RED SKELTON - CONTRACT SIGNED 04/10/1981 - HFSID 278834

RED SKELTON
Skelton signed this contract "Richard Red Skelton" in 1981 to appear in his last TV special, Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner. This show marked the end of Skelton's movie and TV career, although he continued to perform live.
Contract signed "Richard Red Skelton". Also signed by a representative of Cabala Communications, Inc. 7 pages, 8½x14, photocopy. April 10, 1981. Skelton signed this contract to appear in a TV show tentatively titled Funny Faces, Part II, to be taped between May 19 and 21, 1981 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Skelton received $100,000 and free transportation to the taping. Based on the date, it's possible that this contract was for Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner. This show is Skelton's only TV credit in 1981 to the best of our knowledge. It's also his last TV special and, for that matter his last prerecorded performance. He confined himself to live appearances after taping Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner. On his radio show (1941-1953),vaudeville veteran Skelton (1913-1997, born Richard Bernard Skelton in Vincennes, Indiana) developed most of the characters that he would later bring to television: Junior (the Mean Widdle Kid), Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper, George Appleby, Sheriff Deadeye, San Fernando Red and others. TV's The Red Skelton Show (1951-1971) ranked in the Nielsen ratings "Top 20" for a record 15 consecutive seasons, from 1955 1970. The show also featured musical groups, including the one of the first U.S. appearances of The Rolling Stones (1964). Skelton's film credits date from 1938. He was also an accomplished painter, a 33rd degree Mason (the highest level) and a strong supporter of children's charities. Skelton continued live performances until his death in 1997. Lightly toned and creased. Staple holes in upper left corner. Otherwise in fine condition.