WLIW21 PBS

The Best of Red Skelton

A new public television special celebrates America’s Clown Prince of Comedy and one of the longest running television variety series. “The Red Skelton Show,” one of the first variety shows to make the successful transition from radio to TV, premiered September 30, 1951 and was a television staple for two decades until its cancellation in 1971. THE BEST OF RED SKELTON features classic Skelton slapstick routines and characters in full color, along with hilarious guest appearances from Walter Brennan, Raymond Burr, Tim Conway, Phyllis Diller, James Drury, Eva Gabor, Janet Leigh, Audrey Meadows, Vincent Price, Cesar Romero, Mickey Rooney, Telly Savalas, Tiny Tim, Robert Wagner, John Wayne and others (see release for a full list). Assembled with permission from Red Skelton’s estate, the special includes segments from one of the final interviews Skelton gave before his death, and most of the vintage footage in THE BEST OF RED SKELTON has not been on TV since the original broadcasts.

These images may be used editorially only for direct promotion of The Best of Red Skelton. No other rights are granted.

To download the press release, click here.


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CREDIT: “The Best of Red Skelton” – Premieres nationwide March 2009 on public television (check local listings) ©Lothian Skelton ©David Rose Music Publishing. ©Van Bernard Productions, Inc.  ©2008 Timeless Media Group ©Tom Kalyn  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


CUTLINE: Red Skelton.

PHOTO: 1.5M (7M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 4.7 X 5.9
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate


CUTLINE: Red Skelton as “Freddie the Freeloader”

PHOTO: 2.6M(13.2M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 6 X 7.7
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate


CUTLINE: Red Skelton as “Clem Kadiddlehopper”

PHOTO: 3.8M (13 M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 6.3 X 8
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate


CUTLINE: Red Skelton as “George Appleby”

PHOTO: 400K (2.4M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 2.8 X 3
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate


CUTLINE: Red Skelton as “Freddie the Freeloader”

PHOTO: 466K (1.2 M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 3.3 X 4
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate


CUTLINE: Red Skelton as “Sheriff Deadeye”

PHOTO: 409K (4.5 M uncompressed) at 300 dpi JPEG at 2 X 3
CREDIT: Courtesy of Red Skelton Estate

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