by

 

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.


Email this memory to a friend.
Enter recipient's e-mail: