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Liberace reveals origin of candelabra trademark and $500K spending spree in 1987 | KCRA Entertainment Archives

In a 1987 interview, Liberace discusses the origin of his candelabra trademark

Liberace reveals origin of candelabra trademark and $500K spending spree in 1987 | KCRA Entertainment Archives

In a 1987 interview, Liberace discusses the origin of his candelabra trademark

I think that uh trademarks in show business are hard to come by. And this was one that was just sort of fell into my laugh like the candela. I uh saw *** movie based on the life of Chopin. And the Candelabra played *** rather important part in the picture. And I just adapted it to my own use and it became *** symbol, *** trademark. And uh it's uh like I say, they're hard to come by. So I'm glad I have the associations, people see *** fancy jacket or *** candela or they think of me. I hope we've heard *** story that you spent $500,000 in one week. Now, that's more than I make in *** year. How did uh how did this come about? Why did you spend so much money in that one week? Well, I was in *** hospital in Pittsburgh and I was told that I wasn't going to live. And uh so I heard the old expression many times you can't take it with you. So I decided to spend it before I went. And the funny thing is it must have been great therapy all of this spending because all the doctors who had given me up, I had *** kidney failure that they didn't think I was going to ever overcome. And, uh, I did overcome it and I was released about five weeks later from the same hospital completely cured and broke, broke. Well, what you do with the 5, 500 grand? Well, I bought *** lot of presents and *** lot of things for people, things they wouldn't buy for themselves. And, uh, uh, I left *** lot of charitable things that organizations and people that I wanted to help and, uh, I just wanted to live long enough to see, uh, my money do some good.
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Liberace reveals origin of candelabra trademark and $500K spending spree in 1987 | KCRA Entertainment Archives

In a 1987 interview, Liberace discusses the origin of his candelabra trademark

Liberace revealed the origin of his iconic candelabra trademark during a 1987 interview with Harry Martin."I saw a movie based on the life of Chopin, and the candelabra played a rather important part in the picture," Liberace shared. "I just adapted it to my own use, and it became a symbol."He also explained that he spent $500,000 in a week while hospitalized, believing he would not survive. "I heard the old expression many times, you can't take it with you. So I decided to spend it before I went," he said.WATCH the full interview in the video above.During his legendary, decades-long career with KCRA, Harry Martin directed and hosted the children’s show “Captain Sacto.” Martin went on to host “Martin at the Movies” and “ShowBiz,” where he was able to tell the stories of countless actors, singers, politicians and athletes.

Liberace revealed the origin of his iconic candelabra trademark during a 1987 interview with Harry Martin.

"I saw a movie based on the life of Chopin, and the candelabra played a rather important part in the picture," Liberace shared. "I just adapted it to my own use, and it became a symbol."

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He also explained that he spent $500,000 in a week while hospitalized, believing he would not survive.

"I heard the old expression many times, you can't take it with you. So I decided to spend it before I went," he said.

WATCH the full interview in the video above.

During his legendary, decades-long career with KCRA, Harry Martin directed and hosted the children’s show “Captain Sacto.” Martin went on to host “Martin at the Movies” and “ShowBiz,” where he was able to tell the stories of countless actors, singers, politicians and athletes.