Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated April 15, 2009
There seems to be a shortage of clowns, the professional ones. And yes, I know what some are thinking; that with me around, who needs one more clown.
But that’s part of the problem, as I see it. Not that some consider me a clown, but that the term has become derogatory. We hear people described thusly with a sneer: “That guy’s a clown!” or “He’s just clowning around.” Or even, “Who hired that clown?”
This topic came to mind early this month when Alan W. Livingston, who created Bozo the Clown, died at age 91. Memories of Bozo -- and there’s another belittling term that’s come into being -- emerged because of a record album my Dad bought me when I was in second or third grade. We went to a “music store” in Downtown San Diego and could hear the album in one of those small listening rooms that used to be provided.
Remember record players with needles? My album had 78 rpm records. That probably sounds like ancient history to younger readers, but that’s what we had.
As for real clowns, who wore floppy, flamboyant and colorful costumes, well, there just don’t seem to be too many around these days. Besides their loud attire, those clowns sported massive makeup (think the Joker from Batman) plus fright wigs, gigantic shoes and large fake noses, often bright red.
Older folks will remember Emmett Kelly, who worked in a famous circus as Weary Willie, based on Depression-era hobos. His expression was sad; his clothing was tattered, and he always looked as though he needed a shave. Kelly died at age 80 in 1979.
Many might recall Clarabell the Clown, who was Howdy Doody’s mute buddy. (For the younger folks, Howdy Doody is a famous puppet.) Clarabell had some sort of noise device on his belt, which he used to communicate. Sort of. One of those who played Clarabell was Bob Keeshan, who later became Captain Kangaroo. He died in 2004 at age 76.
Besides the costumed clowns, which could include Pinky Lee and his bizarre checked suit and silly hat, there was Red Skelton. Among his roles, he played a sort-of clown, Freddie the Freeloader. Skelton died in 1997 at age 84. Pinky died in 1985 at age 93.
And although some will disagree, the following could be classified as clowns: Soupy Sales, Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman), Buster Keaton, The Marx Brothers, Peter Sellers, The Three Stooges, and W.C. Fields. And let us not forget, although some would like to, Abbot & Costello, Martin & Lewis, The Keystone Cops, and Jim Carey.
Actually, being known as a “Bozo” can’t be all that bad. Look at how long most of those guys lived.
Hope you enjoy this. I was just clowning around.
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