After his brother-in-law wins a contest, Ralph tries and wins a cereal contest. But he didn't read the fine print of the contest rules. The boys try to fool the representatives, fail, and settle for second prize, a trip around the World.
In this book musical, Jackie plays a five-term mayor of a small-town city, "Big Jim" Finley, who for the first time in his career is facing formidable (and younger) competition in his latest election.
After winning a all-paid trip around the world, the Kramdens and the Nortons get on the cruise ship and start their journey. The boys fool around and get into a lifeboat, ending up in the ocean.
While on their trip around the world, the Kramdens and the Nortons start in Paris. The boys unknowingly get counterfeit money, then get arrested when they spend it in a restaurant.
While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Rome. The girls are approached by a young boy taking and selling photos. He then sends a flower and love note to Alice. Ralph finds out and hilarity ensues.
Jackie welcomes guests Phil Silvers, who teaches him how to sing; Orson Bean, who performs "I Ate the Baloney"; Pat Boone, who performs "Love Letters in the Sand"; Patti Page, who performs a medley of her old hits; and Wayne Cochran, who performs "Get Down With It" and "Goin' Back to Miami".
While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Ireland, to see the birth town of Ralph's ancestors. He finds out they are cursed and he tries to break the curse.
While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in England. The contest company wants Ralph to appear on their Wakey Flakey TV show.
While on their all-paid world cruise, the Kramdens and Nortons arrive in Spain. Ralph helps a young lady in distress and when she hugs him for helping, a photo is taken. Attempted blackmail and comedy ensues.
A salute to the big bands, with performances by the likes of Buddy DeFranco, Duke Ellington, Les and Larry Elgart, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin and Sammy Kaye.
The Kramdens and the Nortons cause an international incident while in Germany when they wander over to the communist side.
While on the last week of an all-paid world cruise, the boys meet a big game hunter in a shop. This leads to them changing their plans from sunbathing on the Riviera to big game hunting in Africa. The girls are NOT amused.
Unbeknownst to Ralph, Alice has taken up knitting to pay for his Christmas present. Seeing baby things in the apartment, and assuming she's pregnant, he takes on a job as a sidewalk Santa with Norton as his helper, and both end up arrested as operatives in a bookmaking operation.
As Christmas approaches, the Poor Soul falls asleep on a busy city street. A Fairy Princess, with the touch of her wand, whisks him away to a fantasy land where he meets numerous storybook characters, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Shoemaker and the Elves, Little Bo Peep and her sheep, St. George and the Dragon, Alice in Wonderland, Rumpelstiltskin, the Old Woman in the Shoe, Old King Cole, and the Phantom Regiment.
With Steve Allen/Jayne Meadows/Louis Nye/Morey Amsterdam/Jerry Lester/Gene Sheldon
No details
No details
Jackie demonstrates the laugh-getting techniques of vaudeville comics, and mimes a man trying to take a nap despite interruptions. Also, Reggie Van Gleason gives a dramatic recitation of "Casey at the Bat".
No details
No details
No details
No details
In this country-themed edition, Jackie welcomes country satirists Homer and Jethro (who perform "Li'l Ole Kiss Of Fire" and "Jam-Bowl-Liar"), Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys (who perform "Wabash Cannonball" and "I Couldn't Believe It Was True"), Sue Thompson (who performs "Norman" and "Have a Good Time"), Roy Clark, The Collins Kids, Boots Randolph (who performs "Yakety Sax"), and Buck Owens and His Buckaroos.
Ralph gets into a spot after bragging that he knows Jackie Gleason and can get him to make an appearance at the Racoons' annual dance.
No details
No details
No details
Jackie welcomes various musicians and aerialists. Trumpeter Bobby performs "Strangers in the Night." Dick sings "Melancholy Serenade." Saxophonist Charlie entertains with "He Walked Into My Life."