dougdoepke Skelton fans should get a laugh-fest out of this nifty slice of slapstick. Seems Red's a Union-loving bellboy in the Civil War South. Through typical Skelton mishaps, he's mistaken for the South's best spy, The Grey Spider. Only instead of spying for the South, he's persuaded to do same for the Yankees. Except as a spy, he keeps switching uniforms from one side to the other. Naturally, this leads to a rollicking series of mishaps, with Red scoring more mugs and pratfalls per minute than a road racer's RPM's. But that's got nothing on the uniform changes that are faster than a hooker in a rain storm. My guess is the scripters must have gone home in a permanent daze. But don't feel bad for our hero. He does get to romance the South's most delectable magnolia, Arlene Dahl, and right away I'm wondering where I can join up on her side.All in all, it's a fine vehicle for Red's brand of comedy. Just one thing—I always thought the War was fought on the East Coast. But now I know it was really fought inside greater LA's scrublands. Thanks MGM for setting the history books straight.

vincentlynch-moonoi While this may not be the best of the MGM-Red Skelton comedies, it is one of the better ones, and the recent release on the Warner Archives DVD is nice and crisp.Both Red and Bob Hope were often very good at playing cowards that somehow showed bravery, as well seeming awkward around women -- and those are 2 themes very much in evidence with Red here. His bumbling in the early scenes of the film, particularly when he finds the "Grey Spider" spy are quite funny...along with some slapstick on the stairs (how did he fall down and up stairs without hurting himself...well he did hurt himself...in his later years he often had to wear metal braces on his legs). Then there's the recurring tongue twister with the boot with buckle and the jacket with the packet. Delightfully funny and actually key to the rather sophisticated plot. And how often do you see a comedy about the Civil War? And the dueling flags scene? This is pretty funny stuff, and particularly well handled by Skelton in this film (with some behind the camera help, apparently, from Buster Keaton).The supporting cast does its job. Arlene Dahl as the Confederate love interest to the Yankee Skelton. And while none of the other supporting actors (save one) merits particular mention, you'll recognize a number of character actors here. The one actor here who must have been very disappointed with his role was Brian Donlevy, who plays a sort of Rhett Butler-ish character. And speaking of "Gone With The Wind", not the many references to "Twelve Oaks".Yes, this is a gem in many respects, well worth a watch, and perhaps a spot on your DVD shelf!

ccthemovieman-1 I own all of Buster Keaton's silent films and who doesn't love Red Skelton? Having said that, this film stinks. Keaton helped write the film, which is probably why critics were reluctant to criticize it. However, the fact is that is was not funny. It was stupid, particularly in the first half hour. By then, it probably lost a number of viewers who watched this on VHS in the 1990s, as I did. (It was released on tape in 1994.)This film also had the presence of Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl, John Ireland and more....all good actors....but the dialog was just d-u-m-b. Maybe this was funny in 1948, but I guarantee you the laughs aren't there almost 60 years later. What made people laugh back in the '40s doesn't always work today and they will probably say a similar thing 60 years from now.Still, it's tough to knock the comedic talents of Red Skelton. If anyone a generation later could equal Keaton in silent comedy bits, it would be Red. He demonstrated that every week on his television show. After that terrible start, the film got better and it was fun seeing the bumbling bellboy (Skelton) do something right, for a change, but I just think overall the humor of the '40s doesn't cut it today. Sorry.

NativeTexan Red Skelton is brilliant both physically and verbally. His tongue-twisting tour de force ("The map is in the packet of the pocket of the jacket...") predates and probably inspired Danny Kaye's similarly brilliant speech in "The Court Jester. If this is indeed a remake of the Buster Keaton classic, "The General," it certainly does honor to its predecessor.