The legendary Henry Salvador, the oldest comedian and singer on earth, has passed away.
"90 years of music and gags", declared French president Sarkozy.
In this video, his version of the "whisky gag" at the Italian TV in 1962. Somewhere between Red Skelton and Fumagalli.
Yes, it does bear a strong resemblance to one of Red's best known and most requested bits, Guzzler's Gin. Perfected over the years in vaudeville and in nightclubs, it was later adapted by Lucille Ball into her well known Vitameatavegamin...
Harry King Cole, who did the crying bit on the telephone on Hee Haw, did a fabulous "Guzzler's Gin" routine, but out of respect for Red Skelton only did it at private parties, never on stage. Harry was a very good comic whose career was cut short by a stroke.
ReplyDeleteOne shouldn't forget the fact that Red Skelton " borrowed" the "Guzzler's Gin" routine , never acknowledging it's true origins.
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