Fred Sanford Was a Junk Man, But Was He Really?

  Fred Sanford, although a junk dealer who lived in the dangerous neighborhood of Watts, California, could actually be considered a king in his castle-even if it were to be deemed “the kingdom of tumbledown.”  Enviable even, compared to many now who live very impoverished lives, or others who live totally abnormal lives as the spouses or children of abusers, mean alcoholics or drug addicts.  Fred had his little place in the world.  I never once considered him to be poor or wanting.  To be able to put your chair out in the sunshine of your shop front, sit on your comfy chair, unfurl your evening paper and read it peacefully while waiting for your son to come in from work, is not what the poor, struggling or deprived man could afford to do in our current times.

                          Remembering the episode where Fred gets deathly ill after eating 8 day old collard greens!  Hilarious, even though a darn hard illness to get over. 

   When Fred’s son, Lamont, comes home in the evening driving that infamous red truck always in need of repairs and with a load of used items, most too casually call junk, Fred looked forward to going ’round the back to help unload.  Lamont also looked forward to coming home to a meal of pork and greens, candied sweet potatoes and a nice pone of cornbread, providing all went well in Fred’s kitchen that day!  If there was a kitchen fiasco, those two rascals would just change their clothes and go out for dinner.  In a way they were like an old married couple who’s relationship would probably have suffered tremendously had one of them actually gotten married.

                                                                                              “better watch out sucka!”

                            Fred when sweet-but look at those eyes!

  As you review the many episodes, you’ll see so much humor that it makes one laugh out loud.  When Aunt Esther is on the scene, it’s riot time for tears to run down your cheeks.  If Fred would ever just be nice to her for one second she’d melt… until he came back with another insult and then the purse would be at his head with her mutterings, “you better watch out sucka!”  Fred had friends, Grady, Bubba and many more, and when they got together you could bet on something big coming down, but didn’t they all look so debonair in their old world style of suits, hats, silk hankies and cigars.  I loved that old era in which Fred was born and he carried it with him into the modern world, where manners sure could stand to be relearned.

               ”I’m coming to join you Elizabeth!”

  Fred’s quality of life, in my opinion, was normal, full of antics, wonderful, flambouyant and very entertaining.  Did you see the one where he grew “wild parsley” and Aunt Esther and their two police officers friends ate all the evidence, leaving Fred’s house in very good moods, confused, yet destroying all the cannabis evidence that had been accidentally growing in the back yard?  I especially loved the episode when Scat Man Caruthers was a guest and the song and dance routines by he, Fred and Lamont were the hit of the night club they were trying to get their act into.  Just their voices accompanied by a four string tenor guitar was music enough, they didn’t need a full 11 piece band to impress anyone.  They were there, they were it, they were good!

                                              His darling, Lena Horne 

  Just a bit of nostalgia reflected upon here.  However, we are still very fortunate to be able to see these delightful reruns on a daily basis.  This particular troupe of actors and friends help many of us get through a lonesome or a troubled day, or they help to keep us distracted from a sick or pain-filled day.  I am so grateful for Redd Foxx and his companions.  They give us a wonderfully happy world to get lost in and I doubt this series shall ever get lost in the memories of all who love these people so well.  They say humor is healing and I believe it!

                                                                                     The partners! 

                  Grady, the best friend 

  *  images by bing.com