RED SKELTON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 280495

RED SKELTON
Comedian Red Skelton signed this typed letter as Honorary Mayor of Culver City on the city's letterhead to remind the real mayor of Kansas City, Missouri about Speed Control Month in 1951. Accompanied by a 1-page carbon copy reply
Typed letter signed "Red Skelton" as Honorary Mayor in blue ink. Pencil mark in top right corner in unknown hand. 1 page, 8½x11, on letterhead of the City of Culver City listing Skelton as Honorary Mayor with two file holes at top edge. May 25, 1951, date stamped "Received" the "Office of the Mayor" on June 6, 1951 in black ink.Addressed to Mayor William Kemp, City Hall, Kansas City, Missouri. In full: "My Dear Fellow Mayor: May the enclosed [not included] serve as a reminder that June has been named as 'Speed Control' month by the National Safety Council. That was a problem they didn't have in the 'good old days' of the horseless carriage. Nevertheless, it isn't the automobiles that are dangerous, it's the drivers. Let's place a 'W' in front of 'reckless' and make every week a safety week. Remember - speed kills - take it easy out there. Sincerely yours,". Postscripted: "P. S. It just so happens that I recently completed a picture of the horseless carriage days titled 'Excuse My Dust.'" Lightly toned and creased. Light nicks and tears in left and right corners. Staple holes in top left corner. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: 1-page carbon copy of an unsigned reply letter from "Mayor". Dated June 15, 1951. Addressed to the Honorable Red Skelton, Mayor of Culver City, California. In full: "Dear Mr. Mayor, I appreciate very much your thoughtfulness in sending me 'horseless carriage' and calling my attention to the fact that June is 'Speed Control'. The carriage has been the center of attraction in my office, particularly in the case of callers under the age of six, and it has been the means of recalling many a tale of the day when that type of transportation was up-to-date. With best personal regards to you, I am Sincerely yours". Lightly toned, stained and creased. Light tears in left and right edges. Two file holes at top edge. Carbon copy marks. Staple holes at top left corner. Lightly discolored at top edge. Otherwise in fine condition. Skelton was made honorary Mayor of Culver City by Mayor J. R Klots on April 19, 1951. 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.