Each Red Skelton Hour begins with an introductory song and dance number orchestrated by David Rose and his band, performed by the Alan Copeland Singers and the Tom Hansen Dancers with announcing done by Art Gilmore welcoming Red's guest stars. Comedian Red Skelton then gives his monologue, generally followed by one or more skits with his guest star. Closing out the session would be his Silent Spot consisting of a poignant pantomime of one of his special characters (Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper, his Naughty Boy, the Retiring Old Man, and others). His closing words would be a thanks for his staff, sponsors and audience, and extending a heartfelt blessing from God as his signature sign-off.
This entertaining and brilliant comedian had a glowing smile punctuated by deep cheek dimples and an infectious laughter that accompanied his humor. His father was a circus clown and Red began working in that field at an early age. He was a genius in pantomime and established several famous characters such as Freddie the Freeloader, Willie Lump Lump and Clem Kadiddlehopper, and he always shared a joke about his seagull friends Gertrude and Heathcliff. His humor pleased the audiences of radio and early television and his CBS Hour guest starred the top entertainers in show business. John Wayne's 40th Anniversary in Movies and Television was celebrated on The Red Skelton Hour where "the Duke" was applauded for never having made an off-color movie and always providing suitable family viewing in all his works. Red testified that True Grit was one of the greatest pictures ever made.
In The Red Skelton Hour, Red showcased his signature characters in the "Silent Spot." In this series, you will see him perform "The Fourth for Bridge;" his character in the "Happy Irish Pub;" the old codger with a cane, broke and out of a job; one who rents a house by an airport; a retiree leaving his job; a starstruck man who gets a job across street from a movie studio; a man with his girlfriend at Lover's Lane; and as an Indian scout. However, his most profound presentation was reciting the meaning of each word of the American "Pledge of Allegiance" as described to him by one of his teachers as the love of country. This was a reminder of the way of life in America as it used to be when family and children were more important than material things. To me, this is the most profound part of this series and would be something that every parent would want to impart to their children.
The Red Skelton Hour includes a three-part play in the Middle Ages called "When Nuthood Was in Flower" with Milton Berle as "No Good" and Skelton as "Forsooth." Red stars with John Wayne -- other than celebrating his 40-year career -- with star-worshippers in "Autograph Hounds." In "Hippie Days Are Here Again," Jackie Coogan, Tim Conway and Nancy Ames participate in a Love In with Red appearing as a hobo. In "He Who Steals My Robot Steals Trash," Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Ed Sullivan join Red when a robot is created by scientists. In "Eenie Meenie Minee Schmo," Clem Kadiddlehopper graduates from Fortune Telling School and a glass ball directs him to go to Las Vegas where he meets Mickey Rooney. George Gobel guest stars in "Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Dumb" where Red as "Forsooth" and Christopher Columbus are in a deadline to discover land -- America. Phyllis Diller and Lou Rawls appear in "Dial 'M' for Moron" where Greta Gargoyle trying for a comeback will finance her movie, but needs a leading man. And, in "The Revenge of Prudence Pennyfeather" or "Wide Saddles in the Old Corral" stars Martha Raye. You'll see handsome Robert Goulet in "The Fastest Cuspidor in the West;" John Wayne in "The Red Skelton Scrapbook;" Audrey Meadows in "The Best Thing to Get Out of Marriage Is To Get Out of Marriage;" and Merv Griffin in "If at First You Don't Succeed, Forget It."
Be aware that The Red Skelton Hour does not have subtitles and the audio and video are vintage and may have flaws, but the shows are classic and a part of entertainment history and would be a great asset to your video library. There are two interviews -- one with Bobby Rydell and the other with Vicki Lawrence. Bobby tells of a time when Red Skelton invited him to his home to meet his wife. He talks about how much Skelton loved his father and what he learned from working with him. He admitted that Red was very emotional and he could tell how much regard and love he had for his father. Vickie Lawrence spoke of the time right after she graduated from high school and met Skelton as a piano player and songwriter.
Red Skelton was not only a brilliant comedian, pantomimist, and entertainer, but he was also an accomplished artist. Sketches of him appear in some of his shows at the opening and closing, but I'm not sure whether they were his work or that of another artist. Skelton was an accomplished artist whose main subject matter was clowns, as they were a prominent childhood character during the 1950's and were clearly a big part of his life. He had a great respect for his family, his upbringing was filled with gaiety and fun, and he loved entertaining and being entertained by others he knew. He was a great example to the entertainment field and brought hours of joy to my family's television viewing.
Time Life's The Red Skelton Hour in Color is long-forgotten comedy that blessed American audiences every week back in the day. It was totally hilarious family comedy where the performers enjoyed the show as much, if not more, than the audiences. However, this homey family type variety show was removed by the "rural purge" that changed the television scene to a more modern and young audience and brought in the stream of the new type of programming that featured a more in-depth look at family and society. Personally, I seek out old-time television shows and movies as a reviewer, because I cherish clean, family-friendly programming. Red Skelton not only provided wholesome entertainment, but discussed and warned of what we now know as the rural purge and the unfortunate trend of introducing unacceptable language into television. Red Skelton praises his audience, staff and sponsors after each show and hopes his show brings happiness and he bids farewell wishing that God would bless each and every one. I find this love of God and country uplifting and cherish entertainment of this caliber.
