Emmett Kelly on "What's My Line"

Even in his later years Emmett Kelly made appearances on TV shows such as "What's My Line".  In this episode (which can be viewed here) the contestant says it all when she figures out the mystery person is a clown: "The first clown's name that comes to my mind is Emmett Kelly." Everybody of that era knew who Emmett Kelly was to such an extent that his character name "Willie" was rarely used. Emmett's mere presence would make people light up and be ready to laugh.  That's quite an effect!  When I grew up the only clown I knew by name was Ronald McDonald and his presence just made me hungry and want to ask questions about the strange psychedelic crew he was running around with.  Anyways I'm sure the good clowns will have their day again.  So it goes with all things.   Might be awhile though.  I feel like we're still squarely in the middle of a "Clowns are creepy" era.

This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly, written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press.

Sweeping the Spotlight

Emmett Kelly's most popular skit involved him coming out to sweep the ring between acts. While doing so the spotlight would begin to slyly follow him around the ring.  After some bemused frustration he would sweep at the circle of light cast by the spotlight making it smaller and smaller until he could then sweep it under a rug or out of the tent.  Versions of this skit live on to this day and its another example of something so familiar that I never even stopped to consider who first came up with it. I've had a lot of moments like that with this series.

This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly, written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press.

Emmett Kelly showing off

As a teen Emmett Kelly was known to be the neighborhood acrobat.  He would climb telephone poles and trees and proved himself quite fearless...all the while scaring the crap out of his mom.  Something I learned from this book was that Emmett Kelly had his start in the circus as an aerial artist - meaning he was on the trapeze. That seems so far from being a clown that it really surprised me.  He was good at it too!  Of course I suppose the fact that he lived to be a clown speaks to that.  I mean, if you're not good at the trapeze...well...splat.

This is an example of an illustration where it didn't turn out as good as I imagined it would in my wee brain, or even as good as the composition sketch hinted at.  I'm fine with it, but not my favorite.

This illustration is for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly written by Donald McManus and published by Truman State University Press. 

Troupe Movement

This illustration is for chapter 1 of the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly (Written by Donald McManus, published by Truman State University Press).  Here young Emmett is shown fascinated with a vaudeville troupe disembarking for a performance in his childhood hometown of Cabool Missouri.  Back in those days (late 19th, early 20th century) traveling vaudeville acts were an incredibly popular form of entertainment and nearly every town big and small had a theatre where the entertainers could perform. 

Emmett Kelly comp sketches

Some comp sketch examples for the Notable Missourian book on Emmett Kelly (Truman State University Press). 

Emmett as a boy watching with wonder as a vaudeville troupe disembarks at the Cabool station.

Emmett as a teenager demonstrating his acrobatic skills by climbing a telephone pole.  Mom is not happy.

Emmett as his famous character Willie in the crowd at a circus.  A boy offers him a peanut which lead to one of his most well known bits.

Emmett as Willie being followed by the spotlight.  Emmett sweeping the spotlight became one of the most iconic circus acts of the century.

Emmett on the popular TV show "What's My Line".