Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jackie Gleason, Jeff Garlin, Marilyn Taylor GleasonBrand: MPI
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 60 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-01-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: MPI Home Video
Product features:
- Jackie Gleason knew that to produce his top-rated weekly CBS variety show he needed more than just witty monologues, innovative June Taylor choreography and big name guests. He personally had to garner the respect of his national audience, which he did superlatively with a cavalcade of compelling and lovable characters. As television s pioneer weekend evening entertainer he created iconic personas
Movie Reviews of Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
Movie Review: The best compilation yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
MPI has produced a DVD which should win an award: the kinescopes are so clear you might think they were first generation "film" negatives, sound is fine. The clips are presented in longer form than one might expect - so many documentaries/TV Specials use short takes which emphasize alot of mugging and carrying on - sight gags, often tired and grating, in favor of the more graceful and dialogue-driven segments.
It is a pleasure that just one interviewee is present, and of course she is someone was there, professionally, and later, personally, Marilyn Taylor Gleason, still beautiful. Her dialogue is wonderful, sounding *unscripted* - yes, she must have learned from the Master. Live action and stills of her and her also-famous sister, June Taylor, capture two extraordinarily sensuous dancers, who often shared the spotlight with The Great One. As prodigious a figure as JG was, the ladies definitely added that vertical dimension (wise guy.....). Her descriptions of her husband's characters is spot-on.
A unique approach is sucessfully achieved here: the most popular character, Ralph Kramden is actually given only "equal time", meaning that there is more concentration on other Gleason characters, some actually more well-defined that the occasionally ebullient Bus Driver from Brooklyn.
The funniest sketch, in a long excerpt, is on Rudy The Rapairman, absolutely hilarious in an obviously under-rehearsed bit, involving installation of an early-era air-conditioner in a busy midday restaurant.
After assuring maitre-d' Art Carney (almost unrecognizable from his own Ed Norton and Clem Finch characters) that he'll be quietly fastidious, the total chaos comes hard and heavy. Brilliantly conceived, from the staging, to the lighting, to the live cutting. Makes modern day TV comedy look stilted and mechanical.
MPI has added a rare Jackie Gleason Show, celebrating JG's 25th year in show business, and concentrating on his many characters, as featured on his new (apparently) 10-inch album of character songs.
I hope that this is Volume One, and a future Volume contains his June 1, 1957 farewell telecast, including the last Honeymooners' sketch of the decade.
Summary of Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work
Jackie Gleason knew that to produce his top-rated weekly CBS variety show he needed more than just witty monologues, innovative June Taylor choreography and big name guests. He personally had to garner the respect of his national audience, which he did superlatively with a cavalcade of compelling and lovable characters. As television?s pioneer weekend evening entertainer he created iconic personas and deservingly earned the title "Mr. Saturday Night."
Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work is a thorough retrospect of Jackie?s most popular characters. Most of the sketches have never before been available or even viewed since their original live broadcasts in the 1950s. This DVD presents some of Gleason?s funniest sketches in their near entirety, thereby preserving the magical cadence of his legendary performances.
The show features Jackie Gleason?s widow Marilyn Taylor Gleason providing candid insight into her husband?s profound understanding of his characters. Mrs. Gleason performed often with her future husband and witnessed firsthand the genius at work. As well, she was June Taylor?s younger sister and a featured June Taylor Dancer.
This special look back at Gleason?s work includes commentary by host Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBOŽ).
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