It;s always puzzling (and frustrating) to talk with Honeymooners fans who can quote practically every line from "The Classic 39" and yet have no interest in the LOST episodes that were (mostly, not all) broadcast during the two years before "the 39".
The assumption seems to be that the "Lost" episodes couldn't POSSIBLY be as good as the 39; WRONG! In fact, Gleason himself felt that the show was already losing some of its brilliance by the time he decided to film the 39 ('55-56) for syndication.
The "Lost episodes are often as good, in some cases better (sacrilege!) than the 39. Most of them are LONG (around 36-38 minutes) , and while there is almost always a certain amount of "padding" to fill out the running time, there are a few of them that MUST be counted among the best things Gleason and company ever did.
"Stars Over Flatbush" is just such a show, almost perfect in its writing, construction, directing, and performing. No point in saying any more about it; I'd rather just go watch it again and enjoy the hell out of one of the (if not THE) greatest comedy shows of all time. LR.
The assumption seems to be that the "Lost" episodes couldn't POSSIBLY be as good as the 39; WRONG! In fact, Gleason himself felt that the show was already losing some of its brilliance by the time he decided to film the 39 ('55-56) for syndication.
The "Lost episodes are often as good, in some cases better (sacrilege!) than the 39. Most of them are LONG (around 36-38 minutes) , and while there is almost always a certain amount of "padding" to fill out the running time, there are a few of them that MUST be counted among the best things Gleason and company ever did.
"Stars Over Flatbush" is just such a show, almost perfect in its writing, construction, directing, and performing. No point in saying any more about it; I'd rather just go watch it again and enjoy the hell out of one of the (if not THE) greatest comedy shows of all time. LR.
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