Show Red Skelton Proves Smart as Well as Funny 1 HOLLYWOOD INS INS INS-A A very funny man is Red Skelton And smart too He was both when he granted a full hour interview to a kid reporter reporter reporter re re- re- re porter from the Los Angeles City college Junior Collegian i The kid wormed his w way a y through the big gates at M-G-M M and nervously asked the publicity department for an Interview with the funny man But before the youngster was admitted Skelton told Len Shannon Shannon Shan Shan- I non the P P. P A. A that shan shan-I Hell ask how I got in show business How I 1 developed the character of junior and whether my wife writes my jokes The kid came in trembling Scared to death He fumbled through his pockets and explained in a quaking voice Mr Skelton everybody at school wants to know how you I got into show business Red explained Mr Skelton the kids at school also want to know how you happened happened happened hap hap- to think up the character of junior Red explained with a broad grin Mr Skelton is it true that your wife writes some of ot your I material 1 By this time Skelton and Shannon Shannon Shannon Shan Shan- non were laughing out loud and Skelton had to explain that he had anticipated every one of the questions The explanation was wai designed to put the kid reporter at ease which it did Then Skelton gave with a real story He told the boy much of the lore of show business which Red learned during his days with carnivals He told him the origin of show business phrases such as slapstick and ham The comedian spent an hour talking while production on his current picture Du Barry Was Wasa a Lady waited Why did you spend so much time with him Shannon asked Hes Insurance for me Skelton Skelton Skelton ton said Look at the old timers like Cantor Jessel and Jolson They pack theaters whenever they make an appearance And who I comes out tp see them The I youngsters youngsters' Not on your life Its It's the old timers who learned to love them way backAll backAll back All AU I 1 want is half a million kids to become my fans now Twenty years from now when they are older they'll still come out to see me And I want to tobe tobe tobe be able to make a living then too |