“Danny Kaye’s Heart Belongs To the Children and UNICEF”
Cedar Rapids Gazette – May 27, 1970
By: Vernon Scott
HOLLYWOOD (UPI) – Danny Kaye took consummate care preparing individual omelets in the kitchen of his home, each exquisitely filled with peppers, onions, ham and a sprinkling of curry powder.
But he didn’t eat one himself.
“I love to cook for other people,” the comedian explained.
There is, perhaps, no finer amateur chef in the United States than Danny Kaye, who makes magnificent French, Italian and Chinese food. He also makes his own bread.
UNICEF
More important than his enjoyment in cooking for other people is the deep satisfaction
he derives from his 16 years-
The blond funnyman just returned from Japan’s Expo 70 as a UNICEF representative spending nine days in the Orient spreading goodwill.
He made a speech at the fair and then was entertained by 2,000 Japanese children who sang and danced for him.
Millions
“My work with UNICEF has taken me to Europe, Africa, India, South America, the Orient, Australia and even the Soviet Union,” Kaye said. “And I’ve seen virtually millions of kids.
“One thing I learned is that children are essentially the same all over the world. They are exactly alike when acting instinctively.
“If they are hungry, they cry. If they are amused, they laugh.
“It is only when they assimilate culture, language and customs of their society that they become different from one another.
“Most adults are too inhibited to behave like children with children.”
In Russia
Not Kaye. He becomes a child himself.
He recounted a story of a visit to Russia where he was introduced to hundreds of young Muscovites.
Although they spoke no English, and he no Russian, Danny began to skip, then prance and trot along through a field.
In minutes, the youngsters were trouping after him, laughing and giggling.
“When I rolled in the grass, they did, too,” he said. “They were having fun because I was having fun.
“I don’t entertain children. I play and clown with them, and they entertain themselves. Once you establish communication with children up to the age of 12 it’s easy to deal with them on any level.”
By Request
Over the years UNICEF has saved millions of young lives, according to Kaye, by sending food and medical supplies to nations requesting them.
“I don’t know how much money the United Nations has spent on UNICEF, that’s not my department,” Kaye said. “Neither are any of the political aspects.
“It’s the children themselves who fascinates me. They all have a sense of humor, and because it is sight humor it is the same the world over.”