The Red Skelton Show
Broadcast 8:30pm – 9:00pm, June 15, 1954
Red Skelton and Bela Lugosi
Although some sources claim this show was broadcast on October 27, 1953, contemporary listings do not cite Lugosi, alongside co-stars Lon Chaney, Jr. and Maila Nurmi in the guise of horror hostess Vampira, as appearing on the Halloween show. Maila Nurmi later recalled the show as taking place in “about June of ’54,” which is borne out by an article in The Los Angeles Times from June 15, 1954
The release of this episode on the DVD boxset The Red Skelton Show: The Early Years, 1951-1955 laid to rest the longstanding claims that Lugosi floundered when Skelton deviated from the script to ad-lib. Lugosi, as Professor Lugosi, actually delivered a strong performance and demonstrated good comic timing.
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Los Angeles Times, June 15, 1954
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Lon Chaney, Jr., Red Skelton and Bela Lugosi
Vampira (Maila Nurmi) and Bela Lugosi
Vampira (Maila Nurmi) and Bela Lugosi
Watch Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney guest on the Red Skelton Show
The Bela Lugosi Blog 