Excuse My Dust (1951) starring Red Skelton, Sally Forrest, MacDonald Carey, William Demarest
Excuse My Dust is a musical vehicle for Red Skelton, set in 1895, that deals with the issues of progress and the resistance to it. It stars Red Skelton as Joe Belden, a young inventor who’s determined to build a “horseless carriage”. This complicates things, since he’s in love with Liz Bullitt (Sally Forrest), whose father (played by William Demarest, best remembered for his role of Uncle Charlie on My Three Sons) runs the local livery stable, and sees the horseless carriage as a threat to his livelihood.
Whistling in Brooklyn (1943) starring Red Skelton, Ann Rutherford, Rags Ragland
Movie review of Red Skelton’s third, and final, appearance as Wally Benton, aka. The Fox, a radio personality and amateur detective. In this installment, The Fox is still trying to marry his fiancee. But he’s on the run from the police after being blamed for the murders of the mysterious “Constant Reader”. Danger and comedy in equal parts, with an appearance by the Brooklyn Dodgers as well!
Movie review of Merton of the Movies (1947), starring Red Skelton, Virginia O’Brien
Merton of the Movies is set in the silent movie era of Hollywood. Red Skelton plays the part of Gil Merton, a naive, movie-struck young man. He’s given a chance to be a star…. But he doesn’t realize it. A very funny, and sweet, Red Skelton movie co-starring Virginia O’Brien.
Red Skelton in a publicity photo for Whistling in Dixie, with the lovely Diana Lewis and Ann Rutherford
Whistling in Dixie (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Rutherford, Rags Ragland
Whistling in Dixie is the sequel to the popular Whistling in the Dark. Red Skelton again plays the role of Wally Benton, aka. The Fox. He’s a radio detective, who simply wants to take off two weeks of vacation so he can get married. To his long-suffering fiancee Carol Lambert (played by Ann Rutherford). Wally pretends to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown in order to twist his radio sponsor’s arm in order to get that vacation. Only to have Carol change their plans when she’s contacted by Ellamae (Diana Lewis), her sorority sister from Georgia, U.S.A. Ellamae’s boyfriend appears to have been murdered. Carol convinces Wally to go down to Georgia to get married, and Wally complies. Only to get involved in the unraveling mystery.
Movie review of A Southern Yankee (1948) starring Red Skelton, Arlene Dahl, Brian Donlevy
A Southern Yankee is a very funny movie, set at the tail end of the American Civil War. Red Skelton plays the role of Aubrey Filmore, an inept bellboy at a Northern hotel. He manages to catch the Grey Spider , a very famous (and dangerous) Southern spy.
Whistling in the Dark (1941) starring Red Skelton, Conrad Veidt, Ann Rutherford, Eve Arden, Rags Ragland
Whistling in the Dark was Red Skelton‘s first starring role. It gave him the opportunity to strut his comedic muscles. The movie begins with the meeting an odd cult, Silver Haven. “We part in radiant contentment,” is their recurring phrase. Silver Haven is quickly revealed as a scheme to bilk gullible people out of their money.
Moonlight Bay lyrics (1912) music by Percy Wenrich, lyrics by Edward Madden, sung by Frank Sinatra in Ship Ahoy, by Doris Day and Gordon MacRae in On Moonlight Bay
[Sailing through the moonlight, sailing on the bay]
Poor You lyrics – music by Burton Lane, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, sung in Ship Ahoy by Frank Sinatra
Poor you, I’m sorry you’re not me For you will never know what loving you can be Poor you, you’ll never know your charms You’ll never feel your warmth, you’re never in your arms
How About You? lyrics (1941) music by Burton Lane, lyrics by Ralph Freed, performed in Ship Ahoy
“How About You?” is a popular song composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Ralph Freed. It was introduced in the 1941 film Babes on Broadway by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.