So, every Halloween, the internet rediscovers a certain glorious, spooky-tacular clip from a 1964 variety show, and honestly, it’s a public service. We get to witness three legendary talents from three different corners of the entertainment universe sharing a stage, and it is a delight.

We know for a fact Caterina Valente was having the time of her life. And if you’ve read Chita Rivera’s autobiography (and if you haven’t, drop everything and do so immediately), she was clearly living her best life, too. The vibe is immaculate.

The show was called The Entertainers, and it was a classic, star-packed variety hour. This particular episode was hosted by the iconic Carol Burnett and the dazzling Caterina Valente, with special guest stars Boris Karloff (bringing the Frankenstein charm) and Chita Rivera (bringing the Broadway fire).

Now, here’s the curious case of Carol Burnett. Over the years, sharp-eyed fans have noticed that this particular chapter of her resume doesn’t get a lot of airtime in her legendary storytelling. And when you peek behind the curtain, you can kinda see why!

To do the show, Carol had to leave her Broadway musical, Fade Out – Fade In. The producers of said musical were… let’s say… not thrilled. They sued, and let’s just call it a “compulsory career detour” back to the stage.

But wait, there’s more! The show’s producer was Carol’s then-husband, Joe Hamilton. And as the fabulous Lee Hale wrote in his autobiography, the studio whispers suggested a potential behind-the-scenes plot twist involving Joe and co-host Caterina. Hale himself said he never saw it, and that both women were always total pros, but he did note a certain… coolness in the air.

So, to recap: A lawsuit, rumored backstage drama, and a producer who was also a husband. Is it any wonder this particular variety show might live on more in grainy kinescopes and Halloween YouTube clips than in Carol’s official memoirs?

Some career moments are so wonderfully, bizarrely complicated, they’re better enjoyed with popcorn and zero legal liability. And this one is a five-star spectacle