Dee Caruso Movies
- 1985
- R
This undistinguished comedy about life in prison features caricatures of inmates and law enforcement officers, as well as prison guards, in attempts at slapstick action. After Duke Jarrett (Jeff Altman) is put into prison because he had sex with the wife of a government VIP, he discovers that life in the prison is out of control -- until a disciplinarian takes charge. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Altman, Dey Young, (more)
- 1976
Housewife Barbara Eden loses her husband Peter Bonerz to seductive Liberty Williams. After the divorce, Eden becomes incensed that Williams is flaunting her victory. To get even, Eden begins dating notorious playboy Hal Linden. Now it's Bonerz' turn to suffer the pangs of jealousy. Made for television, How to Break Up a Happy Divorce first lit up the TV tubes of America on October 6, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Michael Burns plays Freddy Griffith, a brilliant, altruistic and cheerfully goofy young inventor. Though his creations seemingly have value, they usually end up causing nothing but trouble (and bad special effects). Produced by veteran sitcom helmsman Hy Averback, this made-for-TV movie was intended as the pilot for a weekly comedy/adventure series. The first (and last) episode is all about a giant, super-powerful magnet designed to solve the world's energy problems--which predictably winds up in the wrong hands. The Adventures of Freddy was originally telecast as The Magnificent Magical Magnet of Santa Mesa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
One of the best of the early-1970s Disney farces, The World's Greatest Athlete stars Jan-Michael Vincent in the title role. A "wild boy" living off the land in the jungles of Africa, Vincent is discovered by coaches Tim Conway and John Amos. Cursed with a last-place college athletic lineup, Conway and Amos hope that Vincent will pull them out of their years-long slump. And he does, but not before several Disneyesque slapstick highlights, not to mention a handful of amusing special-effects gags (at one point, Conway is shrunk to mouse size by witch doctor Roscoe Lee Browne). Despite its formidable lineup of comedians-Conway, Billy DeWolfe, Nancy Walker, Vito Scotti et. al.--The World's Greatest Athlete's funniest line goes to guest star Howard Cosell! The script is the handiwork of Gerald Gardner and Dee Caruso, late of That Was the Week That Was and Get Smart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Conway, Jan-Michael Vincent, (more)
- 1971
Sebastian Cabot joins Red Skelton in the spoof of the TV series Ironside. A wheelchair-bound private detective (Cabot) is forced to put his life in the hands of clumsy assistant Clem Kadiddlehopper (Skelton). In the Silent Spot, Skelton plays a butterfingered race-car mechanic during a championship race. The Burgundy Street Singers perform "Let's Get Together". Originally broadcast March 13, 1971, this was Red Skelton's final weekly program for NBC. Though he didn't know it at the time, it would be his last weekly program, period. After twenty consecutive years on television, Red was put out to pasture on the dubious grounds that his brand of comedy was "tired" and "old-fashioned". Happily, he didn't stay out of the public eye for long, and he continued appearing in live concerts and TV specials up until a few years before his death in 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Red Skelton's guest on this telecast from February 22, 1971, is fellow comedian George Gobel. In the main comedy sketch, Professor Ludwick Von Humperdoo (Skelton) invents a cement tire, much to the dismay of millionaire tire manufacturer Tom Treadwell (Gobel). In the Silent Spot, a sailor (Skelton) tries to pick up a cute blonde (series regular Chanin Hale). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Audrey Meadows makes a final visit to The Red Skelton Showon this telecast from January 4, 1971. In a "Mean Widdle Kid" sketch, Junior Cavendish (Skeltpn) drives his mom (Meadows) crazy during an otherwise peaceful Sunday morning. In the Silent Spot, an old man (Skelton) recalls a youthful romance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Phyllis Diller is Red Skelton's special guest on this March 1, 1971 broadcast. In a "Sheriff Deadeye" comedy sketch, slow-draw Deadeye (Skelton) is terrorized by a female fugitive killer (Diller). The Silent Spot satirizes computer dating (still a relatively new concept in 1971!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In tonight's "San Fernando Red" comedy sketch, a TV director, played by guest star Tony Randall, appoints himself image consultant to corrupt politician San Fernando (Red Skelton). In the Silent Spot, a toothache victim (Skelton) is terrified of his dentist (series regular Jan Arvan). The Burgundy Street Singers perform "Rainmaker". This episode aired March 8, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
On this telecast from February 13, 1971, Martha Raye joins Red Skelton in the comedy sketch "The Garage Sale." There's Heck to pay when George Appleby (Skelton) sells the old guitar in which his wife Clara (Raye) has hidden their live savings. In the Silent Spot, Skelton plays a stockboy in a teddy-bear factory. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Fresh from her stint on Green Acres, Eva Gabor joins fellow guest star Wally Cox on this episode of The Red Skelton Show. In a "Freddie the Freeloader" comedy sketch, a philanthropist (Gabor) wants to bestow one million dollars upon bums Freddie (Skelton) and Muggsy (Cox). In the Silent Spot, Skelton plays a rotten chef at a greasy-spoon diner. This episode aired February 1, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Red Skelton welcomes guest star Vincent Price for the umpteenth time on this broadcast from February 6, 1971. In a "Clem Kadiddlehopper" comedy sketch, fastidious gourmet Claude Casserole (Price) is marooned on a desert island with dimwitted Clem (Skelton). In the Silent Spot, a prison inmate (Skelton) prefers life in jail to the nagging of his wife (series regular Peggy Rhea). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
In another example of 1970s "zeitgeist", Cass Elliot and Chad Everett share the same stage on this Red Skelton Show from January 18, 1971. In a "San Fernando Red" comedy sketch, crooked marriage broker San Fernando (Skelton) matches bachelor Everett with bachelorette Mama Cass. In the Silent Spot, Skelton's trained-flea act is undermined by a passing dog. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
James Drury of The Virginian is Red Skelton's guest on this episode from January 25, 1971. In a "Clem Kadiddlehopper" comedy sketch, a county supervisor (Drury) encounters unforseen difficulties as he tries to auction off the Kadiddlehopper farm. In the Silent Spot, a nervous TV repairman (Skelton) fends off an amorous housewife (series regular Chanin Hale). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Jack Benny introduces the September 28, 1970 edition of The Red Skelton Show. Robert Wagner joins Skelton in the main comedy sketch, wherein super-hero Colossal Man (Red) insists that his wimpy son (Robert) take over the family business. Emmaline Henry also appears as "Mr. Man." In the Silent Spot, George Appleby (Red) has a run-in with a tough guy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In a takeoff of High Noon, Sheriff Deadeye (Red Skelton) faces a showdown with Sheriff Hawkeye (guest star Walter Brennan). On a more serious note, Red reads his own poem about being a grandparent (his daughter Valentina had presented him with a granddaughter some three months before this program aired on October 12, 1970). In the Silent Spot, two outdoorsmen (Red, Jan Arvan) duke it out at a campsite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Johnny Carson, who received his first big network-TV break by subbing for Red Skelton way back in 1954, introduces the October 5, 1970 edition of Red's NBC comedy series. In a "Clem Kadiddlehopper" sketch, clumsy Clem (Red) is hired to protect federal witness Mike Connors. Cashing in on his Mannix image, Mike also gives Red advice on becoming a private eye. Musical regular Robin Wilson sings "I've Gotta Be Me". And in the Silent Spot, a mouse (Red) tries to steal a piece of cheese from a trap. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
On this Halloween show from October 26, 1970, Red Skelton delivers a monologue about trick-or-treating, and plays a man pestered by ghoulies and ghosties in the Silent Spot. Guest star Van Johnson with Red in a "Freddie the Freeloader" sketch. The premise: executive Van decides that hobo Freddie (Red) is the ideal person to locate a responsible secretary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Gene Barry, who when this episode aired on October 19, 1970 was one of the three rotating stars on NBC's The Name of the Game, is Red Skelton's guest. In a "Clem Kadiddlehopper" comedy sketch, census taker Clem (Red) finds himself in the middle of a domestic quarrel. And in the Silent Spot, Red plays a taxidermist saddled with a contentious mother-in-law. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Comedian Godfrey Cambridge is Red Skelton's guest on this episode from November 16, 1970. In the main comedy sketch, San Fernando Red (Skelton) appoints himself manager of flamboyant football star Joe Broadway (Godfrey). In the Silent Spot, Diamond Jim Grady (Skelton) goes dining in a plush New York restaurant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Dan Blocker joins Red Skelton in a "George Appleby" comedy sketch. Hoping to prove to wife Clara (Emmaline Henry) that he's the head of the household, timid George tries to get rid of annoying house guest Little Willie (Dan). In the Silent Spot, Red pantomimically portrays a drunken barber. This episode aired November 9, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Telly Savalas appears with Red Skelton in the comedy sketch "The Stagecoach Hijack". Sheriff Deadeye (Skelton) suspects that a bald-headed stranger (Savalas) is the leader of an outlaw gang. This episode from December 14, 1970 closes with the Silent Spot sketch "The Gift of Giving," in which a shabby old man (Skelton) finds a wallet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
A decidedly pre-Naked Gun Leslie Nielsen is Red Skelton's guest on Red's annual Christmas show from December 21, 1970. In a "Freddie the Freeloader" sketch written by Skelton, a duty-bound cop (Nielsen) arrests hobo Freddie (Skelton) for selling chestnuts without a license. But when the cop finds out that Freddie is trying to raise money for a homeless orphan, he has a change of heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
On this program, Red Skelton introduces a new character: Absent-minded professor Ludwick Von Humperdoo, "the world's oldest youngters." In the main comedy sketch, guest star Mickey Rooney plays a government agent, assigned to check out Von Humperdoo's latest invention. In the Silent Spot, a house detective (Skelton) tries to ferret out a crook from among three likely suspects. This episode aired on November 23, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Michael Landon joins Red Skelton in tonight's main comedy sketch. Landon plays the "richest boy in the world", and as such is ripe for plucking by con artist supreme San Fernando Red (Skelton). In the Silent Spot, Skelton reprises his curmudgeonly character "Mr. Haight", who herein declares war on kids. This episode was originally scheduled to air on November 2, 1970, but was pushed back to December 7. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
