Starring: Jackie Gleason (Ralph), Art Carney (Cop in "Bread"/Norton in the rest), Pert Kelton (Alice), Elaine Stritch (Trixie in "New Television Set"), Joyce Randolph (Trixie in the rest).
"Bread" (10-5-51) Ralph and Alice get into an argument because Ralph refuses to go to the store and get some bread. During the argument, the two start throwing things out the window. Bread heels, a bread box, some pots and pans and a thing of flour all end up on the street before Alice threatens to throw HERSELF out the window. Eventually there is a knock at the door and it ends up being a police officer (played by Art Carney) who is covered in flour. (This was the first Honeymooners sketch ever made).
"Razor Blades" (10-12-51) Ralph can't find his razor blades and immediately comes to the conclusion that Alice took them. They start fighting and Ralph starts ripping up one of Alice's dresses. When she begins to cry, Ralph finds out that the dress he ripped up was her wedding dress and appologizes. (This was the shortest Honeymooners sketch ever).
"New Television Set" (11-2-51) Alice gets a free trial on television set and Ralph is steamed. After a brief visit from the Nortons, the man from the television store stops by and explains to Ralph how much the TV meant to Alice. Ralph, feeling bad for the way he acted, ends up buying the set. (This was the first appearance of Norton & Trixie).
"Ralph Threatens To Leave" (11-16-51) Ralph and Alice get into an argument and Ralph threatens to leave. Before he walks out the door he realizes he's made a mistake and makes up an excuse why he has to stay.
"Ring Salesman" (12-7-51) Alice is going to buy Ralph a ring for Christmas and doesn't want him to find out. When Ralph finds a letter from Joe, the ring salesman, he immediately thinks Alice is cheating on him. Alice doesn't want to spoil the surprise so she doesn't explain the note to him but when Joe arrives and Ralph confronts him, Alice has no choice but to spill the beans.
"Quiz Show" (12-14-51) This is an earlier version of the 1952 "Quiz Show." Ralph is mad at Alice for giving the wrong answer on a quiz show and now they're left with a year's supply of Krinkly Krax cereal. When the host of the show finds out that Alice was actually correct, it's Ralph's turn to answer the jackpot question. After shooting off his mouth, Ralph gets the question wrong and feels like a dope for yelling at Alice.
"First Honeymooners Christmas Show" (12-21-51) In this earlier version of the 1953 Honeymooners Christmas show, Alice sends Ralph back out to get potato salad because he got it at the wrong place. While Ralph is gone, some special guests drop by the apartment including Fenwick Babatt, Rudy the Repairman, The Poor Soul, Joe the Bartender and Reggie Van Gleason III. Ralph finally returns after being arrested for accidentally breaking the window to Kraus's Delicatessen.
The Original Ralph & Alice (Jackie Gleason & Pert Kelton)
Scene from "New Television Set" (Left to right: Elaine Stritch, Pert Kelton, Jackie Gleason, Art Carney).
Art Carney's original role as a cop in "Bread."
