The Honeymooners: “Classic 39” Episodes

How sweet it is! Devotees of The Honeymooners will get a "bang…zoom" out of this instant library of all 39 episodes from one of television's greatest series. Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden may have never hit that high note, but Jackie Gleason did with this enduring blue-collar comedy that charted the day-to-day struggles of an ordinary guy. Ralph, who lives in a dingy apartment with his wife Alice (Audrey Meadows), is constantly chasing get-rich-quick schemes and dreams of promotion that invariably, and spectacularly, fail. In lesser hands, Ralph would try an audience's patience and sympathy, but it was a testament to Gleason's genius that we cared about Ralph and wanted him to succeed (thanks in no small part to the formidable Alice--if she could love him, then audiences could too). The other pivotal relationship, of course, is between Ralph and best friend Ed Norton (a scene-stealing Art Carney playing Laurel to Gleason's Hardy). This five-disc set contains some of television's funniest half hours, including "TV or Not TV," "The Golfer" ("Hello, ball," Norton addresses the ball), "Better Living Through TV," and "The Man From Space." Yes, it's hard not to be put off by Ralph's threats to send Alice "to the moon," but his love for her belies his bluster. "I did hit that high note once," he tells her in "Young Man With a Horn," "the day I married you." Unearthed for this set are the series' original opening (with a different announcer and a plug for Buick) and closings. Also included is a 20-minute version of the 1990 Honeymooners Anniversary Special. In the immortal words of Mr. Kramden: baby, it's the greatest. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (D. Liebenson)[Blu-ray Review—May 6, 2014—Paramount, 5 discs, 1,017 min., not rated, $129.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1955-1956's The Honeymooners: “Classic 39” Episodes features a nice transfer and a mono soundtrack. Extras include the 1966 TV episode “American Scene Magazine: The Adoption” (53 min.), the “50th Anniversary Special” (42 min.), the “35th Anniversary Special” (22 min.), outtakes from the 60 Minutes special (23 min.), the “Best Buick Yet” dealer presentation (21 min.), a 60 Minutes profile on star Jackie Gleason (15 min.), a “Person to Person” segment from 1956 (11 min.), and brief promos. Bottom line: one of the greatest TV comedies of all time makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]