The Ohio Historical Center hosts
"To Flippo with Love:
A Night to Remember the King "
Documentary highlights
32-year career of TV Clown
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2007 –The Ohio
Historical Center will host To Flippo with Love: A Night to
Remember the King Jan. 6 from 6-9 p.m. Be the first to see Frank
Cromer's documentary honoring central Ohio's own Flippo the Clown.
The video, TV Clown: The True Story of
Flippo, King of Clowns, features funny and poignant moments
in the 32-year career of Bob Marvin, better known as Flippo the
Clown. Also hear some loving tributes delivered by friends and co-workers
of the loveable clown who brought laughter to several generations
of young people in central Ohio.
Marvin's Flippo became famous in central
Ohio through his appearances on "The Early Show" on WBNS-10TV
and on the first-ever interactive cable network QUBE, now Time
Warner Cable. Marvin played the role from 1953 until 1983. He
was discovered in 1951 playing jazz at Columbus's Neil House by
WBNS executives. He auditioned and went on "Homemaker's HobNob" as
a song-and-dance funny man to begin his long TV career.
Two years ago, prior to his death at age
79, Marvin donated memorabilia to the Ohio Historical Society,
including his red, white and blue clown costume. Flippo’s pom-pommed
suit and oversized shoes will be on display at the Ohio Historical
Center for the premiere.
from OHS
press release
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After the show:
It's January 7, 2008
and "To Flippo with Love: A Night to Remember the King" is over at the
Ohio Historical Center and I am exhausted. I thank all of you
who came out to celebrate his life with me. I thank my special
guest speakers: Tim Feran of the Columbus Dispatch, author Ken Keller
("Monkey on a Turntable: Living on Love & Leftovers in Local Radio"),
and the great trumpeter Arnett Howard. I thank the kind people of
the Ohio Historical Society: Kim, Susan, Tim and Dr. Bill Laidlaw. The
Director Dr. Laidlaw threw the "Flippo Appreciation Night" on January 5th,
2006 which turned out to be Bob's last public performance. (When
I was driving Bob home from that fun night, he said "That's it, Frankie,
no more.")
I want to thank my videotaped guests Producer John Markus and
national speaker/songwriter Eric Gnezda. As always, I had the
evening taped and it will probably be a special feature on "TV CLOWN:
the True Story of Flippo, King of Clowns" the film we showed for the first
time last night. This whole experience has been overwhelming and
joyous and so fulfilling. And all because I visited an old clown
at his house in Worthington and wondered aloud "What's it like to be a TV
clown for so long?" I hope you enjoy these pages, rediscover
your youth or if you are younger and never saw Flippo, see him now and know
how one life was spent in make-up and pom-poms. Bob Marvin lived a rich,
long life and this website honors his many years as a local legend and if
my film gets picked up, maybe a national one. He'll always fill our
hearts as our TV pal.
The Ohio Historical Center hosts
"To Flippo with Love: 