Like us on Facebook
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
HE NEVER GOT A DINNER
Papa put the finishing touches on a straw hat, placed it on his head and, to little Aaron’s delight, broke into a soft shoe.
Mr. Jerwick applauded and laughed. “I’ll take the hat, Mr. Chwatt. But I’m no dancer.”
“Hey Pop,” said sixteen-year-old Aaron. “Check out my uniform for my new job.”
“Doing what? So many buttons.”
“I’m a singing bell boy.” Aaron raked his fingers through his wavy red hair. “Making people smile—like you, Pop. And how about my stage name?”
From Vaudeville to Broadway and film, history will forever remember award-winning entertainer Red Buttons with a smile.
Aaron Chwatt was the son of Jewish immigrants. His father, Michael Chwatt made his living as a milliner in New York’s Lower East Side who enjoyed entertaining his customers.
RED BUTTONS NEVER GOT A DINNER
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Nice story! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Carol Anne.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A heartwarming story Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sadje,
I’m glad you found it so. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I remember him. Always a trip down memory lane from you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
Many thanks from your tour guide. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I knew right away the instant I read the title. I use his ‘never got a dinner’ line constantly though he is so far before me time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Larry,
I’m glad you recognized him from the title. Although for his 80th birthday he did finally get a dinner. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Ho ho he he … I learnt again, well done Rochellee
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michael,
Best compliment ever. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A delightful tale of someone I was not aware of – until now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I’m always happy to introduce you. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Interesting man. I’ll admit that I know very little about him (I did read the link), but have known the name my entire life. Nice story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trent,
He was a household name back in the 50’s and 60’s. I’m not surprised you didn’t know about him. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful story. I don’t know him but your post piqued my interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Vartika,
Happy to have piqued your interest. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for the delightful story Red Buttons and how that became his stage name. He was such an entertainer. My favorite movie with him was “Hatari!” with John Wayne.
Shalom,
Adele
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Adele,
I might have to find Hatari and go back and watch it. It’s been decades since I’ve seen it. That and Sayanora although that one makes me cry. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know him from Hatari. And I know that because Hardy Krüger was in it. That’s how I build my treasure chest of trivia. 😉 Beautifully told, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabi,
There’s nothing like having a treasure chest of trivia. 😉 I enjoy mine. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
His name is familiar to me, but I have only vague memories of his face and performances. We didn’t have a television until I was 8, so I missed his shows in the early 50s. I love his never-changing smile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Linda,
I can’t remember a time without our TV. 😉 My dad was a music and movie afficionado. Of course my mother made sure I knew which celebs were Jewish. She must not have known Red Buttons was Jewish or, no doubt, she would’ve told me. 😀 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS so sorry about your “underprivileged” childhood. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
You have such a knack for bringing all sorts of folks to life! I know his name, I’ve seen some of his movies (thanks for the link) and yet, I feel I don’t know him at all! Now I feel like looking into his performances 😉
Shalom and lotsa laughter and love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Actually his whole “never got a dinner” shtick went way under my radar. I knew who he was. Figured he was Irish. Who nu? Thanks for stopping by and saying nice things. 😀
Shalom and lotsa entertaining hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You brought them alive! How fun! 🙂 Thanks for the video, for extra credit for everyone! 🙂
hugzees and yay for Dale’s photo.
It elicited some fun!
🙂
Na’ama
LikeLike
Na’ama Y’karah,
Ah, here I am on Monday answering last week’s comments. Oy. And oy again. Glad you took the time to watch the video. Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 You are most welcome, my friend!
LikeLike
I remember Red Buttons. He was always easy-going and had a pleasant smile. Thanks for reminding me of him, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
You know me, I live in the past. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, as we are all endlessly recycled goods, I think we all do live in the past, present, and future simultaneously. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Interesting piece. Especially how he got the stage name.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bernadetter.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
His smile is simply radiant.
Lovely story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Chioma. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Thursday Rochelle,
Another wonderful story set with educational history. Well done and thank you.
Peace,
Bill
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bill,
Happy Monday to you. 😉 Always happy to add trivia to everyone’s repertoire. Than you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was sitting between my 16-year-0ld grand daughters last night showing them all about FF. I showed them your WP blog page and how FF works. “Oh, cool, cool, cool!!!” 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww….so nice to hear. 😀 Thank you for sharing that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story. I never knew his history. Thanks for the link. In my opinion, he was one of the funniest comedians ever. Also a good actor. He certainly had a long career doing what he loved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
There’s a lot to be said for a life lived doing what you love. Thank you, m’dear.
LikeLike
The simplicity of a child’s amusement, turning into a great ambition. I like how you led us there, albeit I had to read a couple of times to understand the flow of time.
Jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
I’d hoped the wide spaces and age progression would show the flow of time. Thank for your kind comments. (Oops now I see the wide spaces didn’t make the transfer…sorry).
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
i came from a third world country, so he didn’t ring a bell in me. thanks again for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel,
I didn’t expect everyone to have heard of him. At least you’ve heard of him now. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool. Makes me want to read more about him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Andrea
I never knew he was Jewish. Of course, once I knew that, I had to write about him. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story – and such a cheeky smile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Angela,
He did have an adorable smile. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story! I’ve heard of Red Buttons, I recognised him in the photos, but have never heard of ‘never got a dinner’ until now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Fleur,
The “never got a dinner” shtick was news to me, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Hi Rochelle,
great job on giving one of your trademark glimpses into the origins of someone in history. I hadn’t heard of him so I just emerged from a rabbit hole of watching videos on Youtube of him. 🙂 I hope you’re having a good summer.
-David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear David,
Always happy to lead you down a rabbit hole. 😉 Thank you for your encouraging words in the midst of a crazy summer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the way he makes fun of everyone! Hadn’t heard of him but have seen a few of those films.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Miranda,
He was hilarious. Still funny today. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
And what a smile!
Charming story, Rochelle !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A very heart warming story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaw, thank you, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike