Skidoo (1968)

30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(388 ratings)

Producer and director Otto Preminger reportedly experimented with LSD in the late 60's, which inspired him to make this notorious comedy in which Jackie Gleason plays Tony, a mid-level gangster and former hired killer not very happy with his life. He bickers a lot with his wife Flo (Carol Channing)… More Producer and director Otto Preminger reportedly experimented with LSD in the late 60's, which inspired him to make this notorious comedy in which Jackie Gleason plays Tony, a mid-level gangster and former hired killer not very happy with his life. He bickers a lot with his wife Flo (Carol Channing) and isn't sure what to make of his daughter Darlene (Alexandra Hay), especially since she started dating a hippie named Stash (John Phillip Law). Two of Tony's superiors, Angie (Frankie Avalon) and Hechy (Cesar Romero), order him to get arrested, go to prison and once behind bars whack "Blue Chips" Packard (Mickey Rooney). Though he's not pleased with the idea, Tony grudgingly goes along, but once inside, he's accidentally dosed with LSD by counterculture activist the Professor (Austin Pendleton). His consciousness expanded by his trip, Tony leaves his violent lifestyle behind him and with the Professor's help plans an escape after turning the entire prison population on to acid. Certainly your only opportunity to see Groucho Marx play a character named "God," not to mention a supporting cast that includes Slim Pickens, Peter Lawford, George Raft, Frank Gorshin and Arnold Stang, Skidoo is also remembered as the film in which Harry Nilsson sang all the credits. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Otto Preminger
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1968 Wide

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Skidoo patronises young and old alike, which is pretty much like cutting off both legs before a track meet.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Preminger seems unable to invest his film with any lightness or spontaneity.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie, which has the form of comedy, is 98 minutes of disconnected story-conference ideas.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Have some of what Groucho's having and discover Preminger's lovably batshit-crazy paean to changing times.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A stodgy old example of the establishment desperate attempt to cash in on an increasingly powerful youth counterculture movement.
Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
... Keystone Mobsters, with career criminals and fun-loving hippies colliding in a comedy of flower power, slapstick and psychedelia...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A relic for the ages that puts a punctuation mark on the times.
Jerry Renshaw, Austin Chronicle
It's worth seeing just for the sheer jaw-dropping amazement of it all.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Great sums of money were lavished on this dull attempt at humor that failed on almost every level.
, Film4
This is a real treat.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Preminger's acid trip, and a hilarious piece of vintage hipsterism.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

Jackie Gleason plays a retired gangster sent to prison to assassinate a stool pigeon; gentle, freaky flower children help him get out of the mess he's gotten himself into in this notorious all-star train-wreck made by squares for the benefit of the counterculture. Watch it to… More
Jackie Gleason plays a retired gangster sent to prison to assassinate a stool pigeon; gentle, freaky flower children help him get out of the mess he's gotten himself into in this notorious all-star train-wreck made by squares for the benefit of the counterculture. Watch it to see Carol Channing doing the frug in yellow pantyhose, Groucho Marx playing "God" and saying "groovy," and, best of all, Jackie Gleason freaking out on LSD. Not for the average moviegoer but if your looking for rare camp this is a gold mine.
cody f

In 1968 Otto Priminger decided to take acid and shoot a film, Skidoo is the result. Gleason's a hippie hating ex-mobster and his boss is a Kingpin called GOD played by Groucho Marx. The cast is amazing with music by Harry Nillson. The film is very strange and campy, it's not… More
In 1968 Otto Priminger decided to take acid and shoot a film, Skidoo is the result. Gleason's a hippie hating ex-mobster and his boss is a Kingpin called GOD played by Groucho Marx. The cast is amazing with music by Harry Nillson. The film is very strange and campy, it's not very good but worth a watch just to see Groucho smoke dope.

Cast

            Jackie Gleason as Tony Banks

            Carol Channing as Flo Banks

            Frankie Avalon as Angie

            Fred Clark as Guard

            Michael Constantine as Leech

            Frank Gorshin as The Man

            John Phillip Law as Stash

            Peter Lawford as Senator

            Burgess Meredith as Warden

            Cesar Romero as Hechy

            Mickey Rooney as Packard

            Groucho Marx as "God"

            Alexandra Hay as Darlene Banks

            Luna as "God's" Mistress

            Doro Merande as Mayor

            Phil Arnold as Mayor's Husband

            Slim Pickens as Switchboard Operator

            Robert Donner as Switchboard Operator

            Richard Kiel as Beany

            Tom Law as Geronimo

            Jaik Rosenstein as "Eggs" Benedict

            Stacy King as The

            Renny Roker
            
            Roman Gabriel as Prison Guard

            Stone Country as Themselves

            Austin Pendleton as The Prof. (Fred)

            George Raft as Capt. Garbaldo

            Arnold Stang as Harry

            Harry Nilsson as Tower Guard

            William Cannon as Convict
See full cast

Skidoo (1968)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

cody f

Cast