How Sweet It Is: The Jackie Gleason Story

by James Bacon

1 HARDCOVER BOOK WITH DUST COVER

Genres: Biography, Media Tie In

214 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1985

Reviews

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the Pine Needles Golf Resort, the home to past U.S. Women’s Open Golf Tournaments, I’d often view “Jackie” Gleason’s black & white golf photo in the hallway and wonder what his personal life was like. I now know more than I wish about the entertainer known as the “Great One”.

Born in 1916 Gleason was raised in a poor housing section of Brooklyn by his Irish parents. Overly sheltered, he became engulfed with sadness when his parents fought. Throughout it all he maintained a high degree of self-confidence. At age 19 in his final year as a teenager, Gleason was alone in the world without parents and void of a brother or sister. With less than $0.50 in his pocket he headed to NYC to seek work in the entertainment industry as a comedian. With America still in an economic depression his career began at the bottom in the seedy lounges lined show girls. Gleason soon acquired the bad traits of his father, which would stay with him throughout his life. He believed that drinking made him more creative. Before long he was known for holding court with his trademark of lining up 6 double shot glasses of J&B scotch straight up, no ice, water or soda. It could be over lunch, dinner or late evening. As his income grew he continued his reputation of paying the bar tab for all his cronies.

In many instances opposites do attract and Gleason married a devout Irish Catholic. Along with success the alcoholic workaholic was not only an absent husband but an absent father to his 2 daughters. He’d live on his own visiting occasionally and for just a few hours on Christmas Day. During World War II he was classified 4F due to his excessive weight and poor physical condition. Over time the man with many talents and gifts found his name featured on the marquee billboards in NYC. In 1952 when television was in its infancy Gleason was the top entertainer commanding a record $11,000,000 two year contract. He’d throw lavish parties in his large penthouse attended by scantily clad women. His comedy show “The Honeymooners” took off increasing his salary. He’d write the script, direct, act and run the entire show. Gleason was even a better pool player than a golfer. The highly ranked professional played the serious role of veteran pool player “Minnesota Fats” in the 1961 movie “The Hustler” staring opposite Paul Newman and George C. Scott.

I could further discus his many credits or his other wives, but much of the book revolved around his drinking escapades. I’m left with sadness for his two daughters.

[William O. Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative genius. That is the best way to describe Jackie Gleason. Growing up as a kid I remember his Saturday night variety program with fondness. However, I did not really know of his background other than what I had read along the way through the years. Sure. I knew he was a television and movie personality, but I never really appreciated how he came through the ranks of comedians in the days of vaudeville and later radio, movies, broadway and television. I said he was a creative genius at the start of this review, and he really was. He understood the the impact of the new medium of his day and how he could use the medium to his advantage to showcase his comedy. He is credited with the use of five cameras to televise his comedy sketches and also it is believed he was the first to use an overhead stage zoom camera for television.

I remember as a kid growing up my parents enjoyed listening to his orchestra. My dad would tell me that Jackie couldn't read "a lick of music." However, I learned by reading this biography that although Jackie Gleason could not read music, he did have an ear for it and could detect when something wasn't right in an arrangement. He also is credited with composing several musical scores, one of which was his television theme song, "Melancholy Serenade."

One thing that should be brought out was when the author mentioned how they would video tape his New York television shows in the early 1950s to be rebroadcast to the west coast. However, I am pretty sure the author is confusing video tape with kinescope or Electronicam(R) technology in the earlier chapters of the book, since video tape wasn't used to rebroadcast television in the United States until the late 1950s. The author may have been using the verbiage "video tape" more as a generic meaning and not a literal meaning. In Chapter 11, the author does use the term "filmed" to describe the show as being recorded. Nevertheless, this confused term of video tape should be something to be aware. Regardless, this book was a fascinating read and I enjoyed learning aspects of Jackie Gleason's life I was not fully aware.

If there is one negative of the book it is the relentless reference to alcohol by Jackie Gleason. I mean, the reader gets the point that Mr. Gleason liked his drink. Ok. fine. For the author to mention it tine and again though, it became tiresome to be reminded of it.

[Mike Kowis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a small child, I watched black and white re-runs of the hilarous 1950s TV sitcom called The Honeymooners. In it, Jackie Gleason played the famous role of Ralph Kramden where he could often be heard saying silly catch phrases like, "Bang, zoom. To the moon, Alice!" and "hamina, hamina, hamina." This TV show was a riot and never failed to keep me laughing. Mr. Gleason later played funny roles in Hollywood movies like Sheriff Buford T. Justice in Smokey & the Bandit I, II, and III.

This interesting biography covers Mr. Gleason's personal life from his humble beginnings growing up in Brooklyn, NY to his big-time success as a comedic and serious actor on TV shows, movies, and broadway plays. He apparently had a larger-than-life personality and loved to spend big bucks on alcohol-fueled parties and a lavish lifestyle. He also had other accomplishments outside of acting, including success a music composer and being a talented pool player (which came in handy during his role as pool shark Minnesota Fats in the 1961 hit movie called The Hustler).

In summary, I highly recommend this entertaining biography to anyone who is a fan of Jackie Gleason.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very affectionate and perhaps, a bit too familiar, biography of Jackie Gleason. I learned much about Gleason from this book, however James Bacon’s writing style is such that he comes across as being “in love with Gleason.” A little of this is fine but he really overdoes it. I assume he was good friends with his subject & if it didn’t meet with Gleason’s completel approval, that friendship might have gone up in smoke. Hearing about Gleason’s constant drinking (how many times do we need to be reminded of his drinking 6 double scotches at one time, no ice) & chain smoking (up to 6 packs a day) in such an romanticized way got old fast. A little more emotional distance might have made this a more interesting read but instead it becomes a yawn.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a shame that even today, there are not as many books out there about some of these classic Hollywood stars.; many of the younger audiences are more concerned with their CG action films and do not understand the early stages of television and film (which is one reason I write this page-to help keep those classic films alive). Bacon gives a great account of the man behind The Poor Soul, Kramden, and the great Reginald Van Gleason III. The title, a catchphrase from "The Great One," is perfect for this read.
For an in-depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[John Lyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I guess when you read a biography, as opposed to an autobiography, you should not expect a lot of criticism of the subject, and that’s the case here. I hope Gleason was as generous, honest, and nice as he seems to be as described here. I’m a bigger fan than I was before reading. It’s a little amazing that he lived to 71 with those huge appetites, not least of which was spending money he hadn’t earned yet, but maybe that helped him avoid poverty. He is a true comic genius, and now I know he was also an outstanding serious actor and musician too.

[Reid Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addicts of the "Original 39" episodes of The Honeymooners, as well as members of RALPH (Royal Association for the Longevity and Preservation of the Honeymooners) as I am, will devour this book like it was one of Ralph Kramden's no-cal pizzas. Yes, it is a celebrity bio, but as a portrait of a man who lived life both well and with kindness and generosity, the truth of that life holds up just fine alongside the myths and the legends.

[Davito Doran- O’Farrell Romello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book. One of my relatives told me that Jackie was a relative so I have always been curious about him so I got this book.
It’s a decent book and Jackie even promoted on Johnny Carson back when it was out in 1986 or so . The basic story about his life and career is good but doesn’t go into much depth like I was hoping for . Again it’s a decent book just wish it had been a little more detailed .

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly know Jackie Gleason from The Honeymooners TV show (and didn't even realize he was in the Smokey and the Bandit movies until I read this book). The book is written in an easy to read style that compelled me to keep reading on. It's sad that Gleason had some destructive habits--quite a few from what I read in this book.

I appreciated learning more about his life.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

He truly was The Great One!

An excellent book about the larger than life Jackie Gleason. You could tell that the author really knew Mr. Gleason and fully understood his Irish background. Amazing to read about Mr. Gleason to do without rehearsals, which scared the hell out of his fellow performers. A man like Jackie will never come around again!

[Beth Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend gave this to me, otherwise I probably would never have picked it up.

Interesting to read Gleason's story, and I was unaware of his connection to so many famous people in music, tv, theater, etc. He certainly lived 'large'!

[David Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative

I love watching all of the old movies and all of the old tv shows I, like most people, am a huge fan of the Honeymooners. I learned quite a bit about the various stars. If you’re a fan, I highly recommend this book!

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great old stories, but the book needs a better editor... so many typos

[Arthur Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome insight into the Great One !!!

[Charles R Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an OK read. It would have been nice for the story to be updated to Mr. Gleason's passing.

[Steffanie H Burgevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brings back memories.

I spent my childhood and young years glued to the tv, and loved the Honeymooners. Bacon wrote a good book about Gleason

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the life of Jackie Gleason brought me back to my childhood watching the Jackie Gleason show with my father with different characters and especially “Joe the Bartender “, this book covers his childhood to the movies and then to television where he created the characters, directed, wrote scripts, and even picked the music and then later came up with the idea for the dancers.
When it came to the “Honeymooners” once again you get a look at the creation and the choosing of the cast. These for me were all and still are important for part of my childhood was listening to a loudmouth New Yorker that some people did not understand, my father. He and Jackie Gleason were similar at least character-wise as very as the way a New Yorker grew up from the streets. The book also speaks about his pool playing which was tops and how he did his own shots in the movie with Paul Newman. The author also speaks of his drinking and some of his other bad habits, overall a good book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly interesting biography of the multi-talented Jackie Gleason by a well-known writer, James Bacon, who admits at the beginning of the book that Gleason more or less approved the book, and that Bacon and Gleason were buddies. Taking that into account, if you expect a glossy version of Jackie Gleason's life and career and not a truthful accounting, you won't be disappointed. For a more objective version of this man's career I would recommend "The Great One: The Life and Legand of Jackie Gleason", by William A. Henry III.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t buy for Kindle

This book is totally discombobulated! It repeats whole sentences and paragraphs, doesn’t finish a sentence will start a new chapter in mid sentence.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bacon's take on the Great One is equal parts ham and blarney.