Slim Pickens Movies
Though he spoke most of his movie dialogue in a slow Western drawl, actor Slim Pickens was a pure-bred California boy. An expert rider from the age of four, Pickens was performing in rodeos at 12. Three years later, he quit school to become a full-time equestrian and bull wrangler, eventually becoming the highest-paid rodeo clown in show business. In films since 1950's Rocky Mountain, Pickens specialized in Westerns (what a surprise), appearing as the comic sidekick of Republic cowboy star Rex Allen. By the end of the 1950s, Pickens had gained so much extra poundage that he practically grew out of his nickname. Generally cast in boisterous comedy roles, Pickens was also an effectively odious villain in 1966's An Eye for an Eye, starting the film off with a jolt by shooting a baby in its crib. In 1963, director Stanley Kubrick handed Pickens his greatest role: honcho bomber pilot "King" Kong in Dr. Strangelove. One of the most unforgettable of all cinematic images is the sight of Pickens straddling a nuclear bomb and "riding" it to its target, whooping and hollering all the way down. Almost as good was Pickens' performance as Harvey Korman's henchman in Mel Brooks' bawdy Western spoof Blazing Saddles (1974). Slim Pickens was also kept busy on television, with numerous guest shots and regular roles in the TV series The Legend of Custer, B.J. and the Bear, and Filthy Rich. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1964
Bristle Face is a stray hound with a fondness for hunting turtles. Orphaned Jace Landers (Philip Alford) adopts the personable mutt. With the help of Luke Swank (Brian Keith), Bristle Face learns how to hunt foxes. Trouble is, the dog doesn't know when to stop hunting. This made-for-TV Disney production boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Wallace Ford, Parley Baer, Miss Jeff Donnell (as she used to be billed on The George Gobel Show), Slim Pickens and George "Goober" Lindsay. Bristle Face was originally telecast January 26 and February 2, 1964, as a two-part entry on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
- NR
- Add Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb to QueueAdd Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb to top of Queue
In 1964, with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in viewers' minds, the Cold War at its frostiest, and the hydrogen bomb relatively new and frightening, Stanley Kubrick dared to make a film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and played the situation for laughs. Dr. Strangelove's jet-black satire (from a script by director Stanley Kubrick, Peter George, and Terry Southern) and a host of superb comic performances (including three from Peter Sellers) have kept the film fresh and entertaining, even as its issues have become (slightly) less timely. Loaded with thermonuclear weapons, a U.S. bomber piloted by Maj. T.J. "King" Kong (Slim Pickens) is on a routine flight pattern near the Soviet Union when they receive orders to commence Wing Attack Plan R, best summarized by Maj. Kong as "Nuclear combat! Toe to toe with the Russkies!" On the ground at Burpleson Air Force Base, Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers) notices nothing on the news about America being at war. Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) calmly informs him that he gave the command to attack the Soviet Union because it was high time someone did something about fluoridation, which is sapping Americans' bodily fluids (and apparently has something to do with Ripper's sexual dysfunction). Meanwhile, President Merkin Muffley (Sellers again) meets with his top Pentagon advisors, including super-hawk Gen. Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott), who sees this as an opportunity to do something about Communism in general and Russians in particular. However, the ante is upped considerably when Soviet ambassador de Sadesky (Peter Bull) informs Muffley and his staff of the latest innovation in Soviet weapons technology: a "Doomsday Machine" that will destroy the entire world if the Russians are attacked. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, (more)
- 1964
Pat Buttram (he was Mr. Haney on Green Acres) brings a macabre twist to his standard country-bumpkin characterization in this bone-chilling episode. Visiting a traveling carnival, farmer Charlie Hill (Buttram) is fascinated by one of the exhibits: a huge jar, filled with water and mysterious floating objects. Convinced that the jar possesses magical qualities, Charlie purchases the object and brings it home, putting it on display for his friends and neighbors -- who are equally fascinated, even mesmerized, by the jar's eerie "properties." All of this brouhaha annoys Charlie's promiscuous young wife, Thedy Sue (Collin Wilcox), who plans to expose the jar as a fake and humiliate Charlie in public just before running off with her current boyfriend. James Bridges earned an Emmy nomination for his adaptation of Ray Bradbury's short story The Jar, which also boasts an appropriately eerie minimalist musical score by frequent Alfred Hitchcock collaborator Bernard Herrmann. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pat Buttram, Collin Wilcox, (more)
- 1964
Slim Pickens makes a return appearance in the role of shifty, slovenly mountaineer Jim Leyton. Incredibly, Jim has become engaged to the lovely Julie (Laurie Mitchell), despite his long-standing feud with Julie's well-named father Grizzly (Robert Middleton). Hoss Cartwright is yanked into this powderkeg situation when Jim asks him to be best man at the wedding (if, indeed, there ever is a wedding!) Treble-chinned character actor Byron Foulger appears as the Parson. Originally seen on February 23, 1964, "King of the Mountain" was written by Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Having followed the trail of the One-Armed Man to Northern Wisconsin, Kimble (David Janssen) runs afoul of a mean-spirited sheriff named Deebold (John Doucette). In his efforts to elude the vindictive lawman, Kimble steals a car--which by a cruel twist of fate belongs to his perennial pursuer Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse. Worse still, Kimble has inadvertently kidnapped Gerard's son Phil Jr. (played by a young Kurt Russell), who is every bit as determined to bring the Fugitive to "justice" as his father. Featured in the cast are Slim Pickens as colorful mountain man Corbin, and guest star Kurt Russell's real-life father Bing Russell as Davis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Savage Sam is the sequel to the successful Disney film Old Yeller. This time, the boys take off after a band of Apache kidnappers who have snatched the children of lazy neighbor Bud Searcy (Jeff York). With their true-blue bloodhound Sam, the kids take off with Brian Keith to take back the missing children. The viewer may be confused with the lightheartedness that accompanies the gravity of such an abduction and then is abandoned in favor of a more serious flavor later in the film. Norman Tokar directed this uneven feature that fared far less better at the box office than is predecessor. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Keith, Tommy Kirk, (more)
- 1963
Slim Pickens makes his first appearance as the rogueish but lovable mountaineer Jim Leyton. Wounded while busting out of jail, Jim tries to steal Hoss Cartwright's horse for a quick getaway, then passes out from his injuries. When he comes to, Jim tries to beat his murder rap by claiming that Hoss was the guilty party. It may be, however, that neither man is guilty of the crime-but it is up to Hoss to prove it, and to look after the troubelsome Jim, whose has been paroled in Hoss' custody. Bing Russell, who later appeared semiregularly in the role of Deputy Clem, here plays the Sheriff. Written by Arnold Belgard, "Half a Rogue" first aired on January 27, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1961
Henpecked husband Leonard Thompson (Martin Balsam) shows up at funeral parlor, where he orders an expensive casket and makes arrangements for an even more expensive funeral. When asked who the "dear departed" is, Leonard replies that the future occupant of the casket has not died just yet. However, the funeral will go on as scheduled the following day...and Leonard will definitely be in attendance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In the final episode of Walt Disney's eight-part miniseries The Swamp Fox, Revolutionary War patriot Francis Marion (Leslie Nielsen) and his fellow guerillas have placed themselves under the command of Continental Army officer Captain Richardson (James Seay). Intending to instill some discipline into Marion's ragtag band, Richardson soon finds that he is fighting a losing battle. But all worries about "following the book" are set aside when Marion is ordered by General Greene to capture some horses from the Tories. "Horses for Greene" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In the third episode of Walt Disney's four-part miniseries based on the life of frontiersman Daniel Boone, the Cumberland Gap has been successfully negotiated, and Daniel (Dewey Martin), his family, and a group of settlers are on their way to a permanent settlement in Kentucky. Unfortunately, the little band is attacked by Indian chief Crowfeather (Dean Fredericks), an old enemy of the Boones. Daniel is forced to postpone his westward journey in order to rescue his son from the boy's Indian captors. "The Wilderness Road" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In the concluding episode of Walt Disney's four-part miniseries based on the life of frontiersman Daniel Boone, several members of Boone's wagon train are angered when Daniel (Dewey Martin) orders them to lighten their loads so they can negotiate the mountains and have turned back to North Carolina. Only a tiny band of faithful followers remain with Daniel and his family as they begin the last leg of the arduous journey to Kentucky. Alas, once again the wagoneers are attacked by vengeance-seeking Indian chief Crowfeather (Dean Fredericks), who has a personal score to settle with Daniel. "The Promised Land" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
This is the second Maverick episode to be based on a story by Robert Louis Stevenson (the first, "The Wrecker", was seen during the series' inaugural season). Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) finds himself the unwelcome guest of Mexican aristocrat Don Felipe when his "host"'s hacienda is surrounded by guerilla forces, determined to overthrow the Mexican government. Making things particularly dicey is th fact that the leader of the guerillas, Don Manuel (Joe De Santis), is the father of Don Felipe's fiancee Soledad (Lisa Gaye)--whose own loyalties are highly in doubt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Western bandit Kid Rio (Marlon Brando) is betrayed by his partner, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden). Escaping from prison, Rio learns that Longworth has become a wealthy and influential lawman. Rio thirsts for revenge, but bides his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. In the meantime, Rio spitefully seduces Longworth's adopted daughter, Louisa (Pina Pellicer). After killing a man in self-defense, Rio is publicly whipped by the powerful Longworth. When Rio's old gang accidentally kills a child during another holdup, Longworth has the perfect excuse to eliminate the troublesome Rio once and for all by hanging him. But that's not what happens at all. Stripped to its fundamentals, One-Eyed Jacks is a workable Western, worthy of perhaps 90 minutes' running time. But when Marlon Brando succeeded Stanley Kubrick in the director's chair, he allowed the film's 60-day shooting schedule to stretch into six months, and delivered a finished product running in excess of four hours. The current 141-minute version of One-Eyed Jacks isn't as ponderous as some critics have claimed, but it's still too much of a good thing. While Brando the director isn't precisely in the Kubrick class, Brando the actor delivers one of his finest and most focused performances (though he is upstaged throughout by Karl Malden). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, (more)
- 1961
In this western, an idealistic and naive rookie cavalry officer is assigned to work with a cruel captain. He immediately gets on the crabby captain's bad side by trying to restart an affair with his ex-sweetheart. The woman is engaged to another who ends up getting killed by the Indians. This rookie, blaming himself for distracting the slain officer with his overtures to the officer's fiance, volunteers to act as a decoy to lure the renegade Apaches into a trap. It works, but many soldiers die. After the skirmish, the rookie has become a seasoned officer prepared to take his duties seriously. Back at the fort, he bids farewell to the woman as she begins her long journey back east. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Boone, George Hamilton, (more)
- 1961
Brent Maverick (Robert Colbert) in his last series appearance) witnesses a robbery in a post office--then looks on as Sheriff Joe Holly (George Wallace) shoots and kills both thieves. If that were all Brent had seen, the story would be over: unfortunately, our hero has also spotted the sheriff helping himself to the stolen loot. When Holly is subesquently killed as well, Brent is accused of being both a robber and a murderer--and the source of all his problems turns out to be a pair of deceptively sweet sisters (Elizabeth MacRae, Randy Stuart). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the third episode of Walt Disney's eight-part miniseries The Swamp Fox, Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (Leslie Nielsen) must pretend to despise his sweetheart, Mary Videaux (Barbara Eiler), lest anyone suspects Mary is one of Francis' most valuable allies against the Redcoats. Despite this charade, Redcoat leader Col. Tarleton (John Sutton) smells a rat. Meanwhile, Marion's nephew, Gabe (Tim Considine), hopes to impress his girlfriend, Melanie (Sherry Jackson), and dons his new Continental Army uniform and rides off to visit her -- whereupon he is captured by British officer Col. Townes (Henry Daniell). "Tory Vengeance" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the fourth episode of Walt Disney's eight-part miniseries The Swamp Fox, Continental Army guerilla leader Francis Marion (Leslie Nielsen) feels responsible when his nephew Gabe is killed by the Tories. Letting revenge outweigh his duty to his men, Marion personally sets out to kill Gabe's murderer, Amos Briggs (John Anderson). As a result of Marion's dereliction, the Redcoats seize control of South Carolina's valuable salt supply, necessitating a desperate last-minute raid against British fortifications. "Day of Reckoning" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the fifth episode of Walt Disney's eight-part miniseries The Swamp Fox, the guerilla forces under the leadership of Francis Marion (Leslie Nielsen) have succeeded in capturing British officer Col. Townes (Henry Daniell). Unfortunately, Marion's longtime enemy Col. Tarleton (John Sutton) has, at the same time, seized the home of Marion's brother Gabriel (John Sutton). As Marion prepares to escort Towne and his wife to Continental Headquarters, Tarleton lays a carefully planned trap for the elusive "Swamp Fox", using Redcoats disguised as American patriots. "Redcoat Strategy" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
In the sixth episode of Walt Disney's eight-part miniseries The Swamp Fox, 18th century American guerilla leader Francis Marion (Leslie Nielsen) has again succeeded in thwarting the plans of Redcoat officer Col. Tarleton (John Sutton). Escaping from Marion's men, Tarleton takes refuge in the home of Mary Videaux (Barbara Eiler), whom he believes is a pro-British Tory. But when Tarleton sees Mary kissing Francis during a secret rendezvous, he puts two and two together and realizes that Mary is working for the Continentals. Capturing Mary and putting her on trial for treason in Charleston, SC, Tarleton hopes to flush out Marion and his men for a final, bloody showdown. "A Case of Treason" originally aired as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
A bright green caboose is the focus of this touching drama which tells the story of a retired conductor who owns it. It is a charming and nicely furnished caboose. Soon it becomes a haven for two lovers, a young run-away, and an eccentric millionaire who lives like a hobo. Trouble ensues when a brakeman accidently sends the glorious traincar to the junkyard. The hobo saves the day. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the sixth episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, Slaughter (Tom Tryon) combines his cattle herd with that of fellow rancher Sam Underwood (Sidney Blackmer), intending to drive both herds to Arizona and sell them at the highest price possible. Unfortunately, the two men cannot use the Chisholm Trail because of a recent drought, so Slaughter blazes his own trail -- through Comanche territory. As if the Indians didn't pose enough of a threat, Slaughter must also contend with cattle baron John Chisholm (Harold J. Stone), who is convinced that Slaughter is trying to destroy his business. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "The Slaughter Trail" and the subsequent episode "The Man From Bitter Creek" were edited together in 1962 and released overseas as the "feature film" Texas John Slaughter: Stampede at Bitter Creek. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
In the third episode of Walt Disney's 17-part miniseries Tales of Texas John Slaughter, Slaughter (Tom Tryon) and another Texas ranger are sent to a bank to pick up the ranger's payroll. Unfortunately, the bank is held up by the vicious Barko gang, who kill Slaughter's comrade and leave him beaten and unconscious. Upon recovering, Slaughter takes it upon himself to bring in the leader of the gang -- Mrs. Barko (Beverly Garland), a sadistic murderer who holds her husband and his henchmen in thrall. Originally telecast as part of the Walt Disney Presents anthology, "Killers From Kansas" and the subsequent episode "Showdown at Sandoval" were edited together in 1961 and released overseas as the "feature film" Gunfight at Sandoval. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This trite, low-budget western stars Victor Mature as Ben Lassiter, a former Confederate soldier who is traveling to the Western U.S. with his daughter Abbey (Reba Waters) just after the Civil War. Their journey is interrupted by a group of Union soldiers on patrol and the recent war casts its shadow over this encounter. Beth Drury (Elaine Stewart) is riding along with the group of Union soldiers and soon she and Lassiter become romantically entangled. Throw in her rabid, anti-Confederate sister and a few hostile Native Americans, and the story is complete with the usual characters and antagonisms. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victor Mature, Elaine Stewart, (more)
- 1958
In this 4th episode of Walt Disney's six-part miniseries The Saga of Andy Burnett, Andy (Jerome Courtland) and the Mountain Men have struck out for the New Mexico outpost of Taos. While making their way through the unmapped Rocky Mountains, Andy and his pals Joe (Jeff York), Jack (Andrew Duggan) and Old Bill (Slim Pickens) decide to do a little fur-trapping. Alas, before long the foursome have been captured by the Snake Indians. "Land of Enemies" originally aired on the Disneyland anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
In the final episode of Walt Disney's six-part miniseries The Saga of Andy Burnett, Andy (Jerome Courtland and his friends are still the "guests" of Kiasak (Abel Fernandez), Chief of the Blackfeet Indians. Kiasak like Andy, but refuses to let him go until he has competed in a series of grueling tests. Meanwhile, jealous medicine man Mad Wolf (Iron Eyes Cody) hopes to use the upcoming tribal council to kill off the white men, topple Kiasak from power, and become Chief himself. "The Big Council" originally aired on the Disneyland anthology series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
