Slim Pickens, the Cowboy Clown! Comedy Westerns! Full episode of ANNIE OAKLEY! Plus Slim's Daughter!

Slim Pickens' daughter, Daryle Ann Lindley-Giardino, shares the laughter and her Father's amazing story from working as a rodeo clown dodging bulls to an in demand actor who was just as gifted with drama as he was with his comedic roles.
Following the interview is a special TV episode featuring Slim in an early 1956 appearance as one of the bad guys on ANNIE OAKLEY, "Annie and the Leprechauns."
From Rex Allen's fast riding comical sidekick in series of B westerns, to riding a bomb for Stanley Kurbrick in DR. STRANGELOVE, to garnering big laughs in the Mel Brooks classic BLAZING SADDLES, Slim did it all and made it all look easy.
A roomful of fans at the Autry Museum's crowded restaurant were treated to an overview of western comedies on December 17, 2014, when Slim's daughter, Daryle Ann, joined Rob Word for A WORD ON WESTERNS. She brought a rollicking scrapbook of family memories and memorable movie moments of her Father for all of his fans. Slim was born Lewis Bert Lindley, Jr., June 29, 1919, in Kingsberg, California, and died Nov 20, 1983.
#famouspeople #blazingsaddles #interview #western #actor #horse #cowboys #comedy #sidekick #clown #father #fatherdaughter

[@ericteneyck8691]

Slim Pickens and Jack Elam are my 2 favorite character actors ever!

[@stevemccoy8138]

Really liked Slim Pickens,he was the real deal.

[@wmunny6799]

Thanks Mr. Word! Slim Pickens, Jack Elam and some others are and always will be iconic characters in western movies. May they RIP.

[@sherriewhite7146]

Slim was always a joy to watch.

[@DarrylWhiteguitar]

What would Blazing Saddles have been without Slim Pickens. He made every other actor sharing a scene better for it. 👍

[@muffassa6739]

I enjoyed this video so much. Seeing his Daughter was so nice. I grew up with Slim Pickens I can still hear his voice. You never forget him. What a great video.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mikerobertson4041]

Slim Pickens was an American treasure!

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Rob Word, STILL the only channel I let ads play all the way thru! Bless You, Rob!

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

@Just think: I want Rob to get every penny he can to keep these coming.

[@Mike583]

@@TERoss-jk9ny At 9.99@month you get it as free. Does Rob get a portion of that?

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

@@Mike583: I have no idea, but I refuse to give the tube any of my $. Pretty soon, they will even block Rob because the “good” guys almost always won!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, T.E. Glad you think it's worth it. I think the KZbin ads are all randomly placed by computers and targeted based on viewer preferences.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Quite a double delight to hear all about one of the most beloved character actors ever, Slim Pickens and then get to see him in action on "Annie"! Slims daughter can hang with the best of them as a "storyteller"! This aired yesterday but I'm in the path of a huge hurricane and I had to get prepped so I waited till today. Glad I didn't miss this one. Thank you Rob, a thousand times, thanks.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Wayne. Stay safe!

[@jimross7648]

What a great interview with Daryle Anne Lindley - Giardino. her father was a staple of Western films and TV series and no matter how big or small his role, his presence was noted. Slim had a way of commanding the viewers attention when he was on screen. I can only imagine the stories she has yet to impart that she could have told about her father and his career.

[@MIKEKELLEY12000]

My sister was working near Livingston, MT when Rancho Deluxe was filmed. Townspeople just loved Slim.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's beautiful country up there, Mike. I stayed at a ranch there one summer moving horses.

[@ginnywalker184]

I love hearing the history behind those in the westerns. Slim Pickens was always a favorite of mine and a good actor. Thanks so much for sharing these rich stories with us.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Ginny. Thanks.

[@luckychucky3426]

Another great interview and wonderful Charming lady

[@rickymyers3103]

YES SIR!! Mr. Rob Word THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, TO KEEP THIS ALIVE!! I have always loved Slim Pickens!! Been working 12 -14 hour days and 6 - 7 days a week for the last two months. I haven't been able to watch so much or comment. I have missed this!! Thank you ONCE AGAIN!!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thank you! Hope you can kick back and relax a little, Ricky. Enjoy the shows.

[@OdeeOz]

👍👏 What a hoot Slim always was to watch. Thanks for sharing this with us all.👏👍👍👍

[@AceMoonshot]

First scene comes to mind for me with Slim was that death scene in Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. For me that whole scene was, hand's down, the highlight of the movie. So heartbreaking. Slim and Katy only had a few minutes screen time to tell their story but what a story they told. Saw Rancho Deluxe when I was 11 or 12. Not too strict back then on who they let in, as long as you paid lol.

[@AWordonWesterns]

For me, Ace, that's the most memorable scene in the film. Thanks.

[@MsBenlane]

one of the all time classic scene and he was heartbreaking.

[@angelocos1]

Thats amazing you mentioned that Pat Garrett scene. Slim Pickens stole that part of the movie.

[@MsBenlane]

that and the raftmwere the best in the pic@@angelocos1

[@marshaldillon4387]

Slim was the greatest. The Anny Okey show was fun as well. Blazing Saddles was a fantastic movie. I grew up with these. Thanks Rob

[@williamclifford9757]

Slim Pickens was a fabulous Cowboy actor, big fan of His, died way too young!

[@subhashnamey5562]

Best show today.Actor Slim Pickens was my favorite too especially because he had a very different voice from the rest of Hollywood .He was with Charles Bronson in the western ," White buffalo " . Enjoyed your program , thanks very much.

[@tombankwel4822]

Great show, slim pickins, a cowboy and his voice always great, i remember Oliver Hardy in John Wayne film, these Westerns where just good, and as always your clothes awsome, thanks Rob Word of Word on Westerns laird of Word on manor your friend tom now and always 🤩

[@pilot968]

I saw Dr. Strangelove a couple of times on campus during the 1970s as a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Both times the biggest laugh, cheers and applause from the student audience occurred when Slim Pickens as Major Kong reaches into his safe and puts on his cowboy hat. It wasn't until I saw the film later without an audience that I could hear his next lines of dialogue. I guess we Texans have a soft spot for our hats. If I remember correctly Slim, in his latter years, tried his hand as a Western art sculptor. I enjoyed his roles in any film he was in, no matter how long or short. Thank you Mr. Word for keeping these memories alive.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, pilot. Keep flying high.

[@marksheffer625]

Grew up on Slim Pickens movies . Thanks Rob never knew he did so much great cowboy!

[@maryshort7183]

Loved every movie I saw Slim in

[@Labor_Jones]

Slim sort of reminded me of all the A-Bomb movies that scared hell out of me, but Slim's performance was the best of them all. Kubrick (i'm a fan) was known to keep his employees for projects without an end. I was possibly 10 then when Dr. Strangelove was released and Slim was new to me and enduring to me because of his role. I think when I saw his name in the supporting roles I knew there would be some fun in the films so I'd go. .... Blazing Saddles might be Slims most famous movie, but Slim's ride down to certain death in Dr. Strangelove for me was his most important role and the one that brought some 'strange' relief to a 9 or 10 year old in the early 60s.

[@MsBenlane]

peter sellers was supposed to play the part but broke his ankle so pickens did the role.

[@wiseguymaybe]

Big fan of Abbot and Costello. My favorite western was The Wistful Widow Of Wagon Gap just to let you know. I think it's not that well known, but it is really funny. Anyway that aside, I so loved this interview. When I think of fun old western actors my favorite has to be Slim Pickens. On Bonanza 6ft 3 Slim who played mountain man Jim Layton could definatly go toe to toe with 6'4 Dan Blocker's Hoss. And both times he played this character was really fun. For some reason that's one of my memories about Slim. To me, like Ben Johnson, Jack Elam and Walter Brennan, Slim could steal a scene, just in a different way than these actors. I would love to see all these stars in one western. As you pointed out I heard that Slim could give William Shatner, who is also a great horseman, lessons. Thank you so much for these fantastic interviews. So glad you included this Annie Oakley episode, this was the cherry on top of this interview☺🙏👍

[@er5406]

Slim Pickens was one of my favorite western actors. He was truly funny in Blazing Saddles and Dr. Strangelove. He could also play serious very well. Please thank Miss Daryl Ann for sharing with us and again thank you for bringing these stories out into the public.

[@desertfox3860]

Great episode Rob! Thanks for the memories of Slim and Gail!

[@user-oj1lb2ht8h]

Wow it is cool to hear these stories. Slim Pickens daughter wss great to listen to. He was such a cool actor. Thank you.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks. Hope you take a deep dive into our library of interviews. A new one drops every Sunday morning! Join us.

[@mjemigh3304]

Well, THAT was fun! I took you, Slim's daughter, and Annie Oakley to the gym with me today, and that 40 minutes just FLEW by. I assume this is another of the older interviews, so thank you for bringing these to our attention. I'm sure more treasures lay in store. Get that divining rod working!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, MJ. Glad I could assist with your workout!

[@larrysmith1568]

Slim was a treasure.

[@sammychicken3457]

Hi Rob, I just had to watch this episode again. Reflecting on some of Slim Pickings. There is an episode of Cimoron Strip in which huge played an old horse rangler, who at the end took on a hand, who had been a troubled young man. A great story line.

[@terryv]

Slim took part in one of the most realistic fight scenes ever filmed - in Marlon Brando’s jail cell, in "One-Eyed Jacks". A memorable scene.

[@AWordonWesterns]

It's in my list of Top 10 western movies, terryv. Thanks.

[@larrylee4919]

That was a rough fight. Kinda reminds me of when Billy the kid was tormented by. Bob Olinger.

[@hackbritton3548]

I think slim would have said you are full of shit and so do I

[@jimd8008]

Thanks again Rob. Slim was quite the guy

[@ronevans852]

Oh wow, we love slim in his movie.

[@galencox4278]

Another great interview. Slim was a character. He could make you believe anything.

[@takkmoran9770]

Great show Rob. I enjoyed seeing the interview with Slim Pickens daughter again, I don't know if I'm related to Slim or her, but it's possible I suppose. I enjoyed the Annie Oakley episode too. Two great character actors there, not only Slim, but Raymond Hatton. Always enjoyable to see their work. Thanks Rob for another great Sunday morning show!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks again takk

[@MsBenlane]

wonderful actor, always enjoyed him. great bad guy too. loved him as a detective in a jeff bridges pic, don't recall the title. jeff was a modern day cattle rustler.

[@AWordonWesterns]

RANCHO DELUXE was that wonderful film, MsLane. It was scored by Jimmy Buffet!

[@hollywoodmediaprofessional3282]

I sure enjoyed the talk about comedy westerns, the interview and Annie Oakley with Slim. Thank you.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lpheitman]

Well Rob, you once again found a way to give great memories of people we knew so well. Even though Slim left us almost 40 years ago, you brought us some of Slims' memories through his daughter! Great job! Besides the movies you mentioned, I really liked him in a small part in "The Getaway". Thought it showed another side of him. Great natural actor.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Larry

[@williambilyeu9801]

Who doesn't love "Slim Pickens?" I mentioned the name as a joke to a friend, and soon we were both mentioning our favorite movie and television shows that he played in.

[@emava]

"Piss on you! I'm working for Mel Brooks!"

[@grahamhill6340]

When you're born with a name like Louis Berton Lindley Jr. and you want to enter the movie business, its a good thing that SLIM PICKENS had already decided to change it when he entered the Rodeo world. Being a Rodeo clown is a real tough way to make a living and Slim certainly honed his acting and comedic skills alongside his riding skills in the school of hard knocks that is the Rodeo circuit. Slim Pickens always stood out in anything he was in, specially with his distinct southern accent although he was born in California. You could say he was the worthy successor to the unique and crusty side-kick Gabby Hayes, the next generation of that kind of character only even more diverse in the movies he appeared in. Rob was certainly right about his role in DR.STRANGELOVE being his most iconic, as he was nobody's sidekick in that, he was in command of that bomber... in BLAZING SADDLES he was a kind of side-kick cum henchman to Harvey Korman. Either way Slim was a great scene-stealer in up against big stars like Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen. I got to see Mr.Pickens work and do his thing on B'J. & THE BEAR in 1979 on the Universal lot, such a delight. You can well imagine the years of laughter and clowning around his daughter experienced!

[@kenshores9900]

My favorite was Slim Pickens in Doctor Strange Love as Major King Kong. Yeah Haw!!!!!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Ride’em!

[@kenshores9900]

@@AWordonWesterns Rob: Slim never gave a bad performance. Also loved him in Blazing Saddles. There were just so many good actors and so many hilarious scenes. Who would have figured an ex football player would have been as funny as Mongo was.

[@akulinamackenzie4492]

💕👍

[@larrylee4919]

I’ve often wondered how much of their wardrobe was their own or provided. Mostly boots, hats and maybe saddles? And their own horses. Like Slim’s horse Dear John?

[@AWordonWesterns]

It was rare for actors to ride their own horses, except, of course, the stuntmen.

[@larrylee4919]

@@AWordonWesterns thank you

[@eddean6663]

A Laurel and hardy handshake...

[@AWordonWesterns]

One of the all time great movie lines, Ed. I still use it!

[@williamjarman9076]

I first saw him on my favorite TV show Gunsmoke. Him and Festus were good friends and Slim's character had been arrested for murder. He was gonna hang but later on they caught the right person and slim's character was freed. This was the late 50's or early 60's.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Bill. Slim was always fun to watch.

[@SoloPilot6]

My favorite Slim Pickens story was when he went into the Colorado Fish and Game office, to get a license for hunting camels. When they said no, because there aren't any camels in Colorado, he replied "You've been selling me licenses for hunting elk for 20 years, and there don't seem to be none o' them here, either!"

[@prycerobertson4695]

Slim appeared on an episode of Rex Allen's TV series Frontier Doctor, where Dr. Bill Baxter (Allen) goes undercover as an ex-convict in order to aid the law in tracking down an outlaw gang.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Cool, Pryce. I'm gonna hafta find that one. Thanks.

[@calvinvreman]

Glad to see Fred Willard in the audience. Gosh he was so talented and so funny. RIP.

[@OdeeOz]

@A Word on Westerns *Whoa wait a second thar Rob. How could you leave out **_The Three Stooges_** and their Western shorts? 👏👍👍 **_Merry Mavericks, Three Troubledoers, Rockin Thru the Rockies, and Punchy Cowpunchers._* 😅😂🤣

[@AWordonWesterns]

I love 'em, OD, but I was just ad libbing my way through western comedy features to prime the audience for Daryle Ann.

[@OdeeOz]

@@AWordonWesterns Ya did a swell job of it too. As Dr. Richard Warner, an associate of Casting Director Erica Arvold would say ... _"You have a keen wit about you, that has been honed to razor sharpness over the years.."_ 👏👏👍👍👍

[@carlevans5760]

And their movie: The Outlaws Is Coming.

[@douglasturner6153]

Another good episode. But I don't think Annie Oakley could ever out ride and catch up with Slim Pickens. This role as a villain shows again how good these comedic western actors were at playing bad guy's. Walter Brennan was another one.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Right you are, Doug. Thanks.

[@JesseOaks-ef9xn]

The story of how he got the name Slim Pickens was pretty funny. He said his dad didn't want him to ride in the rodeo so he needed an alias. The agent at the rodeo said he looked like slim pickens' ot him.

[@AWordonWesterns]

That's the gospel, Jesse. Thanks.

[@hiramnoone]

Slim's most memorable role is probably as the Stetson wearing bomber pilot who rides that nuke all the way down in Doctor Strangelove. Ironically a bad experience for him (Swearing he'd never work for Kubrick again) because of Kubrick's over direction and insistence upon what Slim felt was an excessive number of takes. A thing Kubrick in his later career became known for, and a major source of criticism of the director. But this was not always the case, particularly in Stanley's early career. It was in fact a non issue in his early masterpiece, Paths of Glory for instance, which was filmed quickly and with great economy. Perhaps because of a small budget and the fact that he had yet to make his mark as a bankable director. On that film the only source of real trouble and potentially costly delays and retakes was the highly unpredictable actor, Timothy Carey, a giant (he was 6'4") wierdo (to some), brilliant in Kubrick's previous film, The Killing, who played one of the three condemned soldiers central to the plot, who kept constantly ad libbing his lines, thus throwing off the other actors and resulting in multiple takes (irony alert here), and at one point being fired outright by Kubrick in frustration, then rehired because too much film had already been shot in scenes with Carey in them, some of it with a stand in, his back to the camera, but with no way to replace him during the film's final climax. The end result though, produced a masterpiece of film making with Carey brilliant in his role, that formed much of the basis of the reputation that Stanley's later career rested on.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Hiram. The camera seemed to always love Timothy Carey. Kubrick hired him for ONE-EYED JACKS, too. Glad Brando kept him in!

[@hiramnoone]

@@AWordonWesterns James B. Harris, the producer on Paths of Glory and The Killing said Tim Carey stole every scene he was ever in. A guy like Carey woulda probably seemed like a kindred spirit to an eccentric like "Mumbles", which was Sinatra's pet name for Brando whom he despised. I thought "Jacks was a great film, myself. Slim, playing against type, being a very effective heavy in that one.

[@carlevans5760]

@@AWordonWesterns Timothy Carey was also the "whiney soldier" in Paths of Glory with Kirk Douglas and an actor who always reminded me of Vic Morrow-looked quite alike in those days. He was the French Corporal in that movie. Ralph Meeker.

[@hiramnoone]

Average age of movie goers is 14? Which explains a lot.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

America is lost.

[@hiramnoone]

@@TERoss-jk9ny Much of Hollywood certainly is.

[@scottywayne3601]

are these live tapings open to the public, would love to attend one

[@AWordonWesterns]

They are open to the public and free. We tape at The Autry Museum in Los Angeles and would like to see you there, Scotty. Not sure when we will be able to resume production, though. Hopefully people will get vaccinated to allow us to safely start doing more interviews as our western performers are all getting older and I'm anxious to document more of their western film experiences to share. Thanks.

[@scottywayne3601]

@@AWordonWesterns definetly, well if im over that way, i will definetly stop by. gotta keep safe, they're a national treasure. i bet that was amazing meeting john wayne when you was a youngster, i would to get a autographed photo patrick wayne one day. when i was a kif my father use to tell me we were related to james stewart. maybe one day ill look up the damily tree. well thank you for the response, you're doing a great deed capturing the history for everyone.

[@carlevans5760]

@@AWordonWesterns I'd love to see you guys tape a show here in Kerrville, they have a western art museum i'll be visiting soon. Calif is too far away with a person on a fixed budget due to illness.

[@carlevans5760]

I always enjoyed Slim Pickens in everything I saw him in. I don't know if true or not? but I heard he came by his name when being asked why he wasn't doing work with Horses anymore or not? and he was being interviewed for something-and he allegedly said: "Getting a job was slim pickens-so that's the name he chose for himself? I believe it was on TCM hosted by Robert Osbourne?? Anyway, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think that's where I heard that from? Maybe on the internet since everything on it is ""true."" I hope someday you can do one on Dub "Cannonball" Taylor. He was a B Westerns sidekick too. I remember watching one with him in it-and that particular western had Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys singing in it.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Young Louis Bert Lindley, Jr. signed up for a rodeo but didn't want his father to know he was competing in the dangerous sport. The rodeo official said, "Don't worry son. You won't get hurt. The mounts today are might slim pickens." Hmmmm.

[@carlevans5760]

@@AWordonWesterns Thank you sir. I'm glad there's someone like you around to make sure information is correct. ;-)) Thank you for your time as well.

[@William-Marshall]

Agree with Slim , when did you make the first one ? I may be the only person not caring for Blazing Saddles, it just doesn’t appeal to me. Slim just the Best.

[@stephenannese8228]

Wasn't Slim in a 1950 (civil-war) pic with Errol Flynn..?....*skinny Slim too*...answer= Rocky Mountain/I asked too soon.

[@AWordonWesterns]

You're pretty fast on the draw, Polly, but so am I. Thanks.

[@stephenannese8228]

Lol,...after watching Blazing Saddles/slim riding that "💣"...i became a fan/ could pick him out in every film..!,..he was in "The Get Away" with Mcqueen/Mcgraw too..(?)

[@dirtcop11]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention how Slim Pickens got his name. His dad didn't want him to ride in the rodeo.

[@sallyann1363]

Who chose his name of Slim Pickens?

[@AWordonWesterns]

From a man who was booking riders for a rodeo. As a teenager Slim (before he was "Slim") told the rodeo manager that his Dad didn't want him to ride because of his age and he couldn't use his real name. The manager said don't worry "it'll be slim pickens out there today."

[@carlevans5760]

@@AWordonWesterns I THOUGHT it went something like that? Sorry I hadn't read this far before spouting off some ;-))

[@imanutnur7]

I saw the outlaw that took a shot at Jim the leprechaun guy after he shot all the bullets out of his gun throw his sixshooter away. Why do they do that?

[@Slick2462]

It may be cause for the property master to try and find it or have the cost taken from his salary?

[@AWordonWesterns]

Ha, ha.

[@Patricia-rx6pu]

Where was his place of birth

[@AWordonWesterns]

Born in Kingsburg, CA. Near Fresno.

[@WeiSwan]

How much did Seth MacFarlane pay y'all to say all that stuff?

[@PacoOtis]

Weak video! Best of luck!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for the view