User Reviews

One of the better Honeymooners episodes. Ralph meets a childhood pal when he and Alice were courting,however Ralph is trying to give Bill Davis(which Ralph calls loudmouth) the brush. He tells Norton how Davis always makes a big name for himself and lets Alice know 'how good he's doing'. However Ralph know his boss Mr.Monahan leaves the office at 6:00 and informs(pretends) to Bill that he 'runs' the Gotham bus company,that he's the boss,when Bill wants to see his office Ralph nervously tells him that he's way too busy for visitors,however you can come by at 6:30. Bill says 'Ralph,you're the boss,so cancel your appointments and I'll visit you in your office,but Ralph says 'you can't do that, Bill: "Ralph,you're too wound up,slow down and we'll have a leisurely talk and in a half hour you'll feel like a new man". Ralph: "I haven't got a half hour!" Bill asks Ralph his home phone number,Norton intercedes and gives Bill his number 'Trixie the maid will answer it'.

In the conclusion Ralph,Alice,Bill and his wife Millie are dining and dancing at a very expensive restaurant in which neither wants to pay the check. Bill confess to Millie(in private)that he lied to Ralph,when in fact he's really an assistant plumber. When Ralph and Alice return from dancing Bill tells the waiter to bring the check,Ralph figures Bill will pay,but Ralph's silly pride gets the better of him,when the check does come he insists he'll handle it.Bill: "OK Ralph".

Ralph realizes he screwed himself "I have a confession to make Alice has told me thousand times not to be someone I'm not I can't pay the check". Millie tells Bill "you better say something',he states I can't pay either,i'm not a big shot I'm an assistance plumber. All four start laughing their heads off and Ralph and Bill amusingly tease each other. Fortunnately Ralph says 'i got $12,Bill says I got $9,Millie has $6.

When Ralph meets Alice's old boyfriend, the guy tells what a success he is. Ralph embarrassed at being a bus driver, makes up a story about being the president of the company. There are many undercurrents, and the two men parry and thrust with their egos. Eventually, the find themselves at a posh restaurant that neither can afford. It is uncomfortable and depressing. This was the last of the 39 and it sort of sums up the sad situation they find themselves in. I'll always wonder why Gleason stopped here. Perhaps there was just nowhere to go. Of course, he resurrected the characters on his variety show in the sixties, with Sheila McRae, Jane Keanu, and, Art Carney as Norton.

I only remembered the smallest of details before I watched this classic episode recently. Ralph brags that he a bigshot owner of his bus company to an old friend. I will not give away anything more but it is all online for you to enjoy. There is a blooper in the middle when Ralph is talking to Norton and refers to Alice as Audrey. You have to really listen but once you hear it, you will be stunned. A really superb episode.

Ralph's pride gets him in trouble again. Davis, Ralph's rival for Alice's affections from younger years, suddenly shows up and wants to get together. Worse, he's got his own big company, so if they get together, who'll have bragging rights, certainly not bus driver Ralph. So, with Ed's help, Ralph puts up a false front as head of the bus company. Thanks to clever maneuvering, it looks like our heroes will pull it off. But then Davis calls Alice and sets up a big dinner date with Ralph and the wives. Now the deception is in real trouble. Of course, it's all done in classic Honeymooner style.

One appealing thing about the series is Ralph's wanting to be more successful than he is. In short, it's something many of us can identify with. It's kind of unfortunate in Ralph's case since he's successful in what he does. It may not be a prestigious job, but it is one that helps keep the country going. Plus he's got a good marriage and a steadfast, if goofy, best friend. So there's a kind of poignancy between what Ralph is and what he thinks he should be. There's something of that undercurrent in this generally amusing episode.