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Washing the Elephant

Willie LumpLump in Washing the elephant - The Red Skelton Show season 2

Washing the Elephant – Pitchman Pete sells pickles, Willie Lump Lump washes the elephant, Clem Kadiddlehopper gets an EZ Loan?

Washing the ElephantThe Red Skelton Show season 2 – originally aired May 10, 1953

Pitchman Pete

Red Skelton as Pitchman Pete, selling … pickles?

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

Willie LumpLump in Washing the elephant - The Red Skelton Show season 2
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

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