I met Dougie once, and I was flattered that he had heard of me. His cousins and nephews presented the most entertaining risley act in the world at CW; Once upon a time Dougie came through Orlando on a mud show and I took Antonio and a few Ashton kids who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to see Dougie perform to the show. Unfortunately, the weather, (like it has been these last few days,) was uncharacteristically freezing in Florida, and the only people in the house were us. But Dougie came out said hello, said how can you work like this? He then spun a garbage can lid on the tip of his cane, flew it up to the top of the tent and it came down crashing on his head, he did a great fall, and that was the show. The ringmaster made an announcement and we all hurried into Dougie’s Airstream for drinks. He was a great host as he accused me of stealing all of his stchick. I thanked him and I think I told him that I would do his material justice (in so many words.) I am in good company because I've been told that Red Skelton stole that little swivel back step kick thing that he did from the Ashton’s.
He was (is? Is he still with us...I hope so!) a completely agressive, out-of-control lunatic--and no fan of mine: We once were once called on the carpet by Bob Dover for punching each other out in the back door; Antoinette Concello ratted us out!--but still, in my opinion, one of the greatest clowns of the 20th century on talent alone.
I'm honored to have worked with him...
P.S. "Stealing My Stuff"? Dougie's mantra! And I had a mustache!!! How the Hounds of Hell bayed at me that year!
I met Dougie once, and I was flattered that he had heard of me. His cousins and nephews presented the most entertaining risley act in the world at CW; Once upon a time Dougie came through Orlando on a mud show and I took Antonio and a few Ashton kids who hadn’t yet had the opportunity to see Dougie perform to the show. Unfortunately, the weather, (like it has been these last few days,) was uncharacteristically freezing in Florida, and the only people in the house were us. But Dougie came out said hello, said how can you work like this? He then spun a garbage can lid on the tip of his cane, flew it up to the top of the tent and it came down crashing on his head, he did a great fall, and that was the show.
ReplyDeleteThe ringmaster made an announcement and we all hurried into Dougie’s Airstream for drinks. He was a great host as he accused me of stealing all of his stchick. I thanked him and I think I told him that I would do his material justice (in so many words.) I am in good company because I've been told that Red Skelton stole that little swivel back step kick thing that he did from the Ashton’s.
He was (is? Is he still with us...I hope so!) a completely agressive, out-of-control lunatic--and no fan of mine: We once were once called on the carpet by Bob Dover for punching each other out in the back door; Antoinette Concello ratted us out!--but still, in my opinion, one of the greatest clowns of the 20th century on talent alone.
ReplyDeleteI'm honored to have worked with him...
P.S. "Stealing My Stuff"? Dougie's mantra! And I had a mustache!!! How the Hounds of Hell bayed at me that year!
Interesting Dougie trivia... but honestly, who dressed those kids, Richard simmons?
ReplyDeleteBTW Dougie is probably wearing make-up pilfered from 3 different trunks. Gotta love that guy.