In the fall of 1989, we received word that one of my all time favourite comedians and fellow Shriner, Red Skelton, was coming to Winnipeg to do a show. I had grown up listening to him on radio and later I watched him act out his many characters on television. The Khartum Shriners immediately contacted his office and received permission to present him with an Honorary membership in both Khartum Shrine and the Khartum Komedians.

We would be allowed to have four members present during the one press conference which he always gave while on the road. Dennis McQuade and Jerry Derhak from the Komedian Unit, our photographer Art Foster and myself, as Potentate of Khartum Shrine, joined dozens of radio, television and print media at this invitation only press conference.

Mr. Skelton said he did not give interviews but would talk to us as a group we could ask questions later. He told us how he had started as a comedian at a very young age to support his mother. His father had been a clown in the circus and had died just shortly before Red’s birth. Red himself started in circus shows at 15 and later vaudeville, and then graduated to radio, movies and television, hosting his own show until 1971. He was a master story teller and the room was totally silent as he mesmerized us with yarn after yarn. We all took copious notes as he explained how he invented his many characters. Household names came to life in front of our very eyes. Freddie the Free Loader and the Mean Widdle Kid were presented to us as if alive on a stage.

He explained that in the 1970s, the television networks all decided to go with youth for their programming. He was a very wealthy man and could have easily retired his characters and focused on his many other activities but he said he was happiest when on the road – live audiences gave him energy. He said that his mission in life was to make people laugh and so he went back on the road doing one night shows like the one in Winnipeg.

He spoke for three hours but it seemed so much less than that. He was in his mid 70's at the time, and bursting with energy. Maybe all of his activities kept him young and vital. To keep busy while on the road, he wrote jokes - nothing profane, of course, as he never swore. He also wrote a short story once a week. He had taken up painting in the early 40s and did two a month. (His paintings are much sought after today and go for very high prices.) At the end of his talk, he was bombarded with questions by the media types. His kindly face with its road map of experiences never changed. He graciously provided entertaining answers to so many questions, yet his eyes always showed a promise of more stories and laughter to come.

After the question period, we presented him with an honorary Komedian membership. Then on behalf of the 3,400 members of Khartum Shrine, I proudly presented him with an Honorary membership and my Potentates pin. We were able to view some of his paintings and get our pictures taken with this iconic story teller. He fulfilled his mission that day, sharing his extraordinary life and inviting us to laugh with him. When it was all over, he never said good-bye and instead concluded his appearance with his famous line, “Good Night and May God Bless”.


Dec 2 2012