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Encino, Calif. Studio City Graphic (Cir. W. 14,500) 0k. 1969 .Jff.n, r.C*. Erf. 1888 ..0 i.uMio \~uy, jnerman ajoks, uncinu, iui^o^, ^~ / &ftsudjuw*rfi /HfT r3 Lights Of Las Vegas ^SSf By W/i SOLOMON '**.?'Reef Skelton To L Open At Sand's LAS VEGAS ?╟÷ Red Skelton is a star who continues to amaze people with his versatile creativity, which will be apparent when he opens a two-week stand at Sands Hotel on June 11. Singer Gloria Loring will support the carrot- topped comedian. For not only will the great cl#*n' entertain audiences for more than an hour with side-splitting humor, but all the music used during his act will be original Skelton compositions. To date the master of humor has composed approximately 5000 songs ?╟÷ many of them stirring martial airs. Presently 10,000 schools and college bands are playing Skelton music including "The Kadiddlehopper March," (a favorite of the UCLA Bruin Band). The "Everett McKinley Dirksen March" was first played in public by the Pasadena City College Lancers Band at the 1968 Tournament of Roses Parade where the well known senator served as grand marshal. During the Sands stint, Skelton music will provide melodious backgrounds for his hilarious pantomimes, also created by the red-haired funnyman. The serious sideof Skelton became evident when he gave his interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance on his national CBS television show. The public's acceptance was immediate and to date Skelton has sent, on request more than 350,000 copies of the Pledge and Columbia Records released a single of him reciting it. Because of the popular demand it was decided to repeat that Show June 10 during the week of national observance of Flag Day. And now Skelton has accepted the invitation of Philadelphia Mayor James H. Tate to recite the Pledge in Independence Hall on July 4. During Skelton's stand at the Sands, where he has appeared many years, he will have Don Ferris as his musical conductor for the entire show. ^tM The show, always a sellout, will feature a blend of Skelton, verbial jokes and his pantomimes, hi nightclubs where standing ovations are rare, they occur almost nightly for the all-time great comedian. One pantomime that never fails to bring down the house is his interpretation of the Old Man watching the parade. There are few dry eyes after he finishes this comedic- pathos routine. Show business enterpreneurs from every corner of the globe are requesting Red Skelton "in person" performances. He wants to do them, however, television, the time assuming ogre, prevents this from happening. But don't be a bit surprised if in/1970 Red Skelton makes a tour of the world's capitals to display his internationally understood brand of comedy. RAMBLING AROUND ?╟÷ Broadway producer DAVID MERRICK will give PEARL BAILEY two weeks off from "Hello Dolly" to fulfill a date at International Hotel in December . . . BRUNZ ELL CONSTRUCTION will break ground for Caesars Palace 225 rooms, 13 story, $4.2 million high-rise on Tues. June 10 with completion by April 1970 . . . Associated Booking Corp., V-P BOB PHILLIPS turned down three^gfffers for the services of MAHALIA JACKSON here .W. DONN ARDEN has been rehearsing the cast full time for Desert Inn's "Pzazz 70! And All That Jazz, Baby" for a July 4 openingY/f. Circus Circus prexy STANLEY MALL IN had the license renewed now that JAY SARNO bowed out. HOWARD HUGHES' purchase of Paradise Valley Country Club and Golf Course for $2-1/4 million from local publisher HANK GREENSPUN is expected to result in the return of the Tournament of Champions Golf Classic . . . Riviera Hotel is also bidding for the services of EDDY ARNOLD due to the open late this year . . . Nat. Gen. Corp. prexy GENE KLEIN deal for Stardust, Fremont and Aladdin Hotels wasn't what was expected and turned thumbs down immediately . . . THE ESTABLISHMENT had to turn down DAVE VICTORSON as support for PETULA CLARK on June 17 at Caesars Palace to fulfill stand with TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD at Hotel Sahara starting June 24 . .. FOUR STEP BROTHERS will support DONALD O'CONNOR for a two week stand at Hotel Sahara starting July 29. BARBARA EDEN is building a combination music and rehearsal room at her Sherman Oaks, California, estate for the Frontier Hotel date . . . BRECK WALL and JOE PETERSON are prepping two production shows for a Strip hotel . . . Tropicana entertainment boss MAYNARD SLOATE left on a European talent scout tour for future "Folies Bergere" show . . . DON ARDEN's theme for "Pzazz ??7o! And All That Jazz, Baby"showdue to open at Desert ton on July 4 will be jazz in all its forms including (Associated News Features) /