In McPugg’s Last Fight, Red Skelton has to bail Freddie the Freeloader out of jail, and then help Cauliflower McPugg as well
McPugg’s Last Fight – The Red Skelton Show, season 3, originally aired September 22, 1953
The program begins in Red’s bedroom with his maid waking him up for an important appointment. But Red tells her he has to bail his pal, Freddie the Freeloader, out of jail and also help his friend, Cauliflower McPugg. Red pantomimes for his maid how different people get into bed, such as a girl in love, a nearsighted guy, and a tipsy man.
Freddie the Freeloader
Freddie is sleeping on his favorite park bench, dreaming that he is a dancer in an extended dream routine. He tries to panhandle in the park but a policeman is keeping his eyes on the hobo. And he’s not allowed to panhandle the people in the park! Although he comes close a couple of times, he’s actually innocent. Although he does try to steal a bottle from a baby! It’s a very funny routine. He then sits by a family, picnicking in the par, and pantomimes eating some of their chicken dinner. But when he asks them for a toothpick — he’s arrested for panhandling!
Cauliflower McPugg’s Last Fight
Cauliflower McPugg is knocked out again but delivers a serious monologue to a young, upcoming boxer about what is like to be a champ. It seems that years ago, he was called Killer McPugg and won every fight he had. But his manager has clearly mismanaged his winnings (over $3,000,000). And it’s both funny, and bittersweet. His unfaithful girlfriend leaves him, and he gives advice to an up and coming fighter. Warning him about how to save for the future. “Those towels are murder!” Referring to how his manager conned him out of his money.
At the end of the program, Red tells the audience how happy he is to be at a new network (CBS) and with a new sponsor (Geritol).
Cast of characters
- Red Skelton … Self – Host / Freddie the Freeloader / Cauliflower McPugg
- Edgar Nelson Barclift … Dancer in Freddie’s Dream (as Nelson Barclift)
- Marjorie Bennett … Miss Jenkins – Red’s Maid
- Mickey Burton … Supporting Sketch Player
- Phyllis Coates (Superman and the Mole Men) … Cauliflower’s unfaithful girlfriend
- David Rose and His Orchestra David Rose and His Orchestra … Themselves
- James Flavin (The Strange Love of Martha Ivers) … Sammy – McPugg’s Manager
- Ray Kellogg … Police Officer
- Bob LeMond … Announcer
- Mary Lynn Mary Lynn … Supporting Sketch Player
- Vici Raaf (He Ran All the Way) … Ruth – McPugg’s Wife
- Hal Smith (The Andy Griffith Show; Adventures in Odyssey) … Henry – Park Sketch
- Wilda Taylor … Dancer in Freddie’s Dream
- Yvette Vickers Yvette Vickers … Supporting Sketch Player
Trivia
- McPugg’s Last Fight is Red Skelton’s first show on CBS-TV after spending his first two seasons at NBC-TV. Critics were pleased at the return to a “live” format after the previous year’s filmed episodes and the resulting drop in Red’s ratings.
- For the first time, David Rose’s composition, “Lovable Clown“, which became Freddie’s theme, is heard.