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Vincennes University Dedicates Red Skelton Performing Arts Theatre

David Goodnow, 33°

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Above: Clowns of all shapes and sizes came out to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center at “The Parade of a Thousand Clowns.”(Above photos by David Fisher, Vincennes Univ.

Brother Red Skelton would have loved the events held at his hometown, Vincennes, Indiana, on June 10th and 11th this year. The old historic French city held its first annual Red Skelton Festival, “Paint The Town Red.” The huge celebration, part of a grand opening gala, included “The Parade Of A Thousand Clowns.”

The clowns came there to honor one of their own and to celebrate the opening of the new Red Skelton Performing Arts Center on the campus of Vincennes University. It’s a $17 million state-of-the-art facility made to order for students on their way to careers in the theatre, dance, and music as well as accomplished veteran performers. Red’s birth home sits one block away. The June 10th Saturday morning parade featured a sea of Shriners, marching bands, floats, and numerous dignitaries, including Mrs Lothian Skelton and Red’s daughter Valentina, riding in Red’s big red Mercedes. Masons in many of the appendant organizations were there for the gala celebration of Red’s life and times.

Importantly, $2.2 million worth of Red’s memorabilia has been donated for display in a museum yet to be built on the Performing Arts Center grounds. To help get that under way, a two-hour performance headlined by The Smothers Brothers and famed Red Skelton impersonator Tom Mullica was held Saturday night. The $150 tickets helped Red’s friends start work on the museum.

Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton was showered with accolades internationally as a clown, comedian, Freemason, gifted artist, author, musical composer and humanitarian. Listing the gifts he gave his audiences via radio, television, and the stage through seven decades would take volumes.

Red always said he wished to be known as just a clown. He’d been honored numerous times over the years in his Vincennes hometown. But his fondest hope was to have some sort of permanent honor in the historic old French city. Not only has that happened, it is located in his old neighborhood, to boot.

One wonders what the young redhead would have thought if he could have seen into the future to know of his success as a star of stage, screen, and radio and of the honors and accolades he would receive as a Freemason and leading citizen of the world of comedy. He wouldn’t know that his Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag would be something he’d be remembered for over time, for which he would receive more than forty awards and which would be read into the Congressional Record.

A Star is Born

A young Red Skeltonfrom his Vaudeville days (Courtesy Vincennes University

The early 1920s had been tough ones, and eight-year old Red was trying to help his mother and three brothers make ends meet. Selling newspapers as he walked the streets of Vincennes would bring in some money.

His father, Joe Skelton, a onetime circus clown, had died before Richard was born. The little red-haired boy, who had acquired the natural nickname “Red,” was good at selling newspapers and clowning around to get attention. For an extra nickel, he’d stand on his head, and then his customers could read the headlines of the day.

But, one day was special. He wanted to see Ed Wynn, the famous vaudeville star appearing at the Vincennes Pantheon Theatre. Red had never seen Wynn but, if he could sell enough papers, he’d have extra money to buy that all important ticket.

As he worked the shoppers along Main Street between the city hall and the theatre, a man approached and asked him what he was doing. Red replied that he was hoping to make enough to buy a ticket to see the famous Ed Wynn. The man then bought all the papers so Red could buy a ticket. Later, before the performance, the man introduced himself as Ed Wynn and took the amazed boy backstage to see other performers and peek out at the audience. It was a day neither would forget and the beginning of a world famous career. The comedy, acting, and clowning bugs had bitten Red in earnest that day backstage, and he made up his mind this was what he had to do.

A few years later, Red was on the road making people laugh, the goal he’d often repeated to friends. His clowning even took him to perform in the Hagenbeck and Wallace Circus, the same show in which his father appeared as a clown years before.

Red traveled in medicine shows and as master of ceremonies for many events. His fame grew as his unique talents worked their way into the attention of show business movers and shakers.

Movie roles began to come and his art of clowning made him a remarkable screen presence. Theatre goers loved his antics and the tickets sold like hotcakes. Red came home to Vincennes numerous times during his career. The first official visit was his appearance at that same Pantheon Theatre in 1939 for a five-show run. In 1963, he came home for the dedication of the new Red Skelton Bridge spanning the Wabash River. He put on a show that night and audience members laughed until their sides hurt.

On that visit, he established the Red Skelton Needy Children’s Christmas Fund for students in Vincennes’ public schools, a fund still helping families. He remembered growing up in deprived circumstances.

Tom Mullica, Red Skelton impersonator, on the stage of the Red Skelton Performing Art Center in Vincennes, Indiana.(David Fisher, Vincennes Univ.

In his early years, Red petitioned to become a Freemason, just like his inspiration, Bro. Ed Wynn of Philadelphia Lodge No. 9, Pennsylvania. Red’s journey began as a member of Vincennes Lodge No. 1, Indiana, in 1939. He completed all his memory work in just three days, to the amazement of lodge members.

As years passed, his Masonic memberships held great importance for him and his honors and awards were many. They included: the Scottish Rite 33°, Valley of Evansville; the Caleb B. Smith Medal of Honor, the highest award of the Indiana Grand Lodge; the Gourgas Medal, the highest honor conferred by the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction; the Medal for Distinguished Achievement, the premier award of the Grand Lodge of New York; and the Fifty Year Award of Gold presented by Vincennes Lodge No. 1.

The boy from Vincennes had proven a genius in the arts, a monumental figure giving the gift of laughter and kindness to countless audiences. In the “Monday’s Child” rhyme, “Friday’s child is loving and giving.” Born on Friday, July 18th, 1913, Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton’s life can well be described as one of loving and giving to millions around the world. He laid down his working tools on September 17, 1997.

“Good night and may God Bless.”

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Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from one that appeared in the April 2006 Indiana Freemason and is used with their permission.

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David Goodnow joined CNN in October 1982 and worked at the anchor desk for more than eighteen years. David is a native of Vincennes, Indiana, a member of Lessing Lodge No. 464, Evansville, and an honorary member of Vincennes Lodge No. 1. David was crowned an honorary 33° Scottish Rite Mason in 1998. David continues to actively participate on many DeMolay projects and is a Legion of Honor recipient.