Jackie Gleason - Soft Shoe

[ht8082001us]

Its funny cause everyone thinks that what he attempted was a somersault when in fact it was a cartwheel. Somersaults are front flips performed using no hands. Secondly it wasn't that he couldn't perform the flip fully he rather have a partial flip be part of the act so people can see an over weight individual attempt to do this incredible move and fail...in turn creating a laugh. Yes he was light on his feet, a brilliant comedian and truly earned the title "The Great One"

[Schnappi1936]

The Great One was light on his feet.

[AxInTheWoods]

that was hilariously unexpected

[TorrenGallagher]

What is the name of the music peice he's dancing to here?

[songster56]

@TorrenGallagher The name of the song is "Tea For Two."

[TorrenGallagher]

@songster56 You're fantastic! I haven't heard the full song in years! Thank you! All the best! =) =) =)

[powerlounger]

Nobody, and that includes Astaire, moved like Gleason. I've never seen anyone lighter on his feet.

[MrTVBuff]

Doing a somersault at 300 pounds, that's impossible.

[yekyrneh]

It's amazing that an overweight person like Jackie was able to pull off even a partial somersault without hurting himself! I could never do this, even when I was much younger. Fantastic comedian!!

[YeahRight825]

haha yeah... he always tried to do the complete somersault but never could... so when he was on stage, and he had to kill time because they weren't ready backstage for the next act, or for whatever else (because those variety shows were live), he used to entertain the crowd by trying to do a complete somersault... unfortunately, he never did a complete one, but it was still very interesting and funny to watch... he definitely was the greatest!