![]() He really had a long and very interesting career. But so long as I make ’em laugh, they aint’ going to lock me up.” Red Skelton I decided to let the kids pick our stop in Vincennes and they chose the Red Skelton Museum.Īpparently, American comedy seemed more interesting than “random historic park we’ve never heard of”. The night before I found a flyer in the hotel lobby (you’ve seen those displays by the entrance right, with flyers for area attractions?) for the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy. I figured we would stop at one or both on our way through. There isn’t a lot to see in Vincennes but it is the location of Grouseland which is the home of President William Henry Harrison and the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park. I had planned to drive through Vincennes, Indiana along the way. ![]() I was familiar with his Pledge of Allegiance act but that was all I really knew about him.įast forward this summer and our latest road trip. A short clip of Freddie the Freeloader planning his Christmas vacation at the local jail A Visit to the Red Skelton Museumīoth of these clowns, Weary Willie and Freeloader Freddie, were before my time but I had at least heard of Red Skelton thanks to my mom. Mickey Rooney and Red Skelton (as Freddie the Freeloader) performing in 1962. (It’s almost directly north of Tulsa, OK in case you’re wondering.) Might be worth a visit next time you’re driving across south Kansas! (Do other people do that – just drive across Kansas to see what’s out there, or it that just me?) The Emmett Kelly Museum is located in Sedan, Kansas, where he was born. took over the Weary Willie character from his father so I’m not sure if this is Senior or Junior but I’m guessing Senior. Here’s a clip of Emmett Kelly sweeping up the spotlight. ![]() A Clip of Weary Willie Sweeping the Spotlight After the circus, he began to perform on Broadway and in movies. His most famous circus act was “sweeping the spotlight”. He joined the Ringling Brother Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1942 where he worked for 14 seasons. started his circus career as an aerialist but was eventually able to perform as Weary Willie full time. Weary Willie was a sad hobo, modeled after a tramp. His character, Weary Willie, was initially rejected by the circus as too depressing for the audience but once the Great Depression hit, real-life tramps became a common sight in everyday life and so found a place in the circus. was one of the most well-known clowns of the circus. A tramp will work only when forced to and a bum doesn’t work at all. What’s the difference between a hobo and a tramp?Īccording to Wikipedia, a hobo is a migrant, often impoverished, worker. Weary Willie is a sad, down in the dumps tramp clown and Freddy is an optimistic, happy hobo clown. Both Willie and Freddy are hobo clowns but with opposite personalities. Weary Willie and Freddie the Freeloader are just two of many famous happy hobo and sad tramp clowns.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |