People
of the entertainment world would be invited to San Quentin and often
whole troops or bands would come and perform for the inmates. There
were people in the show business or interested in it in San Francisco
who would line up these visits. Such names as Harry Ettling, Elmer
Langmaid, Hitch King, and John Peddit come to mind. Once, when
Clinton (Duffy) was the warden, we all had dinner with Artie Shaw,
William Saroyan and Herb Caen. I once spent the entire afternoon in
company with Father Flannagan of Boys Town, Nebraska fame. He was a
remarkable man.
One
occasion I recall vividly. It was the so-called San Quentin
Olympics, and the Olympic Club of San Francisco conducted a one day
track and field meet on Labor Day, with inmates competing with each other.
Officials
of the Olympic Club would willingly give up their holiday and
several other days to manage this day for the inmates. They would
also raise money for the purchase of prizes and trophies. The
prisoners jokingly declared that they would perform in all track and
field events except cross country running and pole vaulting.
On
the occasion that I refer to, the guest of the day was the comedian,
the late, great Joe E. Brown. Joe put on a few stunts for the crowd,
much to their amusement. His pantomime of the pitchers taken from the
play, Elmer the Great, which he starred in on
the stage, was a knock out.
After
the events were over, Clinton, who was then Warden, asked Joe if he
would visit the men on Condemned Row, as they were not released from
their cells to take in the field events due to security reasons. Joe
consented to go, and as I was also in the Warden's party, I went
also. We went to the cell block and took the elevator to the Row.
Joe turned to me and said, "What can you say to condemned men
to cheer them up." All I could say is to just tell them a couple
of funny stories.
Clint
introduced Joe to the men, who were out of their cells in the
corridor taking walking exercises. He shook hands with a few of those
near and told them he was interested in coming to San Quentin. He
then told a couple of funny stories. The men were unresponsive but
managed a few polite smiles.
I
think that might have been the most difficult experience in the
wonderful career of Joe E. Brown in facing an audience. I really felt
sorry for Joe.
Author:
William J. Duffy, Jr.
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