Ronnie's fascination with Gleason

[Johnny Fontane]

Ron has always shown an appreciation for the Great One, Jackie Gleason. He seems to have a special fascination with Gleason's nightlife. I think Ron would enjoy this excerpt (http://www.audreymeadows.com/FunStuff/TootsShor.html) from a book written by Audrey Meadows.

I'm also a little fascinated with old time New York watering holes. In fact, I had lunch today at a place called P.J. Clarke's (http://www.pjclarkes.com) on 55th Street and Third Avenue. It's a nice place. Take a look at the link. I guarantee this is Ron's type of place (probably more so before the smoking ban).

Edit: If the P.J. Clarke's link isn't working, it's pjclarkes.com.

http://www.grandinotizie.it/image/g/000/00040.jpg
"The principal benefit acting has afforded me is the money to pay for my psychoanalysis."

This message was edited by Johnny Fontane on 11-16-03 @ 9:35 PM

[FUNKMAN]

cool story, thanks!

i wonder if Ronnie compares himself to Jackie due to his comedic capabilities and his similar physical attributes... maybe?

<img src="http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/covers/allthe100.gif">

[GaryWyze]

[color=purple]Up until about two years ago, I worked right up the block from P.J. Clarkes... many a nights were spent there with co-workers, doing shots, smoking fine cigars, and having a kick ass time.

Anybody who prefers a pub to bar, and enjoys a drinking establishment that doesn't look like it fell off an assembly line, would love this joint.

Next time you're in the area, check out the Pigs & Whistles there. It may not be the only one in town, but it's definitely the best. And a great date/dinner place.

<center>http://czm.racknine.net/images/krustysig.jpg

Much thanks to CZM for the killer, yet not currently working, sig pic

This message was edited by GaryWyze on 11-16-03 @ 9:39 PM

[Mike Teacher]

Gleason was real.

Gleason didn't give a flying fuck about what others thought about him.

Gleason walked onto a stage like he owned it. Because he did.

Actually if he was somewhere, say Toots Shore's on a Tuesday, DiMaggio was in a lot then too. Wherever he was, That was The Place, baby. Move on over coz Gleason feels like having a few and holding court. You couldn't walk in and not drink. My mother and my dads sister went into Toots once to wait for my dad and some other guy. Two drinks appear immediately, and my mom says, excuse me, we didn;t order these, and the bartender points to the corner, and Gleason just leans over and gives a wave and says, Enjoy!

How cool is that. A man's man. Not the bullshit macho thing. A guy who wanted everyone around him to enjoy.

Other actors could not believe his lack of rehearsal. After going over the show premise, not even lines, for a couple of minutes with Gleason, Meadows asked someone when the rehearsals for the show would begin. She found that was it. That's all he needed. If he forgot his line? He went with it. Who the hell in Hollywood has the skills for that? No one. That's why shows are done by Commitee now.

When asked about drinking, his response was usually along the lines of: Yes I drink. I like to Drink. You know why I drink. Because I like the feeling. You don't like it? Dont drink. Next question?

While no one wants to see someone with a drinking 'problem', I'd say this was less of a problem then celebrities who deal with their personal demons by Press Conference and Weepy Interviews.

Gleason was a son of a bitch. But a son of a bitch who freely admitted to it. You might find fault with Gleason's character; but he never hid from what he was, never denied a damn thing. How utterly refreshing.



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[BoondockSaint]

I bet he liked The White Horse Tavern.

http://volcano.photobucket.com/albums/v11/squrl/hank.JPG
I just came in here to have some whiskey and beer and say howdy to you all. ---Hank Williams Jr.

[The Blowhard]

In my opinion Gleason is among the greatest of American entertainers, and probably our greatest TV star.
Besides his work on the best comedy show of all time, "The Honeymooners", he was an accomplished dramatic actor.
They don't make them like Jackie anymore.

[Johnny Fontane]

<p>I'm going to check out this documentary about Toots Shor:</p><p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.catalyst-films.com/">http://www.catalyst-films.com/</a></p>

[FezPaul]

<strong>FUNKMAN</strong> wrote:<br />cool story, thanks! i wonder if Ronnie compares himself to Jackie due to his comedic capabilities and his similar physical attributes... maybe? <p><img src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/FezPaul/rb.jpg" border="0" />One of these days, Eastside, Pow, Zoom.....<br /><img src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/FezPaul/honeymooners-bus.jpg" border="0" />..............straight to the moon.<br /></p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by FezPaul on 4-29-06 @ 11:19 PM</span>