Vintage Red Skelton Ceramic Hobo doll

Red Skelton‘s most famous character, Freddie the Freeloader, is a happy hobo clown. Unlike Emmett Kelly‘s Weary Willy tramp clown, Freddie the Freeloader had a perpetually upbeat personality, sure that good fortune awaited him just around the corner. He typically (depending on the need of the skit) lived in a ramshackle shack in the garbage dump, where he slept in a bathtub €”although it was a running joke that he didn’t bathe regularly. For instance, in several episodes of The Red Skelton Show, someone asked Freddie the Freeloader if he was alone €”Freddie the Freeloader would scratch himself, pantomiming that he had fleas, and reply that he wasn’t totally alone. Freddy the Freeloader, Red Skelton's famous hobo clown, with turkeyFreddie the Freeloader was a generous soul, always willing to share his meager possessions. For example, a guest star might need a place to stay, and Freddie the Freeloader would pull out another bathtub for them to sleep in. Other examples include his willingness to share his little food with others, help orphans with annual hobo fundraising efforts, or simply offer to help strangers €”often to his own discomfort. There was a reason that Freddie was a Freeloader, of course — he had an ongoing allergy to work in any form. Once example of this was when Freddie the Freeloader, asleep in his bathtub, was awoken by his alarm clock. He awoke, looked at the clock and exclaimed, €œGreat Scott! Its Thursday! I’ve overslept and missed my unemployment check! [pause] Oh, well, easy come, easy go. €From "The Red Skelton Show" - Shirley Temple and Freddy the FreeloaderIn addition to his laziness, Freddie the Freeloader is remembered for his ingenuity, such as using the radiator of an old car to boil water for tea or pulling a bathtub down from the wall as his “Murphy” bed. € He had a genuine warmth and concern for people, especially for children or people in need. He was not, however, above deflating a pompous...