
In the CBS TV show The Honeymooners, Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of a club called the Raccoons, also known as the International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons or the Raccoon Lodge. The club was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler, played by Morris Fink, a sewer worker with Ed Norton. The Raccoons was a fictitious organised society of men who associated themselves in an environment of brotherhood and companionship, dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of their members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the club | The Racoons or The International Loyal Order of Friendly Racoons |
| Members | Ralph Kramden, Ed Norton |
| Year | 1955-1956 |
| Network | CBS |
| Location | Manhattan |
Explore related products
$11.99 $14.99
What You'll Learn
- Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of The International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons
- The club was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler
- Members wore a raccoon hat and tail, a double-breasted military jacket, a white shirt and a dark tie
- The Raccoon Club is also known as the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association
- The show was filmed at the DuMont Television Network's Adelphi Theatre in Manhattan

Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of The International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons
The Raccoons was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler, who wore three tails on his coonskin hat. The uniform for regular members cost $35 and included a double-breasted military jacket with oversized epaulets, a white shirt, a dark tie, and a hat with a raccoon tail. The handshake involved touching elbows, first right, then left, followed by a "Woooooo" sounding cry as they wiggled the raccoon tail on their lodge hat.
The Raccoon Lodge was featured in the classic CBS TV show "The Honeymooners", which starred Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, a hapless Brooklyn bus driver, and Art Carney as Ed Norton, his fun neighbour and pal, a sewer worker. The show, which was one of television's most influential and beloved programs in 1955-1956, presented hilarious antics and sketches, with Gleason's character enjoying a life where he was completely and positively helped by his long-suffering but loving wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows).
The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOGs) now hosts meetings at the Raccoon Club, and many members belong to both organisations.
Best Time to Book Your Honeymoon Flights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.85 $11.22

The club was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler
The International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons, or the Raccoon Lodge, was a fictitious club on the TV show "The Honeymooners". Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of this club, which was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler.
The Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler presided over the Raccoons, a brotherhood dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of its members. The club was a source of companionship and friendship for its members, who wore uniforms consisting of double-breasted military jackets with oversized epaulets, white shirts, dark ties, and hats with raccoon tails.
The Raccoon Lodge was a significant part of the show, with new members donning coonskin caps and wagging their tails while yelling "Woooooo!" This became the signature handshake of the club, and the ritual was so popular that even today, some people still refer to themselves as "Raccoons".
The Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler, as the leader of this unique and entertaining club, played an important role in the show's beloved and influential status during its time on air in 1955-1956. The show's impact extended beyond its comedic value, as it introduced phrases that became part of the American language, such as "To the moon, Alice!"
Seychelles Honeymoon Safety: A Dream or Danger?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Members wore a raccoon hat and tail, a double-breasted military jacket, a white shirt and a dark tie
In the CBS TV show *The Honeymooners*, Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of a club called the Raccoons, also known as the International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons or the Raccoon Lodge. The club was headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler.
The Raccoons was a fictitious organised society of men, with members wearing a uniform consisting of a raccoon hat and tail, a double-breasted military jacket with oversized epaulets on each shoulder, a white shirt, and a dark tie. The uniform cost $35. The induction ritual for new members of the Northampton County Raccoon Club involved putting on a raccoon hat, wagging the tail, and yelling "Wooooaoooo!" while wiggling the tail on their lodge hat. This ritual was also described as the club's handshake.
The Raccoon Club, or the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association to use its official name, is a real-life social club. It is said to be an "oasis" in a "cold East Allen forest", where friendship, hot cheesesteaks, and $1.75 drafts can be found.
Honeymoon Magic: Disney Costs and Packages
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Raccoon Club is also known as the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association
The Raccoon Club, also known as the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association, is a social club that was started by Edwin "Pappy" Hess and his friends, who were hunters. The club was likely started in the 1930s and initially served as a place for raccoon hunters to camp with their dogs. Over time, the club evolved, and at one point, it held raccoon trials, where a caged raccoon was balanced in the arms of a tree while dogs followed its scent trail.
The club is located in a squat, ranch-style house on Tanglewood Drive in East Allen Township. It has been in existence for nearly 80 years and has around 700 members, many of whom live within a few miles of the club. Membership costs only $15 per year, and members receive a blue laminated card for admittance. The club offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, with affordable food and drinks, and it serves as an oasis for the community.
The Raccoon Club, or the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association, has a unique induction ritual. New members used to put on a raccoon hat, wag the tail, and yell "Woooooo!", which was popularized by Ralph Kramden's lodge in the classic TV show "The Honeymooners." In the show, Ralph Kramden, played by Jackie Gleason, was a member of the Raccoon Lodge, and this ritual served as their handshake.
The Harley Owners Group (HOG) also holds meetings at the club, and many members belong to both organizations. The club's steward, Holly Orendach, is the only one who receives a paycheck, and she helps to create a welcoming atmosphere for all members. The Raccoon Club, with its unique history and rituals, has become a beloved fixture in the community, offering camaraderie and a home away from home for its members.
The Knot: Easy Ways to Add Your Honeymoon Fund
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The show was filmed at the DuMont Television Network's Adelphi Theatre in Manhattan
The Honeymooners was a beloved and influential TV show starring Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, a hapless Brooklyn bus driver. The show also starred Art Carney as sewer worker Ed Norton, and Audrey Meadows as Ralph's patient wife, Alice. It was a short-lived comedy series, lasting just two seasons from 1955-1956, but it made a lasting impact on television.
All 39 episodes of the show were filmed at the DuMont Television Network's Adelphi Theatre at 152 West 54th Street in Manhattan. The Adelphi Theatre was the setting for the hilarious antics of Ralph, Ed, and the rest of the cast, who never fully rehearsed their episodes to maintain spontaneity. The show's set design reflected the blue-collar existence of its characters, a departure from the comfortable, middle-class suburban environments depicted in other popular comedies of the era.
The Raccoon Lodge, or The International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons, was a fictitious club in The Honeymooners, headed by the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler. Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were members of this club, which provided a sense of brotherhood and companionship for its members. The Raccoon Club, or the Lehigh-Northampton County Raccoon Protective Association, is a real-life social club in East Allen Township, where members gather for camaraderie and social events.
The Honeymooners has left a lasting legacy, with its memorable characters, hilarious situations, and influence on other shows such as "The Flintstones." It remains a cherished piece of television history, with its unique blend of writing, directing, and acting that continues to entertain and inspire audiences even today.
Honeymoon in Bali: Top Romantic Experiences
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Honeymooners, Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton, belonged to a club called the Raccoons, or the International Loyal Order of Friendly Raccoons.
The uniform was a double-breasted military jacket with oversized epaulets on each shoulder, a white shirt, a dark tie, and a hat with a raccoon tail.
The handshake involved touching elbows (first right, then left), followed by a "Woooooo" sounding cry as they wiggled the raccoon tail on their lodge hat.
The club was a fictitious organised society of men. They were dedicated to the intellectual, physical, and social development of their members in an environment of brotherhood.
The club was featured in the CBS show "The Honeymooners", which aired from 1955 to 1956.











































