Le clown

Just a kid when I saw this movie. Red Skelton should have got a good review for his part. To have made me cry, as a kid, not bad for a comic.

Reworking of 1931's "The Champ" is a predictable father-son wallow permeated with self-pity...but you have to expect that with this formula. Story of an ex-Ziegfeld comedian who has fallen on hard times provides the perfect opportunity for Red Skelton to stretch some dramatic muscles, and he does not disappoint. Plus, his relationship with young Tim Considine is well-played, and the surrounding milieu of nightclubs and talent agencies is fairly believable. Still, this script really goes out on a limb to give Skelton's Dodo an even break (landing a TV gig!), and the heartache inherent in the finale is telegraphed from miles away. ** from ****

Red Skelton plays Dodo Delwyn, a clown who has seen better days (and years...). He has a problem keeping jobs because of his drinking and he also has a big problem with gambling away the little money he does make when he works. This wouldn't be so bad if he was on his own, but he has a young son Dink (Tim Considine) tagging along with him. Add in the fact that Dink's mother suddenly appears and wants him back so she can give him a better life (she has married well..) and the fact that Dodo can't make any kind of life for a young boy and you see where this plot is headed. Dink is (miraculously, considering his record..) offered a TV show of his own to host. The year before (1951) Red has also started his own "Red Skelton Show" so this wasn't a stretch for Red. Will Dodo be able to handle a TV show? Will he and his son have the "big times" they dream of (A yellow convertible and a real house of their own..)? Essentially a remake of "The Champ" with a clown in the boxer's role. Red Skelton, along with Charlie Chaplin, is a master of pathos, and he is here at his best.

I used to watch The Red Skelton Show every Tuesday night at 9:30, with my dad. And every Tuesday night we'd laugh and hope that Red would perform as Freddy The Freeloader... which he often did.

I only knew Skelton as a comic on TV. When The Clown played at our neighborhood theater, I asked my mom if we could go see it. "Sure can"..says she, and that weekend we were off to the movies.

I walked into the theater fully expecting to leave with a belly ache caused by my laughter. To my great surprise, and later even greater delight, The Clown featured Skelton as a SERIOUS actor. And as a serious actor, Skelton excelled! I've never forgotten his performance.

Dodo Delwyn (Red Skelton) is a drunken struggling clown. He works with his adoring young son Dink. For the former Ziegfeld star, his best days are well behind him. He can't even hold onto a carnival ride job.

It's the classic veteran comedian playing a washed-up performer. Red is doing the serious well. The big turn is when he becomes the receiver. Quite frankly, I didn't know what that meant. It's a good turn. As for the other big reveal, it's a little convenient. I wonder if it would be better for her trying to track them down deliberately. Charles Bronson has an early minor role. It's good that it doesn't get overly-sentimental, but the last bit goes overboard. It doesn't need to go so far.