Cactus Pryor as Danish General Hans Christoffersen

Duration: 0:29:40

Year Published: 1960s

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Austin broadcast personality and humorist Richard "Cactus" Pryor, disguised as Hans Christoffersen, General of the Danish Army and a leader of the Danish underground during WWII, delivers an anti-communism message, couched in humorous observations on American and Texan culture from an outsider’s perspective. The exact details of this appearance are unknown; it was probably a convention held in Austin, possibly at the Commodore Perry Hotel. He is introduced by city councilman Bob Armstrong Sr.Pryor was well known for these comedy routines in which he adopted the persona of a foreign visitor. At these events, often a community awards event, conference, or similar occasion, he would spend time with the audience while in character, mingling before the banquet dinner and speeches. After dinner he would deliver a speech as the character, and once it was done, reveal his true identity and that the audience had just been the subject of an ongoing practical joke.