RED SKELTON - DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/14/1947 - HFSID 264958

RED SKELTON. Typed Document Signed: "Richard Red Skelton", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1947 October 14. In letter form to Loew's Incorporated, Culver City, California. The actor/comedian requests approval from his studio for an appearance at a convention in Long Beach, where he had been invited to appear by Howard Hughes. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "At the request of Howard Hughes, which has been approved by the Hollywood Coordinating Committee, and subject to your approval, I have agreed to appear at the Oil Drillers' Convention Banquet at the Long Beach Auditorium, Wednesday, October 15, 1947 at 8:30 P.M. I agree that such services shall not be deemed to be rendered by me under my contract of employment with you, and that no compensation s hall be payable by you to me in connection therewith in addition to the compensation, if any, which would have been payable to me under said contract in the absence of said appearance." Comedian/actor RED SKELTON (1913-1997), born Richard Bernard Skelton, made Merton of the Movies in 1947, and would make one of his most popular films, The Fuller Brush Man, the following year. Contracted to MGM in the 1940s and 1950s, he was billed as Richard "Red" Skelton. In addition to making Hollywood films, Skelton had his own radio series from 1941-1953. On that show, he 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. The Red Skelton Show aired on NBC (1951-1953), CBS (1953-1970) and NBC (1970-1971) and ranked in the Nielsen ratings "Top 20" for a record 15 consecutive seasons (1955-1970). Musical groups were also featured on his show; the Rolling Stones made one of their first U.S. appearances in 1964. Skelton was also an accomplished painter (his clown paintings are highly prized), a 33rd degree Mason (the highest level) and a strong supporter of children's charities. He continued doing live performances until his death in 1997. HOWARD HUGHES (1905-1976), who gained control of his family's Hughes Tool Company in 1924, came to Hollywood in the summer of that year to pursue a career in the movie industry. He owned RKO Studios from 1948-1955. Slightly creased. Staple holes at upper left corner, 2 file holes at upper blank margin. Fine condition.