The HomeyMooners
by Keara22HI, HSM team writer and filmmaker
The first time I saw the Playground Apartment was at a Homeling Art Show. To me, the one feature this place had that made it worth the purchase price is the number of pictures that can be placed on the walls. Other than that…oh my god, this place is a very accurate depiction of lower-middle-class housing in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950’s.
Looking at it closely, I wondered where the developer who created that space had gotten the idea for that floor plan, the exposed pipes in the ceiling, the linoleum floors, and the unplastered brick walls.
Then, childhood memories of sitting on the floor in front of a twelve-inch black and white television watching the Jackie Gleason Show, The Honeymooners came flooding back. I knew that room – that desperately ugly kitchen I had seen hundreds of times.
I also remembered promising myself I would never marry anyone like Ralph Cramden! When the audience roared with laughter, accepting as commonplace that Ralph would threaten to beat his wife (“Some day, Alice, to the MOON!”), shaking his fist in her face, I would cringe at the idea that this is something a wife is supposed to accept as her fate in life.
Years later, watching reruns of that show, I am still amazed that during that era, it was commonly accepted that a wife stayed home and did housework while the husband was the sole support of the family – even if there were no children! And the fact that on numerous television shows at that time, such behavior was considered the norm…it’s a sad commentary on social attitudes of that era.
We have come a long way, ladies. Enjoy watching my version of Ralphie-boy getting some of his own treatment.
May 4th, 2012 by keara22hi | 10 comments
Keara is also known in Home as DarthGranny. She is a wicked little old lady with a wild sense of humor.
Came out really good Granny. This was a fun one to make I am looking forward to the next one. Great job!
Awesome!!
The music helps this excellent video very much. Music.
The social life of TV shows was most often not realistic whether westerns or family life shows.
I believe besides the humor many identified with the slob Ralph Kramden because he had dreams, dreams that never came true. But he kept on dreaming just like a lot of other people then and now. I used to wait for one of his schemes to actually come true.
And more importantly, the viewers realized that all of the characters loved each other. They had each other. Maybe that’s all the dream they needed.
Good job on the video and kudos to you for the article.
Because of the radiators I think maybe this is actually the Bronx apartment where Dion grew up. Chances are though, he’d hit me over the head with his guitar for saying that. But hey! It’s my dream!
Dion and the Belmonts = Belmont Ave. in the Bronx! You are soooo right, Kid.
Very Nice Keara! Making these are so much fun. I am looking forward to what you have coming up next for us!
Awww Keara this is nice you have so much to teach those only willing to learn the vid in black and white with the music is amazing ty keara for making it and your not leaving us you have alot of time left here with us:)
keara great job VERY ENTERTAINING LOL CONGRATS!
That’s hysterical! I love it!
LOL totally awesome! I remember that show and always wondered why Alice put up with the putz. Had I been his wife, even back then, he would have never made it to the moon. First time he shook a fist at me it would have been an iron skillet upside the head *smirk*
terrific job hon!
That was great Granny! So very entertaining :)as always.