It’s Tourist Thursday with plans to visit the Ringling Brothers Museum. Unlike last week’s adventure in the sticky heat and humidity, this will be at least air conditioned. There is so much circus tradition in this community that this is a must-do activity. I’m sure that I’ve visited before but that was at least 55 years ago. My grandmother was a big fan of the circus clown Emmett Kelly who portrayed the hobo character “Weary Willie.” He was the subject of several of her paintings. I’m still curious about Grandma Grace’s attraction to this character. Apparently, Kelly often referred to Indiana as his home – grandma was from Elwood, Indiana. I found this article in Lafayette Indiana’s Journal and Courier newspaper:
“In 1942, he (Emmett Kelly) joined Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey, where he performed until 1956. While there, he appeared in the movie “The Greatest Show on Earth.” His most famous routine was taking a battered broom and sweeping the spotlight that was trained on the sawdust floor, until it grew smaller and smaller, then went out.”
“Following his departure from the circus, Kelly worked in nightclubs, indoor circuses, trade shows and resorts. He performed for such world figures as Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill and President Truman.”
“Kelly also appeared in Broadway plays, on television and in the movies. In 1956, he clowned with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team.”
“In 1957, he joined the Shrine Circus and eventually settled in Florida and continued appearing in commercials and on special shows until he was 80.”
“He died on March 28, 1979 (in Sarasota, Florida – home of the Ringling Brothers Museum). His grave (between mother and sister) is in Lafayette’s Rest Haven Cemetery, west side of Sagamore Parkway.”
“OK, then, why Lafayette?”
According to Kelly: “I haven’t had a stationary home since going with the circus,” he said, “but since my parents lived in Lafayette about 25 years ago and my sister lives here now, I always claim it as home.”
“Kelly and his character “Weary Willie,” the perpetual underdog, were inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1989. Kelly analyzed his success this way: “By laughing at me, the audience really laughs at themselves and realizing they have done this gives them sort of a spiritual second wind for going back into the battles of life.”
Another of my grandmother’s favorites was fellow Hoosier, Red Skelton, who also had a fascination with clowns. Like Granny Grace, he painted them as a hobby. “At the time of his death, his art dealer said he thought that Skelton had earned more money through his paintings than from his television performances.” Skelton considered himself to be a clown – his life’s work to make people laugh.
My grandmother had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. This is why clowns like Emmett Kelly and Red Skelton were such a big part of her life. Hopefully, my sister still has a couple of her paintings.
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