Original Air Date: November 28, 1977
Directed by: Jackie Gleason
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this special!
Synopsis: Ralph (Jackie Gleason) disappoints Alice (Audrey Meadows) when he cancels their Miami vacation to put on a Christmas play to please his boss (Gale Gordon).
Cat References: Ralph’s boss, Mr. Marshall, tells Ralph that he is looking for someone within the bus company who has theatrical experience. Knowing that the last person who took the job of putting on a Christmas show for the boss was rewarded with the job of traffic manager, Ralph volunteers himself. Mr. Marshall explains that the play is a benefit for his wife’s charity to feed all the stray cats in the city. The group’s motto, Mr. Marshall explains, is “Make a kitty cat merry at Christmas.” He goes on to say his wife feels that people neglect their kitty cats at Christmas. Ed (Art Carney) quickly agrees, saying he doesn’t remember ever seeing a cat on Santa’s knee at Macy’s.
Later when Alice finds out what Ralph has done she yells at him all night, prompting Ed to come down and try to resolve the fight. Ed goes to the window and shouts out to the neighborhood asking who thinks Ralph is right and who thinks Alice is right. Many people shout for Alice but no one shouts for Ralph, except for one loud “Meow!” from below.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): After their kooky presentation of A Christmas Carol, Ralph informs Alice, Ed and Trixie (Jane Kean) that the play has raised more money for the charity than ever before. He expects a great reward from his boss. Mr. Marshall and his wife (Templeton Fox) approach them. Mrs. Marshall is holding a lovely white Persian cat.
After praising Ralph for his great work, Mr. Marshall says it’s time for his reward. He takes the cat from his wife and starts to hand her to Ralph, who happens to be allergic to cats. Ralph stares at the cat wide-eyed before sneezing.
Alice steps forward to take the cat as Mr. Marshall explains her name is Millicent and she is one his wife’s most prized felines. “You’re a very lucky man, Mr. Kramden,” Mrs. Marshall smiles, “Millicent is pregnant and you’ll have five or six more. Maybe seven or eight!”
After the boss leaves, Alice sits down in disappointment and pets the cat. Ralph is crushed, wondering where he went wrong.
Moments later Mr. Marshall returns, explaining that in the excitement he forgot one small thing, that he is promoting Ralph to traffic manager. The gang celebrates with Trixie now holding the cat.
Final Mewsings: Making cats merry at Christmas is its own reward!
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