Western Sidekicks in Film and Fiction

What would a western novel or movie be with out a sidekick. They are instantly recognizable and by now, stereotypical. Their numbers are legion but only a few truly stand out. Without a doubt the most famous of the sidekicks would have to be George "Gabby" Hayes. In real life he was a well groomed, and intelligent man, but in films was always was cast as a grizzled old codger, who made famous phrases like "consarn it", "yer durn tootin", and "young whippersnapper".
Hayes and his wife played vaudeville from 1914 until 1929 when he tried his luck in films.
He played the part of Windy, the sidekick to Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd), from 1935 to 1939. In 1939, Hayes left Paramount Pictures and moved to Republic Pictures. Paramount held the rights to the name Windy Halliday, so a new nickname was created for Hayes' character; that of Gabby. Hayes appeared in more than 40 pictures between 1939 and 1946, usually with Roy Rogers but also with Gene Autry or Wild Bill Elliot.
Hayes was also repeatedly cast as a sidekick to western icons Randolph Scott and John Wayne.
At one point he had his own televison show (1952-1956) and is forever remembered by a star on the Hollywood Walk and honors in the Western Performers Hall of Fame.

Other legendary sidekicks are Walter Brennan, Smiley Burnette who always played the goofy, roly-poly singing sidekick (usually to Gene Autry) Pat Buttram, and Andy Devine, who was most noted for his high-pitched gravely voice and his overly abundant girth.

Sidekicks are an integral part of western lore, not only for their entertainment value, but also because they offer an easy way for the author or director to make a point. For one thing, they provide an easy physical contrast to the hero. When the hero is tall the sidekick is often stooped over with age or short. They are confused when the hero is astute, and they are
usually physically challenged either by age (kids or old men), weight. Often they have some disability, such as the legendary Chester's (Dennis Weaver) lamness on the show "Gunsmoke". The hero by contrast is usually super fit and handsome.

While they often are goofy, confused or argumentative, the sidekicks by definition are also honest, brave, loyal, and on occasion abilities that are better than those of the hero. The Cisco Kid's sidekick Pancho for example was supposedly a better shot. Manytimes sidekicks portrayed old prospectors or ranchers who had a more intimate knowledge of the land and manytimes they would unwittingly blurt out some save-the- day plan without even realizing it until the hero explains things to them. Usually in spite of their bravery or cleverness, the sidekick always seems to be amazed at his friend's abilities and courage while denying any extraordinary abilities of his own .
The sidekick character also offers the hero an opportunity to explain to the audience his reasoning or his opinions. By listening or reading while the hero discusses things with the ever present and ever curious sidekick, the audience gets an insight into how the hero thinks. In my novel "Trail Hand" for example, the protaganist meets up with his old friend "Sonora Mason". During one leg of the trip that they later make they begin discussing the right to keep and bear arms. I am strong supporter of the second ammendment and wanted to express my own views though the hero of the novel. Having a sidekick to bounce things off of allows the audience to get my point without anyone having to step out of character.
Personally I feel anyone who wants to get the real feel for what a sidekick is like must watch two western satire movies. The first is "Rustler's Rhapsody". By now a western cult favorite, it is one of my personal favorite comedies. The relationship between the hero and his unprepared and helpess sidekick-want-to-be is hysterical. Finally who could ever forget Jack Elam's performance as the unwilling sidekick to James Garner's character in Support Your Local Sheriff. If you have not seen this movie you are missing one of lifes truly great belly laughs.
One final note. As I'm sure many of you have also discovered in your own lives, I entered marriage to my beautiful wife convinced that I was a dashing romantic hero type. Sixteen years of marriage has convinced me that I was wrong. It turns out I was the goofy sidekick type all along.