I worked at the Wal Mart in Clayton with Billy for 5 years He is a great person and one of the first people to talk to me there. I wish you well, Billy

@troydavis7443

3 жыл бұрын

@w w When I was there he worked nights stocking shelves. That ain't very high up but it beats pushing carts. Whatever he did, he was a Good guy.

@skunkjobb

3 жыл бұрын

@@troydavis7443 It depends on how high the shelf is ;-)

@troydavis7443

3 жыл бұрын

@@skunkjobb So true!

@tforaodg

3 жыл бұрын

I wish I can go there and shake his hand and have a photo with him.

@tonyt5919

3 жыл бұрын

Its amazing however that his banjo playing scene in the film deliverance looked so convincing, but realistically he can't strum a note ,!

Although his part was small, Mr. Redden played one of the most Iconic and memorable figures in American movie history.

@thecatalunya1

3 жыл бұрын

he sure did i wonder if he knows this...even today 2020 this is still talked about..

@ckobo84

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't seen Deliverance, what are some of his most famous lines in the movie?

@bigrobbyd.6805

2 жыл бұрын

@@ckobo84 He didn't say a word. The character just sat there and played the banjo.

@mplsmark222

2 жыл бұрын

I have never watched the film but it is referenced in pop culture so much. I need to buy a copy.

@jimhartung570

2 жыл бұрын

looked exactly like Joe Biden as a kid!

Billy , you played a PERFECT scene. You fooled everybody... Perfect facial expressions...

@delstanley1349

6 жыл бұрын

Reid Sheftall>Would have hated to play him in poker.

@mikehubbard5493

5 жыл бұрын

Yep, irregardless of weather he played the banjo, or not, it was his character that made that scene. ,and it was that scene that gave the movie it's momentum, and song.

@thomaskemer8109

5 жыл бұрын

It was brilliantly filmed, and his facial expressions made it that much more convincing!! They really pulled it off!! Classic scene

@dlam2864

3 жыл бұрын

@Red 27 It's implied

@thecatalunya1

3 жыл бұрын

you sure fooled me my friend ..what a great movie...

I know Billy and he is a gentle and decent person.. Please do not malign him

@GuapoVino

4 жыл бұрын

He should learn to play the banjo. It might launch a new career for him.

@JM-hc1pf

4 жыл бұрын

@@GuapoVino it's surprising that he's never learned considering all his roles have been banjo players

@dkerkowoutdoors4623

4 жыл бұрын

He's the reason i I learned banjo

@davidisenberg9441

4 жыл бұрын

He got purty lips

@mikeyoung7660

4 жыл бұрын

It's great to see him in this video he played a great part in a fantastic movie. I've got it on dvd. One of the best films ever made. Well done Billy.

he seems like an extremely nice gentleman

@jaypercival431

4 жыл бұрын

He is a nice guy. I just happened to meet him a couple of years ago in the Wal-Mart parking lot. And Billy was gracious enough to let my wife take a photo.

I met Billy back in the early 90 s He is a very honest and down to earth fellow and super nice guy I'm glad to have met him...

Billy, you will always be famous in my book. Thank you.

amazing part he played in the movie and his role will never be forgotten

@dancingtrout6719

2 жыл бұрын

dont forget him standing on the river bridge slightly swinging his banjo i loved that part too

I thought he really played the banjo in that scene......seems like a great down to earth guy.

@jaycee330

2 ай бұрын

They had a banjo player behind him, and his arms were fitted in the sleeves of his shirt, and careful film shots and edits did the magic.

Grew up off the Appalachian trail in moonshine country. Always been proud of where Im from and never understood why people have these misconceptions of southern people. I've lived in several metropolitan cities since and all over the country really, but without a doubt, my time in the south I encountered more intelligent, kind, talented and genuine human beings than anywhere else. God bless you Billy and keep up the good fight

Thank you Mr. Redden. Thanks for the scene you nailed in an iconic film. God Bless

I appreciate his comments and thoughts. Many people judge southerners, especially those raised in the mountains, as inbreds. In this interview he spoke clearly and stated his comments straight forward. Thank you sir for speaking out.

@russellbrown1068

3 жыл бұрын

Mountain Folk are good people. They just want to be left alone.

@spuriouseffect

Жыл бұрын

@@russellbrown1068 Not anymore. A good portion of them are on handout drugs from the government to "help" with their additions, along with foodstamps, welfare, and disability. That's far from being left alone. I know because I live right in the middle of Appalachia. It's sad what's become of our people.

Unforgettable, sir ... that's all you. Celebrities spend their lives trying to be remembered... well, we remember you. God bless and be well.

The least they could do is give this man some royalties for this film God bless you sir!

@doctorfeinstone6524

4 жыл бұрын

He was an extra. Extras don't get royalties. Only the leads who are under contracts and sometimes not even them

@georgemcgillicuddy3498

4 жыл бұрын

NOT an extra . Do you even KNOW what an EXTRA is ?

@sgtyut6305

3 жыл бұрын

It's a nice gesture, but he was paid for the work he did. Should all employers just continue handing out checks to everyone who ever worked within their successful enterprises?

@mplsmark222

2 жыл бұрын

I think the difference is if you speak lines, it puts you in a higher level of payment. So, they choose to not give a part like this lines of dialogue so they can pay the principle actors more. Plus, a kid from a small mountain town is not going to have legal or agent representation. Billy got paid for his time. If the rest of the production would not have been any good, chances are nobody would know of Billy or the film.it’s amazing how many bad movies are made and some of them never get released. He got the opportunity to be cast in other films, I think he was compensated fairly.

@jaycee330

2 ай бұрын

@@georgemcgillicuddy3498 Non-speaking extra.

Hard to believe but live here now. Took my granddaughter out on the lake. Meet some firemen scuba diving ,training . Told us about the movie and things in movie are down there. Really nice place.

Brilliant Billy, great to see you. You certainly did play a part in a fantastic movie.

the fact they are at THE HOUSE IS amazing

I wish him well.

I guess on the bright side, how many Wal-Mart employees can lay claim to being in a classic movie scene?

@chrissmith7669

3 жыл бұрын

@Ramon Casanova they pick the ladies for their looks and we don’t usually complain.

@jaysilverheals4445

3 жыл бұрын

him going over to walmart was DECADES LATER. he owned and ran and cooked at his cookie jar cafe

@ijustdidahugeshit

3 жыл бұрын

@Ramon Casanova I need to use your toilet

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

@@chrissmith7669 hahhaaa.... there you go... nice. You got it. Also we oick our wives fir their looks , etc. The list goes on and on.... . God bless Billy redden, he was phenomenal, truly was. That scene was the best in the movie, and has a special place in Holly wood history. In a very dark movie, Billy's performance was the light if men, brightness, and hope in a tragic world... 🌞✨👌😍🙌😳🌞✨👌😍🙌😳🌞✨👌😍🙌😳🌞✨👌😍🙌😳🌞✨.... Amen ✝️

Etched in movie history he is!

Ol Billy definitely seems like a fella I could live out the rest of my days being good pals.

If he had learned to play the banjo for real he could have made a fortune doing gigs.

@cachemole

7 жыл бұрын

Even just learning some simple songs.

@xxwargasm83xx19

6 жыл бұрын

even learning the song he supposibly played lol

@jerryweber1768

6 жыл бұрын

It shows what a great actor he is. He fooled me.

@JohnnyMegabyteCanada

6 жыл бұрын

At the age of 16, he was selected for a role in Deliverance from his school in Georgia by the director John Boorman to portray a banjo-playing "local" during the film's famous "dueling banjos" scene. Boorman felt that Redden's skinny frame and large head, and almond shaped eyes made him the natural choice to play the part of an "inbred from the back woods." Because Redden could not play a banjo, he wore a special shirt which allowed a real banjo player to hide behind him for the scene, which was shot with carefully chosen camera angles that would conceal the player, whose arms were slipped around Redden's waist to play the tune

@ericlencher2356

6 жыл бұрын

"Supposibly?" That's not even a fucking word. Do you mean supposedly?

Best scene in the movie great guy great acting - 15 at the time. It’s too bad he doesn’t get a royalty check for one of the most iconic scenes in the history.

@MyMy-zi7yv

Жыл бұрын

Maybe he does, I hope so anyway, and you're right, he did do some great acting as he had me fooled big time. I'm just finding out in 2022 that this guy is not mentally challenged and he can't play a lick on the banjo! You got me Billy!!!

@Texaca

9 ай бұрын

.. I think you have to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild 🤔

And he doesn't know how to play the Banjo.......sneaky devil fooled us all 😂😂😂👍🏼 It was one of my favorite scenes in that movie , always cranked it up 💋

Kid should have an Oscar. I always thought that he could play.

What a great surprises KZread shows. This vídeo Is amazing. Deliverance Is a great movie, and this man did a great job. That dueling banjo scene is epic, legendary.

I love this scene and the song is great

I know this upload is about Billy but I am impressed with Ronny Cox's intelligence. This is the first time I have heard him in an interview.

I grew up in Atlanta and now I live up in the mountains with "those people." I can tell you with 1000% confidence that mountain folk are God fearing great people that will give you the shirts off their backs. They're not the hardest working folks, but life is a little slower up here and I like it that way.

Billy is an icon.

Billy looks cool as a kid...He does not look strange...He looks fucking A1 and serious...Tough...Good on you Billy you made it great in that movie..I would even say it was great because of you..

@cultfilmfreakreviews

5 жыл бұрын

what he's supposed to be is a victim of inbreeding. that's what he's supposed to be.

@haltyouropinions3780

3 жыл бұрын

i thought the same thing

Great actor. Dueling banjos from this movie is known worldwide.

Dang...that's beautiful country!

@smokeymcpot69

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, it's the good old US of A 🇺🇲

The "Dueling Banjos" scene from *DELIVERANCE* is the best scene in the entire movie; and it's one of the most memorable scenes in all of 1970's film lore as well as the entire cannon of Hollywood film history. When the film was released in 1972, that scene became an instant classic - even more popular than the infamous rape scene because the draw of the music is so inviting, and has been, historically speaking, so very well-received by The General Public ever since that time. I remember hearing "Dueling Banjos" played on the radio and by friends on the guitar at parties! I also understand that Ronny Cox actually did play his own guitar - Is that true?

Love this film, brilliant acting all round telling a great story. love it as much now as I did when I first saw it in the 70s

I´ve never seeing an banjo player with as quick fingers like that. Fabulous !!

@patman0250

7 жыл бұрын

lol dude he never played the banjo he just an actor

@bobbydimarzio

7 жыл бұрын

There was a guy behind him; a third sleeve was made in his shirt, and a musician slipped his left arm into it and did the fretting.

I can’t believe Billy hasn’t been fairly financially compensated for his iconic role. It’s not about the contract. With the level of notoriety and money Billy’s character brought the movie, a fair and non greedy owner of the rights would have volunteered a million bucks to him in respect for Billy’s actual contribution to the film.

godbless you billy you the man..

From an interview I saw, at the time of filming, Ned Beatty said that Billy did not care for him. It was also said that Billy liked Ronny Cox. Ned was chosen for that particular reason to make the money offer rather than Ronny in an attempt to get the best out of the reaction Billy gave.

It is so good to see you again. I was a big fan of the movie & of course you playing the banjo. I'm so glad I found your video!

Mike Addis played the banjo from behind, billy was wearing large shirt with special sleeves for Mikes arms to fit through, the final sound track was dubbed over by the studio, by other performers that copied the track in edit. Kudos to Mike, nice performance by Billy the original milly vanilly.

@skmgaming37

7 жыл бұрын

Thankyou :)

@patman0250

7 жыл бұрын

the ones who dubbed it for the movie were Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell that's them when you see the scene . but in the original take it was Mike Addis playing but they did not use it ..

I remember beating him in a banjo duel. I told him "Bow to me Billy Redden. Kneel before me!!!!", then I woke up.😂

Such an injustice. He's the most memorable, recognisable aspect of a classic horror film that's been archived by the Library of Congress, and yet he never got more than $500 for it.

@yvonnewatkinson840

3 жыл бұрын

I total agree with you. There's something wrong somewhere 🤔🤔

@sgtyut6305

3 жыл бұрын

Pretty good for a days work with no spoken lines or technical ability.

@M-isty

2 жыл бұрын

@@sgtyut6305 About the most memorable scene in the movie,.. think he should have got a lot extra

A lot of people thought that kid has a problem. Just turns out that he had a very peculiar look to him and that Billy is just a normal mountain guy

i still love that movie

What a legend

The iconic banjo scene from a great movie, I'm glad to see that this guy's still around (although smoking isn't a good idea).

How much he was paid really doesn't matter. Back in 72 $500 was worth a lot more. Not to mention that no one had any idea that this would become an iconic movie scene. Studios don't determine what becomes a classic, people and time do.

@shair00

7 жыл бұрын

The main Character in Napolian Dynamite was paid 1000 dollars for the movie

@rvninnorthcarolina3377

7 жыл бұрын

$500.00 was not a ton in 1972 either. He was ripped off in that he did not get any royalties and he image was used beyond that of the movie for promotional purposes. Cheating actors has always been a common thing in the Entertainment business.

@nunyabiznez6381

7 жыл бұрын

I think that would work out to around $3000 in today's money. That might have been for a day or two of filming. Not bad for a kid from any region. He might not be getting royalties but he has a really cool story to tell his grandchildren. I got paid $100 for a couple of days as an extra in Cocoon when they filmed it in St. Petersburg FL. That was more than I normally got paid in a day at the time. I was living in St. Pete at the time and I went down and signed up on my day off. If you look really carefully you can see the visor of my baseball cap sticking out from behind another extra for half a second. I got to meat Ron Howard and got his autograph and to me that was worth more than the money they paid me and I honestly don't care that I didn't really appear on film to the point of being recognizable. It was a blast to do and I got a story to tell my grandchildren.

@bobbydimarzio

6 жыл бұрын

'And who runs HOllywood, lmao?

@alchemyhouse

6 жыл бұрын

He doesn't have grand children

Billy Redden = 🏆 says the Movie didn’t really change his life and he Works at Walmart “I do whatever they need that needs done” Champion

I'd heard it was this virtuoso kid that they'd just stumbled upon and worked into the movie, much like the scene itself. Shows what you know

Still beautiful Billy I still remember it just beautiful as the day it was me wow

🙏miss you Billy

Don't blame the actors, blame the studio and the lawyers. And for the last post, it was hardly a bit part, it's iconic!

@ErikBAnderson

8 жыл бұрын

+ngaire curran blame them for what?

The response by Ronny Cox was very insightful

i love this guy thats how i play my banjo i have 6 banjo i play 23 songs as today i love you all god bless you all

This has been very interesting....love the movie.

Someone needs to get Billy Redden on the convention circuit.

The scene is memorable.

I've heard that the GA mountain folks really hated Deliverance because it made people afraid of them. When the reality is 99% of rural people are incredibly kind and welcoming. You're more likely to be invited in for a cold beer or sweet tea than any violence.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

Amen, I bet that's soooo true 👍

His eyes are the sale point you can’t fake the eyes without glue 😂

Warner brothers needs to pay billy redden for deliverance

I love this guy.

God bless you, Billy!

Whatever he got paid for the day(s) he worked on the scene is what he got as a bit player in a movie. Where Billy got ripped off was when they used his likeness to promote and advertise the movie on posters, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, shirts, and whatever else. His face in that scene is pretty much an iconic movie moment. Anything sold with his likeness on it he should get a piece of, or they could have paid him off in a lump sum. It's messed up, but it's business as usual for Hollywood, where screwing people is an everyday thing. Peace.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

Omg, exactly 💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯 .... nice comment. God bless 🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌

No money for him despite the popularity of the film? Bet the others get a cut everytime it's played.

@dawgpound7418

7 жыл бұрын

They had better agents.

@doctorfeinstone6524

4 жыл бұрын

He was in the movie for a minute and a half. He's not going to get millions for it

@sarcasticallyrearranged

4 жыл бұрын

Depending on the terms of their contract. A bit player wouldn't be entitled to any royalties from the film.

@jimd2101

3 жыл бұрын

The kids in the water that screamed in the movie JAWS when the shark attacked got royalties...

@bmphil3400

3 жыл бұрын

Probably got paid some sort of union scale.....daily wage. In actuality he had no speaking lines.....I hear that bumps up your payment.

50 years ago today, wow-

All he had to was learn one song and he could have been a millionaire. His ticket was rit. Didn't matter if he signed a one-off contract for 500 bucks for that scene. He coulda just jammed his way to millions.

@GomerfromIsaan

3 жыл бұрын

He certainly could have milked that role of Deliverance banjo boy for years.

Good ta see again Bro...from Nottingham..UK

Mr. Redden you were great in Deliverance.

Pure soul

Starting at 1:21 there is a comment about the mountain people being stereotyped and made fun of. The same thing happened due to the really wonderful book "Our Southern Highlanders" by Horace Kephart back in the early part of the last century. Oddly enough, the mountain folk IGNORED the preface where Kephart specifically says the opposite, that he was looking for the most isolated of people, people who lived "back of beyond" or well past where the roads ended or where the only way to get to someone was to follow trails or creeks. He is still criticized today for that even though he died in the 30s. The book has a terrific, short biography written by George Ellison. George has continued updating since University of Tennessee press reprinted Kephart'sn book in '76, and I am waiting on a full bio book about Kephart from George and another writer/researcher from North Carolina. If you liked Deliverance, you will find the true Kephart book way more fascinating, unless you are one of those dear, sick souls who liked Deliverance for the sex. Get help or get the book.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

Thank you... . The yearling is a good book as well. About the southern people in the Florida everglades after the Civil War. 1865.

He may work in Walmart but he seems happier than most people. Looks like he's lived a life surrounded by beautiful countryside so in many ways he smashed it. I bet half the people on that film that got rich ended up with expensive divorces and coke addictions.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

No doubt, exacrly .... !!!!

Best thing is that he is not blind in real life.

So Billy was a stand-in for an "albino Negro"? Amazing. His few minutes in this movie left audiences with an indelible image of mountain folk.

Best scene in movie history.

Its too bad Billy didn't get to earn a good amount of money from that money. Because he was a very important part of the movie, it didn't matter if he could really play the banjo or not. He played the part and everyone did well on their roles. I am originally from the mountains in Kentucky , Appalachia and I understand what they were trying to show here. I thought they represented it very well. I loved the scene when one of the brothers yelled out to Burt Reynolds WHERE YOU GOING City boy? haha

I always wondered how he was, glad to see how he's kickin

@bajamus69

3 жыл бұрын

It's a Shame he can't play a single kick on the banjo

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

@@bajamus69 no doubt, wow.... . 1976 would of been the years to start and tour alittle bit. Make some money and meet some girls also in clubs.

Wow this guy resembles Robin Williams. Amazing Robin and has twin out there.

There is actually a guy named mike addis who was sitting behind billy, and its his arms actually playing the banjo. You would think billy would have learned how to play at least that one song by now though.

Most of the actors who worked on this film were nice..Even the dark characters..

a great scene not taking the mic or any other slur just a great scene and still to this day

Mr Redden must know that he is part of cinema history, but I would have liked to hear that he benefited from his role without which Deliverance would have been just another - albeit high end- slasher movie.

@johnwien

10 жыл бұрын

Slasher?

@Jason1920

9 жыл бұрын

johnwien "High-End Slasher," my friend. I'm with you, buddy. Some people don't know shit from Shinola.

@itgetseasierlessitry

9 жыл бұрын

Jason1920 And some people need to get a life. Ok, I got the genre wrong, get over it ffs.

@Jason1920

9 жыл бұрын

itgetseasierlessitry "Get a life..." ...says the man who responds to a four month old comment.

@mamatibborscassady9388

9 жыл бұрын

itgetseasierlessitry He was paid for his acting, just wasn't the banjoplayer.......

Mr. Redden, I wish you all the best.

I work on banjos for a living I think he is great, Billy did a hell of a job. Hollywood wanted to have someone that had some look of what is called "inbred" as if incest was the norm for mountain people.Never liked that aspect but they made it work 100 percent.

His eyes are unique

Huh, you'd think he'd learn a couple of simple tunes to play on the banjo since he's got to be asked that question constantly over the many decades.

@teijaflink2226

3 жыл бұрын

Could have made some money on it too maybe.

@smokeymcpot69

2 жыл бұрын

@@teijaflink2226 Yeah something tells me that he doesn't care about that kind of stuff. He's probably just happy with a simple life.

Living in these areas is more healthy than New York or L.A. by far. It's Paradise.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

But chicago is more healthy then all 3

That was a brilliant Performance and this man should get an OSCAR for best banjo performance in a movie in the last century. I saw the movie when it came out decades ago when I wore a younger mans clothes. Today all these years later, when anyone mentions Dueling banjos- This movie and that scene instantly come to mind. That is a testament to how iconic that musical movie scene was and still is to this day, 50 years later. MY hat is off to you Mr. Redden. Respect and Thank you. RH DSD

@SlasherIncorporated

6 жыл бұрын

You do realize that Billy can't actually play the banjo, right? He even said he can't in the video. That wasn't really him playing in that scene. It was another boy who played the chords while Redden picked. The boy's arm went through Redden's sleeve and reached around his side, and he was hidden with carefully filmed angles. So why should Redden get an Oscar? He didn't really do anything. You are giving your thanks and respect to the wrong person.

@bobbydimarzio

6 жыл бұрын

Exactly. He didn't even speak. He sat on a swing and grinned.

@MORCOPOLO0817

6 жыл бұрын

He does not even know how to play the banjo. They had him move his fingers and dubbed in the sound.

@pippishortstocking7913

5 жыл бұрын

The real banjo player's arms were fashioned into Billy's shirt & the director used strategic angles to conceal that.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

@@SlasherIncorporated not true, it was the whole scene, the dueling banjos. Beautiful

This man was in the most iconic scene in Deliverance, and all he got was $500.00 and now a custodian at Wal-mart...

What is really hilarious is that it's really dueling bango and guitar.

Seems like a great guy

The true story was the person playing the banjo, hid behind him and played it without even seeing the instrument. His hands came through what looked like the kids sleeves

One of the greatest role of all times. His impact his eternal on US movies history. A great musician. Bluegrass is not at reach of all....trust me.

I loved Billy and Ronny! Kicking ass. Billy, Ignore the idiots!

@michaelpeschetti7887

7 жыл бұрын

Billy didn't actually play. He works at Walmart as a custodian now. Someone put their hands through his shirt and did it. Look it up.

@patman0250

7 жыл бұрын

don't you know anything !!??

That makes me sad, it wasn’t him that actually played the banjo?

@calebproductions5970

3 жыл бұрын

No.eric Weisberg was behind him covered up, holding the banjo.

I think Billy was the coolest character in the whole movie! That man is a pure Zen Master.

@nunyabiznez6381

7 жыл бұрын

Absolutely and I think Burt Reynolds looked like a dork in that scene strutting around in his wet suit.

@bobbydimarzio

7 жыл бұрын

Burt Reynolds is flaming; it's amazing he's never been outed. Mark my words, after he's gone, you're going to find out how many men made him squeal and vice versa. Dom Deluise, for one, and his other constant companion, Charles Nelson Reilly.

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

@@nunyabiznez6381 I think but Reynolds was just standing there smiling watching Ronny Cox and the boy, Lonnie, (Billy Redden) play their instruments; Dueling Banjos together. Extremely epic scene in Hollywood movie history.... *** Reynolds is always cool. He also played football at Florida St. Rip Burt Reynolds ❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖 ✝️

Aw he looks amazing in the role

@babylouise3795

Жыл бұрын

I think he does, exactly 💯🤔🤣😂😏😅💯🤔🤣😂😏😅💯🤔🤣😂😏😅💯🤔🤣😂

@Grant - Another kid that could play the banjo actually fretted the banjo in the movie scene. Your only seeing the kids arm. Boorman did a great job of making that look authentic.

I think he's great!

Cant belive those houses are still standing