Evil Roy Slade

Plot--An abandoned tyke grows up embracing everything silly and evil, eventually heading up an outlaw gang whose many shootouts never hit anything. The question is can he ever stop laughing at little old ladies and be accepted into polite society.

Hilarious spoof of all that was bright, shiny, and good in westerns of old. The tongue-in-cheek is done so well, it's impossible for former front-row-kids like myself to take offense. Astin's toothy, leering face is perfect as Slade. Every time he does something mean, like bump an old lady off the walkway, he flashes an evil leer.

But just as good as Astin is, the snappy one-liners keep coming. I love it when he does something mean and says that he's worked hard to reach rock bottom. Or his idea of complementing a girl when he says she's prettier than the sun glinting off a rifle barrel! And get a load of Shawn, duded out like a Vegas showgirl. But whatever you do, stay away from his guitar. Thanks to him, I expect the great Autry and Rogers are turning over in their fancy wardrobes. Anyway, the laughs keep coming as long as Slade's on screen.

My only gripe is that the comedic streak loses some momentum near the end as things serious up a bit. Then too, run-time was extended to give Berle some star exposure, even though his brand of verbal comedy appears miscast. Too bad that some kind of award is not given for farcical gems, because this wacko certainly deserves one, TV movie or no. And while we're at it, an award to Astin for the best comedic leer in town. All in all, a real little sleeper gem.

This made for TV comedy-western (originally shown on NBC) is totally crazy. Roy's doing just fine, being mean and nasty, until he meets a woman during a bank robbery. She attempts to reform him, and that's when the plot really goes wild. John Astin is excellent in the lead role. The supporting roles could be a list of who's funny when it comes to comic acting: Mickey Rooney, Henry Gibson, Dom DeLuise, Milton Berle, Edie Adams (Ernie Kovacs' widow) and narration by Pat Buttram. I suggest that you run to rent or buy this one!

Evil Roy Slade (Made For TV, 1972, director: Jerry Paris) - I first saw this movie when I was a small child (in an era of rather clever movies of the week), and then a few more times after that. I have not viewed it in over 25 years, however, but I still recall it being one of the funniest films I ever saw.

The humor was dark enough to attract my laughs, but not insulting or offensive (somewhere along the line, Hollywood forgot how to walk this delicate balance). Slade (John Astin, Gomez on TV's "Addams Family")is orphaned after a wagon train is attacked by Indians. No one (even the native-Americans or wolves) will aid him, so he ends up being raised by vultures with just an old teddy bear for a companion.

Naturally, he grows up mean and vile, eventually becoming the leader of a gang of bank robbers. During a heist, he meets pretty schoolmarm Betsy (Pam Austin) and it's love at first sight.

After he quits the gang, Becky tries to reform him, but railroad executive Mr. Stool (Mickey Rooney), hires retired singing sheriff, Big Bell (Dick Shawn, "It's A Mad, Mad Mad, Mad World") to capture the reforming outlaw.

With Dom DeLuise, Milton Berle, Edie Adams, John Ritter (later to star on "Three's Company"), Pat Morita (of "Karate Kid" fame) and narrated by Pat Butrum (Mr. Haney on "Green Acres"), "Evil Roy Slade" was one laugh riot from beginning to end. Maybe it's nostalgia for those good old days, but with others out there expressing the same viewpoint, I believe this picture still holds up well today.

Funniest line of dialogue that I remember: Betsy is trying to teach Slade mathematics. She asks, "You have three apples, and your neighbor has three apples. If he takes three of your apples, what do you have?" Slade: "A dead neighbor and all six apples."

I have, unfortunately, seen this movie only one time, and all I can say is that it ranks as one of the funnest piece of work I have ever seen. I consider myself a worthy and discriminating critic when it comes to good films and acting performances -- and this one had every ingredient possible to make it an all-time comedy classic. Because it's been so long since I have seen this movie, I can't remember much about the details, except that John Astin plays an inept evil-doer, the antics of which kept me in stitches from the moment he appeared until his character left the screen. Much to my disappointment and despite my efforts,I have never found nor seen the movie again.

Evil Roy Slade as mentioned in the review is a film that a lot of people are unaware of, and what a pity. If you have the sort of sense of humour related to Blazing Saddles then you will find this film a bonus. My Daughter watched this film when she was about 11 or 12 and loved it. I wont give anything away but look out for "Not wearing guns" and the "Shoe horn", classic stuff. Even though 30 years old I think the comedy still works, so find it, watch it and enjoy it.