"The Red Skelton Show" (1951) TV series 1951-1971

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Ed Hiller

Writers:

Johnny Carson (writer)
Hal Hudson (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 4 | 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:

Variety | Based On Radio Show

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Red Skelton	...	Clem Kadiddlehopper / ... (568 episodes, 1951-1971)
Art Gilmore	...	Announcer / ... (526 episodes, 1954-1971)
David Rose and His Orchestra	...	Themselves (298 episodes, 1951-1971)

(more)

Series Directed by
Seymour Berns		(99 episodes, 1954-1969)
Terry Kyne		(24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Bill Hobin		(7 episodes, 1964-1969)
John Gaunt		(5 episodes, 1951-1952)
Howard A. Quinn		(5 episodes, 1969-1970)
Martin Rackin		(4 episodes, 1952)
Jack Donohue		(4 episodes, 1954-1955)
Ed Hiller		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Red Skelton		(249 episodes, 1951-1971)
Dave O'Brien		(229 episodes, 1955-1970)
Sherwood Schwartz		(161 episodes, 1954-1962)
Arthur Phillips		(115 episodes, 1961-1971)
Jesse Goldstein		(105 episodes, 1954-1961)
Martin Ragaway		(102 episodes, 1960-1966)
Mort Greene		(94 episodes, 1955-1971)
Al Schwartz		(82 episodes, 1957-1962)
Ed Simmons		(66 episodes, 1961-1963)
Larry Rhine		(49 episodes, 1962-1971)
Seaman Jacobs		(41 episodes, 1968-1970)
Robert Orben		(35 episodes, 1963-1970)
Bruce Howard		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Rick Mittleman		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Hugh Wedlock Jr.		(32 episodes, 1962-1963)
Fred S. Fox		(31 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)
Jack Lloyd		(10 episodes, 1959-1962)
Jeffrey Barron		(10 episodes, 1970-1971)
Will Fowler		(9 episodes, 1951-1956)
Jack Douglas		(6 episodes, 1951-1952)
Mort Green		(4 episodes, 1970-1971)
Lou Meltzer		(3 episodes, 1954-1955)
Bob Schiller		(3 episodes, 1965-1967)
Bob Weiskopf		(3 episodes, 1965-1967)
Joe Bigelow		(2 episodes, 1955)
Johnny Carson		(unknown episodes)
Hal Hudson		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Cecil Barker	....	producer (91 episodes, 1954-1963)
Guy Della-Cioppa	....	executive producer (35 episodes, 1961-1971)
Bill Martin	....	associate producer (24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Howard A. Quinn	....	associate producer / series producer (23 episodes, 1959-1969)
Perry Cross	....	producer / co-producer (18 episodes, 1970-1971)
Red Skelton	....	producer (11 episodes, 1951-1956)
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 (7 episodes, 1962-1969)
Douglas Whitney	....	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)

Series Casting by
Marilyn Budgen		(1 episode, 1966)

Series Art Direction by
Charles Lisanby		(24 episodes, 1970-1971)
Edgar Lansbury		(13 episodes, 1954-1961)
Robert Tyler Lee		(9 episodes, 1955-1962)
Claudio Guzmán		(4 episodes, 1952-1958)
Sid Rushakoff		(3 episodes, 1964-1966)

Series Set Decoration by
Buck Henshaw		(7 episodes, 1961-1965)
James L. Berkey		(4 episodes, 1958)
Anthony Mondell		(4 episodes, 1959-1960)
Ralph Warrington		(4 episodes, 1961-1962)
Ken McClelland		(2 episodes, 1951-1952)
Arthur Jeph Parker		(2 episodes, 1957)
George Sawley		(2 episodes, 1961)
George Gaines		(2 episodes, 1964-1966)

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 (3 episodes, 1964-1966)
Jan Van Uchelen	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1969-1971)
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 (11 episodes, 1954-1966)
Edward M. Hillie	....	assistant director / associate director (6 episodes, 1952-1956)
Lou Watt	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Frank Swig	....	set designer (1 episode, 1952)
C. Steve Goldstein	....	sets and props (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Joe Ralston	....	audio / sound (22 episodes, 1970-1971)
Art Brearley	....	audio engineer / audio (3 episodes, 1951-1970)
Marshall King	....	audio / sound (3 episodes, 1964-1966)
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 (7 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 (6 episodes, 1961-1966)

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

Series Music Department
David Rose	....	musical director / conductor / ... (302 episodes, 1951-1971)
Don A. Ferris	....	music coordinator (5 episodes, 1962-1966)
Jack Lloyd	....	special lyrics / special musical material (4 episodes, 1958-1965)
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 (16 episodes, 1954-1963)
Gerren Keith	....	stage manager (13 episodes, 1970-1971)
Lou Fusaro	....	technical director (12 episodes, 1970-1971)
Tom Hansen	....	choreographer (9 episodes, 1961-1967)
Jack Lloyd	....	special material (8 episodes, 1959-1966)
Ed Simmons	....	script supervisor (8 episodes, 1961-1963)
Miriam Nelson	....	choreographer (7 episodes, 1962-1970)
Jerry Weiss	....	technical director (7 episodes, 1970)
Leona Irwin	....	assistant to choreographer / assistant choreographer (6 episodes, 1961-1966)
Ray Conners	....	technical director (6 episodes, 1961-1962)
Dee Caruso	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Gerald Gardner	....	script supervisor (6 episodes, 1970-1971)
Robert B. Hoag	....	assistant to producer (5 episodes, 1961-1966)
Carl McCarthy	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1970-1971)
Gary Necessary	....	stage manager (5 episodes, 1970-1971)
Sherwood Schwartz	....	script supervisor (4 episodes, 1960-1961)
C.W. Comegys Jr.	....	technical director (3 episodes, 1951-1952)
Willie Dahl	....	stage manager (3 episodes, 1962-1966)
Connie Dresselhouse	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1964-1966)
William Holbrook	....	stage manager (2 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 Hour (USA) (new 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 "Toast of the Town" (1948)), "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" (1950), "Hopalong Cassidy" (1952), "The Honeymooners" (1955), "The Howdy Doody Show" (original title: "Puppet Playhouse" (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 Milton Berle Show" (1948), 1954-1956), The Tonight Show (which began as "Tonight!" (1953)), "The Twilight Zone" (1959), and "You Bet Your Life" (1950).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (#4.21)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Holiday for Strings

One of the best

Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, Burns and Allen, etc., etc. Will there ever be others that will equal them? I doubt it. Their shows were meant to entertain, not to push a political agenda as so many programs seem to do today.

As I understand, Red had several offers to do other television work but turned them down because he was expected to "modernize" his comedy, which he refused to do. Good for you Red! Shows were not flashy. There was no loud distracting music. Just pure comedy entertainment.

The dvds or videos should be part of the collection of anyone who loves a good laugh.