The Red Skelton Holiday Collection [DVD]

I was apprehensive about buying this because, few years ago, I bought a DVD from Amazon called "Red Skelton's Christmas Classics" and it was a bootlegged copy. The picture quality was terrible (very dark), it skipped a lot and the sound was muffled. Stop it Amazon! Check your products out before you sell them and there will be fewer returns!Moving on; I bought this product mainly because it said that the "Freddie and the Yuletide Doll" episode is in color. It is, and it's light years better than the B&W version described above. It's a bit grainy but then it IS from 1961.I'm giving it 4 stars because there are a few shows on the 3 DVDs that are repeated on the other DVDs and the "Freddie & the Yuletide Doll" episode has the last line of the last song doubled over itself for about 30 seconds and it 's very irritating.This 3 DVD set contains much more good Christmas stuff than the above mentioned one BUT there are some non Christmas shows on there too. All in all I'm happy with it.

If you are looking for a comedy act of todays dynamics with lots of 4 letter words and huge stage presence this is not for you. If you want to see a class act for comedy with one of the most versatile comedians that ever walked our planet this is a must see. Red always had a great stage presence in his tv show, leaving the script making his guests loose their place if the show, even laughing at his own actions and jokes. He carried a list of characters with him to every show that were made real with his simple actions and a costume that may consist of a hat, his fluffed up hair, an invisible fishing pole and fish yet you got the simple real world humor from such simple actions. The man appreciated the simple things in life with the goal of making everyone laugh. He made fun of simple situations in stand up comedy jokes, skits with guest stars, and simple one on one actions in such a way that his jokes could be used again and again but always made you laugh. Red respected his character and his audience from his opening line through to his sign off mesage.This is old film footage so a lot less of quality than a 1080p HD blue ray disc of today. Some of the footage is rough but it does not take away from one of the funiest men that ever lived. I love live comedy and have been to many shows in my life and i must say i have so much love and respect for this very talented man. The show is excellent Red Skelton work, characters are great and watching his view on the American Pledge of Allegiance is even more applicable today than it was when he performed it. This is a statement from a true performer that loved his trade, his people and the contry that gave him the freedom to practice his comedy without the fear of recourse. Lets make it simple, the CLASS ACT OF COMEDY.

Oh....memories of many Christmases ago! Too bad kids today cannot experience these kind of shows at one of the most precious times of the year. Thanks, seller, for the memories!

The main segment THE PLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS was copyrighted 1981 and like FREDDIE THE FREELOADERS CHRISTMAS DINNER with Vincent Price is in color and good quality and looks like it could have been filmed just a few years ago. I've been looking for FREDDIE THE FREELOADERS CHRISTMAS DINNER on DVD for several years but it is still not available. Maybe the generation that is still interested in this kind of entertainment is dying out. That's why the estate should release everything it can with Red Skelton while there is still an audience for this material.

My only issue with this is that it isn't long enough. I love Red Skelton, and this DVD showcases what a knack he had for improvising, especially in the face of all those times when things can go wrong when you're doing a show for a live audience. In one of my favorite clips, he even makes the great Harpo Marx crack up--which is the sign of a true comedy master, if ever there was one!

For fans of Red Skelton this is a great box set. These are the early shows that Red starred in with guest stars and much more. These shows were not syndicated so they haven't been seen on TV since the original airings. For new fans you will find a great artist who gave us many hours of entertainment that the whole family will enjoy. These shows are funny from the first episode to the last. Worth the time to get this set.

It was nice that Again, Amazon outdoes anyone of having unique and hard to find things. This brought a smile to my Father and Mothers face, as an additional gift to go in a good basket that I made them for entertainment. It reminded them of younger days and fun times. I recommend it for anyone, especially the elderly that may be homebound to bring some cheer. Fast ship and great product for the price.

I just recently rewatched this dvd and as I am a fan of Red's clown Freddie, enjoyed it alot, the other items on the dvd didn't hold my attention as much hence only 4 stars. Another reviewer commented that it was dated, citing a reference to Cassius Clay, he thought it came out in 1981 but I remember seeing it in the 60's (Miss Garson's costume choices are also from the early 60's). It sticks in my memory because Red's Freddie and Jackie Gleason's Poor Soul were my favorites especially at Christmas. That same reviewer commented about another Freddie special. It is titled "Freddie the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner". It was broadcast on HBO in 1981 and then rebroadcast on PBS in the early 90's when I recorded it on vhs. Along with Red, it stars Vincent Price, Imogen Coca and a very cute dog who might be the original Benji (there's no mention of the dog in the credits so I can't say for certain but the dog is well trained). Unfortunately it has never been released on dvd (or even vhs) as near as I can tell. I transfered my home vhs to dvd as soon as that technology was available to me and endure the less than perfect quality every year because it is my favorite. I will continue to search in the hope that the Red Skelton estate releases an official version on dvd. It would be wonderful to have it, Freddie and the Christmas Doll, Freddie and the Plight Before Christmas and Freddie Gets 90 Days, plus the shorter black and white Freddie Christmas skits all in one collection.

I'm glad I bought this as a way of getting some Red Skelton without investing too much. It is nice to see Red in actionagain. By the time he got his TV show he had probably been in showbiz for decades. Hence he is smooth , withperfect comic timing. He occasionally used to turn to the audience in the middle of a bit and address them directly,which adds a sort of intimacy to the experience. Also , taking his inspiration from Charlie Chaplin I'm sure , he is theperfect Hobo. He makes you laugh out loud and cry within seconds of one another. I had forgot that this was a varietyshow so there are also ballet dancers , and choirs of children singing Christmas Hymms ; quaint at the time but of novalue here. Red even has a go at singing himself ; he can't. Furthermore some of the material is repeated within the3 disc set so is more like a 2 disc set if you get my meaning.Another fine release from Timeless ; quality is fine , but for Red Skelton fans only.

My all time favourite funny man. Uses good clean humour and. his pantomimes sometimes brought you to tears when he covered a moving subject.

Arrived fast. Dad loved this comedian

Bought as gift for my son. Great old show

I grew up with Red Skelton so it was a joy to get a DVD of him and in color!