Clem Kadiddlehopper was one of Red Skelton’s most popular characters, portrayed on radio and television for decades. He was a country bumpkin, slow-witted and big-hearted. Although never intentionally hurtful, he would often cause clownish harm. Often to his long-suffering father. (“When the stork brought you, Clem, I should’ve shot it on sight!” )
Red Skelton, one of America’s great clowns, talks about an American tradition – the home of the men of mirth. The Circus is an ode he wrote, and recited on his television show. Actually, the poem, The Circus, is a tribute to Red’s father, a clown, whom Skelton never knew, since his father died two months before Red was born. But the love of clowning, the love of mime and of the Big Top with all its magic for everyone, is an innate thing with Skelton
As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton’s teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.
The time has come to say good night,
My how time does fly.
We ve had a laugh, perhaps a tear,
and now we hear good-bye.
I really hate to say good night,
for times like these are few.
I wish
Biography of Red Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997) If some day you’re not feeling well, you should remember some little thing I have said or done and if it brings a smile…
A note that I saw on groups.yahoo.com in the Caring_clowns group, and wanted to pass on:
Red Skelton Christmas Show is a wonderful collection from Red Skelton’s long-running television series. It consists of three routines:
Back in 1969, Red Skelton on his television show presented the Pledge of Allegiance. He presented it as he said he’d been taught it in the fourth grade by his teacher, a Mr. Laswell. It’s a powerful presentation, and I urge you to follow the text link above. Read it for yourself or listen to Red present it.
On June 26, 2002, the Pledge of Allegiance was banned from the public schools. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that, since the pledge contains the phrase “under God,” it is an unconstitutional establishment of a religion. The court, shocked by popular outrage, put a stay on the order until the entire 9th Circuit Court could review it. As of March 28, 2003, the 9th Circuit Court has done so — and upheld the original judgment. Attorney General John Ashcroft condemned the decision. He said the Justice Department will “spare no effort to preserve the rights of all our citizens to pledge allegiance to the American flag.”
(the birth announcement of Red Skelton’s daughter, Valentina, originally published in The Meriden Daily Journal on May 6, 1947) Santa Monica, Calif. May 5. (AP) Mrs. Red Skelton, wife of the comedian, gave birth to…
[Originally published in the Daytona Beach Morning Journal – Feb 13, 1945]
Richmond, Va. Feb. 12 – (AP) – Pvt. Richard “Red” Skelton, the radio comedian and motion picture actor, said here today that he and Miss Georgia Davis, of Kalispell, Mont. would be married soon, if he is in the country long enough to permit it.