Red Skelton's Birthday

Chance Marmalade · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:25 PM

According to Wikipedia, Red Skelton's birthday is coming up on July 18th. It would have been his 95th (if my math is correct). I was wondering if we might want to celebrate it in someway here on the forum. Red Skelton is one of my all time favorite clowns and from what I've read about him he was an all around great person.

The wikidpedia entry on him is really interesting. I had no idea he was a painter (some of his paintings have sold for $80,000+ and were mostly of clowns!) and wrote short stories and music. What an amazing guy!

Red Skelton on Wikidpedia

Scarlet · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 01:01 AM

Did you know that there is a festival and parade in his honor in Vincennes, IN - his hometown? This will be its 3rd year and is scheduled for June 14, 2008. Vincesses University has a newly constructed Performing Arts Center in his name. And VU makes free dormitory housing available to clowns who want to participate in the parade. I see that you are from Washington state so it won't be an event you'll probably choose to do... but I loved Red Skelton, too... so if you will allow me, I will do my best to "represent" for the both of us, Mr Marmalade, when I make my first appearance at the event!
Paint the town RED!

Willace-the-Clown · #3 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 01:42 AM

YA Red Freddie the Freeloader imspidered Hobo Bob whos voice sounds like a bad impression of Clem Cadiddlehopper

Chance Marmalade · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarlet

Did you know that there is a festival and parade in his honor in Vincennes, IN - his hometown? This will be its 3rd year and is scheduled for June 14, 2008. Vincesses University has a newly constructed Performing Arts Center in his name. And VU makes free dormitory housing available to clowns who want to participate in the parade. I see that you are from Washington state so it won't be an event you'll probably choose to do... but I loved Red Skelton, too... so if you will allow me, I will do my best to "represent" for the both of us, Mr Marmalade, when I make my first appearance at the event!
Paint the town RED!

Thanks so much Scarlet, that is really sweet of you! Give my love to the new PAC, Red is one of the greatest and he has absolutely wonderful fans!

The_Princess_of_Bozonia · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Great idea Chance, any ideas for how to celebrate here? "Film festival" with favorite YouTube clips, perhaps?

Harpoetta · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 10:41 AM

Sounds good!

I knew Red was a painter, but I didn't know that originals were worth that much! Dad has a reprint of Freddie the Freeloader with a piece of birthday cake. I wonder if we should find out about insuring it?

You Tube clips sound like a great idea!

My grandpa was fortunate enough to run into Red on the street one afternoon many many years ago. Red was a very nice guy.

Chance Marmalade · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 06:06 PM

That is a great idea Princess! A Red Skelton film festival would be a lot of fun. Maybe a contest too? Like the easter eggs or best prop? That could be fun! Maybe an award for favorite Red Skelton themed content... Pictures, Red impersonations, drawings/paintings. I dunno, I bet we could have fun with it!

Shadpoke · #8 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 06:19 PM

Yes in deed Ol Red is An Icon of mine. I got to meet him in Green bay wisconsin. Very Nice man and one that is truly missed.

We need more comedy like his instead of all the other stuff out now.

We need to honor him somehow. I am in.

Shadpoke

Rainbow D. Clown · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 08:14 PM

I am contemplating going to the Parade in Vincinnes on June 14. There is also supposed to be someone there conducting a clown seminar and a Jr. Joey seminar for only $20 each. There is a web site for all of this plus the free lodging. You can also get more information on Red from this site. I had previously pressumed that Red only did the clown on stage. But come to find out, he was a clown in a circus in his early years, and his father, who died before his birth was a circus clown. Yes he did many paintings and many were stolen from what I understand too. The innocent style of humor is sadly missed. It would be nice to have his kind of good, clean comedy back on television again.

Fitzwilly · #10 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 12:50 AM

If you ever get the chance to see Tom Mullica do his Red impersonation then make sure you don't pass it up. He actually is the only one Red personally gave his permission to before he died (I seriously he gave anyone permission after either). I saw Tom at the 2007 COAI convention and he was fantastic! And just so you know Tom is always at the Red Festival....