Rhiannon Hendricks
In the episode The $99,000 Answer, Norton plays songs on the piano to help Ralph cram for a game show appearance where he has to identify songs. Before playing each song, Norton warms up by playing the first few notes of Way Down Upon the Swanee River followed by dadum, dadum dum dum!.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" |
| Show | The Honeymooners |
| Episode | "The $99,000 Answer" |
| Character | Norton |
| Instrument | Piano |
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What You'll Learn
Norton's warm-up song
Norton's warm-up routine consists of playing the introductory notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River", followed by "dadum, dadum dum dum!". Ralph becomes frustrated with Norton's insistence on playing the warm-up song before each song he is trying to guess. However, Norton justifies his actions by comparing it to a pitcher warming up in the bullpen before a baseball game.
The specific notes and rhythm of Norton's warm-up song, including the "dadum, dadum dum dum!" element, create a unique and memorable musical phrase. This warm-up song adds a layer of humour and character development to the episode, showcasing Norton's quirky habits and his relationship with Ralph.
The choice of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" as Norton's warm-up song is intriguing. The song, also known as "Old Folks at Home", is a well-known American song often associated with nostalgia and a sense of home. By using this song as a warm-up, Norton adds a touch of familiarity and comfort to the scene, creating a contrast between the light-hearted warm-up and the tension of Ralph's game show preparation.
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Way Down Upon the Swanee River
"Way Down Upon the Swanee River", also known as "Old Folks at Home", is a folk song written by Stephen Foster in 1851. It was commissioned by E.P. Christy for use by his minstrel troupe, Christy's Minstrels, and was a success. However, Foster did not profit much from it as Christy asked to be credited as the song's creator and was so credited on early sheet music printings. Despite this, Foster continued to receive royalties for the song.
In the 1955-56 sitcom "The Honeymooners", Norton, played by Art Carney, has a strange habit of playing a few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" or "Old Folks at Home" on the piano to warm up before playing any song. This is depicted in the episode "The $99,000 Answer", where Norton helps Ralph, played by Jackie Gleason, cram for an appearance on a game show where he has to identify songs. To Ralph's annoyance, each song is preceded by Norton's warm-up routine, which consists of the first few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" followed by "dadum, dadum dum dum!".
Carney, who played Norton, recorded prolifically in the 1950s for Columbia Records, including comedy-novelty songs and silly songs intended for children. Two of his hits were "The Song of the Sewer", sung in character as Norton, and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas", a spoken-word record where Carney recited the famous Yuletide poem in syncopation, accompanied only by a jazz drummer. Carney also gained fame for his portrayal of Norton in "The Honeymooners", receiving six Emmy Awards out of seven nominations.
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The $99,000 Answer episode
In "The $99,000 Answer" episode of The Honeymooners, Ralph is studying for an appearance on a game show where he has to identify songs. Norton, played by Art Carney, helps him by playing songs on the piano. However, each time, before playing the song that Ralph is trying to guess, Norton "warms up" by playing the first few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" followed by "dadum, dadum dum dum!". This frustrates Ralph, who asks Norton why he always plays those notes before playing the song he is trying to identify. Norton responds that it is the only way he warms up before playing the piano, just like a pitcher warms up before pitching a ball game.
This episode showcases the comedic chemistry between Jackie Gleason's Ralph and Carney's Norton, as well as their characters' dynamic as neighbours and best friends. It also provides insight into Norton's character, who is known for his unique mannerisms and fastidiousness, as mentioned by Carney himself when developing the character.
"The $99,000 Answer" episode is a memorable one for fans of The Honeymooners, as it is the only episode to have had its own page on The Other Wiki, which has since been merged with the rest of the episode summaries. The show, which aired from 1955 to 1956, became a classic sitcom, with Gleason and Carney's on-screen partnership being described as "magic" and "unmatched".
Carney's portrayal of Norton in The Honeymooners earned him six Primetime Emmy Awards, and he is said to have gained lifelong fame for his performance. His other notable television roles include appearances on NBC's Henry Morgan's Great Talent Hunt and The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, as well as his own NBC variety show from 1959 to 1960. Carney was also a prolific recording artist in the 1950s, with hits such as "The Song of the Sewer" and a spoken-word record of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas".
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Ralph's frustration
Ralph Kramden, a bus driver for the fictional Gotham Bus Company based in New York City, is a short-tempered character who often resorts to bellowing, insults, and hollow threats. Ralph's frustration is a recurring theme in the Honeymooners, and it stems from his lack of success and get-rich-quick schemes.
In the episode "The $99,000 Answer", Ralph's frustration is on full display as he prepares for an appearance on a game show where he has to identify songs. His neighbour and best friend, Ed Norton, tries to help him by playing songs on the piano. However, Norton's "warming up" routine, which consists of playing the first few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" followed by "dadum, dadum dum dum!", frustrates Ralph, who asks, Why must you always play...before you go in and play the song I'm trying to guess?". Norton responds that it's his way of warming up before playing the piano, just as a pitcher warms up before a baseball game.
In another instance, Ralph's frustration is evident when he asks Norton to open an envelope or sign his name. Norton's deliberate and slow mannerisms, which he adopted from his father, drive Ralph to holler in exasperation.
The chemistry between Jackie Gleason, who played Ralph, and Art Carney, who portrayed Norton, was praised by fans and critics alike. Their comedic timing and talent created a magical relationship on screen, with Gleason himself stating that Carney deserved ninety per cent of the credit for the show's success.
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Norton's response to Ralph
Norton, played by Art Carney, was the neighbour and best friend of Ralph, played by Jackie Gleason, in the classic American sitcom The Honeymooners. In one episode, Norton repeatedly plays the first few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" on the piano, to the consternation of Ralph, who is trying to guess the song. When Ralph asks Norton about this, Norton replies that it is the only way he warms up before playing the piano, just like a pitcher warms up before pitching a ball game.
Norton's character was inspired by Carney's father, who would take a long time to complete simple tasks such as signing a report card. For example, he would move things on the table, adjust the lighting, and check the pen's functionality. This inspired the comedic mannerisms of Norton, who would take his time when completing tasks such as opening an envelope or signing his name, driving Ralph to holler in exasperation.
Carney's portrayal of Norton was so popular that he received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a street in Yonkers, New York, was named Art Carney Place in his honour. In addition to his acting career, Carney recorded prolifically in the 1950s for Columbia Records, including comedy songs and songs for children. One of his hits was "The Song of the Sewer", sung in character as Norton.
In response to Ralph's short-tempered and often exasperated demeanour, Norton's character provided comedic relief and a loyal friendship. Despite their differences, Ralph and Norton's relationship was a highlight of the show, with one co-author of a Honeymooners book comparing their chemistry to "magic" and "The Beatles".
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Frequently asked questions
In the episode "The $99,000 Answer", Norton plays the first few notes of "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" to warm up before playing the actual song.
In the episode, Ralph is cramming for a game show where he has to identify songs. Norton is helping him by playing songs on the piano.
Ralph is frustrated by Norton's insistence on warming up before each song, mimicking the notes of "Swanee River" and asking why he always has to play it.
Norton compares his warm-up routine to that of a pitcher warming up in the bullpen before a baseball game, claiming it's necessary for him to play the piano well.
It is unclear if the song was played in other episodes, but this is the only instance where it is specifically mentioned and plays a significant role in the plot.
