Henry Winkle was short and skinny.
"Never answer a question with a question" -Proverbs 1:23
Fonz was like a poodle. His bark was worse than his bite. I thought Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa was much more convincing as a tough guy. Carmine guested on "Happy Days" when Joanie was supposed to be initiated into the Red Devils gang.
shareLike i said, obviously Fonz and Carmine go back a ways. They even fight the same way with their reverse push-up kick which to me indicates Carmine taught him a thing or two about fighting.
"De gustibus non disputandum est"
#3
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There was a really bad episode of "Laverne & Shirley" their last season when Carmine discussed Fonz with Squiggy like Fonz had been a casual acquaintance. It ticked me off a little. In two episodes of "Happy Days" viewers were given the impression that Fonz and Carmine had been close friends. Fonz appeared in several early episodes of "Laverne & Shirley". He attended a bachelor party of a mutual friend of his and Carmine's. Again viewers were given the impression the two were close friends.
Fonzie mellowed in the last couple of seasons I thought, and he was weery of Richie after joining the army. I think Richie could've knocked Fonzie out in the "Welcome home" episode if he really wanted too....
shareDidn't they originally want a hulking, blonde guy to play The Fonz? Instead, they got quiet, Jewish kid from Brooklyn. Much like Kelly Leak (who was only in two fights in the Bad News Bears movies), his reputation of a bad-ass was always around even when he wasn't. Also the same with Snake Plisskin - most people thought he was dead and was happy to have him on their side.
The show needed a hood or greaser type to counteract the Cunningham's whitebread suburban style. He looked the part, had a massive rep, so people just assumed he was hardcore. It was nice to see him mix it up once in a while, but they went overboard showing how human the guy was.
It was all in his attitude and aura. I don't think I've ever seen a TV character so small in stature, yet so strong in attitude. Similar to how actors like Al Pacino and Joe Pesci pull it off in their movies as tough guys, even though they are very short and small physically.
shareFonzie actually backed down from a fight too in "Kids stuff" (season 6), to a father who wanted his son back. It was an act on Fonzies part, but the father was pretty mad at Fonzie. it could've gone either way
shareThe father thanked Fonzie for letting him be with his son. Fonzie stepped aside which I can understand.
shareI knew a boy in my high schoo who was only about 2 ft. taller than "Mini-Me" & a nice dude.....but boy, you get this guy angry and he'd kncok down even someone who was 6ft.!
Height or weight doesn't matter if you can
actually back up what you say and what you are able to do.
Go for it or just be a gopher!
(MR.) happipuppi13 🐕 *arf,man!*
Has teh original poster ever heard of Audie Murphey, for example?
shareI didn't know SMALL was synonymous with WEAK. If a 5'0 90lb guy knows karate or judo, you don't wanna mess with him.
Actor James Cagney was only 5′ 5 but he was a judo black belt.
Cagney performed numerous judo techniques
and some stunts himself in the film Blood on the Sun.
Aside from that, his characters could seriously kick *** without judo.
Fonzie used to fight every chance he got (we never see this except
in the flashback episode where he & Richie meet up for the 1st time.
It's clear he'll beat up anyone for any reason then.
ABC censors (and maybe Winkler himself) would never allow Fonzie to be shown inflicting physical harm but they did have him do it 'off-camera' mostly, we just let ourselves believe he did it with almost no effort.
When his gang had a reunion and their old rival gang showed up, they tried to settle things peacefully with a softball game but anger took over. Fonzie snaps his fingers, the lights of the park go out and we hear the start of a serious fight.
Go for it or just be a gopher!
(MR.) happipuppi13 🐕 *arf,man!*
I think it's all attitude, at least in the first few seasons. But, that's with anybody.
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