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Red Skelton's Christmas Dinner

  • Episode aired Dec 13, 1981
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
175
YOUR RATING
Red Skelton in Red Skelton's Christmas Dinner (1981)
Music

Freddie the Freeloader sets out to have Xmas dinner in a very expensive New York restaurant with his good friend, the Professor. Along the way he stops in a hospital to entertain some childr... Read allFreddie the Freeloader sets out to have Xmas dinner in a very expensive New York restaurant with his good friend, the Professor. Along the way he stops in a hospital to entertain some children on Xmas. Red Skelton does a couple of songs on his own & a duet with Vincent Price.Freddie the Freeloader sets out to have Xmas dinner in a very expensive New York restaurant with his good friend, the Professor. Along the way he stops in a hospital to entertain some children on Xmas. Red Skelton does a couple of songs on his own & a duet with Vincent Price.

  • Director
    • John Trent
  • Writer
    • Red Skelton
  • Stars
    • Red Skelton
    • Vincent Price
    • Imogene Coca
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    175
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Trent
    • Writer
      • Red Skelton
    • Stars
      • Red Skelton
      • Vincent Price
      • Imogene Coca
    • 7User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast23

    Edit
    Red Skelton
    Red Skelton
    • Freddie the Freeloader
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Professor Humperdo
    Imogene Coca
    Imogene Coca
    • Molly - Bag Lady
    Jack Duffy
    Jack Duffy
    • Santa
    Tudi Wiggins
    Tudi Wiggins
    • Mrs. Wilberspoon
    Mavor Moore
    • Mr. Wilberspoon
    Ann Lantuch
    • Nurse Cathy
    Paul-Emile Frappier
    • Mr. Bathmond
    • (as Paul Emile Frappier)
    Louis Negin
    Louis Negin
    • Louis - Maitre 'D
    Ken James
    • Sgt. Kelly
    Ian Heath
    • Tommy
    Michelle Perusich
    • Urchin Girl
    Darren DiFonzo
    • Urchin Boy
    Nick Nichols
    • Henry - Doorman
    Moya Fenwick
    • Champagne Lady
    François Klanfer
    • Waiter
    Cec Linder
    Cec Linder
    • Rich Man #1
    Arch McDonnell
    Arch McDonnell
    • Rich Man #2
    • Director
      • John Trent
    • Writer
      • Red Skelton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    7.9175
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    Featured reviews

    10robken0174

    fantastic t.v. special

    this TV special was shown on HBO back when it came out in 1981. i was 7 and i loved watching it every year after that. i hadn't seen it for years up until a few years ago. i found it on VHS and snatched it up. i now watch it every Christmas and it's just as wonderful as ever. Red Skeleton was an original. his songs and gags in this special are clean and timeless. if you know anything about his "freddy the freeloader" character then you'll love this. even if you know nothing about Skeleton or his "freddy" character your in for a treat. his clean humor is great for the kids also, no matter how young. the songs and guest appearances add to the holiday fun. if you come upon this on VHS or DVD pick it up. Red Skeleton will win you over.
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Clean, fun and heartwarming

    I admittedly am not familiar with Red Skelton as much as others are, but of the stuff I have seen him in he comes across as very likable. And he certainly does here, he manages to be very charming and funny as well as instantly lovable. His miming scene is definitely a highlight. And he is brilliantly supported by the ever commanding Vincent Price, and both are further aided by their likable characters. The film looks good, and the songs are sweet, memorable and catchy. The gags are clean and fun, and the story is always interesting with its fair share of amusing and heartwarming moments. While it is relatively short, it doesn't feel over-extended or scant.

    All in all, a piece of escapist fun that will charm and warm your heart. 10/10 Bethany Cox
    10mniner9

    Freddie

    I wish I knew where I could buy this, if anyone has a heads up, let me know please!!!!!! I watched this series for several years until they quit showing it. It delivers a very sweet message as it is what the time of year means.

    My hat's off the the folks that produced the show!

    Legends of this king we only see once in a life time. I wish the sureness of vulgar language would notice that Red's stuff was just plain funny, without any offbeat vulgar humor. The big ones from that era, Jackie Gleason, Art Carne Sid Ceaser et,al are now gone. Their lives on and some of us would still like to enjoy it
    emilie41

    Good TV movie

    I throughly enjoyed watching Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner. I try and watch it every holiday season. I find that the part where Red Skelton does a mime of sewing a button is very good!! I've always enjoyed Red Skelton. I could actually see the button, needle and thread. I also enjoyed the part where Freddy meets up with the drunk Santa Claus played very well by Patrick Duffy.

    It's a feel good movie for the holiday season. I would recommend it to anyone who loves Red Skelton. All in all, I would have to say that it's a very good movie that I enjoy watching at least once during the Christmas season. It also reminds me of when I used to watch the Red Skelton show on TV when I was much younger.
    10billmallek

    Freddy the Freeloader iIs Alive and Well!

    Freddy shares a poor man's Christmas in a warm and engaging story. Vincent Price flexes his tongue in cheek genius as he pals with Freddy as they crash high society with hilarious results. We get a scene with Imogene Coca as a bonus too!

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This program is listed on some releases as 'Red Skelton's Christmas Dinner.'
    • Quotes

      Freddie the Freeloader: They say money talks. All mine ever says is "Goodbye."

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 13, 1981 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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