User Reviews

This 1968 edition of THE RED SKELTON HOUR was taped on September 10 for broadcast on the 24th, Boris Karloff fresh from the set of "The White Birch," an episode of THE NAME OF THE GAME which would not air until November 30 (it had been 12 years since his previous Skelton appearance). Having completed his scenes for all four Mexican vehicles some three months earlier, the actor had accepted three final television roles before his inevitable demise in February 1969, only THE JONATHAN WINTERS SHOW still ahead in October opposite Agnes Moorehead; here he plays Dr. Nelson Sr., the aptly named Jr. Played by none other than Vincent Price, making this a reunion for the ages (the two had first worked together in 1939's "Tower of London"). For "He Who Steals My Robot Steals Trash," their father and son team of self-proclaimed mad scientists mistakenly believe that Skelton's dimwitted bumpkin Clem Kadiddlehopper is the robot that will make them famous at The Pentagon in Washington. Price tended to go way over the top on the small screen, particularly when the material was not up to snuff, but Karloff is cool and calm, a constant delight considering how taxing it must have been walking with a cane, comfortably seated on a stool much of the time. When Price instructs Clem to kill a rival, female, robot, Boris sets aside his cane and stalks in Frankenstein mode for an unexpected laugh. Even better is the follow up sequence, both actors singing "The Two of Us" after making sport of their fright films (Karloff again giving out a Monster roar to prove he's still got it), soon joined by a dancing Red who decides to make them a trio. The next comedic bit features Jan Arvan's bartender refusing to serve drunks Red and Jimmy Cross, and finally 'The Silent Spot,' with Skelton a nervous wreck due to the constant roaring of airplanes (musical sketches include the recent Dionne Warwick hit "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," plus two numbers for jazz singer Spanky Wilson).