Jackie Gleason & Frankie Avalon - Live

[watchful38]

Our family got our first TV in 1952(B/W of course and a 17 inch screen.) The Jackie Gleason Show was one of our first great shows along with Ed Sullivan Show. From Canada. Buffalo, N.Y. always came in "snowy". Our twenty foot aerial was not tall enough I guess! The CBC had the "Big Revue"! Geeze! I remember the "Test Pattern" of those first days of T.V.

[ncatt]

@watchful38 I remember "watching" the test patterns and then the National Anthem . . . waiting for the daily programs to come on for the day around 6:00am.

Nothing else to do . . . at that time of the morning anyway!

[sumame47]

@ncatt My parents had one of those wooden cabinet televisions that sat on the floor. When it went out, you would have the tv repairman come in, to fix it, or take it down to the repair shop. You actually had to get off of your butt to go and change the channel. I remember when the National Anthem would come on at the end of the day with the waving flag and then you'd hear the signal noise......those were the days (my kids thought everything was in black/white because old pics in black/white)

[cajanwitch60]

I had no idea Frankie could play the trumpet. I love brass. I probably didn't get to see this back then. But you can bet my Mom & Grand parents did. Thanks for putting this up. He's still very accomplished.

[rlgdguy]

This WAS Frankie Avalon and he was 12 at the time. He was discovered by Al Martino and brought to play for Mr. Gleason in person, who was a fan of trumpet music in particular. He heard him and had his writers write a script where he could do this, two weeks after they met. Frankie was classically trained in the trumpet and received a full scolarship to the Eastman School of Music. Frankie is on the Florence Henderson show right now and just told how it all started for him. Unbelievable talent!

[honeybee7700]

That is so awesome!

[sumame47]

This was a total surprise to me...and a great way to start off the day! Thanks!!!

[SleepingLionGuy]

Frankie Avalon appeared on Gleason's Show Saturday October 25, 1952. That date is confirmed via a blurb in The Billboard Magazine noting he was signed to a contract to the General Artists Corporation on the 30th. Allegedly 11 at the time, it would have gone through his parents. Avalon was born September 18, 1940 (or 1939 depending on the source). Avalon would come under the guidance of Ray Anthony and his manager the following year, which would lead to a recording contract with RCA's "X" label.

[JEMCO2008]

so cool what a lip I wonder if Frankie stills plays the horn

[Msbookie]

Gleason's sexy fat azz!Francis Thomas Avallone was born September 18, 1940. He was tutored by his father. Avalon performed at the CR Clubt. The CR Club On local Philadelphia television he won first places with his trumpet playing in amateur contests. Avalon's trumpet playing caught the eye of a talent scout who arranged for him to appear on Jackie Gleason's CBS-TV show. l

By the time he was 12, he had joined Rocco and the Saints, a dance band that featured Bobby Rydell.

[Flash12451]

WOW...who knew? I didn't!!

Old clip of Frankie Avalon on Jackie Gleason.

[Buckpenn]

This would have to be from the early 50s, because Frankie made his first record in 1957.

[keca1430]

Gleason starts to say his name, Frankie, but Avalon is cut off at the end of this short clip.

[ncatt]

@keca1430 Strange, I heard that same thing!

Gee, maybe he WASN'T saying "AVALON"

[lalosalazar9999]

it sounds like Gleason was saying "Frankie.........." at the very, very end of the clip before it cut off.

[ncatt]

@lalosalazar9999 He Was!!! and Frankie also 'changed' his name to Avalon!

[crgreen53]

It's definately THE Frankie Avalon. Elsewhere on youtube there's an interview where he tells the story of his big break at age 11-12 - getting to audition for Gleason.

[micro77s]

This is utter nonsense -- Avalon would have been at least 16 years old by the 'mid 1950's', and was cutting hit records as a teen idol a couple of years later. I don't understand why folks insist on posting ludicrous and erroneous information like this, but that kid played a mean trumpet, whoever he was ...

[ncatt]

I don't know the exact date of this clip but mid 50's is anything after 1950 and before 1960, my best guess being about 53 or 54 but possibly even as early as late '52. Frankie being born in 1939 (or 1940 from his own web site) could make him as young as "12" in '53 or at the very most, "15" in early to mid '55. Frankie was also short, making him appear younger (at only 5'8" as an adult)

note: Annette was also short at only 5'3". His 1st hit was "Dede Dinah" in '58, "Venus" was '59.

[ncatt]

(Your comment gave me a good laugh though)

[Reavelt]

@micro77s , maybe it was the early 50's, but it WAS Frankie Avalon!

[Jazzzydon]

@micro77s I tend to agree with you on that as Frankie was born around 1939 so for him to been the age of this kid the video would have had to have been about 1950 and I don't believe his show was on that early??

[pianorman]

@micro77s : If this show was broadcasted around 1952 - 1953, then this could have been Avalon - he was known to have played trumpet, as a kid, and being born in 1940 would have put him around 12, 13 yrs. old, here.

[gherinquad]

@micro77s From the official Frankie Avalon website: "Although he down plays the fact, Frankie Avalon was a child prodigy who was good enough to make guest appearances as a trumpet player on The Perry Como and Jackie Gleeson (sic) Television Shows." So maybe you're right and this was some other trumpet playing child prodigy.

[TopazDupree]

@micro77s Obviously, the description should say "in the early 1950's". By the time Frankie Avalon was 12, he was on TV for his trumpet playing. He recorded "Trumpet Sorrento" in 1954 on the X Record label. "De De Dinah", his first rock and roll hit, charted in early 1958, when Frankie was 17.

[ncatt]

@TopazDupree I did not state the early 50's because It's not "obviously". For this video I considered from1951 - 1959 to be the mid 50's (something between 1950 & 1960) I don't know the exact date so unless I hear from Jackie or Frankie it will remain the "mid 50's".

PS. Don't make a fool of yourself, I know about Jackie's heath status.

[MROSEN62]

This couldn't have been as late as the mid 50s. Avalon was born in 1939 and is pretty young in this clip. Also, I wish the clip was a few seconds longer. It cuts off just as Jackie is introducing him. It would have been interesting to see if he called him "Avalon" or his birth name of Avallone.

[dcbornmike]

didnt know Frankie Avalon got started in show business at that young age. He was really good!!

[CoasterCloud]

Is this the "Venus" Frankie Avalon? Wow. This is the first time I've seen Frankie Avalon younger than 20-ish.

[owensclock]

I knew that FA was a trumpet prodigy before he started singing but had never seen a clip of him playing. Wow! This would have to be from about 1953, or '54.

Frankie must have been around 10 years old..Thanks for posting this.

[hecc708v1]

it is recorded in kinescope.

[ukcatfan36]

Wow..there's no good stuff on TV any more..I remember watching Gleason in the 50's..always super entertainment..we had 2 channels to watch in Louisville back then but TV was exciting!!! now I have 200 channels and all i watch are Andy Griffith reruns! lol

[ShakerHeightsGirlz]

gee how old was Frankie?

[mstvee]

Jackie Gleason show was great. I remember watching it in my younger days. Great guest and music. His sitcom was good too. To the moon , Alice. He is greatly missed

[DrearSkaa]

Frankie played the trumpet before he began his singing and acting career. FA:"I wound up signing to RCA Victor as a trumpeter, guesting on shows like Jackie Gleason's Honeymooners". His dad taught him to play the trumpet from an early age.

[silkeforce]

Sounded just like Harry James!

[notrombones]

I had no idea Avalon was so good on trumpet.

Great tone.

Wow.

[CinziaFrancesca]

this is such a classic! love it!!

[elroerto]

great frankie

[ctfatguy]

Jackie was alway's looking to expose new tallent, most people don't know this but Elvis appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show several months before appearing on Ed Sullivan Show. Jackie had a true love for music but could not read or play music. One thing he could do was spot real tallent, and he would put them on stage one way or another. He was the BEST. R.I.P Jack. And Away We Go!!!!

[Juliaflo]

I second that.

[fredfromsyr]

I think it's someone off camera

[Plutoplatter]

Holy Annette Funicello! That was little Frankie Avalon?? What a talent!

[4002023]

Viva Frankie Avalon, voila.

[peppersax]

Wow! I didn't know that Frankie Avalon played so well.  He sounded so mature. Great clip. That 'lifted' me up!

[mooniemoney]

Frankie Avalon should have stayed with trumpet. What a great clip!

[VeronaPound]

What a great bit. One of the best things i've seen here.

[NoMoSpam]

EXCELLENT!

[thath09]

this is sweet

[SleepingLionGuy]

Can anyone supply an actual source for this clip, as in a DVD or VHS title?

This would have to be from late 1953. Frankie began recording by March, 1954 under the guidance of Ray Anthony who adapted a couple of tunes for him, "Trumpet Tarantella" and "Trumpet Sorrento", recorded on RCA's "X" label. The next time you'd hear him on record, he'd be singing in 1957, recording only one trumpet track for an early album. He next played trumpet appearing in VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (the movie).

[fromthesidelines]

This was probably seen during Gleason's second season on CBS (1953-'54), as he had a habit of spotting young up and coming talent, and saying, "I want that kid on my show next week!" [never mind the show's already "blocked out" for Saturday night, "The Boss" wants the kid on the show, Jack, let's try to squeeze him in SOMEWHERE!].

[soolaisoolaimon]

Thanks for posting this! Big fan of Jackie Gleason. Didn't know Frankie could play so well. Wow!

[blinko656]

Oh this sis rare. It's like finding a diamond. Thank You

Mike Class of 67

[Gnillob802]

The musical arrangement itself was obviously classic Gleason. Never would have believed it was a kid if I had just heard it. The comedy part was as masterly done by Gleason as Avalon was on the horn (the intro part and during the music).

[Juliaflo]

They call this an 'in-joke'.

[davemock]

What a nice job by a young Frankie. Appropriate choice, considering "Tenderly" was a cue for Jackie Gleason's "Poor Soul" character.

[brodoogle]

Wow, a pint sized Frankie Avalon! Incredible!! I'm use to seeing him with Annette on his arm!!! Dinosaur footage for sure!

[luckyshow]

Jackie Gleason Show, when it moved to Miami Beach, it as big deal, "From Miami Beach!...the Jackie Gleason Show.

Life of Riley wasn't Gleason, it was William Bendix

[ncatt]

Your correct that "Life of Riley" did star William Bendix and Rosemary DeCamp in the 1949 movie and the 1953 series co-starred Marjorie Reynolds with Bendix but the forgotten 1949 version of the TV series of the same name starred a near unknown Jackie Gleason in his 1st TV series and also co-starred, Rosemary DeCamp. (I have several of his shows). Bendix also did the radio version.

[edwardllillywhite]

What an appropriate song! That kid can blow! How sweet it is! Awesome clip! Oh Baby! To the Moon!

[wutisay]

Good stuff.

[fruglescot]

When we were kids we never missed The Gleason Show

Starring Jackie, Audrey Meadows (As Mrs G), Art Carney,(as Norton) Can't remember who played Norton's wife??? and Frank Fontaine as "CRAZY" Guggenheim

"I was just walkin down the street, I wasn't botherin' anybody"

One man's memories.

gw Toronto, Canada

[ncatt]

Joyce Randolph played "Trixie Norton". I have several of his "Life Of Riley" shows from about 1949. In the early 50's his "Kramden" character on the Gleason Show was later to become the "Honeymooners". His show was revived in the mid 60's. He did several more movies (Smokey & the Bandit) and specials before his death in 1987 at age 71. A GREAT entertainer and sadly missed.

[fruglescot]

Thanks for the clarification NCATT. Trixie (Joyce Randolph) did not appear in all of the episodes and therefore does not come to mind as easily as the maincast members. Do you remember what Norton's first name was? I can remember it was Ralph and Alice Cramden but Trixie and ??

[ncatt]

Ed Norton was played by Jackie's long-time friend, Art Carney. You must remember the June Taylor dancers or his characters, Joe the bartender(with the white apron tied high on his chest), the poor soul, Reginald Van Gleason III and others. And some of his lines like "How ssswweeeet it is", "Pow, Zoom, to the moon Alice" and finally "And a-w-a-y we go"

[fruglescot]

Ah yes NCATT It was "Ed".... Ed Norton the New York sewer worker and Jackie drove a bus and they bowled regularily and both were members of The Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge. It's coming back to me now. I also remrmber the stark flat they lived in. With the window and checkered curtains always drawn open,the simple card table and chairs and the refrigerator which Ralph would constantly explore.

[ctfatguy]

i'm afraid you got it all wrong. they were in the loyal order of the friendly son's of the raccons. and there were no curtains in the kitchen, and an old time ice box with a pan at the bottom to catch the water. also norton was alway's in the ice box.

[Jayce6470]

Frankie did a little "Gleason exit" ad-lib at the end... Funny...you could tell Gleason liked it too!

[brichard2]

Are you sure this is Frankie Avalon? Jackie Gleason didn't start his variety show until 1949 on the Dumont Network. At that time he was relatively slim. He moved to CBS in 1952. Based on his weight in this clip, this appears to be from his CBS days, probably 1953 or later. Frankie Avalon was born in 1939, so he would have been at least 14 at this time. The kid here looks much younger than that. Then again, Frankie Avalon was always pretty short.

[ncatt]

Yes, that's why I posted it. The date was mid 50's ('54-'55) and you also know his birth name was Avallone and he was short 5'8" like Annette 5'3". Yes, I'm sure.

[deanmartin1066]

how do you like being lectured to by brichard?

it's easily Gleason in 53 or 54, from his look and weight.

[clarence99]

its funny but i figured frankie avalon to be older in the 50`s. werent his teen movies made in the 50`s?

[ncatt]

Frankie was a teen in the 50's but "Beach Party" was filmed in '63, he was no longer a teen. Frankie is now (being kind) past retirement age, but still performing.

[smolen001]

Great find...from the "Golden Age of Television"...

[Cruiseomatic]

Back in the day when kids were expected to have talent to get on TV, amazing, isn't it?

[fluffyxdestroy]

Wow! What a dan-dan-dandy of a treat. Frankie was more than a pretty up and coming face as a kid. Good for him. And yes, Gleason was a master of it all-the comedy, timing and the double-take.

[ragman2326]

i could not believe thats frankie avalon great stuf

[boro5500]

The Great One

[cbeg]

Really appreciate your rare find. Thanks for sharing!

[Nkirk1974]

man, isn't jackie Gleason just the king.

[ncatt]

There will never be another Gleason, a one of a kind, "THE GREAT ONE" even his bloopers looked like part of the act and added so much.

[ncatt]

Your Correct, you earn a star on my blooper award. I'll correct it. Thanks

[hamactor1]

Awwwww, wonderful!!! However, that song is definitely NOT "Melancholy Serenade."  That's "Tenderly."

[AstringOfPoloponies]

Wonderful ! I had never seen this.This is great !