This was great. I met Slim at a rodeo in Bishop, CA. We were all dancing after the rodeo that night & bumped into him on the dance floor. I was in awh of how big he was because I was the one that bumped into him. I kept looking up to see the face to apoligize, & was shocked to see who it was. He called me Little Darling which just made me feel like a school girl. I was 21 then & just turned 71 this year. I will never forget him because we hung out with him for awhile. Such a kind & caring man. He is deeply missed.
A decade before he died, I met him in a bar in Pinedale, Wyoming. I was working on a drilling rig, and getting hassled by the Fish and Game people for living in the woods. Anyway, he was drinking tea and playing pool with some of us. Mostly oilfield and loggers, some of us ex-cowboys. He recruited some of us, saying they couldn't teach those city actors to really ride. We got free room and board at a dude ranch, and $100 a day if they called for you to be on set. It beat the Dickens out of a drilling rig. Slim Pickins played a drunk explosives expert, with us trying to dislodge some "sodbusters". The big scene was for some of us real cowboys to use ropes to drag a burning wagon load of dynamite through an arch and slam it into the porch. And we only had one take. That was why they wanted real cowboys. Those horses didn't understand the concept of blanks, as the defenders shot at us. They surely didn't approve of burning wagons. And it's a real dance number to maneuver bucking horses and a wagon through a gate. I was just a big kid, and that was the time of my life. Something you never forget. It was called 'The Sweet Creek County War', and it was a box office dud. But it has left a sweet taste in my mind for near fifty years now.
I was 16 and riding on the truck with my dad , when my dad had caught a glimpse of him at the 76 truckstop at lovelock nv. My dad had met him years before and had rode with him and Dale Robertson for a charity ride for the children's hospital in spokan wa. Well indeed slim had remembered the event and took to us like old friends , I was star struck and stayed that way , I've never forgotten my chance meeting with the man . He was one hell of a man and is what Cowboys were supose to be
John Lame Elk - I was wondering if you guys get any credits for your stunt or were you just considered as extras? My dad was born 1935 and was a newspaper delivery boy either around 1943 or 1945. Gene Autry was on the paper route. My dad became friends with Gene and remained as friends till Gene died. When Gene bought Melody Ranch (Monogram Ranch) in 1953, he invited my dad, whom was 18 years old by then, to check out the newly purchased property. Matter of fact, he came across a, I believe a movie prop that was left behind of a hand carved wood head of a cowboy which appeared to have been a whiskey bottle cork stopper. My dad asked if he could get a few friends to come to the studio and make their own "cowboy" home movie, I believe it was either 8mm or 16mm. Gene said it was ok. Back sometime during the 1990s it was transferred to VHS, which I still have to this day. Anyway, my point was that when Gunsmoke started filming at Melody Ranch my dad was there everyday and always watching from behind the cameras. He was there so much to the point that they had him doing "running in the street during gunfights" and various things as an "extra" When my dad passed away in 2018, I found many personal letters to my dad from Gene Autry. My dad even had Nudie Cohn, better known as Nudie's Western Tailor, to make replica of a shirt that Gene already had that was made by Nudie! ($2,000 in the 1950s) I finally had a chance to see all the autographed photos of all the stars he ever met. Slim Pickens was one of them. Also, I found many many personal photos of cowboy actors, no names written on the back of these photos, I believe a few of them are of Slim. I have no idea who most of them are. They appear to be mostly from the 1940 and 1950s
I'm almost 75 years old now and I grew up watching "Slim Pickens" in a great number of his roles to my manifest delight. I thank you for your biography of Mr. Pickens. I think you have done him the service he so richly deserves. May God bless him and You.
I was raised in the cowboy life on ranches and farms in Southern Arizona 1940's - 1960's. I came in contact with many a cowboy from all over the country and when meeting one with the Slim Pickens accent, I always came away having learned a decent value of life. The work was hard and the days were long but working with these men made it extremely enjoyable. I can say that I never heard an expletive uttered in their presence. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that among all these decent men, the most influential one was my very own father - REST IN PEACE DAD!
I loved all he did. One of my favorite parts he did was in "1941" when he was captured by the crew of a Japanese sub of the coast of California. He could play a bad guy and a good guy and a had a brand of comedy that was hilarious. No one like him ever. Miss him.
Heck of a man, helluva actor. I only wished he had been inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame before he died, he would have cherished that so very much. He is missed by many ... God Bless
Cowboy hall of fame is in my great state. My dad is a semi famous bass player, in the credits for tower of power and 38 special. Old school funk. I used to help him set up his equipments at his CHOF gigs; and I loved walking around in there.
I never realized that he died so young. He was an immediately recognized man and another of the great western entertainers of our wonderful western history. R.I.P.
My dad was a professional calf roper in the 50's and 60's. i used to follow him around to all the rodeos of course as a small boy...at one show up in Canada he introduced me to Slim Pickens who he knew very well and Slim was working that rodeo as the clown act...he had a big Brahma Bull he used for his act that he used to saddle up and ride it while it jumped over barrels and things!!..i have pictures of me sitting on it!...at another rodeo, i was part of his act riding in this little powered car he had built and his trained dog chased me in it around the Arena...it was amazing to me to see him become a movie star later!.. (Edit- Slim had this big Stetson Hat that the dog jumped over and would climb up his back and steal the hat off his head!.. my part of the show was i came roaring in the Arena in this little car and picked up Slim's hat which was on the ground, put it on my head and then drove around the arena with the dog chasing me- who finally caught up to me and stole the hat back, off my head!..the funny thing was the hat was so big on my head i couldnt really see where i was going- but i imagine that got a lot of laughs in and of itself!)...Also it may be interesting to note, that according to my Dad, Slim would always track him down because he knew my Dad ALWAYS had ice cold Cokes in the Camper fridge- most all of the Cowboys at that time were drinkers, but my Dad wasnt and apparently Slim enjoyed a cold Coke more than a cold beer~
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing them with us! I wish that the kids of today could have the privilege of watching all those old Westerns! We played outside and were Cowboys and Indians! Carrying sticks for guns and pretending that the dogs were Bears! I loved Slim Pickens! Many of the most memorable days of my life were Saturdays! Sky King, The Cisco Kid, Roy Roger's and of course Clint Walker! Fess Parker and so many more!! Those were wonderful times! Thank you so much for all the videos and may GOD bless you.
@@ritamccartt-kordon283 thats for sure Rita, those certainly were the good ol days!!..i remember me and my little best friend would pay 10 cents and go to the Saturday matinee western movie, and then go back to my house and re-enact every scene...of course i had all the props, live horses, tons of toy guns and even a real stage coach in the back yard!..
Every time I watch a movie that has Slim Pickens in it I know I’m in for an extra special treat. Every single movie he’s in he really adds a big something to it.
Jerry Skinner has one of the most underrated channels on UA-cam. I just love watching his videos!! This video about Slim Pickens is a great example as to why I can’t stop. He’s a great story teller. Thank you, Jerry.
Thanks for sharing the tribute to our beloved Slim Pickens. He was always one of my favorites. Way back in the early seventies he attended the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, where he ran into a cowboy pool shark, my next older brother, and got into a little debt with him. When Slim got tired of getting beat he went to settle up with my brother but didn't have enough cash to do so. Slim offered my brother an IOU which was for a considerable amount of money for those days. My brother finally took it and they parted. A couple of days later Slim pulled into our drive across the border in Texas, and asked to see my brother. He not being there, Slim handed me folding money and told me with a laugh, to tell my pool shark brother to keep the blame IOU as a souviner. All I could do was smile and laugh with him. Just as a note, my brother wore coke bottle thick glasses. You'd never think that he could shoot pool to look at him. LOL
My uncle trained horses and he was the most unlikely cowboy I’d ever seen. In fact when he jumped on our best cow pony and rode like Kit Carson hanging on the side of the horse and flipping back up in the saddle going full blast we were shocked. My daddy bought me a horse at five and I was raised on a small ranch in Oklahoma. This video reminds me of those days. Thank you so much Jerry.
As always jerry gets a thumbs up before I even listen because I know it's going to be good thanks Jerry you are an American treasure in my opinion 👍👍👍👌👌
I totally agree with you. I sure love listening to Mr Skinner. He is a heck of a story teller. I will never get tired listening to him. He has a very soothing mellow country voice. Love it !
My Grandfather fueled the Enola Gay on her flight over seas to drop the H-Bomb she was carrying! That fact bothered him for the rest of his life as though he had looked each individual, who passed due to that bomb, in the eye and then killed them! He was a kind and gentle man, a mechanic who never hurt anyone!!!!
Fantastic, he only got the part because Peter Sellers broke his hip. He did a better job than even Sellers could have done. Thank you, Mr. Skinner, for the new information. Always was a fan of Slim Pickens.
Slim was a comic genius..."if we were flyin' any lower we'd need sleigh bells." In Strangelove he lists all the contents of their survival kits, "prophylactics, $100 in rubles, $100 in gold, nylons, etc.," and then says "Hell, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!""
He was never an actor. He was always Slim. That is what makes him great. “Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all this stuff.”
Thanks for this video! Slim Pickens was always one of my favorite cowboy actors and now I find out he wasn’t acting, he was a cowboy. Rest in peace Slim.
Thank you Sagerider, Slim has a Son that is very much like him. Not impressed with the fluff of Hollywood but very impressed with being a good person and a good horseman. Jerry
I always loved Slim Pickens, he was one of those actors, that was a natural in the movies. I didn't know he was raised in Kingsburg, Ca. I live only about twenty miles from there, and my youngest daughter was born there. Small world, as they say. Another great film Jerry, and God Bless
As a 'superbly unique' character actor Slim was like 'indelible ink'. Once you saw him the impression just never wore off. Even today if you mention his name to someone familiar with classic western movies or the movie 'Dr. Strangelove' that person remembers Slim vividly. There'll never be another Slim Pickens.
What a beautiful tribute, Slim always put a smile on my face whenever I saw him perform. Thank you Mr. Skinner for showing me the amazing life he experienced. SUBSCRIBED.
I just saw Slim on an episode of The Love Boat today. My goodnes what an amazing life he had before he even entered movies. I've always liked him. You put a great deal of work into making this and shared so much information that I never knew at all. Very insightful and interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Slim Pickens was one of my father's favorite actor's. My father was born in 1906 and he passed away in 1975. Needless to say the old cow boy shows was his favorite shows of al RIP Slim Pickens.. Awesome video thanks for sharing.
Most memorable moment in the movie "Dr. Strangelove" was Slim riding that atom bomb after he dislodged it. Slim is like the icon of a world that long ago slipped away, along with many of our values.
A very fine, informative videography of Mr Pickens, one of my favorite American icons. Only 64 years old, but no one can argue he didn't live a full life with his love by his side for the better half of it. Some of us will never know such fulfillment. Thank you for this labor of love.
With apologies to others, he never said a 4 letter word, except in "1941" when he swallowed a Cracker jack compass so the Japanese sub couldn't Navigate, and they were having him sit on a bucket until he produced the compass. "you ain't getting $hit outta me"
Yet another excellent documentary Jerry. I never knew many things about Slim, such as how he acquired his rodeo & acting name: Slim Pickens, until watching your presentation. I really enjoyed it. Thank you Jerry & God Bless.
Got a chill when seeing Slim riding that bomb. I remember seeing that film with my Dad at Grandparents home when I was just a child! Left an impression on me and never knew the movie or Actor until now! Thanks Jerry, appreciate you. Many memories were whirling thru my head watching this, loved every second, specially as a Slim Fan. Fan of Yours as well now Sir. Respectfully P D Barbour
Such a great story! I could listen to you teach on history for hours. the ending is inevitable and i love that you close the story and provide details on what happened after they passed. i hope you know that yall are appreciated!
Wonderful documentary Jerry, I kinda grew up with Slim, watching him in his movies. Always felt like you knew him personally. Thanks Jerry for all the wonderful memories you share with us. I look everyday for your stories. Angie and Jill Blase🤠
Jerry, thank you for your hard work. I enjoy your Documentaries of all these famous people so much more than any others being produced. You represent all these people with great dignity and interest. Thank you.
He was a fine fine man Jerry just like you are my friend....Thanks Jerry you are the best...Super fine video producer to...God Bless you Jerry Skinner...!
Hedley Lamarr: My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives. Taggart: God darnit, Mr. Lamarr, you use your tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore !
Good Evening , Mr Skinner. You gave your fans another good one. I fell in love with Slim Pickens work when I was in my early 20's. I am 74 now. He was so cool, and just a really great actor. I greatly appreciate this story, but he died so young and I am sadden about that because he still had so much more to give. More to give to his family , friends and fans. God bless to the Jerry Skinner channel, I appreciate you. Much Love form Missouri.
A great actor and cowboy, his perennial moment in acting was in the comedy 1941 when a lot of younger viewers such as myself saw his raw comedic talents for the first time aboard a Japanese submarine ...he had tremendous talent as an actor . Rest in peace Ernest 🙏
He was always one of my favorite Cowboys because he really was one and he was tall and gangly like me. What a great role model he was to me He will be missed.
A well done tribute to a really great performer. I've not seen Slim in many movies, but have seen him in many TV Westerns, like GUNSMOKE . I guess you couldn't mention all the things he did and appeared in, but Slim was a real performer. So sad that he passed on so early. Thanks for the Bio. Jerry.
Instantly recognizable...his voice gave him away every time. I enjoyed all of his performances no matter which character he portrayed. A character actor who was virtually in dozens of Westerns on film and TV . He loved rodeo and was used in many, many such important sequences in both. I know they don't really make Westerns anymore and more's the pity. Perhaps there is nothing more to be portrayed on film but when I want something "different" to re--watch, it's almost always a Western. Slim Pickens, like Chill Wills, was always a fave!
Slim Pickens on a Japanese sub, in the movie "1941", is comedy gold. Also, I think the sub commander was the legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. Christopher Lee was in the scene as well. How do you get those 3 actors together? 1941.
Thanks Mr Skinner for this very well deserved tribute documentary in honor of Slim Pickens, a big rodeo star and a great actor. He gave a real cowboy touch in all his movies, even in those who wasn't westerns. His part in "Dr Strangelove" riding the atomic bomb like an untamed horse is absolutely iconic. Nobody else could do it properly.
Jerry...This was, as usual, an excellent documentary !!!! I really enjoyed it ! And, I discovered a lot about Slim Pickens. Thank you so much for this well-produced video. :)
Jerry Skinner you have a uniqueness about you that not only tells us the story of one of the most beloved characters of Western Filmdom, you make me love him more than I did before. I knew his stage name had emanated from the Rodeo but until now I wasn't sure of all the details. Thank you Jerry.
Another good one Jerry. When I think of S.P., the image that comes to mind is as C.O. of the rogue plane And as the cowboy bad ass (foreman) of the desperado gang in Blazing Saddles. RIP Slim. [ Don't if this story is true or just Hollywood mythology, but supposedly when he showed up on the set of Dr. Strangelove, he was in full "cowboy regalia". The hat, boots, etc. The whole enchilada. Kubrick thought that Pickens had dressed "in character".] But that was how he always dressed. :-)
Slim, asked Dylan if he wrote any good cowboy songs, Dylan then wrote "knocking on Heavens door", Slim dies in the movie Billy the kid, to the song. Quintessential cowboy actor!
I had the great pleasure of meeting SLIM one afternoon at my brothers place in Concord ,Calif . One of the most genuine people I've ever met . Typical cowboy gentleman , I loved his stories about his days rodeoing & bullfighting . Amazing Man !
Interesting to find out about Slim's past, I only knew him from the movies, where he always played an entertaining character in all his film roles ... thanks Jerry
This was great. I met Slim at a rodeo in Bishop, CA. We were all dancing after the rodeo that night & bumped into him on the dance floor. I was in awh of how big he was because I was the one that bumped into him. I kept looking up to see the face to apoligize, & was shocked to see who it was. He called me Little Darling which just made me feel like a school girl. I was 21 then & just turned 71 this year. I will never forget him because we hung out with him for awhile. Such a kind & caring man. He is deeply missed.
Lucky gal.
“Your still a young gal” sung with the tower of power. I’m only 28, dad is same age as you. I was raised right.
How big was he?
A decade before he died, I met him in a bar in Pinedale, Wyoming. I was working on a drilling rig, and getting hassled by the Fish and Game people for living in the woods.
Anyway, he was drinking tea and playing pool with some of us. Mostly oilfield and loggers, some of us ex-cowboys.
He recruited some of us, saying they couldn't teach those city actors to really ride.
We got free room and board at a dude ranch, and $100 a day if they called for you to be on set. It beat the Dickens out of a drilling rig.
Slim Pickins played a drunk explosives expert, with us trying to dislodge some "sodbusters". The big scene was for some of us real cowboys to use ropes to drag a burning wagon load of dynamite through an arch and slam it into the porch. And we only had one take.
That was why they wanted real cowboys. Those horses didn't understand the concept of blanks, as the defenders shot at us. They surely didn't approve of burning wagons. And it's a real dance number to maneuver bucking horses and a wagon through a gate.
I was just a big kid, and that was the time of my life. Something you never forget. It was called 'The Sweet Creek County War', and it was a box office dud. But it has left a sweet taste in my mind for near fifty years now.
That’s a great story. Thank you!
What a fantastic adventure..
Great story! Thanks for sharing that!
I was 16 and riding on the truck with my dad , when my dad had caught a glimpse of him at the 76 truckstop at lovelock nv. My dad had met him years before and had rode with him and Dale Robertson for a charity ride for the children's hospital in spokan wa. Well indeed slim had remembered the event and took to us like old friends , I was star struck and stayed that way , I've never forgotten my chance meeting with the man . He was one hell of a man and is what Cowboys were supose to be
John Lame Elk - I was wondering if you guys get any credits for your stunt or were you just considered as extras?
My dad was born 1935 and was a newspaper delivery boy either around 1943 or 1945. Gene Autry was on the paper route. My dad became friends with Gene and remained as friends till Gene died.
When Gene bought Melody Ranch (Monogram Ranch) in 1953, he invited my dad, whom was 18 years old by then, to check out the newly purchased property. Matter of fact, he came across a, I believe a movie prop that was left behind of a hand carved wood head of a cowboy which appeared to have been a whiskey bottle cork stopper. My dad asked if he could get a few friends to come to the studio and make their own "cowboy" home movie, I believe it was either 8mm or 16mm. Gene said it was ok. Back sometime during the 1990s it was transferred to VHS, which I still have to this day.
Anyway, my point was that when Gunsmoke started filming at Melody Ranch my dad was there everyday and always watching from behind the cameras. He was there so much to the point that they had him doing "running in the street during gunfights" and various things as an "extra"
When my dad passed away in 2018, I found many personal letters to my dad from Gene Autry. My dad even had Nudie Cohn, better known as Nudie's Western Tailor, to make replica of a shirt that Gene already had that was made by Nudie! ($2,000 in the 1950s)
I finally had a chance to see all the autographed photos of all the stars he ever met. Slim Pickens was one of them. Also, I found many many personal photos of cowboy actors, no names written on the back of these photos, I believe a few of them are of Slim. I have no idea who most of them are. They appear to be mostly from the 1940 and 1950s
I'm almost 75 years old now and I grew up watching "Slim Pickens" in a great number of his roles to my manifest delight. I thank you for your biography of Mr. Pickens. I think you have done him the service he so richly deserves. May God bless him and You.
I was raised in the cowboy life on ranches and farms in Southern Arizona 1940's - 1960's. I came in contact with many a cowboy from all over the country and when meeting one with the Slim Pickens accent, I always came away having learned a decent value of life. The work was hard and the days were long but working with these men made it extremely enjoyable. I can say that I never heard an expletive uttered in their presence. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that among all these decent men, the most influential one was my very own father - REST IN PEACE DAD!
Slim Pickens was one of the most underrated actor/cowboys to ever grace the screen.
Kevin Costner couldn’t hold his horse...
Really enjoyed recently Costner and Woody Harrelson in The Highwaymen. Costner okay in my book.
He'd probably hold the horses pecker, if it was part of the script...
Kevin Costner is a very nice person who would never insinuate himself where you just put him, Mr passive aggressive.
A great character actor. Once you saw him, you never forgot him
Like someone said before, that ain't no actor, that's Slim..
I loved all he did. One of my favorite parts he did was in "1941" when he was captured by the crew of a Japanese sub of the coast of California. He could play a bad guy and a good guy and a had a brand of comedy that was hilarious. No one like him ever. Miss him.
"One genuine harry carrie knife, pass it around boys incase you feel the need".🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Great assessment of Slim.
He played HOLLIS WOOD, and was brilliant. 1941, a very underrated movie and stands as one of my favourites.
I always enjoyed watching Slim Pickens in the movies, he seemed like such a genuinely nice guy.
I’m 55 and I agree. I’ve always loved the old Western’s
Heck yes great Actor
Heck of a man, helluva actor. I only wished he had been inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame before he died, he would have cherished that so very much.
He is missed by many ...
God Bless
Cowboy hall of fame is in my great state. My dad is a semi famous bass player, in the credits for tower of power and 38 special. Old school funk. I used to help him set up his equipments at his CHOF gigs; and I loved walking around in there.
I never realized that he died so young. He was an immediately recognized man and another of the great western entertainers of our wonderful western history. R.I.P.
My dad was a professional calf roper in the 50's and 60's. i used to follow him around to all the rodeos of course as a small boy...at one show up in Canada he introduced me to Slim Pickens who he knew very well and Slim was working that rodeo as the clown act...he had a big Brahma Bull he used for his act that he used to saddle up and ride it while it jumped over barrels and things!!..i have pictures of me sitting on it!...at another rodeo, i was part of his act riding in this little powered car he had built and his trained dog chased me in it around the Arena...it was amazing to me to see him become a movie star later!.. (Edit- Slim had this big Stetson Hat that the dog jumped over and would climb up his back and steal the hat off his head!.. my part of the show was i came roaring in the Arena in this little car and picked up Slim's hat which was on the ground, put it on my head and then drove around the arena with the dog chasing me- who finally caught up to me and stole the hat back, off my head!..the funny thing was the hat was so big on my head i couldnt really see where i was going- but i imagine that got a lot of laughs in and of itself!)...Also it may be interesting to note, that according to my Dad, Slim would always track him down because he knew my Dad ALWAYS had ice cold Cokes in the Camper fridge- most all of the Cowboys at that time were drinkers, but my Dad wasnt and apparently Slim enjoyed a cold Coke more than a cold beer~
Friggin Kool man !
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing them with us! I wish that the kids of today could have the privilege of watching all those old Westerns! We played outside and were Cowboys and Indians! Carrying sticks for guns and pretending that the dogs were Bears! I loved Slim Pickens! Many of the most memorable days of my life were Saturdays! Sky King, The Cisco Kid, Roy Roger's and of course Clint Walker! Fess Parker and so many more!! Those were wonderful times!
Thank you so much for all the videos and may GOD bless you.
@@ritamccartt-kordon283 thats for sure Rita, those certainly were the good ol days!!..i remember me and my little best friend would pay 10 cents and go to the Saturday matinee western movie, and then go back to my house and re-enact every scene...of course i had all the props, live horses, tons of toy guns and even a real stage coach in the back yard!..
Makes me wonder if my hubby met him or his Grandfather . He new of so many and stories of them . He's born and raised CA and rodeo cowboy too.
Bill Nalder, what a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
He had that special natural touch as an actor that only comes from being a real person and a guy with a great heart
Every time I watch a movie that has Slim Pickens in it I know I’m in for an extra special treat. Every single movie he’s in he really adds a big something to it.
A man that seems to have accepted, appreciated, and took advantage of whatever life put on his plate
He had a unique voice and a good stage presence. Must have been pretty brave and athletic to do what he did. I always enjoyed his acting.
Jerry Skinner has one of the most underrated channels on UA-cam. I just love watching his videos!! This video about Slim Pickens is a great example as to why I can’t stop. He’s a great story teller. Thank you, Jerry.
Thanks for sharing the tribute to our beloved Slim Pickens. He was always one of my favorites. Way back in the early seventies he attended the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, where he ran into a cowboy pool shark, my next older brother, and got into a little debt with him. When Slim got tired of getting beat he went to settle up with my brother but didn't have enough cash to do so. Slim offered my brother an IOU which was for a considerable amount of money for those days. My brother finally took it and they parted. A couple of days later Slim pulled into our drive across the border in Texas, and asked to see my brother. He not being there, Slim handed me folding money and told me with a laugh, to tell my pool shark brother to keep the blame IOU as a souviner. All I could do was smile and laugh with him. Just as a note, my brother wore coke bottle thick glasses. You'd never think that he could shoot pool to look at him. LOL
My uncle trained horses and he was the most unlikely cowboy I’d ever seen. In fact when he jumped on our best cow pony and rode like Kit Carson hanging on the side of the horse and flipping back up in the saddle going full blast we were shocked. My daddy bought me a horse at five and I was raised on a small ranch in Oklahoma. This video reminds me of those days. Thank you so much Jerry.
Another great look at the best of Americana. Thank you Slim Pickens for being a touchstone and thank you Jerry Skinner for telling his story.
As always jerry gets a thumbs up before I even listen because I know it's going to be good thanks Jerry you are an American treasure in my opinion 👍👍👍👌👌
I totally agree with you. I sure love listening to Mr Skinner. He is a heck of a story teller. I will never get tired listening to him. He has a very soothing mellow country voice. Love it !
Yes I agree! He's awesome 👍
One of the best at these videos. It's like he was born for this.
Amen to that!!
Ordinary cowboys ride horses. Extraordinary cowboys ride an H-bomb.
He played that part to the hilt!!
My Grandfather fueled the Enola Gay on her flight over seas to drop the H-Bomb she was carrying! That fact bothered him for the rest of his life as though he had looked each individual, who passed due to that bomb, in the eye and then killed them! He was a kind and gentle man, a mechanic who never hurt anyone!!!!
All the way down. 😑
Fantastic, he only got the part because Peter Sellers broke his hip. He did a better job than even Sellers could have done. Thank you, Mr. Skinner, for the new information. Always was a fan of Slim Pickens.
YaaHoo!!!
I never heard a bad word about Slim, may he be resting easy in God's arms now.
I wonder how the angels are hold'in up with Slim aboard?🤭
I can just imagine St Peter thinking as Slim rides through the pearly gates, Lord, we sure got us an original one here, lol.
Thanks again Mr. Skinner. You have one of those voices when you tell stories, you can't stop listening.
He was part of growing up watching westerns. He was a real one and I imagine a good soul. Like a good uncle. Pleased to meet you, Slim.
Slim was a comic genius..."if we were flyin' any lower we'd need sleigh bells." In Strangelove he lists all the contents of their survival kits, "prophylactics, $100 in rubles, $100 in gold, nylons, etc.," and then says "Hell, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!""
Watch closely; they dubbed Vegas over what he really said - Dallas.
Thank you for this wonderful memorial to a great man.
You left out his stellar performance in 1941. One of the best comedy scenes ever!
I remember Slim in The Flim Flam Man
Dear Jerry, Thank you for this great tribute to an exceptional man.
Slim sounds like he was an all round good guy. RIP Slim.
I really liked the guy. Great actor. Lots of class. I miss him.
I always liked Slim Pickins. I didn't realize he died at such a young age. So sad.
Out of all your vlogs, I found this one to be the most interesting. Slim was a great actor and I never realized he was that accomplished!
He was never an actor. He was always Slim. That is what makes him great. “Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all this stuff.”
VEGAS replacing the REDACTED other city.
Thanks for this video! Slim Pickens was always one of my favorite cowboy actors and now I find out he wasn’t acting, he was a cowboy. Rest in peace Slim.
Thank you Sagerider, Slim has a Son that is very much like him. Not impressed with the fluff of Hollywood but very impressed with being a good person and a good horseman. Jerry
Loved Slim Pickens. He was a rodeo star turned actor and was a great character actor. Keep these videos coming. Thanks Jerry.
I always loved Slim Pickens, he was one of those actors, that was a natural in the movies. I didn't know he was raised in Kingsburg, Ca. I live only about twenty miles from there, and my youngest daughter was born there. Small world, as they say. Another great film Jerry, and God Bless
"What in the wide wide world of sports is goin' on around here. BEST LINE EVER!!!
Awwwww...sheepdip!
Love it.
and eating beans around the camp fire
@@chewy999 "I think you boys have had enough!" LOL!
Sad that that joke will now likely totally go straight over most of todays younguns heads.
As a 'superbly unique' character actor Slim was like 'indelible ink'. Once you saw him the impression just never wore off. Even today if you mention his name to someone familiar with classic western movies or the movie 'Dr. Strangelove' that person remembers Slim vividly. There'll never be another Slim Pickens.
I Love what Jerry does & the subject matter❤😘❤
I enjoyed watching him in every role he played.
What a beautiful tribute, Slim always put a smile on my face whenever I saw him perform. Thank you Mr. Skinner for showing me the amazing life he experienced. SUBSCRIBED.
Well he sure had a wonderful, exciting life, doing exactly what he wanted to do. RIP Slim...
I just saw Slim on an episode of The Love Boat today. My goodnes what an amazing life he had before he even entered movies. I've always liked him. You put a great deal of work into making this and shared so much information that I never knew at all. Very insightful and interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Slim Pickens was one of my father's favorite actor's. My father was born in 1906 and he passed away in 1975. Needless to say the old cow boy shows was his favorite shows of al RIP Slim Pickens.. Awesome video thanks for sharing.
I remember my Dad was excited because he was going to see Slim Pickens at the Calgary Stampede.
Most memorable moment in the movie "Dr. Strangelove" was Slim riding that atom bomb after he dislodged it. Slim is like the icon of a world that long ago slipped away, along with many of our values.
He was fantastic in Blazing Saddles. “Ah’m werkin’ fer Mel Brooks!”
Somebody's gotta go back and get a shitload a' dimes.
Probably the only cast member who had actually been on a horse.
Our favorite movie of his!
Damn near lost a 400 dollar hand cart.
A very fine, informative videography of Mr Pickens, one of my favorite American icons.
Only 64 years old, but no one can argue he didn't live a full life with his love by his side for the better half of it. Some of us will never know such fulfillment.
Thank you for this labor of love.
You pick the best one's Jerry. Wish I could have met Slim, Ben Johnson, and Walter Brennan.
Oh yes Walter Brennan!
And Gabby Hayes!
Your list is a good one...but too short.
He was in alot of westerns. He had that unique voice. I liked him alot.
What's an alot?
Forgot to mention Slims role in Stephen Spielbergs movie 1941.... a comedy debut in 1979.
With apologies to others, he never said a 4 letter word, except in "1941" when he swallowed a Cracker jack compass so the Japanese sub couldn't Navigate, and they were having him sit on a bucket until he produced the compass. "you ain't getting $hit outta me"
There was at least three times I had to laugh out loud by something Slim said or did. Wonderful story telling Sir!
Yet another excellent documentary Jerry. I never knew many things about Slim, such as how he acquired his rodeo & acting name: Slim Pickens, until watching your presentation. I really enjoyed it. Thank you Jerry & God Bless.
Got a chill when seeing Slim riding that bomb. I remember seeing that film with my Dad at Grandparents home when I was just a child! Left an impression on me and never knew the movie or Actor until now! Thanks Jerry, appreciate you. Many memories were whirling thru my head watching this, loved every second, specially as a Slim Fan. Fan of Yours as well now Sir. Respectfully P D Barbour
I grew up watching this wonderfully talented man on TV and in movies, he was such a marvelous human. I knew some of his story, but WOW!
The guy always put a smile on my face.
"I been constipated all week and there ain't a damn thing you can do about it."
Hollis 'Holly' Wood - '1941'
One of the best story tellers I have ever listened to Jerry Skinner ,thank you.
Such a great story! I could listen to you teach on history for hours. the ending is inevitable and i love that you close the story and provide details on what happened after they passed. i hope you know that yall are appreciated!
Thank you Travis and you are appreciated also. Jerry
Slim Pickens always played the part to a "T" . Being cast in the right role helped.
Stumbled onto your documentaries a few weeks back. I'm hooked! Love your work!
Slim Pickens: a face i never forgot, seen a lot of his films, great video again Mr Skinner.
Incredible natural actor. Always did a hell of a job.
Wonderful documentary Jerry, I kinda grew up with Slim, watching him in his movies. Always felt like you knew him personally. Thanks Jerry for all the wonderful memories you share with us. I look everyday for your stories. Angie and Jill Blase🤠
Jerry, thank you for your hard work. I enjoy your Documentaries of all these famous people so much more than any others being produced. You represent all these people with great dignity and interest. Thank you.
Great Man and great story (research) his legacy will always be remembered by his truest of friends. Thank you for sharing 👍
He was a fine fine man Jerry just like you are my friend....Thanks Jerry you are the best...Super fine video producer to...God Bless you Jerry Skinner...!
Good to see your name again Steve. Jerry
What would possess anybody to make a B-52 pilot a cowboy?
"Well boys, I reckon this is it. Nuclear combat toe-to-toe with the Russkies."
Yes, whoever thought of that...kind of genius.
Dang Jerry, you do some good work. That one brought a smile and a tear all at the same time.
Thank you Skinner for all the stories of my childhood heros.
My favorite role is still in Blazing Saddles. He was hilarious!
"Ditto!"
@@robertthomas5196 We see what you did there! [thumbs up]
@@brisman1963 You provincial Putz!
Hedley Lamarr:
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
Taggart:
God darnit, Mr. Lamarr, you use your tongue prettier than a twenty dollar whore !
@@guileweaver1574 Too many great lines in that film
Slim lived a great life. But died too young. Thanks for his story, Jerry. Well done as always.
Good Evening , Mr Skinner. You gave your fans another good one. I fell in love with Slim Pickens work when I was in my early 20's. I am 74 now. He was so cool, and just a really great actor. I greatly appreciate this story, but he died so young and I am sadden about that because he still had so much more to give. More to give to his family , friends and fans. God bless to the Jerry Skinner channel, I appreciate you. Much Love form Missouri.
A great actor and cowboy, his perennial moment in acting was in the comedy 1941 when a lot of younger viewers such as myself saw his raw comedic talents for the first time aboard a Japanese submarine ...he had tremendous talent as an actor .
Rest in peace Ernest 🙏
He was always one of my favorite Cowboys because he really was one and he was tall and gangly like me. What a great role model he was to me He will be missed.
Thank you Jerry for doing a video on slim Pickens 🐴⭐👍
A well done tribute to a really great performer. I've not seen Slim in many movies, but have seen him in many TV Westerns, like GUNSMOKE . I guess you couldn't mention all the things he did and appeared in, but Slim was a real performer. So sad that he passed on so early. Thanks for the Bio. Jerry.
Instantly recognizable...his voice gave him away every time. I enjoyed all of his performances no matter which character he portrayed. A character actor who was virtually in dozens of Westerns on film and TV . He loved rodeo and was used in many, many such important sequences in both. I know they don't really make Westerns anymore and more's the pity. Perhaps there is nothing more to be portrayed on film but when I want something "different" to re--watch, it's almost always a Western. Slim Pickens, like Chill Wills, was always a fave!
Slim Pickens on a Japanese sub, in the movie "1941", is comedy gold. Also, I think the sub commander was the legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. Christopher Lee was in the scene as well. How do you get those 3 actors together? 1941.
Not much to say Jerry, your just the best we thank you so much for these little treasures you bring us. Happy Trails
you are...you're
Thanks Mr Skinner for this very well deserved tribute documentary in honor of Slim Pickens, a big rodeo star and a great actor. He gave a real cowboy touch in all his movies, even in those who wasn't westerns. His part in "Dr Strangelove" riding the atomic bomb like an untamed horse is absolutely iconic. Nobody else could do it properly.
I met Mr Pickens in 1977 .... he was exactly as you see him .... a really friendly man !
Jerry...This was, as usual, an excellent documentary !!!! I really enjoyed it ! And, I discovered a lot about Slim Pickens. Thank you so much for this well-produced video. :)
It’s slim Pickens! TE! Always thought he had a very unique voice! Beautiful tribute sir thank you cheers… Keith
Jerry Skinner you have a uniqueness about you that not only tells us the story of one of the most beloved characters of Western Filmdom, you make me love him more than I did before. I knew his stage name had emanated from the Rodeo but until now I wasn't sure of all the details. Thank you Jerry.
As a kid I first saw Slim in The Howling.what a great guy! Thank you for all the great documentaries
Wonderful tribute to a fine American. Rest in eternal peace Slim.
I really miss 'Slim'. My favorite role he played was in 'Dr Strange Love', a true classic if you ask me!
Rest in peace, cowboy!
A beautiful tribute to the great Slim Pickens! None of us really know how great a cowboy and Human Being that he was!!!!
Another good one Jerry. When I think of S.P., the image that comes to mind is as C.O. of the rogue plane And as the cowboy bad ass (foreman) of the desperado gang in Blazing Saddles.
RIP Slim.
[ Don't if this story is true or just Hollywood mythology, but supposedly when he showed up on the set of Dr. Strangelove, he was in full "cowboy regalia". The hat, boots, etc. The whole enchilada. Kubrick thought that Pickens had dressed "in character".] But that was how he always dressed. :-)
Slim, asked Dylan if he wrote any good cowboy songs, Dylan then wrote "knocking on Heavens door", Slim dies in the movie Billy the kid, to the song. Quintessential cowboy actor!
Jerry, it's ALWAYS a treat to find you have posted a new video.....yep, I'm hooked on 'em.....Russell D.
Jerry has one of the best narrative voices I’ve ever heard. Great videos . Thanks.
I've been waiting for this! His funniest role was Hollis Wood! 😂😂😂
I had the great pleasure of meeting SLIM one afternoon at my brothers place in Concord ,Calif . One of the most genuine people I've ever met . Typical cowboy gentleman , I loved his stories about his days rodeoing & bullfighting . Amazing Man !
Interesting to find out about Slim's past, I only knew him from the movies, where he always played an entertaining character in all his film roles ... thanks Jerry
Excellent Bio, I loved ole Slim in the movies. Its good to know the "Rest of the Story" Thanks Jerry!
What an amazing life! Thank you Jerry for your unique way of telling the story!
Blazing Saddles is one of my favorites. Awesome tribute Jerry!
He's my great great uncle on my dad's side. Always nice to still see him around on the internet.