(This article first appeared in the September print edition of the Hendersonian.)
He was a comedy genius, that man born in Vincennes, Ind., as Richard Bernard Skelton more than 110 years ago.
Though he appeared in more than 40 films, he was probably best known for his national radio and television comedy shows—especially “The Red Skelton Show”—that ran between 1937 and 1971 with characters like Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader.
Drawn to comedy at an early age, Red Skelton performed in burlesque, vaudeville, nightclubs and casinos (in addition to broadcast media) and he was also a gifted visual artist.
With just a short drive to Vincennes, you can learn all about him at the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.
The museum is at Vincennes University, which also has a performing arts center bearing his name that hosts student productions as well as touring shows. It is the home for items donated by the comedian’s estate dating from 1913 (when Red was born one block away from where the museum is today) to 1997 (the year of his death.)
The collection includes original art work, awards from many organizations, autographs and letters from notable people, scrapbooks, photos (family, film television and military), sheet music, clothing, recordings, Red’s library, personal appearance programs and other items.
The museum features a 3,500-square-foot, fully interactive exhibit entitled “Red Skelton: A Legacy of Laughter” which highlights these themes:
• Activities which introduce the ideas of physical comedy by showing his mastery of the art of pantomime, slapstick, pratfalls, and facial expressions.
• An interactive chronology featuring three parallel timelines: Red’s life, national events, and popular entertainment.
• Memorabilia and costumes of all of his most beloved characters, including Freddie the Freeloader and Clem Kaddidlehopper.
• An activity called “Stage Set” to try your hand at physical sight gags.
• A short film featuring hysterical and poignant highlights and photos from Red’s television career.
After the comedian died in 1997, Vincennes University president Dr. Phillip M. Summers proposed the idea of a performing arts center to be named in Red’s honor.
In 2006, that arts center opened with an 800-seat theater, a scene design shop and classrooms, and then fundraising started for the museum to house artifacts from Skelton’s estate that had already been donated.
In 2013 the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy opened on July 18 in celebration of the comedian’s 100th birthday.
Skelton preferred to be described as a clown rather than a comic.
“A comedian goes out and hits people right on. A clown uses pathos. He can be funny, then turn right around and reach people and touch them with what life is like,” he was quoted as saying. “I just want to be known as a clown because to me that’s the height of my profession. It means you can do everything—sing, dance and above all, make people laugh.”
An account of Red Skelton’s life from the museum:
Red’s father Joe died two months before Red’s birth leaving his mother, Ida Mae, with the responsibility of raising Red and his three brothers
The comedian’s early years were marred by poverty. Despite hardships, Red was known as a compassionate and fun-loving jester who delighted in bringing joy to others. Red helped sustain his family by performing odd jobs and selling newspapers.
One evening in 1923, when Red was selling newspapers outside The Pantheon Theatre in Vincennes, he reportedly met the comedian Ed Wynn who invited him backstage to meet the other performers and to view the audience from the stage perspective. Captivated by the experience, Red made it his life’s goal to perform and bring laughter to people.
At the age of 15, Red left home to perform in medicine shows, vaudeville, burlesque, and minstrels. His mother always claimed that Red’s “destiny caught up with him at an early age.”
In 1937, Red made his debut on radio and on Broadway and quickly became an up-and-coming comedian. “The Red Skelton Show” became a radio staple in the 1940s and the funny redhead furthered his career by appearing in movies for MGM.
In 1951, Red took his show from the radio airways to television, a move that brought him into millions of living rooms across the nation. The TV show lasted from 1951 to 1971 and earned Red three Emmy Awards. He also went on to star in dozens of hit movies.
If you go:
The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy is located at W. 20 Red Skelton Blvd., Vincennes. Hours are: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from noon-5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $9; Seniors (60+), $8; Students, $6; children younger than 5, free.
