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ent001327-004

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ent001327-004
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

Red Skelton Page 4. months before Red was born, leaving a penniless wife with three sons. By 1921, Red was the busiest 8-year-old in Vincennes, He went to school by day, sold papers before and after, ushered at the Moon Theatre at 50 cents per night. On leaving the theatre at 9, he would visit Kramer?╟╓s Pool Hall to collect playing cards dropped by the customers, then would hitchhike to neighboring towns in pants and a sweater doing song and dance routines and selling the cards for magic tricks. All in all, his work paid off both in money and experience. One of Red?╟╓s fondest memories of Vincennes involves an incident which took place around six in the evening when the boy was trying to sell his last dozen papers. A passerby bought one, asking Red what amusements the town had to offer. Red suggested the theatre where Ed Wynn was appearing, wistfully adding he?╟╓d love to go. The customer gave Red a dollar for the balance of his papers and suggested to the boy that he meet him in front of the theatre that night. Red appeared, was given a ticket, settled himself in his seat, jumped out of his skin when his benefactor proved to be the star of the show. more,..