(As this tenth year of 32 Days of Halloween runs its course like a zombie plague, I wanted to throw the mic one last time to that Halloween researcher extraordinaire, Rox of Spazhouse, and let her handle the first bit of our final night. –Widge)
Peter Lorre and Vampira on The Red Skelton Show (January 8, 1955)
Requesting Peter Lorre, with his bug out eyes and droll European accent was the genius of the writers for The Red Skelton Show. Evidence of this genius is this parody of the popular ratings juggernaut, The Honeymooners, starring Jackie Gleason. This parody aired years before the broadcast of the Munsters had revamped couple Ralph Kramden and his wife Alice into the “there is something not quite right” neighbors, while Red Skelton plays Ed Norton quite well in mimicking Art Carney’s Ed mannerisms. The Vampira character is certainly a base for Lily and Morticia to be modeled in later television shows.
Enjoy this early horror spoof brought to you by our sponsor, PET (Non Fat Dry Milk) and Need Coffee Dot Com.
What goes well with Needcoffee? PET, in the dry container. Ask for it at your grocer.
Does anyone ask grocers anything anymore?
(The whole thing is worth watching, but if you’re pressed for time, the skit itself starts at 15:05.)
