"Pickens and Johnson"? Sounds like a Law Firm or something. Well, Slim Pickens and Ben Johnson ARE indeed members of a unique and small fraternity: Real Cowboys who became Westerns Movie Stars. There would definitely be a small group around that campfire. And both of them had major parts in One-Eyed Jacks.
And they had yet another distinction: they've both been in so many Westerns that it would be pretty well impossible to list them all here.
Wikipedia: “Born, Louis Burton Lindley, Jr. (June 29, 1919 – December 8, 1983), known by the stage name Slim Pickens, was an American rodeo performer and film and television actor who epitomized the profane, tough, sardonic cowboy, but who is (possibly) best remembered for his comic roles, notably in Dr. Strangelove and Blazing Saddles.
Pickens was an excellent rider from age 4. After graduating from High School he joined the rodeo. He was told that working in the rodeo would be “slim pickings” (very little money), giving him his name, but he did well and eventually became a well-known rodeo clown.
After twenty years on the rodeo circuit, his distinctive Oklahoma-Texas drawl (even though he was a lifelong Californian), his wide eyes and moon face and strong physical presence gained him a role in the western film, Rocky Mountain (1950) starring Errol Flynn. He appeared in many more Westerns, playing both villains and comic sidekicks to the likes of Rex Allen, John Wayne, Steve McQueen, … many many other Stars.”
Slim and Trim
Men like Richard Farnsworth, Slim Pickens and Ben Johnson were all legitimate cowboys and horsemen who got lassoed into Stunt work. Then via fluke, luck or Gift of God - plus some undeniable Charisma - became well known Actors/Stars.
Who knew?
Not them.
Surely none of 'em would have thought less of themselves - or their lives - if they had stayed in the esteemed profession of Cowboy/Horsemen/Stunt work.
This being said, the fraternity of Stunt Artists has always somewhat of a shadow industry/profession in film making. We know these Stunt guys (and gals) are there - (Stunt Artists work in nearly every film and and in many TV shows) - but Movie Makers shine as little light on these necessary Artists as possible. Why? Because they don't want to spoil the grand illusion that it really isn't Robert Redford and Paul Newman jumping off that cliff - or John Wayne smashing through that bar room window - not to mention the thousand of other perilous acrobatics we witness in nearly every movie - and have been for a long, long time.
Yet the respect accorded Stunt Artists is also evident - as when Stars perform their own stunts - it is always well publicized as a daring (if not foolhardy) feat - discouraged by those who fund the films.
Wikipedia: "Born, Louis Burton Lindley, Jr. (June 29, 1919 – December 8, 1983), known by the stage name Slim Pickens, was an American rodeo performer and film and television actor who epitomized the profane, tough, sardonic cowboy, but who is (possibly) best remembered for his comic roles, notably in Dr. Strangelove and Blazing Saddles.
Pickens ... was an excellent rider from age 4. After graduating from High School he joined the rodeo. He was told that working in the rodeo would be "slim pickings" (very little money), giving him his name, but he did well and eventually became a well-known rodeo clown.
After twenty years on the rodeo circuit, his distinctive Oklahoma-Texas drawl (even though he was a lifelong Californian), his wide eyes and moon face and strong physical presence gained him a role in the western film, Rocky Mountain (1950) starring Errol Flynn. He appeared in many more Westerns, playing both villains and comic sidekicks to the likes of Rex Allen, John Wayne, Steve McQueen, ... many many other Stars."
The rest is history ... Hollywood style.
Young Pickens ... slim and trim.
... and faster than he looks
Pickens and Allen ... Rex
Slim Pickens in "The Glory Guys' 1965
???
'One Eyed Jacks' / Katy Jurado, Marlon Brando, Pickens, Pina Pellicer, and Karl Malden 1961
Slim 'takes one' for Sam (Pekinpah) in 'Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid' 1973
A lecture for the Duke 'The Cowboys' 1972
Camp side in 'The Sacketts' 1979
'Major Dundee' 1965
A chat with Clint
Tip 14: Never stand in front of the cannon
The made-for-television western The Sacketts combines the plotlines from two seperate Louis L'Amour novels, The Daybreakers and The Sacketts. In this film, the three Tennessee-raised Sackett brothers migrate to the West following the conclusion of the Civil War. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide.
Made ten years before Lonesome Dove, The Sacketts (1979) may well have been the first great Western Mini Series - and in looking at the cast, it's easy to understand why some Western fans may hold it with similar esteem, with Western Greats like Glenn Ford, Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck, Slim Pickens, Jack Elam, Ben Johnson, L.Q. Jones, and some notable support players including John Vernon, Gilbert Roland, Buck Taylor ... and on. Pretty impressive. So although The Sacketts does show itself to be a little shy in production values compared to modern fair, it still shines with notable Star Power.
Ratings were favourable ... as they should be.
Sacketts ... doing 'the walk'