What does everybody think of them. I think they have an edge missing from the classic 39. The best of the lost episodes is just as good as anything in the classic 39. I have the whole collection and i like them better. So many classics, especially-the beat the clock episode, letter to the boss, the love letter, all the different versions of the christsmas episodes, the New Years eve episode and i could go on.
shareI really enjoy the Lost Episodes. I love watching the Classic 39 but I feel like in order to really know the characters you should watch the Lost Episodes. The Adoption, Teamwork Beat the Clock, Songs and Witty Sayings, Kramden vs. Norton, those are some of my favorites. Although the early ones with Pert Kelton are a little tough to watch, her voice gets to me. But I definitely think the Lost Episodes are worth the investment. Thank you Jackie for pulling those out of the vault!
shareone of my favorites is when Ralph and Norton do a impersonation of Laurel and Harvey, at the end of the scene Ralph is suppose to throw the custard pie into Nortons' face, Ed ducks and Ralph throws an absolute strike into Alice's face. These lost episodes had an almost maniacal energy to some of the scenes, so when you rewatch it you somehow get the same laugh and thrill. Gleason had so much energy, and knew just how to use his body and facial expressions to sell a scene so perfectly.
Another scene has Ralph as Nortons' landlord. Ralph has to paint Nortons apartment, and it doesn't take long for Ralph to blow his top, Norton makes the mistake of telling Ralph to hurry up, "Oh, you want a fast job.' and before you know it Ralph is throwing opened paint cans against the wall. splashing paint all over the walls, the floor and the actors, Norton/Carney slips and practically hits the floor. Gleason quickly improvises-" Just my luck, he has a good sense of balance."
The Honeymooners thrives on Ralph's rage, which the audience feeds into, because they are just as fed up as him about everything, but don't have the nerve to act out on their emotions, like Ralph does. Screaming and hollering, throwing things, throwing knock out punches, The humor in the honeymooners is physical, and visceral. It's also universal.