ULTRA RARE! For The First Time Anywhere!
ULTRA RARE! For The First Time Anywhere!
Although there are two similar photos of Jackie Gleason’s ‘Honeymooners’ being shot by these Dumont Electronicams, this one has never been seen before. It was taken by our new friend Peter J. Katz at the Adelphi Theater in November of 1955. The episode being filmed is Episode 7 of the “classic 39” titled ‘Better Living Through TV’ and up top is a link to the video. There is an extra bonus at 14:40 where a regular Dumont camera is on the set.
This photo is rare on many levels. Gleason usually did only one rehearsal and this was taken during that one runthrough of ‘Better Living’. In case you have never seen a Dumont Electronicam, this is a Dumont television camera with a Mitchell 35MM movie camera mounted along side and both are shooting through a shared lens.
In the photo, Ralph is trying to convince Alice to go along with him on yet another get-rich-quick scheme – selling Handy Housewife Helpers on TV…this comes at around 11 minutes in, in the video. This features a rare gone-wrong moment when one of the gadgets flies off the handle, forcing Gleason to retrieve it and then ad-lib his way back into the scene. When airtime comes, Ralph suddenly contracts a bad case of stage fright.
Soon, more rare photos from Peter J. Katz, all of which are copyrighted and we thank Peter for sharing. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
This is FANTASTIC!!! Behind the scenes and filming pictures of Gleason’s variety shows and “The Honeymooners” seem to be rare so seeing this is a blessing. THANK YOU!!!!
This was a brilliant technical innovation by DuMont.
Welcome aboard o chef of the future.
Another proof of a happier life through television.
Can it sharpen “a” knife?
Here’s my despeckled version of this photo:
I used one of these while in the Army at the Pictorial center in Long Island they were a beast to move, they were trying to sell them to the Army in 1957 or 58.
Dust on the original negative caused the white spots on this photo. I can remove the dust with PhotoShop if you like . . .
Please keep ’em coming, Peter! This one’s a real treasure! Thanks!!
oh RALPH..u were so funny
One of my all time favorite honeymooners episodes
Yes Chef of the Future! It can core a apple!
Brilliance.
Can it core a apple?