Red Skelton - Volume 2 (DVD)

With a career beginning in vaudeville, Red Skelton found success in radio and film before his television variety show brought him into America's living rooms in 1951. Skelton's slapstick bits and colorful characters were extremely popular and the show remained on the air for two decades. A strict adherent to the concept fo doing only one take, his program retained an off-the-cuff style, with flubbed lines and frequent ad-libs becoming part of his immense charm.

Bolivar's Beauty Salon: Free-loading Brooklyn blockhead, Bolivar opens a beauty shop with the help of his plain-jane sweetheart. When a gorgeous movie star wants to whisk Bolivar away to start a 'salon' in Hollywood, his girlfriend plots to take revenge! Nancy Walker guest stars.

Clem's Oil: Country bumpkin Clem Kadiddlehopper strikes it rich when oil is discovered under the family potato patch! Maybe now he'll be able to marry his sweetheart, Daisy June (Carol Channing).

Trick or Treat: Mrs. Lumplump (Virginia Grey) is using the Halloween holiday to 'trick' her husband into sobriety.

The Navy: Bumbling seamen 'Cookie' and 'Snorkel' accidentally launch a lifeboat and wash up on a deserted island. When the two sailors discover that the island is the backdrop for a Hollywood picture starring pretty actresses, they hatch a plan to keep from being rescued. Buster Crabbe guest stars.

• television