B Western Essentials, The Sidekicks

The Sidekick

Can you imagine Roy Rogers without Gabby Hayes? Or Gene Artery without Pat Buttram? Cisco without Pancho? The Lone Ranger without Tonto? I would have a hard time watching one of my favourite B Westerns without a side kick, comical or otherwise.
As a fan, and a writer, I have always imagined a book on the sidekicks, interviews, pictures, appearances, and great facts. Well, I'll be darn tooting, David Rothel beat me to it! Yep, you heard me right. That low down dirty snake done got my idee years before me. Who do I talk to? Roy? Dale? Elvis?
The sidekicks of the B Westerns have been both a source of comical interlude and derision. But what would a B Western be like without one?
Let's set a scene.

Gene Autry walks into a room expecting to meet trouble. Children greet him.
"Well kids, were there some other adults here a few minutes ago?"
"No mister. No-one."
Gene turns to look around.
"Okay kids. Bye."

Let's try this scene with a sidekick.
"Geeeeene. Geeeeene. Let's check in here. I thought I heard some noise."
Gene Autry walked over to Frog.
"Well, you could be right. There's the door."
Frog tip toed carefully, and stops near a crack in the walk.
"Can't step on the line, you know. My ma and pa always told me, 20 years bad luck."
Gene smiled.
"Well, Frog, then I must have stepped on one last week, cause you are....Wait. Listen."
Only the sounds of the night meet their ears. "Let's go in." Gene said leading the way.
"Don't step on the crack, ooh, kids Gene, lots of kids." Frog exclaimed.
A group of children meet the men at the door.
"I love kids Gene, I remember when I was young, me and my 10 brothers and sisters."
Gene stopped Frog with a look.
"Remember, the rustlers? Not kids."
"Ah Gene, okay. Any of you kids seen a bunch of cowboys come in here lately? Candy for the first one who tells me."

What a difference.
They were scene stealers. They were scene makers. Mostly, they were just plain fun to watch. You many not remember the stars, but I bet you remember the likes of Gabby Hayes, Andy Devine, Dub Taylor, Al Fuzzy St John, Smiley Burnette, and Pat Brady. I know I do. The sad fact is that their 'low brow' roles often disguised great talent.

David Rothel has produced an excellent volume commemorating the men that helped make the B's great. In three sections, 'Out where a friend is a friend", 'old Faithfuls', and 'Just A Cowpoke.", he gives us the lowdown on the sidekicks from Smiley Burnette to Britt Wood. As I would have done, he lists their film appearances, has rare pictures of he and the supporting players, and he does it all with style!

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