BIOGRAPHY: JACKIE GLEASON: THE GREAT ONE (TV)

Summary

One in this series of documentaries which examine the professional and personal lives of a wide range of individuals, both those in the public eye and those of historic note. This documentary highlights the life and career of comedian Jackie Gleason. Jackie Gleason was born Herbert John Gleason in Brooklyn, New York on February 26th, 1916. He came from a poor family beset with troubles, including his older brother Clement, who died at the age of 14. His mother, Mae Gleason, became overprotective of him, largely confining him to their apartment. He was kept out of school until the age of eight, when he was finally enrolled in P.S. 73, where he struggled to adapt academically and socially. As a child, he greatly enjoyed watching vaudeville acts and silent films, and realized that he wanted to become a comedic performer himself. In 1925, his father Herb Gleason abandoned the family, leaving him and his mother destitute. During the Great Depression, Jackie and his mother moved into a tenement building, and Mae got work as an attendant at a subway change station. Jackie would often skip school to become a hustler at local pool halls, discovering his gift for fast-talking. He signed up for the Halsey Theatre’s amateur night, and won crowds over with his impressions. At this time, Mae’s health deteriorated due to overwork and alcoholism, and soon she became bedridden with illness. She eventually died from an untreated blood infection at the age of 49, putting Jackie on his own at the age of 19. He moved into an apartment with two other comics and soon got a one-week engagement at a nightclub in Pennsylvania, the “Tiny Chateau.” He returned to New York and got a series of jobs in small nightclubs, slowly building a reputation among audiences. Soon he fell in love with a dancer named Genevieve Halford, and they were quickly married on September 20th, 1936. They soon conflicted, since Genevieve wanted him to settle down with her, while Jackie insisted that she give up her stage job. She gave birth to their first child, Geraldine on July 31st, 1939. However, Jackie was too absorbed in his burgeoning career to pay proper attention to his family. Around this time he met fellow comic Milton Berle, whose material he had been stealing. In 1940 Jackie had refined his comedy routine, making fun of himself and his ever-increasing weight. He made his major debut at Manhattan’s Club 18, where he was noticed by Jack Warner of Warner Bros. Studios, who offered Jackie a movie contract. He left his family behind to move to California, hoping to become a movie star. In 1941 he debuted in the comedy “Navy Blues,” although his role was barely noticeable, and he played similarly small parts in his next two films. He was leant out to 20th Century Fox for their 1942 film “Springtime in the Rockies,” but again he was underutilized and not permitted to engage in his comic shtick. He attempted to lose weight and become a traditional leading man, but executives thought he was “funnier fat.” Frustrated, he resumed his unhealthy eating habits, reaching over two hundred pounds in a matter of weeks. He then appeared in 1942’s “Orchestra Wives,” which also did little to advance Jackie’s career. Between films, Jackie would perform at local nightclubs, befriending other film comedians of the day and gaining an appreciation for music. His contract with Warner Bros. expired at the end of 1942, and they dropped him from the roster. He returned to New York, dejected at his failure, and reunited with his wife and his new daughter Linda. However, Jackie soon began living in hotels and continued his partying ways, befriending nightclub owner Toots Shor and becoming a regular at his nightclub. His constant carousing infuriated Genevieve, who felt that he had abandoned his family. Jackie returned to the club scene, performing impression and improvisational comedy. In 1943, Jackie appeared in the Broadway revue “Artists and Models,” which toured nationally as “Hellzapoppin.” He then landed a starring stage role in the 1944 musical “Follow the Girls,” which won him acclaim and a greatly increased salary. In 1946 he was asked to fill in for Berle at his regular engagement, and demanded the same salary as Berle in an attempt to prove himself as an entertainer. Around 1949, many major comedians began adapting their routines for the then-new medium of television, and Jackie wanted to capitalize on it as well. He took on a starring role in the situation comedy show “Life of Riley,” playing an aircraft riveter, relocating to Los Angeles. However, Jackie felt too constrained by the part, which did not allow him to improvise, and was originated by William Bendix on radio. The show was cancelled after 26 weeks, but was offered the chance to host a Saturday night variety show on the struggling Dumont Network, “Cavalcade of Stars,” which premiered on July 8th, 1950. He took well to live television and the inclusion of a studio audience, which suited his comedic style. During this time he hired a number of supporting cast, and during this time met Art Carney, who was able to adapt to Jackie’s style quickly, becoming an ideal comedic partner. The success of “Cavalcade of Stars” helped support Dumont, who offered Jackie an exclusive contract. He agreed and took control of the production of the show. It was on “Cavalcade” where Jackie formulated his first sketches with his character Ralph Kramden and his wife Alice, then played by Pert Kelton, named “The Honeymooners.” The sketch was strongly based on Jackie’s own life; the set resembled his childhood home and he based the Kramdens on his constantly-quarrelling parents. Carney was brought in to play the Kramdens’ neighbor Ed Norton, and Joyce Randolph was cast as his wife Trixie. “The Honeymooners” helped Jackie achieve widespread fame in the television world, being heralded as a “genius” by many critics. However, his lifestyle of excess proved to be too much for Genevieve to handle, particularly his dangerously fluctuating weight. Both of them wanted to divorce, but refused for years due to their strong Catholic faith. His spending sprees left him in debt, and he asked Dumont for a massive loan, which was refused. By 1952 his contract with Dumont was almost up, and the other networks were eager to sign him on. Jackie held out until CBS offered a two million dollar contract and complete creative control, a deal unheard of at that point in television history. Jackie strived to make his new show, “The Jackie Gleason Show,” more grandiose than his previous work, and it premiered live on September 20th, 1952. The show was an instant success, with Jackie reprising his hit characters from “Cavalcade.” However, Kelton was suffering from health issues and couldn’t make the move to CBS to participate in the “Honeymooners” sketches. Jackie was fearful that he wouldn’t be able to find a suitable replacement. Actress Audrey Meadows eagerly auditioned for the part, but Jackie rejected her for being “too glamorous.” However, she convinced Jackie to hire her by sending him photographs of herself in states of early-morning dishevelment, which managed to convince him to hire her. “The Honeymooners” continued to find success, with the character of Ralph Kramden becoming something of a “blue-collar hero” to many audiences, and they responded well to his partnership with Carney. Despite their excellent on-screen chemistry, Jackie and Carney rarely got along in real life. The other cast members were also not fond of Jackie, resentful of his refusal to rehearse any of his material. “The Jackie Gleason Show” became a rating success, and Jackie was one of the most recognizable figures on television. His celebrity did nothing to abate his infamous ego, and he was in frequent conflict with his writers, who felt that he was not respectful of their material. He would often re-write their material and make vocal on-air complaints about it. He also began collaborating with musicians on pieces of his own design despite his lack of composition ability. He released his first album, “Music for Lovers Only,” in 1952, which became a bestseller, and would produce a number of top-rated albums over the next few years. Despite his success, Jackie experienced more troubles in his personal life; he felt disconnected from his now-adult daughters and estranged from his wife. However, his outlook changed when he fell in love with Marilyn Taylor, the younger sister of his choreographer June Taylor. His desire for a relationship with her led Jackie to seek legal separation from Genevieve, which he eventually obtained. He even composed the ballet “Tawny” and featured Marilyn in the starring role. Jackie suffered a fractured leg one night when he slipped during an on-air sketch, which led to a media scandal when both Genevieve and Marilyn showed up to comfort him in the hospital. He claimed that his Catholicism would prevent him from remarrying, and his private life became a prime subject for the newspapers. In 1953, Jackie and Carney co-starred in “The Laugh Maker,” a biographical television film which offered audiences tremendous insight into his personal life. In 1954 he signed an extremely lucrative exclusive contract with CBS and abandoned his variety show in favor of two consecutive half-hour programs: a performance variety show called “Stage Show,” and a half-hour sitcom version of “The Honeymooners.” He insisted that the show be shot on film instead of the traditional kinescope, improving the picture quality, but wanted to retain his live audience. This format proved to be a huge success, and would be a major influence on television programs to come. In 1956, Carney and Meadows each won Emmy awards for their work on “The Honeymooners,” but Jackie did not, which he greatly resented. This, coupled with “The Honeymooners” lower than expected ratings, led Jackie to scrap his plans for a second season. His problems were compounded when Marilyn broke off their relationship after three years when Genevieve wouldn’t consent to a divorce. Jackie, afraid to be alone, started a new relationship with 22 year-old Honey Merrill, and took avidly to the sport of golf. He and Honey became constant companions, and he became greatly dependent on her. At this time his alcoholism increased, and he suffered from a number of health issues and an overwhelming fear of death, which he tried to alleviate via an extensive study of paranormal and supernatural topics. In 1959, Jackie returned to Broadway for the musical comedy “Take Me Along,” for which he demanded an incredible salary. His performance was received well and he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1960. CBS was anxious for Jackie to get back on television, and on January 20th, 1961 he tried to capitalize on the game show craze with his own offering, “You’re in the Picture.” However, the idea quickly proved to be terribly executed. The following week, Jackie used the timeslot for “You’re in the Picture” to issue a half-hour long apology, making fun of his own idea and shortcoming. He used the timeslot for various purposes, such as another variety show and a talk show, but nothing seemed to work. During this time he returned to film in 1961’s “The Hustler,” portraying legendary pool player Minnesota Fats, using his experience in pool halls in his youth. His dramatic performance earned him accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His success in “The Hustler” allowed him enough clout to create his own dream film project, 1962’s “Gigot,” about a mute bum who falls in love with a prostitute. The film largely failed to impress critics, much to his displeasure. He then starred in a film version of “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” portraying the manager of an aging, broken professional boxer. Despite the film’s financial failure, Jackie’s performance was praised. He was satisfied with his film success but missed the creative control he enjoyed on television, and revived “The Jackie Gleason Show” for CBS in 1962, in the form of his “American Scene Magazine.” His return was widely heralded and loved despite the absence of “The Honeymooners.” In 1964 he moved the production to Miami, Florida in order to allow him to pursue his love of golf, causing some conflict with the network. He made an occasion of the move, loading the entire cast and crew onto a massive steam train and making appearances from New York all the way down to Florida. However, the “American Scene Magazine” soon began to slump in the ratings, falling far behind syndicated reruns of “The Honeymooners.” In 1965, Jackie contacted Carney and Meadows, hoping to bring them back for an hour-long “Honeymooners” musical special, “The Adoption,” which aired in 1966. It proved to be a ratings success, and he reverted his show’s title back to “The Jackie Gleason Show,” broadcasting in color and producing more “Honeymooners” specials. At this time he continued to play parts in films, and he asked Genevieve for a divorce in order to be with Honey. Genevieve continued to refuse and he took her to court, but the long ensuing legal battle disheartened Honey, who left Jackie in April 1969. In July 1970 Jackie, desperately lonely, married secretary Beverly McKittrick only ten days after the finalization of his divorce. In 1970, CBS completely altered their primetime programming in order to appeal to younger demographics, and in doing so cancelled Jackie’s show, putting him off of television for the first time in 21 years. Jackie’s marriage to McKittrick proved to be disastrous, and he sank into a depression. In 1973 he encountered Marilyn Taylor again, now a widowed mother, and resolved to rekindle his relationship with her. He and McKittrick engaged in a heated legal battle for divorce, which was finalized in 1974. The following year, Jackie proposed to Marilyn and they were married on December 16th, 1975. This turn of events reversed Jackie’s depression, and he took on another notable film role as Sherriff Buford T. Justice in 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit.” He continued his “Honeymooners” specials from 1976-1978 alongside Carney and Meadows. In 1978 he signed on to the national tour of the play “Sly Fox,” which garnered unfavorable reviews. The show’s lack of success put him in a depression, and he soon was hospitalized due to chest pains, leading to a triple-bypass surgery. “The Honeymooners” remained in syndication for decades after their initial broadcast, and in 1986 Jackie revealed that he was in possession of an additional batch of kinescopes containing previously lost “Honeymooners” footage. The fans entreated them for a reunion, but Carney demanded equal billing to Jackie, having become a major film star. The two of them starred together in 1985’s “Izzy & Moe,” about a pair of ex-vaudeville stars who become undercover prohibition officers. He then starred alongside Tom Hanks in “Nothing in Common,” a 1986 dramatic comedy about a strained father-son relationship. However, he was also diagnosed with terminal colon cancer that same year, and he ignored his doctor’s orders and checked himself out of the hospital, continuing to smoke and drink. He died on June 24th, 1987 at the age of 71, leaving behind a long legacy of television comedy. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: A&E
• DATE: September 23, 2001 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:28:00
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:73340
• GENRE: Public affairs/documentaries
• SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries
• SERIES RUN: A&E - TV series, 1987-2006
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Kevin Burns … Executive Producer
• CarolAnne Dolan … Executive Producer
• Sonja Nelson … Coordinating Producer
• Kerry Jensen … Supervising Producer
• Maryellen Cox … Supervising Producer
• Jeanne Begley … Producer, Director
• Stacey Dowdy … Associate Producer
• Monica Bider … Associate Producer
• Gidion Phillips … Writer
• Juaquin Cambron … Researcher
• Avigail Glazer-Schotz … Researcher
• Harry Smith … Narrator
• Honey Merrill Roman … Interviewee
• Marilyn Gleason … Interviewee
• Michael Starr … Interviewee
• Milton Berle … Interviewee
• Leonard Stern … Interviewee
• Edie Adams … Interviewee
• Ed de Vierno … Interviewee
• Michael Dann … Interviewee
• Steve Allen … Interviewee
• Kevin James … Interviewee
• June Taylor … Interviewee
• Jayne Meadows … Interviewee
• Joyce Randolph … Interviewee
• Larry King … Interviewee
• Patty Raymond … Interviewee
• Neil Simon … Interviewee
• Anthony Quinn … Interviewee
• Burt Reynolds … Interviewee
• Sally Field … Interviewee
• William Bendix
• Art Carney
• Clement Gleason
• Geraldine Gleason
• Herb Gleason
• Jackie Gleason
• Linda Gleason
• Mae Gleason
• Genevieve Halford
• Tom Hanks
• Pert Kelton
• Beverly McKittrick
• Audrey Meadows
• Toots Shor
• Jack Warner