Evil Roy Slade
Evil Roy Slade is a 1972 made-for-television film about the meanest villain in the west who always keeps a wary eye on “those funny boys.”
Played by John Astin, whose most famous role was that of Gomez on the Addams Family, Evil Roy Slade was orphaned and left in the desert as an infant, growing up alone with a teddy bear being his only companion.
As an adult, Evil Roy establishes a reputation as being the meanest SOB in the west and has become notorious for his outrageous acts of cruelty. But Evil Roy is thrown for a loop when he falls in love with school teacher Betsy Potter, played by Pamela Austin.
Other notable characters include Nelson L. Stool, played by Mickey Rooney, who portrays a railroad tycoon. Along with his dimwitted nephew Clifford, played by Henry Gibson, who was famous as a regular on Laugh-In, they seek revenge on Evil Roy Slade for robbing him.
I recall the first time I saw this movie, as part of a two-day R&R after mid-term exams in high school. Instead of holding regular classes, our Western Civilization instructor introduced us to this film.
Many in my generation consider this flick a cult classic. There is a particular scene that my friends at Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies are sure to love. The clip is 3:44 long and you’ll get an idea of what the entire movie is like.
If you haven’t seen Evil Roy Slade, it’s available on DVD from any number of on-line merchants.
