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There is a certain poignancy connected to the passing of one such as Lou Costello. He was an entertainer that had endeared himself to many children who watched him in movies and on television. The death of George Reeves was also a shock to youngsters, but in his case, his suicide (at least believed at the time) left many still too young to be aware of the tragedies in life that can lead one to take their own life as much confused as saddened. How could such a heroic figure do something like that?

But Lou was a child-like impish clown that kids identified with. He made children laugh and in a way, see themselves through him. His character struggled through life dealing with the ire of authoritative antagonists who were impatient with his clumsiness or ignorance. His death came from an illness that struck him before, but which he fought back from, and still ran and bellowed and did pratfalls with youthful energy for audiences and gave his all for our enjoyment.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, were also favorites of baby boomer kids watching TV in the 50’s and ‘60s, but they were pretty much out of the public eye for quite a while when their time came and had aged to the point where they looked and were considerably different from their characters on the screen. Chaplin lived to a ripe old age and as the years passed spent more time behind the camera than in front of it. But Lou was working appearing on TV and movie screens right up to the end.
He appeared in numerous variety shows and TV dramas and had just finished shooting a film only weeks before he died. Anyone seeing him in THE THIRTY FOOT BRIDE OF CANDY ROCK is looking at a comic who is clearly losing the battle against his own poor health. He looks like he aged 10 years from his appearance on TV’s Wagon Train only months earlier. Knowing it was almost the end of the line for the comedian makes this film a bit hard to watch, especially for a film that is supposed to lighthearted, fun, entertaining kiddie fare.

Yes, there is poignancy about a clown, who is supposed to make us laugh, suddenly gone but still making us laugh through all the mirth he left behind on film and video.

Last Edited By: Full Port Rudder Mar 14 13 3:26 PM. Edited 1 times.