Mondays on TCM: Red Skelton

Turner Classic Movies is celebrating Red Skelton as the star of the month for April, 2025, with 29 of his films showing on Mondays. Also this month on TCM see two nights of Merchant Ivory films and a weekend of Easter movies.

Here are the top movie star tributes on TCM in April 2025:

April 1: April Fools Day films starting at 8 pm like It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World
April 6: Written and Directed by Carl Reiner
April 7, 14, 21 and 28: Star of the Month Red Skelton
April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30: Acts of Faith
April 7, 14, 21 and 28: Star of the Month Red Skelton
April 10: Featuring Marjorie Main
April 11: Film Noir
April 13: Rod Steiger 100th birthday
April 16: Stories of Christ
April 17, 24: Merchant Ivory films
April 20: Easter Weekend films including Ben-Hur and King of Kings
April 25: Sci-Fi/Fantasy classics
April 26: Harper

TCM Star of the Month Red Skelton

Red Skelton, born Richard Bernard Skelton on July 18, 1913, in Vincennes, Indiana, was an American entertainer whose career spanned radio, television, film, and even the world of fine art.

Known for his pantomime skills and beloved comedic characters, Skelton became a household name through his long-running television program, The Red Skelton Show, which aired from 1951 to 1971.

Skelton’s journey into entertainment began at a young age. He performed in medicine shows, vaudeville, and burlesque, honing his comedic timing and physical humor. His breakthrough came in radio, where he hosted Avalon Time in 1938 and later The Raleigh Cigarette Program in 1941, introducing audiences to his signature characters like Clem Kaddiddlehopper and Junior, the Mean Widdle Kid.

Transitioning to film, Skelton starred in numerous comedies throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including Ship Ahoy (1941) and The Clown (1953). However, television cemented his legacy. His variety show featured sketch comedy, slapstick, and heartfelt monologues, making him one of the most beloved entertainers of his time.

Beyond comedy, Skelton was also a talented painter, particularly known for his clown portraits, which became highly sought after. His artistic career was so successful that some believe he earned more from his paintings than from television.

Red Skelton passed away on September 17, 1997, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and artistry. His influence on comedy remains undeniable, and his signature sign-off—“Good night, and may God bless.”—continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Skelton

Highlights of TCM’s Red Skelton series include the classic films Whistling in the Dark (1941),Ship Ahoy (1942) and The Fuller Brush Man (1948). Here is the schedule:

MONDAY, APRIL 7 STAR OF THE MONTH: RED SKELTON

8:00 PM Whistling in The Dark (1941)
9:30 PM Whistling in Dixie (1942)
11:00 PM Whistling In Brooklyn (1943)
12:45 AM Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)
2:30 AM Panama Hattie (1942)
4:00 AM Having Wonderful Time (1938)
5:15 AM The People vs. Dr. Kildare (1941)
6:45 AM Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day (1941)

MONDAY, APRIL 14 STAR OF THE MONTH: RED SKELTON

8:00 PM Ship Ahoy (1942)
10:00 PM I Dood It (1943)
12:00 AM Du Barry Was a Lady (1943)
2:00 AM Merton of the Movies (1947)
3:30 AM The Show-Off (1946)
5:00 AM Lady Be Good (1941)
7:00 AM Flight Command (1940)
9:00 AM Ziegfeld Follies (1945)

MONDAY, APRIL 21 STAR OF THE MONTH: RED SKELTON

8:00 PM Bathing Beauty (1944)
10:00 PM Neptune’s Daughter (1949)
11:45 PM Texas Carnival (1951)
1:15 AM Three Little Words (1950)
3:15 AM A Southern Yankee (1948)
5:00 AM Watch the Birdie (1950)

MONDAY, APRIL 28 STAR OF THE MONTH: RED SKELTON

8:00 PM The Fuller Brush Man (1948)
9:45 PM The Yellow Cab Man (1950)
11:30 PM Excuse My Dust (1951)
1:00 AM Lovely to Look At (1952)
3:00 AM The Clown (1953)
4:45 AM Half a Hero (1953)
6:00 AM The Great Diamond Robbery (1954)

Complete TCM Schedule, Highlights

For TCM schedules and more information see the links below.

Below is a clip of Red Skelton with Johnny Carson on the Tonight show, Dec. 6, 1983.

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TCM Star of the Month Red Skelton

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