Uncle Charley and the Redskins

One of my favorite shows from this era but the portrayal of Native Americans was just bad. Like most tv shows the actors faces are painted "indian red" the terms used for regalia referring it as a costume. Just horrible. Being of Native American heritage it is a dishonor 100%. Just complete mockery. 😢

Other than the clichéd depiction of native culture and customs, the episode had some chuckles mostly in the interactions with crusty old uncle Charley.

This was 1965 and in its own way, this episode like many of the day, was bringing to light the injustices of the culture that was for too long portrayed wrongly.

Take it for what it is, a dated send up of the culture clash with both sides "learning" something of the other.

Getting cancel culture claws out does nobody any good and sometimes people need to laugh at themselves and realize we all bleed the same colour.

6/10.

Yes, the story shows its age, but so do the THREE STOOGES, who had run-ins with plenty of Indians, and have a new generation of fans today. This episode took a page from the Stooges, if not I LOVE LUCY. And what about all the classic westerns starring John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott, the list goes on.

Lots of blame to go around, however whatever, back in the day, all us kids thought it was goofy. And with short fuse Uncle Charley caught in the middle, you had to see this at least once.

Since Charley is home more than Steve, he's the lucky(?) guy who meets up with a "senior" Indian looking for a buriel plot. Say what? Just so happens the plot is in the backyard! The Douglas home is the site of an Indian buriel ground, which astounds Charley and just about everyone else.

One thing missed; It makes you wonder if George Tibbles script was a knock at sprawling suburbia, many fast growing neighborhoods which were erected on sacred Indian land, if not old cemeteries. Factual and relatable to this day, particularly in Los Angeles.

The dialogue and one liners are nevertheless outrageous, because Charley is outrageous. Also note, the elaborate costumes, credit Edwin Butterworth, later to work in some famous movies; HELLO, DOLLY and AIRPLANE.

For movie and tv buffs this is a treat, featuring Paul Picerni (from the UNTOUCHABLES) playing Owlfeather and dancer Carmen D'Antonio as Alice Owlfeather. Comedian Renie Riano, who often acted with ABBOTT AND COSTELLO, plays Running Deer. Pretty Adrienne Hayes plays Patricia, often confused with actress Elinor Donahue.

If you're a long time fan of the show, may remind you of a later episode featuring Ernie and a family of gypsies who (this time) move in the front yard!

Interestingly, the last episode filmed in black and white. SEASON 5 EPISODE 36 remastered. Seasons 1 through 5 are on dvd. According to Amazon, all 12 seasons are finally on dvd in a single box set for collectors.