But...um...back on Sheldon Leonard again

[LLeff]

You know, the more I hear a lot of these tout routines, the more I'm really thinking they're one of the best running gags in the series. You know the structure...Jack is going to get/do one thing, and the tout recommends something else. The tout gives a reason for his recommendation, Jack says, "But I want (the other)", and the tout gives reasons that Jack is wrong. Lots of racetrack puns. Then Jack generally has some sort of rejoinder, tout says, "OK, it's your dough" and leaves. Very, very tight and repeatable structure.

However, as tight as it is, it's open to almost infinite variation (sort of like "The Aristocrats"...which I won't get into...). I may like these more because I'm a pun fan. (quotes from memory)

J: But I want Chiclets.
S: Chiclets haven't got a chance.
J: Why not?
S: Because they're BOXED IN.

S: Get a Hershey bar.
J: Why?
S: In this hot weather, nothin' runs like chocolate.
J: But I want a Milky Dip...it has chocolate on the outside and cream on the inside.
S: That's your problem. Cream is hard to handle unless you whip it.

S: Get the oranges. And remember to peel them. Don't be a SUCKER.

This conquers the problem I have with the Si-Sy routine, where I know exactly what's going to be said even before it's said. There's no surprise. I know what's going to happen in the tout routine, but I don't know what's going to be said. And there's the anticipation almost like watching a baseball pitcher...the lead line, and then anticipating what the punch line will do with the premise.

And of course, as I mentioned before, there's Sheldon Leonard's masterful handling of the role. Listen to the audience reactions in some of the performances...they're laughing at Leonard's lines that aren't even punch lines, just over his delivery.

But hey, if you don't agree....it's your dough.

[Roman]

LLeff mentions how the audience would laugh at Sheldon Leonard's lines because of his great comic delivery regardless of whether they were the punch lines. I think the audience's reaction to Sheldon Leonard was similar to the way that people today react to Christopher Walken or Jack Nicholson as soon as they walk on the screen. Even in his small parts, Sheldon Leonard stood apart from the rest. Who doesn't remember his great role in It's a Wonderful Life as Nick the Bartender, especially his turn as "bad" Nick in the alternate life segment ("This bar don't need no characters," "That's it . . . You two pixies, outta here!").

[Radioman]

Who doesn't remember his great role in It's a Wonderful Life as Nick the Bartender, especially his turn as "bad" Nick in the alternate life segment ("This bar don't need no characters," "That's it . . . You two pixies, outta here!").

Oh my god, I did not realize that was Sheldon Leonard! I just watched IAWL again this past Christmas and cracked up over those lines (considering he was such a "different" Nick seen earlier), and his delivery in complete frustration--That's it! You two pixies. . . ."

Great stuff.

allen