'Mooners Monday #37/Screengrab Theatre's Countdown to Christmas

From December 19, 1952, it's "Christmas Party," one of the Lost Episodes and a reworking of a previous version on Cavalcade of Stars in 1951. This early version of the "sketch" (seems odd to call anything that goes more than 40 minutes a sketch) is incomplete, so MPI had to use stills to represent the beginning. Once things get going, though, we get one of the best Lost Episodes, IMO, if only because it gives us a chance to see so many of Gleason's other characters, the ones I'd love to see in a Jackie Gleason Show boxed set someday:

First up is Fenwick Babbitt, first with a big keg of beer, then a huge block of ice. What a moax.

Next, guest star Patricia Morrison has Norton so enthralled with her singing that he doffs his hat:

The great Joe the Bartender arrives to let us know what's going on at the bar--even Fatso Fogerty and Gaylord Farquhard are there!

The Poor Soul is here, and he's an even bigger moax than Fenwick Babbitt. Ladies and gentlemen, start your PATHOS:

Underrated double act: Rudy the Repairman and his assistant Whitey:

He's not one of Gleason's characters, but...Frankie Avalon?

He dances, too. He's almost like a young Tony Danza!

Reggie Van Gleason is all class.

It's always a treat to see Gleason Player Frank Marth as a cop:

Merry Christmas, everyone!