Washing the Elephant – Pitchman Pete sells pickles, Willie Lump Lump washes the elephant, Clem Kadiddlehopper gets an EZ Loan?
Washing the Elephant – The Red Skelton Show season 2 – originally aired May 10, 1953
Pitchman Pete
Red Skelton, as Pitchman Pete, first tries to sell a small 24″ television set — 2″ high by 4″ wide, that’s 24″, right? And then tries to sell — pickles! All for the J. C. Swindle company. If you buy it, it’s a Swindle!
Washing the Elephant
At the circus, Willie Lump Lump is tasked with literally washing the elephant. As he washes away a layer of dirt, the elephant has the slogan painted on its side, ‘T – I – D – E” — one of the most clever of the Tide commercials yet.
EZ Loan
In a frankly hilarious segment, Clem Kadiddlehopper goes to an EZ Loan store — he’s bought a bunch of manhole covers, and wants to buy matching manholes! And after a funny conversation with the secretary, it’s a hilarious interaction with the manager of the EZ Loan – Filthy Lucre! A loan of $100, at 4% interest — compounded daily! And he’s already late on his first installment, which costs him $95! And then the loan office wants him to take out a $10,000 life insurance — in case of death, they’re protected! But only if he’s killed by a gorilla, wearing a derby! Which, of course …
Songs
- Do It Again
- Written by Roy Jordan and Sid Bass
- Performed by The Bell Sisters
Cast of characters
- Red Skelton … Self – Host / Pitchman Pete / Willie Lump Lump / Clem Kadiddlehopper
- The Bell Sisters … Themselves – Guest Vocalists
- David Rose and His Orchestra … Themselves
- Ned Glass (Charade) … J. Filthy Lucre-EZ Loan Skit
- Lucille Knoch (Executive Suite) … Wife in Introductory Skit / Secretary in EZ Loan Sketch
- Bob LeMond … Self – Announcer (voice)
- Eddie Marr … Robber-Introductory Skit
- Buddy Piper … Husband in Introductory Sketch
- Ted Stanhope (Doctor Dolittle) … Pop-Musical Segment
- Cynthia Strother Bell sister … Self
- Kay Strother Bell sister … Self
- Bob Warren … Police Officer-EZ Loan Sketch