October 2013

A Critical History of Television’s the Red Skelton Show

by tfraymond
October 31, 2013May 25, 2021

Book Description of A Critical History of Television’s the Red Skelton Show, 1951-1971, courtesy of Amazon.com

The Red Skelton Show was on the air for 20 years, the longest-running primetime network comedy variety series on television. It was a top 10 series for nine years – an accomplishment surpassed only by Gunsmoke and Home Improvement. The series has a few unimpressive achievements too, such as becoming the first top 10 series to be canceled by a network.

AMC – The Red Skelton Show

by tfraymond
October 31, 2013October 7, 2021

AMC – The Red Skelton Show – 14 episodes of Red Skelton’s TV series

AMC – The Red Skelton Show is a very nice compilation of episodes from The Red Skelton Show — a total of 14 episodes on 2 DVDs, for under $10.00. Frankly, several of these are personal favorites, and they showcase some of Red Skelton’s most famous characters, including Freddy the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper and Cauliflower McPugg. They also include some excellent moments of Red Skelton being himself, such as when he emceed the Look Awards and interacted with Judy Garland, Jack Lemmon, Walt Disney, Edmond O’Brien, Alfred Hitchcock, Bing Crosby, and many others.

Red Skelton King of Laughter

by tfraymond
October 31, 2013October 31, 2021

DVD Review of Red Skelton King of Laughter

Red Skelton, King of Laughter, is a compilation of episodes of Red Skelton’s long-running TV series, as well as bits and pieces from other sources. For example, it includes a clip of Red’s vaudeville routine, Guzzler’s Gin, as well as a trailer for his movie Public Pigeon Number 1. It also includes various bloopers, and a rehearsal with Martha Raye that includes some things that never made it on the air.

Thousands Cheer

by tfraymond
October 30, 2013September 18, 2022

Thousands Cheer (1943) starring Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson

Thousands Cheer is a musical romance, set in the U.S.A. during World War II. The first half of the movie deals with Kathryn Roberts (played by Kathryn Grayson). She’s a concert singer who is retiring from the stage to work on putting on shows for the Army, to help morale. This is also designed to let her bond with her father, an Army colonel. Whom she hasn’t seen since she was a baby, after her parents’ divorce.