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The Son of Oliver Twist

In a parody of the musical Oliver!, Junior the mean little kid is playing the son of Oliver Twist. Who, like his father, runs away from the orphanage, and meets up with the Artful Dodger.

The Son of Oliver Twist or Junior is Just a Little DickensThe Red Skelton Hour season 19, broadcast December 16, 1969

At the orphanage

The Son of Oliver Twist begins at an orphanage, run by the cruel Mr. Rumble (Cyril Ritchard). And Junior is the newest inmate. So, true to form, he quickly annoys Mr. Rumble, and even the nice older lady (Barbara Morrison) who wants to adopt him. And runs away!

Meeting the Artful Dodger

Having run away from the orphanage, the son of Oliver Twist (Junior the mean little kid) meets up with the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild)
Having run away from the orphanage, the son of Oliver Twist (Junior the mean little kid) meets up with the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild)

Artful Dodger: If you ran away from the orphanage, why didn’t the bloodhounds find you?
Junior: I’m anemic.
Artful Dodger: I didn’t ask about your religion…

And the Dodger tries to teach Junior how to be a pickpocket. And he seems to be a failure — until he successfully picks a man’s wallet, gold watch, and the victim’s lady friend’s undergarments!

Junior the mean little kid (the son of Oliver Twist) is going to be adopted by Mrs. Prentice-Smythe! And she's just gotten married! Meet your new daddy -- Mr. Rumble!
Junior the mean little kid (the son of Oliver Twist) is going to be adopted by Mrs. Prentice-Smythe! And she’s just gotten married! Meet your new daddy — Mr. Rumble!

Silent Spot – The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas is both funny and sweet. Red is plays his old man ‘Pops’ character, running a toy store the day before Christmas. What the audience sees, but his customers don’t, is that he has a magic hat that he uses to repair, and upgrade, broken toys. And when an older woman comes in and tries to steal money from his cash register, he’s going to turn her over to the police! Until she explains that it’s for her granddaughter with a broken leg. Whom he magically repairs as well.

Finally, it’s Christmas Day, and it’s time for Pops to use the magic on himself. And turns into Santa Claus! And it’s time for his annual toy delivery, with his elves & reindeer.

Cast

  • Red Skelton … Self – Host/Junior Cavendish as Oliver Twist Jr./Gertrude and Heathcliffe/Old Toymaker-Silent Spot
  • David Rose and His Orchestra … Themselves
  • Art Gilmore … Self – Announcer(voice)
  • The Jimmy Joyce Singers … Themselves
  • Barbara Morrison (Papillon) … Mrs. Prentice-Smythe/Woman Leaving Doll for Repair-Silent Spot
  • Cyril Ritchard (The Hobbit 1977) … Orphanage Superintendant Rumble
  • Tom Hansen Dancers … Themselves
  • Gary Waynesmith (Slaughterhouse-Five) … Pickpocket Victim
  • Jack Wild (Oliver!) … Self – The Artful Dodger
  • Bonnie Evans … Dancer(uncredited)
  • Pamelyn Ferdin … Girl in Toy Store- Silent Spot(uncredited)
  • Edward J. Heim … Dancer(uncredited)
  • Ed Kerrigan … Dancer(uncredited)
  • Florence Lake … Old Lady in Toy Shop-Silent Spot(uncredited)
  • Flip Mark … Orphan(uncredited)
  • Currie Pederson … Dancer(uncredited)
  • Radames Pera … Oliver Twist(uncredited)
  • Linda Sue Risk … Little Girl With Broken Leg in Toy Shop-Silent Spot(uncredited)
  • Ted Sprague … Dancer(uncredited)
  • Gilchrist Stuart (The Sound of Music) … Failed Pickpocket Victim(uncredited)

Songs

Jack Wild joins the Tom Hansen Dancers in 'Fish 'n' Chips.'
  • Jack Wild joins the Tom Hansen Dancers in ‘Fish ‘n’ Chips.’
  • The Dancers and the Jimmy Joyce Singers perform ‘My Favorite Things.’

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