TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1962)

J %« I . I E GLEASOJV : i una »i last ■ Some five years ago, Jackie Gleason confided to a reporter: "Somewhere along the road, I lost a fine family. Three of the loveliest girls in the world slipped through my fingers. One was Genevieve, my wife. The others were Geraldine and Linda, my daughters. These three women — and you can take my word for it — are the greatest!" Last September 9, Jackie and "the three loveliest girls in the world" were reunited when Geraldine, now 22, exchanged marital vows with Los Angeles advertising executive John Chutuk. But, immediately after the rites and wedding reception, Jackie experienced the familiar feeling of having the women slip through his fingers. His wife and younger daughter, Linda, left for their Beverly Hills, California home. Geraldine and her husband departed for Los Angeles. Jackie remained in New York — alone. It would be incorrect to say that the rotund performer had "lost a daughter but gained a son" through those nuptials at St. Paul the Apostle Church. In Jackie's own words, he lost Geraldine years ago. She herself described their relationship in a national magazine last November. "All my life," she wrote, "much about my father has been a mystery to me. I have worshipped him, believed in his talent and been awestruck by his brilliance. But I have never entirely understood him." At Geraldine's wedding in New York City, Jackie made a serious effort to recapture the feeling that once existed for the Gleason family. He slipped into a paternal attitude that had become so strange for him. Though Jackie's an accomplished actor, his perfect performance as "father of the bride" wasn't an act. He was genuinely nervous, as any dad might be on such a momentous occasion. His hands trembled noticeably while helping Geraldine out of the car on arrival at the church. Strain etched new lines in his face, throughout the preliminaries. And as he approached the top of the aisle, perspiration trickled down his expansive face in tiny rivulets. It took some appropriate wisecracks from his daughter Linda, 20, to bring back the familiar grin known to so many millions of TV viewers and moviegoers. As a matter of fact, Linda stole the spotlight from her father — something few entertainers in show business can boast! The vivacious girl was everywhere at the same time. She gave out details of the gowns to the press, introduced her mother to Jackie's friends, fixed the hems and adjusted the frills of other girls at the wedding party, joshed and kidded with her father and sister, kept everyone's spirits up. Later, she rounded up the wedding party for the reception, arranged for formal pictures. Jackie just shook his head in amazement at Linda's tireless activities. "Poor Geraldine," he said in mock sadness. "She's merely the bride today!" But Linda's take-charge attitude wasn't surprising. She is very much like her illustrious dad — outgoing, bubbling with joy and vitality — though she, too, suffered the pain of loneliness in being separated from her father on so many occasions and for so long a time. Jackie once said about his daughters: "I wasn't always home to give them all the love they deserved, but few fathers hoped harder for their happiness, and prayed harder for their goodness." The Gleason girls seldom visited their father more than once or twice a year, over the past decade. When they did come to New York, Jackie lavishly entertained them and their boy friends. He delighted in showing off his beautiful girls to all his friends in the glitter spots of Manhattan. A few years ago, on their annual trek East, the youngsters were promised by Jackie that he'd (Continued on vage 76) His hand trembled, touching hers. His daughter Geraldine a hride—and so beautiful ! W hat had he lost in all those years? 15