Smiley Bates prompted other recording ventures. When the Instrumental hit "Duelling Banjos" from the film "Deliverance" was popular, Smiley, on Flat-Top Guitar, was teamed with Eddie Poirier on 5-String Banjo. Though he had not seen the film, it only took a couple of tries to arrive at an arrangement, which, while not representative of Smiley's recording output, was nevertheless a commercial success. A further album was issued with Eddie and Smiley, and based upon its success, the two teamed up with Rose (Eddie's wife) to record another big-selling Bluegrass album, titled "The Best of Bluegrass". To illustrate how successful Smiley's recordings were,
The Mechanic (1972 film) The Mechanic (1972 film) The Mechanic is a 1972 American action thriller film directed by Michael Winner, produced by Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, and written by Lewis John Carlino. The film follows Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson), a top assassin who takes under his wing Steve McKenna, the ruthless and ambitious son of Harry McKenna, head of the secret organization for which Bishop works. The film stars Charles Bronson, Keenan Wynn, Jill Ireland, and Jan-Michael Vincent as the film's villain. It is noted for its opening, which features no dialogue for the first 16 minutes, as the hit man (Bronson)