The Honeymooners (TV Series) A Matter of Record (1956) User Reviews

Alice Bugs Out

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 19 September 2017]

Maybe I am showing a bit of sexism, but in this case, I couldn't help but be sympathetic to Ralph. Alice's mother is cruel and clueless and downright mean. Obviously, there is an explosion like all the others we have seen in this series, but he sat and took it for as long as he could. Alice makes little effort to defend her husband. Anyway, she leaves and he is left helpless and alone (what a pathetic character he can be). Then we begin the old switcheroo where he cuts a record apologizing to her and her mother. Unfortunately, his first effort was a spontaneous diatribe, maligning the mother-in-law, and that's the one that gets sent. Norton is in the middle of the whole thing. His intentions are good, but as with many sidekicks, he screws up. There is something sad about this episode, but it's still pretty good.

I Don't Blame Ralph for Kicking Out Alice's Mother

[hfan77 · 9/10 · 29 June 2022]

I have seen this episode numerous times and to me it is hilarious, especially when Ralph refers to Alice's mother as a blabbermouth. Her arrival ruined what was to be a grand evening that included a chance to see the Broadway hit Murder Strikes Out. From the moment Alice's mother entered the apartment, she was rude, mean, insensitive to Ralph and crossed the line when she revealed the surprise ending of the play. And what does Alice do? Nothing except leave after her mother gets kicked out by Ralph. I don't blame him for kicking her mother out after insulting him by talking about his weight and Alice's old boyfriend Chester Barnes.

What made the episode so funny was when Ralph recorded an apology to Alice and he cracked me up when he said about her mother SHE'S A BLABBERMOUTH!!! The way he delivered that line really cracked me up. If you've never seen this episode, watch it. It's definitely a barrel of laughs.

Comeback to Old Buttercup!

[thejcowboy22 · 7/10 · 9 August 2017]

Growing up in the New York City Market most viewers of the Honeymooners watched an episode before bedtime as WPIX channel 11 for decades had the same nightly schedule of shows. The Odd Couple at 11:00 PM followed by The Honeymooners at 11:30 and Star Trek at Midnight. Of all the episodes of the Honeymooners my personal favorite is A Matter Of Record. Most Fans of the show refer to it as the "Blabbermouth" episode. Ralph enters his unfurnished abode all excited as he has two Broadway show tickets to see Fear Strikes Out. Ralph tells Alice (Audrey Meadows) there going to make an all night of it plus dining at the fabled Hong Kong Gardens. Quickly Alice bursts Ralph's bubble as Mother-in-Law (Ethel Owen) is coming over tonight and Alice being the devoted daughter has to keep her company. Alice suggest that Ralph take upstairs neighbor Ed Norton (Art Carney) to the play. Ralph goes ballistic as he makes a with wager with Alice that it won't take her three minutes before she insults me as he winds up an alarm clock. Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Gibson, enters the apartment and starts to talk with little insults needling Ralph in her sentences. Finally the old battle ax spills the ending of the play to Ralph as the alarm clock rings on cue. Ralph with his eye bulging looks at Mother-In-Law as says "You Are A BLABBERMOUTH, A BLABBERMOUTH!" Ralph continues to bellow, "OUT! OUT!" Mother-In-Law leaves and Alice leaves as well leaving Ralph alone in the Apartment. Weeks go by as Ralph alone in the apartment and a sink filled with dirty dishes wants his Alice back. Norton has an Idea to record an apology record and mail it to Alice's Mother's house. The recordings are hilarious accompanied by a harmonica background by Norton of Swanee River. Ralph starts off the record being sweet and apologetic wanting his Wife home but then the speech switches to Mother-In-Law and Ralph as Norton paraphrases,"Is pouring out his liver instead of his heart." Ralph goes from a composed Husband to a ranting maniac stating that she'll never change, she'll be the same old blabbermouth." Norton takes out a second record and it's the last one so Ralph has to stay on point and not get excited. Ralph asks to be alone for a second take. The recording was done perfectly as Ralph using pet names for Alice and himself strike a tearful chord with Norton. Unfortunately Norton mails the wrong record as the first installment reaches the Gibson apartment for a shocked Alice to hear. The comedic timing of Jackie Gleason and his energy are fully displayed in this episode.Gleason would NEVER rehearse with the rest of the cast as he believed, the one take was his best take.

Please Play My Record-- No, Don't !

[dougdoepke · 6 April 2017]

Typically funny series entry. Ralph's got tickets to a hot new Broadway play. Alice would like to go but her mother's coming over instead. You can imagine the big boy's reaction to that. Anyhow, Mom comes over and routinely insults Ralph, and when Alice makes excuses Ralph kicks them both out. After 3-weeks solo in that bare-bones apartment he's going nutzoid. So Ed has him cut a record pleading with Alice to come back. Trouble is Ed mistakenly mails the first record where Ralph can't keep from insulting Mom, and now Alice is really peeved. So what's Ralph going to do besides murder Ed.

Highlight may well be where Ralph holds it all in while Mom peels off a list of big boy's shortcomings. Gleason was so good at stifled anger, his face almost exploding. Note the prominent TV in the Norton apartment, a sign of their prosperity; also, there's passing reference to the hit quiz show The 64 Thousand Dollar Question that had debuted to great fanfare that earlier summer (1955). Anyway, I thought Alice's behavior at the end was kind of a surprise. See what you think.