ent001330-045

Rodger Hard President Q,o py Coy Poe V. Pres. RHP PRODUCTIONS Race Car Drivers9 Management Public Relations Speedway, Indiana Exec. Producer 4004 Hast 15tb P.O. Box 24172 GENERAL PRESS RELEASE Re: Red Skelton Proa: Coy Poe IT IS HITS THE DEEPEST REGRET THAT I HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE CANCELLING HE RED SKXLTOS*RODGER HARD show that was to be presented August 24 be State Pair Grounds. r leasing the premises on the Fair Grounds and conferring with CBS cials and Hill Master son, director of the Fair, as to the potential spectacular of this nature starring Skelton, that I called Jack Entratter, Skelton's manager, and I was told that Skelton was available this date. 1 flew to Las Vegas, met Entratter in his office at the ds Hotel, a contract was negotiated and signed by Entratter and myself. terms of the contract called for Red to get $15,000.00, payable ore the show plus two first-class round trip plane fares from Los Angeles. The contract was signed July 25, 1903. Skelton was in lulu at the time, but it was my understanding that Entratter had authority to negotiate these deals for Skelton as he had been the gar of record in the'past. ugust 5th, I got a wire, from Entratter, saying the deal was off. I called Entratter that evening as to tdiy the cancellation at this late and even offered to wire the $15,000.00 to him or Skelton before got Into their office the next morning, if that would help any. aid, quote, **He don't accept the money and Red will not be there", ote. With that terse statement, the plans we had for a great evening Red Skelton-Rodger Hard followers went down the drain. In 308 prior sports shows with most of the nation's top entertainers performing in one or the other, I have never been confronted with this problem. I am not up to coping with a situation like this. It will be out of my hands and into the hands of the more skilled to quarterback the finale. He are regretful because of the sponsors of the show. Hone of them will lose sponsorship money. He thank the newspaper, TV, end redio people for their willingness to help make this e block buster. Perhaps had we bean able to talk to Red in person telling him of the effort and money that had already gone into this thing, he might have seme: mar side end would have lived up to the contract. He will never know. Outdoor Spectaculars Indoor Sports Shows