Product Description
For twenty years, Hoosier comic Red Skelton entertained millions of viewers who gathered around their television sets to delight in the antics of such notable characters as Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kaddiddlehopper, Cauliflower McPugg, and Sheriff Deadeye. Noted film historian Wes D. Gehring examines the man behind the characters--someone who never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Gehring delves into Skelton's hardscrabble life with a shockingly dysfunctional family in the southern Indiana community of Vincennes, his days on the road on the vaudeville circuit, the comedian's early success on radio, his up-and-down movie career with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and his sometimes tragic personal life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Comedy isn't always pretty
If you read the author's other book on Red Skelton, you may have walked away a tad disappointed, because for the main part, it was a review of the performance-related aspects of the Skelton career.The current book more than makes up for it.While there is some "review material", as appropriate, this is very much a journey into the psyche of Red Skelton.And, it's balanced and fair.It's not a hatchet job, nor does it attempt to pretty everything up as a fan-writer might do.This tells it like it was, as much as one can do when writing about events and people that took place and lived in the early and mid-1900s.Skelton has been a hero to me since I was a boy...and, after reading this biography, still is...but as I suspected (and has been hinted at in countless magazine articles and other books), he was a flawed person who brought trauma into the lives of those closest to him.But then again, they hooked their fortunes to the star, so I won't feel too sorry for them.As the author points out, Red damaged and nearly destroyed his own legacy by locking away his television treasures and by his long-standing public bitterness toward CBS (not that they didn't deserve it), but -- for the most part -- he banished himself from television and our living rooms.To some extent, the author makes up for that by chronicling just how big a start Red Skelton was.In the 2010s, it's easy for us to forget that.I recall an article written at the time Skelton was dropped by CBS, and one line said something to the effect of, "Who's bigger?Dean Martin?Lucy?"Thanks to the author for reminding us.A very good read.

The Clown Prince of Television!
No other comedian brought as much laughter nor reigned longer on television than Red Skelton. Skelton's stable of silly yet oddly touching characters, his childlike demeanor and even his heartfelt "God Bless" benediction at program's end endeared him to boob tube viewers. Skelton had been a great success on radio and in films as well. Behind the lovable public persona, however, lurked an individual whose obsessive needs produced two failed marriages. Wes Gehring dissects the life and career of America's Clown Price of Television in this 2008 Indiana Historical Society Press release.

To hiscredit, Gehring, a Professor of Film at Ball State University, did an incredible amount of research to uncover the facts behind Skelton's great successes in radio, films and television and his equally fractured personal life. Possessing a natural gift to amuse, Skelton's hardscrabble childhood produced a man-child who needed a devoted wife to manage his career and give him the emotional support and love he never received as a child. Yet those needs often worked against each other, producing yet another broken marriage. Likewise, Skelton endlessly embellished his life story throughout the years, not only playing fast and loose with facts but also downplaying the efforts of those who helped him along theway. Yet, given his childhood and the private demons it produced, Skelton's enduring legacy of laughter and joy is truly inspiring.

As I read RED SKELTON, THE MASK BEHIND THE MASK, I sometimes got the impression it was less a biography and more a psychological dissection of a troubled if gifted comedian. Gehring's academic background made the book hard slogging at times due to endless literary allusions, digressions, etc. that, I thought, undercut the storyline's momentum. For that reason and the fact that Gehring did not include an index, I gave the book four stars.

Those criticisms aside, readers wanting to know the 'real' Red Skelton will want to latch on to a copy of RED SKELTON, THE MASK BEHIND THE MASK. While it does bring back some long-treasured memories of laughter at Skelton's comic antics, it also reveals the man behind the clown's mask. Recommended.
*******

For all those hours of laughter and joy you brought me and my family every Tuesday night, thank you Mr. Skelton!

A must for those who want to finally get to who the man really is
One of the icons of early television comedy, Red Skelton was man of many layers. Mostly masks. "Red Skelton: The Mask Behind the Mask" tells the story of the man who brought joy to millions, and how there wasn't much joy for him growing up. While he was all smiles when the camera was on, Red was anything but when the cameras were off. Telling his life story in a charming tribute to one of the greats, "Red Skelton: The Mask Behind the Mask" is a must for those who want to finally get to who the man really is.
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Product Description
A collection of over seventy Gertrude and Heathcliffe jokes with directions by the author-pantomime artist on how to imitate a seagull when telling them. ... Read more

Product Description
An analytical biography that combines biographical andcritical information to estimate Skelton's importance to the fields offilm and television comedy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Seeing Red: The Skelton in Hollywood's Closet
Being a huge fan of Red Skelton, I am certain that I will find this book enjoyable. This is the first book I have found written about Red in over 30 years.

Gehring Dood It!
Being a huge fan of Red Skelton, I was naturally eager to read about his life. But, after having read the Arthur Marx biography about him, I was a bit leery about reading Seeing Red because I didn't want my illusion of Red destroyed. Wes Gehring's extensive research shows because he gives the reader information from all points of view, and he leaves it up to readers to use their own judgments. Gehring has a witty and warm writing style, and his affection for Mr. Skelton shows in this great tribute to the funny man who signed off his TV show with "Good night, and God bless." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Humorous ghost stories
Famous standup comedian Red Skelton published this collection of ghost stories, and his selection contains several creepy tales, several poems, and several humorous sendups of traditional tales. There's a story that reads like it may have been the inspiration for Ghostbusters, and an amusing one about a man who is plagued by a pack of hobo ghosts who won't give him any peace. To me, the best story in the book is a five-page tale about a man who tells of being pursued through the jungles of India by a man-eating tiger.

As a collection, this is kind of an odd one. Fans of horror and the supernatural might feel cheated by the lighthearted tone that most of the stories have, and fans of comedy can find something funnier than the rather broad humor.

Despite this, I thought that the stories were generally entertaining and very accessible. I first read this book twenty years or so ago, as a preteen, and I found that I still remember some of the stories quite clearly. My memory isn't that good, so Skelton must hav done something right.

Particularly good for younger readers who like ghost stories, but might not want to be burderened by a parade of gore.
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Product Description
Red Skelton, comic genius and America s most beloved clown, is featured here in sixteen classic episodes from his long-running radio series, including fifteen episodes now available for the first time anywhere.

You ll hear the inimitable characters that Red delighted audiences with in movies and his top-rated radio and television shows for so many years, including Junior the Mean Widdle Kid , Willie Lump-Lump, Cauliflower McPugg, Clem Kadiddlehopper, and San Fernando Red.

Joining Red in these shows is a terrific supporting ensemble cast including Pat McGeehan, Lurene Tuttle, Dick Ryan, Martha Wentworth, David Rose, Rod O Connor and John Holbrook.

The sixteen radio episodes included in this audio compact disc collection have been digitally restored and remastered for you listening enjoyment. Also included is a Program Guide by radio historian Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. with photos and background information about the show.

INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING EPISODES:CD 1 Dog Troubles 2/26/1950 and Census Time Again 3/5/1950CD 2 Tax Troubles 3/12/1950 and Town Hall Tax Meeting 3/19/1950CD 3 Flying Saucers 3/26/1950 and Looking for Talent 4/2/1950CD 4 Easter Skunk Patrol Benefit 4/9/1950 and Going to the Beach 4/16/1950CD 5 Red Renews His Drivers License 4/23/1950 and Rod is Late 4/30/1950CD 6 Night Court 5/7/1950 and Mother s Day 5/14/1950CD 7 New Neighbor 5/21/1950 and Losing Weight 5/28/1950CD 8 Amateur Snapshot Contest 6/4/1950 and At the Country Club 6/11/1950 ... Read more

Product Description
The Red Skelton Show was on the air for 20 years, the longest-running primetime network comedy variety series on television. It was a top 10 series for nine years--an accomplishment surpassed only by Gunsmoke and Home Improvement. The series has a few unimpressive achievements too, such as becoming the first top 10 series to be cancelled by a network. Here is the history of The Red Skelton Show, beginning with its debut in 1951 and its great initial success. It was one of the top five television series that year, and Skelton and his show were nominated for Emmys. The author then details the show's decline in popularity; its move from CBS to NBC in 1953 and its slow rise back to the top; its glory days of the 1960s, when it became an hour long show and finished at number two for two different years; CBS's surprise cancellation of the show in 1970 despite its place in the top 10; and the failed last season back with NBC. There are three appendices: Appendix A lists cast and crew credits for the show, Appendix B lists special guests by season, and Appendix C offers information on the post-Red Skelton lives of many of the shows principal players. ... Read more

Product Description
First Edition (stated); First Printing (10 to 1 print number line); E. P. Dutton, 1979, hardcover with price intact dust jacket; black & white photo section; no remainder mark; no previous owners name, no writing, no highlighting, no underlining; no page corners folded as place markers; dust jacket edge wear--one repaired tear on the top edge of the rear; dust jacket edge tanning; foxing on the top page edges and on the cloth of the white spine binding; lower fore-edge board corners are bumped; actually not in bad shape for a thirty-one year-old book; no bookstore stickers, stamps or labels, this is NOT an ex-library copy; this is NOT a book club edition; smoke-free; ships quickly in a protective cardboard book box mailer, for even quicker delivery, the expedited shipping option is available; SKUa5327 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Tortured clown
Growing up in the late 50s and early 60s, Ol' Dad's television preferences rubbed off on the rest of the family when we all gathered around the clunky B&W set. In terms of comedy, his favorites were Jackie Gleason and Red Skelton, especially the former. On the other hand, I particularly enjoyed Skelton (and Abbott & Costello and Bob Hope).For some reason, Milton Berle never made much of an impression. Later, Mom and I graduated to Bill Cosby when he did his early comedy albums: she never tired of his Noah skit.

Red died in 1997. RED SKELTON is an overview of his life from 1913 to 1977, and focuses chiefly on his rise through the ranks of on-stage comedy from medicine shows to tent shows to riverboats to circuses to burlesque to walkathons (i.e. dance marathons) to vaudeville to nightclubs to radio to movies to television to Las Vegas.

This book is self-described as an "unauthorized biography", and it certainly is that. While author Arthur Marx gives due credit to Skelton's brilliance as the consummate clown, his monetary generosity to others, and his love for his children, especially son Richard who died of leukemia in 1958, he makes no attempt to gloss over Red's excruciating second marriage, his alcoholism, his paranoia, his vengefulness, his wretched treatment of his television writers and business associates, and his debilitating insecurity. We're all dysfunctional to some degree, but it's comforting to read of somebody rich and famous more dysfunctional than oneself. There, but for the grace of God, go I, etc.

RED SKELTON includes a reasonably adequate photographic section, at the end of which is a happily posed picture of the comedian with his second wife Georgia at their home in Palm Springs, which implies that they were still genially married at the conclusion of the story. Actually, Skelton married his third wife, Lothian, in 1973, and Georgia died of a self-inflicted gunshot in 1976. There's no snap of Lothian, and only one that includes Red's first wife, Edna, who accomplished more in building Skelton's career than Georgia ever did.

RED SKELTON is a well-written, revealing, and somewhat disenchanting look at a childhood icon. Approaching 58, I should know better than to retain any belief in heroes, especially those that rise to the surface in Tinseltown.

"Good night, and God bless."

Very good book
If you were a Red Skelton fan you will enjoy this book.It provided an insight to Red that I was unaware.Red was a complex individual and had his bad points.He had three wifes.The first wife (Edna) was actually the best, but their relationship became platonic.She continued managing many of Red's business affairs for years.The second wife (Georgia) committed suicide on her second attempt on the anniversary of their son's death.That's right, Red's only son died when he was 12 or 13.Little is mentioned about Red's third wife other than how they met and that she was much younger than Red.Red disliked business managers and made some bad investments but overall had plenty of good investments to make him independently wealthy.Red had a problem with drinking, but was able to straighten himself out later in life at least of hard alcohol, while he still drank beer.His health was such that liquor would have eventually killed him.

Rare talent
I have been a fan of Red Skelton since a child watching him on the black& white TV.So when I had the opportunity to read this book, I jumpedat it.Maybe I'm to big a fan and had Mr Skelton on a pedistal and was alittle shocked by the content of this book.It was often hard for me toread some chapters.He was human and had frailities like all men.Thebook gave a great deal of detail to his struggling years, bothprofessionaly and personally.There are many quotes from coworkers thatshow a different, behind-the-scenes Red Skelton.This man among clowns hada life quite different for what the public saw through televison.I'm justglad he surrived and became a master comedian. ... Read more

Product Description
Audio Cassette containing episodes from each of the listed Authors. UPC = 051375050398 ... Read more

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Sheet music for Tico - Tico No Fuba. ... Read more

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Ghost stories gay and grim selected by the master of comedy. The best loved clown ever shares his favorite stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hauntingly delightful
The versatile Skelton (he was a composer, painter, and "constant reader" as well as a TV star and film actor) was at his peak at 53 when he edited this collection, which, despite its subtitle, is more gay--or at least funny--than scary.Though packaged for a young-adult audience--about age 10 up--most of the stories were actually written for grownup readers (the authors range from Barbee Oliver Carleton to Robert Arthur to Dunsany, Saki, Lafcadio Hearn, Washington Irving, John Kendrick Bangs, Jerome K. Jerome, Manly Wade Wellman, and Oscar Wilde), and the book can be enjoyed by all ages: I go back to it regularly.Among the highlights are "My Displaced Ghosts" (a writer copes with the problem of ghosts who've lost their homes to developers), "The Wonderful Cat of Cobbie Bean" (in colonial New England, Cobbie's "gift of happiness" arouses suspicion, yet makes him beloved), "To Starch a Spook" (a 12-year-old girl and her friend undertake to de-ghost a haunted mansion), "The Open Window" (a Saki short with his trademark O. Henry-esque sting-in-the-tail), "The Moor's Legacy" (a "legend" from Irving's "The Alhambra"), "The Ghost Ship" (in a much-haunted English village, a ghost ship excites little comment until it begins luring away the young male spooks of the countryside), "The Boy Who Drew Cats" (a retelling of a Japanese legend), "The Haunted Trailer" (five hobo ghosts complicate the life of a trailer traveller), "O Ugly Bird!" (one of the many adventures of Silver John the Balladeer, who roams the Appalachian mountains encountering strange things), "The Canterville Ghost" (a 16th-century haunt meets his match in an American family; look for these versions on DVD The Canterville Ghost, The Canterville Ghost, The Canterville Ghost, Timeless Tales: The Canterville Ghost), "He Walked by Day" (unfinished business drives a ghost to walk by daylight and sign on with a road crew), "The Water Ghost" (a dank and dismal spook makes life miserable for the master of Harrowby Hall), and "Three Ghost Stories for Christmas Eve."None are unduly frightening, and all contain a generous leaven of humor, as you might expect from this editor.The book has been a favorite of mine for over 40 years, and even people who don't usually care for ghost stories (as I don't) should find it enjoyable. ... Read more

Product Description
Red Skelton, the king of clowns, steps out from under the big top to bring you all of his favorite side-splitting character creations: the fellow from the country Clem Kadiddlehopper, the astonishingly inept outlaw ;Deadeye, the alcohol-besotted Willie Lump-Lump, punch-drunk pugilist Cauliflower McPugg, Brooklyn expatriate Bolivar Shagnasty, henpecked hubby J. Newton Numbskull, and radio's unrepentant hellion Junior the Mean Widdle Kid.

The laughs are as reliable as Junior's schemes (which always work) in these 14 digitally restored and remastered episodes featuring Red's talented supporting cast: Harriet Hilliard, Wonderful Smith, announcer Truman Bradley, and Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra.

This seven-hour collection includes 14 rare recordings from the archives of the Red Skelton Estate presented here to the public here for the first time (including a pair of rehearsal recordings that offer a fascinating glimpse of the inner workings of the show), and a Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. featuring photos and background information about the program.

EPISODES INCLUDE: Swimming 09-15-42, School 09-20-42 (Rehearsal for 09-22-42 Broadcast), Visiting 09-29-42, Jobs 10-06-42, Hiding 10-13-42, Etiquette 10-20-42, Doctors 10-25-42 (Rehearsal for 10-27-42 Broadcast), Football 11-03-42, Beauty Shop 11-10-42, Junior's Anniversary 11-17-42, Winter 11-24-42, Everything Happens to Me 12-01-42, Rationing 12-08-42, Shopping 12-15-42 ... Read more

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Chapters: Slim Pickens, John Wayne Gacy, Bob Keeshan, Emmett Kelly, Bozo the Clown, Red Skelton, Patch Adams, J. P. Patches, Lou Jacobs, Wavy Gravy, Ronald Mcdonald, Glen "Frosty" Little, Emmett Kelly, Jr., Otto Griebling, Bill Irwin, Andy the Clown, Dan Rice, Bill Ballantine, Bello Nock, Courtney Ryley Cooper, Charles Kraus, Larry Harmon, Pat Cashin, Avner the Eccentric, Michelle Matlock, Alex the Jester, Ed Alberian, Max Patkin, Myron Noodleman, Ed Birchall, Jeff Raz, David Shiner, Clarabell the Clown, Marshall Brodien, Quail Dobbs, Jango Edwards, Rob Mermin, Greg and Karen Desanto, Felix Adler, Steve Smith, Jean Baptiste Casmiere Breschard, Roy Brown, Mark Stolzenberg, Russell Scott, George Carl, Barry Lubin, Frank Wiziarde, Tommy the Clown, Gordoon, Robert Edmund Sherwood, Cliffy the Clown. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 209. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (March 17, 1942 May 10, 1994) was an American serial killer. Between 1972 and 1978, the year he was arrested, Gacy raped and murdered at least 33 young men and boys, mostly teenagers. Although some of his victims' bodies were found in the Des Plaines River, he buried 26 of them in the small crawl space underneath the basement of his home and three more elsewhere on his property. He became known as "Killer Clown" because of the popular block parties he would throw for his friends and neighbors, entertaining children in a clown suit and makeup as "Pogo the Clown". John Wayne Gacy, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, the second of three children, to John Samuel Gacy, Sr. (June 20, 1900 December 25, 1969), a machinist, and Marion Elaine Robinson (May 4, 1908 December 14, 1989). Cook County marriage records provide his mother's name as Marion E. Robertson. Gacy was of Polish and Danish heritage. As a child, ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=61279 ... Read more

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The ultimate Red Skelton Video! A hilarious documentary featuring Red on stage! In Movies!! And on television!!! See all of Red's famous characters! ... Read more