SID CAESAR: The English Courtroom [Part 2/2] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Mar 26, 1956)

Spoof of English courtroom dramas, featuring Sid, Nanette Fabray as the defendant on trial for murder, Carl Reiner as prosecutor, and Howard Morris as a witness.
The first part of this sketch-- which is arguably much funnier than the courtroom scene-- was never released on home video, but you can find a copy of it here:
• SID CAESAR: SPOOF: The...
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[@poetcomic1]

"Can I have my closing wig." I knew it was going to be a knock-out.

[@fords_nothere_100]

Another brilliant piece of pioneering comedy TV. Caesar and Co were the best of a group of comedians in that era. And for those who were happily amazed at the length of this skit (15+ min) note there was a 5:30 'prequel' skit (Part 1/2) so its really over 20 mins for one skit!

[@pronative6220]

Pure genius script with superb cast of performers. Simply terrific!

[@nicholasreid1836]

I am not American. These shows were recorded before I was born. They were never broadcast in my country, because we did not have trelevision in the 1950s. I continue to be amazed at how witty and sharp they are. All the participats (Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar etc.) were great comedians, and the humour is more pungent than what is now presented to us as comedy. I believe the "dumb blonde" lady in this episode, Nanette Fabray, had a leading role in the film "The Band Wagon".

[@michaeldempsey3281]

A comedy sketch that lasts 15 minutes. Astounding.

[@PorkChopJones]

Outstanding comedy!

[@Lynda-oo7ey]

Caesar is the funniest actor and comedian that I have ever seen.

[@RSEFX]

Carl Reiner great line the audience seems to have missed: (paraphrasing) "This garbage defense is a a whole bunch of rubbish!". They were lucky to have had two great female comics in Imogene Coca and Nanette Fabares. One was comical looking and funny, the other was pretty and funny, both had great timing and amazing comedic skills. The whole group truly was a once in all time comedic troupe Olympus!

[@vincentconti3633]

This is as brilliant ss Monty Python! And much earlier

[@johnandersen6752]

In England a flashlight is called a torch. Of course saying flashlight sounds funnier, (at least to me) plus the American audience would know what he meant. What's really impressive is this is over 15 minutes long and was done without teleprompters or cue cards and was live.

[@poetcomic1]

I always keep a torch in my boot when I'm driving through your lovely land.

[@BB-nr3sm]

Plays are about 2 hours long and there are no teleprompter or cue cards, and the performance is live. Just saying. :) I am an 80 yr old American woman, and lived for this show on Sat night when I was a little girl and a teenager. Brilliant beyond brilliant comedy.

[@bingo72long]

Thanks for Sharing. Me and my Brother saw this gem back in the 80's and it cracked us up. I didn't realize that the murderer was played by Howard Morris (AKA Earnest T. Bass). Don't you just love KZbin!

[@Rushmore222]

The judge was the precinct captain on Car 54.

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

Is it just a coincidence that Sid Caesar's lucky wig kind of resembled Harpo's in the front, and the sketch then proceeded in a very Marx Brothers manner? I tend to think not. Really wonderful. 😂

[@ceprona989]

5:13...."I believe I'll have to use my trump card"

[@user-sarotikos]

Oh yeah