Watch Skidoo

Skidoo is a 1968 comedy film directed by Otto Preminger starring Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Frankie Avalon, and a host of other famous faces. The film is a satirical look at the hippie subculture and the counter-culture movement of the time. The movie follows retired mob enforcer Tony Banks (Jackie Gleason), who is enjoying his post-crime life on a yacht with his wife Flo (Carol Channing). When he gets a message from his former boss, God (Groucho Marx), informing him that his daughter has gotten involved with a cult leader named Fred (Austin Pendleton), Tony agrees to go to prison for one last job to try and save her.

Once in prison, Tony begins to experience hallucinations induced by LSD given to him by Mob boss Harry (Frankie Avalon) who wants him to assassinate Fred while he's in prison. What follows is a series of comical, psychedelic mishaps as Tony tries to navigate the prison and stop Fred.

The film features a talented cast that includes famous faces from the 60s and 70s such as Carol Channing, Groucho Marx, and Frankie Avalon. Jackie Gleason is excellent in the lead role as Tony Banks, a retired mob enforcer who is having a hard time adapting to the changing times. His scenes in the prison, in particular, are highly entertaining, as he tries his best to come to grips with the psychedelic experiences he's having.

Carol Channing is also a standout in her role as Tony's amusingly ditzy wife Flo. Her portrayal of the character is both hilarious and heartwarming, and she provides some of the movie's most endearing moments.

The film's visual style is also noteworthy, with a colorful and trippy aesthetic that perfectly captures the feel of the counter-culture movement of the time. The sets and costumes are vividly colorful and outlandish, and the movie features several surreal dream sequences that add to the psychedelic atmosphere.

Despite its many charms, Skidoo is not without its flaws. The film's attempts at satire are at times heavy-handed and feel dated in hindsight. The movie's pacing is also uneven, with some sequences feeling too long and others feeling too short.

In conclusion, Skidoo is a comedic time capsule that provides a fascinating look into the counter-culture movement of the 60s. The film's talented cast, psychedelic visuals, and off-the-wall humor make it a fun and often entertaining watch, even if it falls short in some areas. If you're looking for a trippy and lighthearted comedy that showcases some of the best and brightest talents of the era, Skidoo is definitely worth a watch.

Skidoo is a 1968 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.