"The Red Skelton Hour" (1951) "The Red Skelton Show" (original title), TV series 1951-1971

Director:

Ed Hiller

Writers:

Johnny Carson
Hal Hudson

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | unknown

Release Date:

30 September 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Long-running weekly show that spotlighted legendary comedian and beloved TV clown, Red Skelton. Each show featured comedy skits, gags and vignettes starring Skelton and guest performers.

Plot Keywords:

Comedian | Actor Name In Title | Performer Name In Title | Based On Radio Show | Actor Playing Himself

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Red Skelton	...	Clem Kadiddlehopper / ... (640 episodes, 1951-1971)
David Rose and His Orchestra	...	Themselves (624 episodes, 1951-1971)
Art Gilmore	...	Announcer / ... (531 episodes, 1954-1971)

Series Directed by
Seymour Berns		(195 episodes, 1953-1969)
Terry Kyne		(24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Bill Hobin		(9 episodes, 1964-1969)
Jack Donohue		(6 episodes, 1954-1955)
John Gaunt		(5 episodes, 1951-1952)
Howard A. Quinn		(5 episodes, 1969-1970)
Martin Rackin		(4 episodes, 1952)
Ed Hiller		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Red Skelton		(267 episodes, 1951-1971)
Dave O'Brien		(241 episodes, 1953-1970)
Sherwood Schwartz		(172 episodes, 1953-1962)
Arthur Phillips		(116 episodes, 1961-1971)
Jesse Goldstein		(108 episodes, 1953-1961)
Martin Ragaway		(102 episodes, 1960-1966)
Mort Greene		(96 episodes, 1953-1971)
Al Schwartz		(89 episodes, 1957-1962)
Ed Simmons		(66 episodes, 1961-1963)
Larry Rhine		(51 episodes, 1962-1971)
Seaman Jacobs		(42 episodes, 1968-1970)
Robert Orben		(37 episodes, 1963-1970)
Buster Keaton		(36 episodes, 1951-1952)
Bruce Howard		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Rick Mittleman		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Hugh Wedlock Jr.		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Fred S. Fox		(32 episodes, 1968-1970)
Pat McCormick		(24 episodes, 1970-1971)
George Balzer		(17 episodes, 1969-1970)
Bob Mott		(17 episodes, 1969-1970)
Mike Settle		(17 episodes, 1969-1970)
Tony Webster		(14 episodes, 1968-1969)
Benedict Freedman		(12 episodes, 1951-1956)
John Fenton Murray		(12 episodes, 1951-1956)
Lionel Burt		(11 episodes, 1970-1971)
Will Fowler		(10 episodes, 1951-1956)
Jack Lloyd		(10 episodes, 1959-1962)
Jeffrey Barron		(10 episodes, 1970-1971)
Jack Douglas		(6 episodes, 1951-1952)
Lou Meltzer		(4 episodes, 1954-1955)
Bob Schiller		(4 episodes, 1965-1967)
Bob Weiskopf		(4 episodes, 1965-1967)
Mort Green		(4 episodes, 1970-1971)
Joe Bigelow		(3 episodes, 1955)
Hal Goodman		(2 episodes, 1953-1954)
Larry Klein		(2 episodes, 1953-1954)
O. Henry		(2 episodes, 1954-1955)
Stan Dreben		(2 episodes, 1963-1966)
Johnny Carson		(unknown episodes)
Hal Hudson		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Cecil Barker	....	producer (94 episodes, 1954-1963)
Guy Della-Cioppa	....	executive producer / executive producer: Van Bernard Productions (38 episodes, 1961-1971)
Howard A. Quinn	....	associate producer / assistant producer / ... (26 episodes, 1959-1969)
Bill Martin	....	associate producer (24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Red Skelton	....	producer (23 episodes, 1951-1965)
Perry Cross	....	producer / co-producer (18 episodes, 1970-1971)
Sue Canter	....	assistant producer / associate producer (11 episodes, 1970-1971)
James Loren	....	co-producer (11 episodes, 1970-1971)
Dee Caruso	....	producer / co-producer (10 episodes, 1970-1971)
Gerald Gardner	....	producer / co-producer (10 episodes, 1970-1971)
Seymour Berns	....	producer (9 episodes, 1962-1969)
Douglas Whitney	....	producer (3 episodes, 1955)
Jack Donohue	....	producer (2 episodes, 1955)

Series Original Music by
David Rose		(1 episode, 1955)
Jack Lloyd		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Fred Jackman Jr.		(2 episodes, 1952)

Series Film Editing by
Larry Brisson		(21 episodes, 1970-1971)
Ken Denisoff		(21 episodes, 1970-1971)
Jack Killifer		(2 episodes, 1952)
Lewis W. Smith		(2 episodes, 1966-1967)

Series Casting by
Marilyn Budgen		(1 episode, 1966)

Series Art Direction by
Charles Lisanby		(24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Edgar Lansbury		(14 episodes, 1954-1961)
Robert Tyler Lee		(11 episodes, 1955-1962)
Claudio Guzmán		(4 episodes, 1952-1958)
Sid Rushakoff		(4 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Set Decoration by
Buck Henshaw		(8 episodes, 1961-1965)
James L. Berkey		(4 episodes, 1958)
Anthony Mondell		(4 episodes, 1959-1960)
Ralph Warrington		(4 episodes, 1961-1962)
George Gaines		(3 episodes, 1964-1966)
Ken McClelland		(2 episodes, 1951-1952)
Arthur Jeph Parker		(2 episodes, 1957)
George Sawley		(2 episodes, 1961)

Series Costume Design by
Al Lehman		(21 episodes, 1970-1971)
Frank Novak		(4 episodes, 1960-1971)

Series Makeup Department
Marvin G. Westmore	....	makeup artist (34 episodes, 1961-1962)
Ben Nye Jr.	....	makeup artist (26 episodes, 1970-1971)
Louis Phillipi	....	makeup artist (4 episodes, 1964-1966)
Jan Van Uchelen	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1969-1971)
Stanley McKay	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1962-1963)
Alma Johnson	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1964-1966)
Donna Barrett Gilbert	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Willis Oborn	....	unit manager (24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Christopher Kochoff	....	production supervisor (6 episodes, 1961-1962)
Fenton Coe	....	production supervisor / production manager (4 episodes, 1952)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ron Cates	....	associate director (21 episodes, 1970-1971)
Howard A. Quinn	....	associate director / assistant director (14 episodes, 1954-1968)
Edward M. Hillie	....	assistant director / associate director (6 episodes, 1952-1956)
Lou Watt	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Richard 'Dick' Stiles	....	assistant art director (207 episodes, 1963-1971)
C. Steve Goldstein	....	sets and props (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Joe Ralston	....	audio / sound (22 episodes, 1970-1971)
Marshall King	....	audio / sound (4 episodes, 1964-1966)
Art Brearley	....	audio engineer / audio (3 episodes, 1951-1970)
Hugh McDowell Jr.	....	sound (2 episodes, 1952-1956)

Series Special Effects by
Jim Fox	....	special effects technician (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Casagrande	....	lighting director (17 episodes, 1970-1971)
Les Shaw	....	video operator (10 episodes, 1970-1971)
Bob Pattison	....	video operator (9 episodes, 1970-1971)
Leard Davis	....	lighting director (8 episodes, 1959-1965)
Del Jack	....	lighting director (7 episodes, 1961-1962)
John Freschi	....	lighting director (7 episodes, 1970-1971)
James S. Rice	....	lighting director (6 episodes, 1957-1960)
Dick Holbrook	....	lighting director (4 episodes, 1963-1966)
Doug Morris	....	lighting director (2 episodes, 1959-1960)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Frank Novak	....	costumes / wardrobe (8 episodes, 1961-1966)

Series Editorial Department
Dann Cahn	....	editorial supervisor (1 episode, 1958)

Series Music Department
David Rose	....	musical director / conductor / ... (389 episodes, 1951-1971)
Jack Lloyd	....	special lyrics / special musical material / ... (6 episodes, 1958-1966)
Don A. Ferris	....	music coordinator (6 episodes, 1962-1966)
Edgar Nelson Barclift	....	special lyrics (2 episodes, 1957)
Alan Copeland	....	vocal arrangements (2 episodes, 1964-1965)
Sammy Gallop	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Veronica A. Dee	....	assistant to producer (23 episodes, 1970-1971)
Susie Kain	....	production assistant (22 episodes, 1970-1971)
Jerry Masterson	....	stage manager (22 episodes, 1970-1971)
Jack Boyle	....	choreographer (19 episodes, 1957-1961)
A.J. Cunningham	....	technical director (18 episodes, 1954-1963)
Gerren Keith	....	stage manager (13 episodes, 1970-1971)
Tom Hansen	....	choreographer (10 episodes, 1961-1967)
Ed Simmons	....	script supervisor (9 episodes, 1961-1963)
Jack Lloyd	....	special material (8 episodes, 1959-1966)
Leona Irwin	....	assistant to choreographer / assistant choreographer (8 episodes, 1961-1966)
Robert B. Hoag	....	assistant to producer (7 episodes, 1961-1966)
Miriam Nelson	....	choreographer (7 episodes, 1962-1970)
Jerry Weiss	....	technical director (7 episodes, 1970)
Ray Conners	....	technical director (6 episodes, 1961-1962)
Dee Caruso	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Gerald Gardner	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Carl McCarthy	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1970-1971)
Gary Necessary	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1970-1971)
Sherwood Schwartz	....	script supervisor (4 episodes, 1960-1961)
Willie Dahl	....	stage manager (4 episodes, 1962-1966)
Connie Dresselhouse	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1964-1966)
C.W. Comegys Jr.	....	technical director (3 episodes, 1951-1952)
William Holbrook	....	stage manager (3 episodes, 1964-1966)
Ray Swenson	....	technical director (2 episodes, 1964-1966)
Charles Cappelman	....	assistant stage manager (unknown episodes)
Charles Issacs	....	script supervisor / writing supervisor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1953-1970)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1951-1953 and 1970-1971)
• Sursum Corporation
• Van Bernard Productions

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (USA) (TV) (1951-1953 and 1970-1971) (original airing)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1953-1970) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Video Treasures (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• Simitar Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Marathon Music & Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Diamond Entertainment Group (DEG) (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Madacy Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Diamond Entertainment Group (DEG) (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Platinum Disc (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Madacy Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Navarre Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Digital 1 Stop (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Genius Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Critics' Choice Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Vox (II) (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"The Red Skelton Show" - USA (original title)

Runtime:

60 min | 30 min (1951-1962)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1951-1955 and 1958-1965) | Color (1955-1958 and 1965-1971)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

On 11 August 2009 the US Postal Service issued a pane of twenty 44¢ commemorative postage stamps honoring early USA television programs. A booklet with 20 picture postal cards was also issued. On the stamp honoring "The Red Skelton Show", Red Skelton appears as his Freddie the Freeloader character. Other shows honored in the Early TV Memories issue were: "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" (1952), "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1955), "The Dinah Shore Show" (1951), "Dragnet" (1951), "The Ed Sullivan Show" (originally titled "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948)), "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" (1950), "Hopalong Cassidy" (1952), "The Honeymooners" (1955), "The Howdy Doody Show" (original title: "The Howdy Doody Show" (1947)), "I Love Lucy" (1951), "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" (1947), "Lassie" (1954), "The Lone Ranger" (1949), "Perry Mason" (1957), "The Phil Silvers Show" (1955), "Texaco Star Theater" (titled "The Buick-Berle Show" (1948), 1954-1956), The Tonight Show (which began as "Tonight!" (1953)), "Twilight Zone" (1959), and "You Bet Your Life" (1950).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Creeping Terror (#7.6)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Holiday for Strings

Karloff & Vincent Price steal Kadiddlehopper's brain.

Red Skelton's TV show was a well-produced variety hour that had an impressively long run, largely due to the big-name guest stars who appeared opposite Red. Although I sometimes laugh at Skelton, I'm not hugely a fan of his work. Red Skelton was one of the most undisciplined performers in the history of showbiz (which is saying a lot!), and he was notorious for 'corpsing' his guest-stars: trying to make them break character and laugh. Supposedly, Skelton had a wide range of comedic characterisations, but most of them were just Red Skelton playing himself with minor changes in costume and situation. Freddie the Freeloader was Skelton playing himself as a hobo, San Fernando Red was Skelton playing himself as a con-man, Cauliflower McPugg (a real Al Capp name!) was Skelton playing himself as a boxer, George Appleby was Skelton playing himself as a henpecked husband, Willie Lump Lump was guess-who as a drunk, Sheriff Deadeye was guess-who as a cowboy, Forsooth was Skelton again as a mediaeval peasant, and so forth. I find Skelton's customary sign-off very annoying: 'Good night, and may God bless.' God bless what or whom? Why couldn't Skelton say 'God bless YOU', or 'God bless us, every one', or something that makes grammatical sense? His other famous catchphrase was 'I dood it', but in this case he doodn't.

The most original part of Red Skelton's show was the closing segment of most episodes. Called 'The Silent Spot', this featured Skelton in a wordless skit, utterly silent except for sound effects and the audience's laughter. TV TRIVIA: The guy who invented the laugh-track machine used audio recordings of Red Skelton's 'Silent Spot' segments as the source for his canned laughter: these contained no dialogue, so the inventor merely cut out the sound effects and had long audio samples of undiluted laughter. Skelton always performed his silent skits alone, sometimes abetted by stuntmen and mute bit players but without any co-star. The only time Skelton varied this formula was (fittingly enough) with guest star Harpo Marx in a World War One sketch, with Skelton as a doughboy and Harpo as a German officer sharing a dugout in No Man's Land.

The 24 September 1968 episode of Red Skelton's show had the unfortunate title 'He Who Steals My Robot Steals Trash'. This episode guest-starred Vincent Price and Boris Karloff in a prolonged spoof on horror movies. Skelton portrayed Clem Kadiddlehopper, who was (as usual) Red Skelton playing himself as a hillbilly. In the first half of the two-act skit, Vincent Price played a mad scientist in search of a brain for his robot. Guess whose brain he decides to use. Encountering farmboy Kaddidlehopper in a field (a very obvious indoor stage set), Price lures him to his lab. All the gags can be seen a mile off. When Clem's hillbilly father learns that Clem has been abducted by a mad scientist, he sadly mourns "I've lost Clem, I've lost Clem..." only to immediately become elated and rush offstage cackling "I've lost Clem! I've lost Clem!"

The second act takes place in Price's lab. It turns out he's the junior partner in a father-and-son team of mad scientists. And now here comes his father, to huge applause from the studio audience: Boris Karloff! The skit itself is unfunny, although it's pleasant to see Karloff gamely guying his own image.

After the commercial break, Karloff and Price take a bow as themselves and perform a jolly little song about their screen careers, in which Price sings the line 'I was the Fly'. It's a bit disorienting to hear him sing this; Vincent Price did indeed star in 'The Fly' but he did NOT play the title role, and he often encountered film fans who thought he HAD played that role.

I'm a fan of Karloff, but at this point (only a few months before his death) that great actor's health was so bad that his appearance is very distressing. Throughout this episode, Karloff spends his entire screen time sitting down, clearly too weak to stand. In the lab sketch, he makes his entrance (and it IS quite an entrance!) aboard a motorised chair that looks like something Blofeld might favour. The chair is extremely bulky, suggesting that Karloff's oxygen tank is stowed aboard. By this time, the lung complaint that would eventually end Karloff's life was so severe that an oxygen cylinder was always close at hand.

During the third-act musical number, Karloff and Price are both seated on a platform that mechanically trundles through the proscenium curtain. Again, it's an effective entrance, and Price's presence aboard the platform makes it less obvious that Karloff is too weak to stand.

I've seen Vincent Price on a much earlier episode of Skelton's show, from the 1950s. His hammy personality worked well with Skelton's humour. Karloff too had made at least one 1950s appearance (famously referenced in a 'Honeymooners' episode) on Skelton's show. If only Karloff and Price had appeared together opposite Skelton circa 1957, when Karloff was still comparatively healthy, that might have been a comedy skit to cherish. As it is, though, Karloff's (inappropriately) cadaverous appearance makes this guest shot a very depressing one indeed. And, given its spookfest atmosphere, I wonder why this pre-recorded episode was aired in September, rather than delaying it another month and showing it at Hallowe'en.