I blame Michael Swanwick for this one, who noted “articles about him claimed that he wrote a story a day and never published any.” So when I saw a signed copy of this pop up in the list of items for sale from that big collection on eBay mentioned in previous posts, I picked it up.
Skelton, Red. The Great Lazarus. Skelton Publications, 1986. First edition hardback (stated), a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, signed by Skelton. Swanwick says it may qualify as magic realism. Bought off eBay for $24.50.
If you’re under a certain age, Red Skelton’s name probably means nothing to you. Even more so than Jerry Lewis, his style of comedy went so far out of fashion in the 1970s that he’s little remembered now, despite having a variety show that lasted 20 years on prime time television. Skelton was once so important that he was considered a mime equal to Marcel Marceau (with which he did a series of shows) and talk show host Mike Douglas (another name largely lost in time) once had an entire week of shows where Skelton was the only guest. These days, all the things he excelled in (broad comedy, clowning and mime) are deeply out of fashion.
Sick transit gloria mundi…
