I may have learned it in geometry in high school, too. I picked it up somewhere - I just give credit to Ed Norton!
PS - Trixie was a babe! So was Alice, though they tried to downplay both of their looks on the show. I love the classic 39 with all my heart, and to this day I can't listen to ANY recording of 'The Hucklebuck' without laughing! ;-)
When you read Jackie Gleason's bio you find that he grew up in those tenements in Brooklyn. His humor came from his background and his show, including his barkeep and the variety of characters who supported his show was more reality then the so called "Reality" shows that we are bombarded with, (I don't watch bradcast TV since it is SOOOOOO lame)
When Gleason played Minnesota Fats in "The Hustler" he was also displaying his youthfull billiards acumen.
He was soo powerful that he was able to move his show, with the June Taylor Dancers, to Florida so that he could pursue his golf game! The network had to go along!!