The Red Skelton Hour (1962)

Genres - Comedy  |   Run Time - 60 min.  |   Countries - United States  |  
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

On September 25, 1962, Red Skelton launched his 12th year in television with an expanded version of his long-running comedy/variety series. Reflecting the fact that Red now had an extra half-hour to play with, his show was rechristened The Red Skelton Hour. His guests on this occasion were comedian Harpo Marx and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, both seen to excellent advantage. In the main comedy sketch, Harpo plays a bumbling guardian angel who is sent down from "Up There" to help henpecked husband George Appleby (Skelton) escape the wrath of his nagging wife Clara (Virginia Grey). Harpo also appears with Red in a new weekly segment, "The Silent Spot", wherein the two master clowns enact a pantomime sketch about a German and American soldier forming a fast friendship on the battlefields of WW1. Musical highlights included Harpo's harp solo "Guardian Angel" (his own composition), Mahalia Jackson's rousing "Come On, Children" and "I Asked the Lord, The Modernaires' "Clap Yo' Hands", and the ensemble production number "4:20 AM".