Ep 7. He Made Good In The City

The Red Skelton Show was a highly popular television variety show that premiered on NBC in 1951, featuring the comedic talents of Red Skelton. The show's fourth season, which aired in 1954, included the episode "He Made Good In The City."

In this episode, Red Skelton plays his popular character Freddie the Freeloader, a down-on-his-luck hobo with a heart of gold. Freddie, who is always on the lookout for a free meal or a warm place to sleep, finds himself in the big city for the first time. Despite being intimidated by the noise and bustle of the metropolis, Freddie is determined to make a new life for himself.

As Freddie wanders the streets, he encounters a variety of colorful characters, including a street vendor selling hot dogs, a group of kids playing stickball, and a wealthy businessman hurrying to a meeting. Along the way, Freddie learns valuable lessons about the importance of hard work, persistence, and kindness.

One of the highlights of the episode is a sketch in which Red Skelton plays a hapless window washer who finds himself dangling precariously from the side of a skyscraper. The scene is filled with physical comedy and slapstick humor, as Skelton struggles to maintain his balance while dodging falling buckets of water and cleaning supplies.

Another memorable moment comes when Freddie meets a kindly old woman who offers him a place to sleep for the night. Grateful for her generosity, Freddie does his best to repay her kindness by fixing up her run-down apartment and cooking her a lavish meal using ingredients he finds in the garbage. The scene is both heartwarming and humorous, as Skelton's character tries his best to make a gourmet meal out of discarded food.

Throughout the episode, Skelton's trademark humor and physical comedy are on full display. Whether he's stumbling through a crowded street, trying to carry a stack of hot dogs without dropping them, or mugging for the camera with his trademark goofy grin, Skelton keeps the audience laughing from start to finish.

Despite its lighthearted tone, "He Made Good In The City" also has a deeper message about the importance of compassion and generosity. Through Freddie's interactions with the other characters in the episode, the show emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness, no matter how different they may seem.

Overall, "He Made Good In The City" is a classic episode of The Red Skelton Show that showcases Skelton's talent for physical comedy and his ability to convey important moral lessons in a humorous and entertaining way. Whether you're a long-time fan of the show or a newcomer to Skelton's work, this episode is sure to provide plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments.