit. It’s amazing what she puts up with.
While these specials are in color, be aware that the picture and sound quality are not that awesome. MPI says these discs have been digitally remastered, but it’s kind of hard to tell in this case. Don’t get me wrong, they are definitely both watchable, but if you get offended easily by grainy frames and audio that’s not clear of all those faintly obnoxious background noises, it will totally drive you nuts.
Overall, these DVD specials are amusing and a bit of good, light fun. Fans of the show will enjoy these reunion episodes just as much as the originals. Likewise, if you never enjoyed watching The Honeymooners, either while it was on originally or in reruns, these DVDs are not for you.
DVD Bonus Features
Each disc comes with a rare parody skit. The one on “Second Honeymoon” is from 1967 and stars Audrey Meadows and Ray Bolger. On “Valentine Special,” the skit stars Sheila MacRae, George Kirby and Rich Little and was filmed in 1971. Neither of these features is as funny as the specials, and after watching them I almost wish they’d skipped the bonus material all together.
"The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon and Valentine" is on sale May 4, 2010 and is not rated. Comedy. Directed by Jackie Gleason. Written by Walter Stone, Robert Hilliard. Starring Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, Jackie Gleason, Jane Kean.
