Welcome To The Ed Norton Apartment…
Welcome To The Ed Norton Apartment…
This great color photo was taken in April of 1955 at CBS Studio 50. At the end of May of this year, they would wrap up the hour long live show here and do a season on film (the Classic 39) at Dumont’s Adelphi Theater, but would return after that for another year of the live show at Studio 50.
As you can see, the Norton’s apartment was always nicer than the Cramden’s. Joyce Randolph said that was Jackie’s idea, and although viewers sent hundreds of pairs of curtains for Alice and Ralph’s apartment, he wanted to keep it “lacking”.
The Gleason show started in Studio 50 in September of ’52 and except for a few 15 and 30 minute shows from 50, pretty much had the studio to themselves, which is what William Paley wanted. In 1948, ‘Toast Of The Town, With Ed Sullivan’ had started at the Maxine Elliott Theater, CBS Studio 51, but in early 1954, was moved to Studio 50.
Jackie Gleason’s show was on at 8 on Saturday night and Sullivan followed twenty four hours later on the same stage. Usually by midnight, the stage was ready for Sullivan with only Sunday morning and afternoon to do the camera blocking and rehearsals. That tight schedule continued for Sullivan till Jackie took a break from ’57 till ’62.
When Gleason returned with his ‘American Scene Magazine’ show, video tape was in use, so they rehearsed Wednesdays and did the show live to tape on Thursdays, with no edits.
They had to keep it “lacking”… more for Alice’s Mom to ride Ralph about… 🙂
“American Scene Magazine” started in New York, but after a couple of seasons or so moved to Miami.
I thought “American Scene Magazine” was done in Miami or maybe the Miami show was called something else.
Looks like a transparency.
Seeing a shot of them and the set in color is rare, but I’m glad the “39” were shot in black & white film. Made it “grittier”. And Gleason was right.
2 the MOON alice
Awesome