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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 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.
What a great surprises RUclips shows. This vídeo Is amazing. Deliverance Is a great movie, and this man did a great job. That dueling banjo scene is epic, legendary.
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
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.
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!!!
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 💋
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
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.
@@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 ✝️
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?
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..
Yes seems a top guy. One of the most iconic movie scenes of all time and that wonderful tune which I never tire of hearing : wow !!! Feel should have won an Oscar as perfect in my opinion !
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.
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.
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 ..
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.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
God bless you Billy. I truely enjoyed your part in the movie and you sure pick a mean manjo. I pray God bless you. You have a wonderful spirit and attitude
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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 ❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖 ✝️
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.
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
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
Here's to You Billy Redden, for if there's one part of the Movie "Deliverance" a person remembers, it is 99.999% of the time (if not 100%) your acting part of the "Dueling Banjos" scene. And You can now tell them to take there money- where the Sun don't shine! You've already been there, and done that!
I'm a multi-instrumentalist but didn't pick up the guitar until I was 50 and had retired. Billy needs to pick up the banjo and start to capitalize on his part in the movie for which he got screwed!
Omg, seriously.. right on sir. During banjos isn't a real complicated piece. Sit down and take a few days and get the techniques down. It's a beautiful piece of music and totally worth the effort. Someone should of helped him learn this song even back in 1976. Get a back up guitar player and holy smokes go to town. Tour state crossing ✝️. Who, I mean who wouldn't want to see this incredible epic scene of Billy playing the banjo again, again and again on Friday nights , Saturday nights in a bar or club. Tour de force. Talk about the sets, working with but Reynolds, etc. On stage. Who wouldn't want that to see....????? 😉 God bless 🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖 .. p.s., thank you Mr. Billy Redden, "Lonnie" .... . ❤ and the rest of the crue on the sets for The movie, Deliverance .... .
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
@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.
@@troydavis7443 It depends on how high the shelf is ;-)
@@skunkjobb So true!
I wish I can go there and shake his hand and have a photo with him.
Funny how he says he worked with him but his channel is totally blank!
Although his part was small, Mr. Redden played one of the most Iconic and memorable figures in American movie history.
he sure did i wonder if he knows this...even today 2020 this is still talked about..
I haven't seen Deliverance, what are some of his most famous lines in the movie?
@@ckobo84 He didn't say a word. The character just sat there and played the banjo.
I have never watched the film but it is referenced in pop culture so much. I need to buy a copy.
looked exactly like Joe Biden as a kid!
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...
I know Billy and he is a gentle and decent person.. Please do not malign him
He should learn to play the banjo. It might launch a new career for him.
@@JohnnyYuma405 it's surprising that he's never learned considering all his roles have been banjo players
He's the reason i I learned banjo
He got purty lips
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.
Billy , you played a PERFECT scene. You fooled everybody... Perfect facial expressions...
Reid Sheftall>Would have hated to play him in poker.
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.
It was brilliantly filmed, and his facial expressions made it that much more convincing!! They really pulled it off!! Classic scene
@Red 27 It's implied
you sure fooled me my friend ..what a great movie...
Thank you Mr. Redden. Thanks for the scene you nailed in an iconic film. God Bless
Billy, you will always be famous in my book. Thank you.
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.
amazing part he played in the movie and his role will never be forgotten
dont forget him standing on the river bridge slightly swinging his banjo i loved that part too
he seems like an extremely nice gentleman
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.
The least they could do is give this man some royalties for this film
God bless you sir!
He was an extra. Extras don't get royalties. Only the leads who are under contracts and sometimes not even them
NOT an extra .
Do you even KNOW what an EXTRA is ?
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?
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.
@@georgemcgillicuddy3498 Non-speaking extra.
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.
Mountain Folk are good people. They just want to be left alone.
@@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.
I thought he really played the banjo in that scene......seems like a great down to earth guy.
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.
the fact they are at THE HOUSE IS amazing
What a great surprises RUclips shows. This vídeo Is amazing. Deliverance Is a great movie, and this man did a great job. That dueling banjo scene is epic, legendary.
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
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.
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!!!
.. 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 💋
Ol Billy definitely seems like a fella I could live out the rest of my days being good pals.
I wish him well.
Etched in movie history he is!
Good friend of mine who is in the very famous band from Scotland was inspired to learn the banjo after watching the movie.
If he had learned to play the banjo for real he could have made a fortune doing gigs.
Even just learning some simple songs.
even learning the song he supposibly played lol
It shows what a great actor he is. He fooled me.
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
"Supposibly?" That's not even a fucking word. Do you mean supposedly?
I´ve never seeing an banjo player with as quick fingers like that. Fabulous !!
lol dude he never played the banjo he just an actor
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 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.
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 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.
Great actor. Dueling banjos from this movie is known worldwide.
I guess on the bright side, how many Wal-Mart employees can lay claim to being in a classic movie scene?
@Ramon Casanova they pick the ladies for their looks and we don’t usually complain.
him going over to walmart was DECADES LATER. he owned and ran and cooked at his cookie jar cafe
@Ramon Casanova I need to use your toilet
@@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 ✝️
I love this scene and the song is great
Kid should have an Oscar. I always thought that he could play.
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).
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?
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..
what he's supposed to be is a victim of inbreeding. that's what he's supposed to be.
i thought the same thing
50 years ago today, wow-
Yes seems a top guy. One of the most iconic movie scenes of all time and that wonderful tune which I never tire of hearing : wow !!! Feel should have won an Oscar as perfect in my opinion !
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.
I total agree with you. There's something wrong somewhere 🤔🤔
Pretty good for a days work with no spoken lines or technical ability.
@@sgtyut6305 About the most memorable scene in the movie,.. think he should have got a lot extra
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.
Thankyou :)
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 ..
Someone needs to get Billy Redden on the convention circuit.
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.
The main Character in Napolian Dynamite was paid 1000 dollars for the movie
$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.
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.
'And who runs HOllywood, lmao?
He doesn't have grand children
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.
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!
+ngaire curran blame them for what?
Dang...that's beautiful country!
Yup, it's the good old US of A 🇺🇲
Billy is an icon.
His eyes are the sale point you can’t fake the eyes without glue 😂
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
The response by Ronny Cox was very insightful
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.
Thank you... . The yearling is a good book as well. About the southern people in the Florida everglades after the Civil War. 1865.
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!
Warner brothers needs to pay billy redden for deliverance
No money for him despite the popularity of the film? Bet the others get a cut everytime it's played.
They had better agents.
He was in the movie for a minute and a half. He's not going to get millions for it
Depending on the terms of their contract. A bit player wouldn't be entitled to any royalties from the film.
The kids in the water that screamed in the movie JAWS when the shark attacked got royalties...
Probably got paid some sort of union scale.....daily wage. In actuality he had no speaking lines.....I hear that bumps up your payment.
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
i still love that movie
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.
This has been very interesting....love the movie.
God bless you Billy. I truely enjoyed your part in the movie and you sure pick a mean manjo. I pray God bless you. You have a wonderful spirit and attitude
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
godbless you billy you the man..
Still beautiful Billy I still remember it just beautiful as the day it was me wow
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.
Omg, exactly 💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯 .... nice comment. God bless 🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌
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.
I remember beating him in a banjo duel. I told him "Bow to me Billy Redden. Kneel before me!!!!", then I woke up.😂
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.
No doubt, exacrly .... !!!!
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.
Slasher?
johnwien
"High-End Slasher," my friend. I'm with you, buddy. Some people don't know shit from Shinola.
Jason1920
And some people need to get a life. Ok, I got the genre wrong, get over it ffs.
itgetseasierlessitry "Get a life..."
...says the man who responds to a four month old comment.
itgetseasierlessitry He was paid for his acting, just wasn't the banjoplayer.......
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
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.
Exactly. He didn't even speak. He sat on a swing and grinned.
He does not even know how to play the banjo. They had him move his fingers and dubbed in the sound.
The real banjo player's arms were fashioned into Billy's shirt & the director used strategic angles to conceal that.
@@SlasherIncorporated not true, it was the whole scene, the dueling banjos. Beautiful
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
The scene is memorable.
@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.
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.
He certainly could have milked that role of Deliverance banjo boy for years.
Some people just don’t like and/or have next to no interest in playing musical instruments.
What a legend
Best thing is that he is not blind in real life.
Mr. Redden you were great in Deliverance.
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.
Amen, I bet that's soooo true 👍
That makes me sad, it wasn’t him that actually played the banjo?
No.eric Weisberg was behind him covered up, holding the banjo.
Living in these areas is more healthy than New York or L.A. by far. It's Paradise.
But chicago is more healthy then all 3
I think Billy was the coolest character in the whole movie! That man is a pure Zen Master.
Absolutely and I think Burt Reynolds looked like a dork in that scene strutting around in his wet suit.
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.
@@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 ❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖💗💘❤💙💜💖 ✝️
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.
Could have made some money on it too maybe.
@@teijaflink2226 Yeah something tells me that he doesn't care about that kind of stuff. He's probably just happy with a simple life.
a great scene not taking the mic or any other slur just a great scene and still to this day
A very good person glad he played the part in the dueling banjos 👌👍🇺🇸
This man was in the most iconic scene in Deliverance, and all he got was $500.00 and now a custodian at Wal-mart...
Wow this guy resembles Robin Williams. Amazing Robin and has twin out there.
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.
🙏miss you Billy
What is really hilarious is that it's really dueling bango and guitar.
His eyes are unique
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
Best scene in movie history.
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.
I love this guy.
Good ta see again Bro...from Nottingham..UK
I always wondered how he was, glad to see how he's kickin
It's a Shame he can't play a single kick on the banjo
@@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.
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.
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
Most of the actors who worked on this film were nice..Even the dark characters..
Bill y probably one of the most famous banjo players in the world that doesn't even play the banjo
Here's to You Billy Redden, for if there's one part of the Movie "Deliverance" a person remembers, it is 99.999% of the time (if not 100%) your acting part of the "Dueling Banjos" scene.
And You can now tell them to take there money- where the Sun don't shine! You've already been there, and done that!
I agree if there is 2 scenes that are kinda of iconic..it would be the battling banjos and squeal like a 🐖 boy ....im paraphrasing the latter..
Omg, exactly 💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯😭🤣😍👏😫💯 .... hahhaaa
I'm a multi-instrumentalist but didn't pick up the guitar until I was 50 and had retired. Billy needs to pick up the banjo and start to capitalize on his part in the movie for which he got screwed!
Omg, seriously.. right on sir. During banjos isn't a real complicated piece. Sit down and take a few days and get the techniques down. It's a beautiful piece of music and totally worth the effort. Someone should of helped him learn this song even back in 1976. Get a back up guitar player and holy smokes go to town. Tour state crossing ✝️. Who, I mean who wouldn't want to see this incredible epic scene of Billy playing the banjo again, again and again on Friday nights , Saturday nights in a bar or club. Tour de force. Talk about the sets, working with but Reynolds, etc. On stage. Who wouldn't want that to see....????? 😉 God bless 🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖✨♥🙌🙏❤💖
.. p.s., thank you Mr. Billy Redden, "Lonnie" .... . ❤ and the rest of the crue on the sets for The movie, Deliverance .... .
All those years I believed he was playing that banjo.
Kinda sad.