Ralph's purchase of a cheap, non-functioning vacuum cleaner leads to a confrontation with Norton. Unfortunately, for Ralph, he needs Norton's vote to get a position in the Raccoon's that will lead to a free trip to Chicago. This leads to efforts to get his old buddy to come back to him and not support the other guy (who is also buttering him up). When Ralph doesn't win the vote, he immediately goes into attack mode. Ralph is hilarious when he becomes irrational and this is no exception. As is always the case, Mr. Roley Poley has to deal with the results of his own insanity.
4 Reviews
Karma is real, and it has a name: Ralph Kramden.
mbrachman20 August 2020
This superb episode epitomizes why this show was, and is, so great, and why the humor has held up two thirds of a century later. Ralph Kramden, ever-dreaming, frequently blowhard everyman, sees his hopes and dreams shattered by his own uncontrollable emotions and resulting rash actions. In this case, his desire for the status and perks of convention manager for the Raccoon Lodge's upcoming convention is threatened by, what else, another fight with his best pal, Ed Norton, resulting from a dust-up over a malfunctioning vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately for
Ralph, Ed holds the deciding vote at the lodge's election for convention manager.
As always, Gleason is terrific, the boisterous boy barely grown-up in big boy clothes, acting alternately the ebullient winner, the sulking loser nursing resentment over a perceived betrayal, the enraged man exploding with irrational anger- leading to irrational, and ultimately self-defeating, actions. And Carney is right there with him, as always the perfect foil for Ralph's cascading emotions. And of course, Audrey Meadows is impeccable as Ralph's long-suffering, wise, and stoic wife Alice. Also a nice turn in a bit part by George Petrie, veteran character actor whose 14 appearances in the one-season run of the stand-alone "Honeymooners" sitcom (as opposed to the recurring skits in Gleason's various comedy-variety shows through the years) was the record for any actor besides the core four performers.
As always, Gleason is terrific, the boisterous boy barely grown-up in big boy clothes, acting alternately the ebullient winner, the sulking loser nursing resentment over a perceived betrayal, the enraged man exploding with irrational anger- leading to irrational, and ultimately self-defeating, actions. And Carney is right there with him, as always the perfect foil for Ralph's cascading emotions. And of course, Audrey Meadows is impeccable as Ralph's long-suffering, wise, and stoic wife Alice. Also a nice turn in a bit part by George Petrie, veteran character actor whose 14 appearances in the one-season run of the stand-alone "Honeymooners" sitcom (as opposed to the recurring skits in Gleason's various comedy-variety shows through the years) was the record for any actor besides the core four performers.
Interesting Trivia On That Board
carminefazz3 January 2023
We've all seen it 1,000 times and it is still one of my favorite. Ralph's pride and ego are in full display in this episode. Ed is his usual innocent and destructive self and Trixie is as terrible as ever. I agree with the other posts - Alice's appearance and contribution is too short.
Towards the end of the episode - The "Members In Arrears" board has some interesting Members flagged: Ralph "Kramdon" (no idea why the name is spelled incorrectly) , Actor Eddie Hanley (Who played "Knuckles" Grogan in the Honeymooners in 1952), 1940s-1950s Band Leader Russ Carlyle, Jack Philbin (Executive Producer of The Honeymooners and Bernard "Toots" Shor, a Manhattan Restaurant owner and good friend of Jackie Gleason.
Towards the end of the episode - The "Members In Arrears" board has some interesting Members flagged: Ralph "Kramdon" (no idea why the name is spelled incorrectly) , Actor Eddie Hanley (Who played "Knuckles" Grogan in the Honeymooners in 1952), 1940s-1950s Band Leader Russ Carlyle, Jack Philbin (Executive Producer of The Honeymooners and Bernard "Toots" Shor, a Manhattan Restaurant owner and good friend of Jackie Gleason.
Be Nice To Norton
dougdoepke23 March 2017
Extravagant Ralph buys a cheap vacuum. Now if only he can get his nose unstuck from the sucking hose. And it would help if they had anything to use it on, like a carpet or upholstery. This first part is pretty funny as Ralph won't admit he made a mistake.
The second part is not so amusing. Ralph dearly wants to be elected Convention Chairman of the goofy Raccoon Lodge. That way, he can act like a big wheel in Chicago. But he needs Ed's vote to be elected. Too bad he sent Ed away forever because of the silly vacuum. So now, he's kissing up to Ed, but so is his rival in the election. Ralph's desperate since an alienated Norton holds all the cards. Surprisingly, it's the vacuum that holds the key.
All in all, an okay episode with less of Alice than usual.
The second part is not so amusing. Ralph dearly wants to be elected Convention Chairman of the goofy Raccoon Lodge. That way, he can act like a big wheel in Chicago. But he needs Ed's vote to be elected. Too bad he sent Ed away forever because of the silly vacuum. So now, he's kissing up to Ed, but so is his rival in the election. Ralph's desperate since an alienated Norton holds all the cards. Surprisingly, it's the vacuum that holds the key.
All in all, an okay episode with less of Alice than usual.
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