In early 1940's my father was a Newark
policeman assigned to a two way radio car. That was something new
because prior to that they only had one way radio. Only the dispatcher
could transmit. When he called for a response he either got everyone
to go or no one. Needless to say, the two way radio was a vast improvement.
My father was a very colorful man and it seemed like he knew just
about everyone. But most of all he had many stories to tell. He
told me the following about Jackie Gleason. Gleason worked as a
stand-up comic and a master of ceremonies in venues ranging from
middle-level nightspots to seamy dives in the New York area. At
that time he had a job in the Miami Club on Clinton Avenue in Newark.
As most of you know, Jackie had been "around the block many
times." He was a comedian, actor, orchestra leader, pool hustler,
amateur boxer, carnival barker but most of all, he knew how to take
care of himself. The man knew how to fight and he was not afraid
to show it. His gig at the Miami Club consisted of two performances
in the evening. During his first performance this big guy who had
too much to drink started to bust Jackie. When Jackie finished his
first routine he went out into the audience and told this big monster
to "stifle it." If he didn't, he promised he would take
him outside and knock his block off. By the time Jackie went on
again, this guy had more to drink which made him even more obnoxious.
He started in on Jackie again as he had before. When he finished
his routine Jackie kept his promise. That's when my father got involved.
My father and his partner were dispatched to a fight in progress
outside the Miami Club. The fight was already over when my father
arrived. A big guy was laying flat out cold on the sidewalk. The
man that was knocked out was Jackie Gleason. The man who did it
was Tony "Two Ton " Galento. He was the one that fought
Joe Louis for the Heavy Weight Championship of World.
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