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ent001327-008
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I agree.Red Skelton Page 8. Girls. Before long, Skelton was clearing $2,500 per week and back in the big time. Red made his radio debut on ?╟úThe Red Foley Show" in Cincinnati in 1937 although he was at the time starring in vaudeville in Chicago. He wasn?╟╓t headlined at first, but eventually became the star of the program which in 1939 was re-titled "The Red Skelton Show." One engagement stands out in Skelton?╟╓s memory for 1939. It began on New Year?╟╓s night at Shea's Buffalo. The movie was "Balaleika." The star of the vaudeville bill was Skelton. Also on the bill were Burt Lancaster in an acrobatics act and Frank Sinatra and Jo Stafford for vocalizing with Harry James and his Orchestra. "That array would be rather costly to put together today," Skelton grins wryly. That same year, Skelton held forth at the Paramount in New York for 16 weeks. His theatrical pay was $4,300 a week. Sideline per- sonal appearances brought his weekly income up to $7,000, making Red one of the highest paid entertainers in show business In 1940, Skelton returned to Hollywood as a result of the recommendation of two people. Lupe Velez saw Red on the stage and suggested to director Frank Borzage that he test Skelton. Almost simultaneously, Mickey Rooney, one of MGM?╟╓s top stars, brought Red to the attention of Louis B. Mayer. more...