The Gay Buckaroo

This early-30's Hoot Gibson western is less a western than it is a gooey, corny romance. I got the impression that some scriptwriter turned in a work that was deemed too silly for a modern-day drama/comedy and instead the company decided to turn it into a "cowboy" story. It's basically about Gibson vying with oily Roy D'Arcy for the attentions of pretty but "spoiled" Merna Kennedy. Gibson's a "regular guy" who can't compete with fancy boy (and incredibly corny actor) D'Arcy until he acquires some money and buys some fancy duds to impress Kennedy. Gibson -- who could be fine as a rootin'-shootin' cowboy -- comes off like a buffoon in this film. Why he would be interested in spoiled wench Kennedy is beyond comprehension . . . she isn't THAT good-looking. Even after 60-something minutes of her nonsense, pouting, and nastiness, Gibson still proclaims "She'd make a swell wife."

There's a few (not good) fistfights, some decent horse-ridin', and a horribly stereotyped Chinese servant who cooks and spouts out wie sayings a la Charlie Chan. And, of course, he doesn't even get to ride a horse; he has to sit on a mule.

"Buckaroo" is quaint, primitive, but not very good.

the star of this movie isn't William Haines. Hoot Gibson is a hard-working rancher head over heels in love with Merna Kennedy. However, gambler Roy D'Arcy is a thorough bad 'un, who threatens Hoot, cheats at cards, steals horses and ultimately shoots easy-going Charles King in the back and frames Hoot for it.

This B western starts out very well, with Gibson being awed by Miss Kennedy. However, the movie takes a turn and he shows up dressed like someone out of a Wild West Show, beats D'Arcy's crooked game and puts Miss Kennedy and her father, Lafe McKee unwillingly to work, like a western Admirable Crichton. Through it all, Hoot plays the easy-going cowpoke who's smarter than he looks, and there are some very nice stunt sequences.

Edward Pell Sr. plays Hoot's oriental house man, spouting oriental aphorisms and out-cheating King at cards. This will undoubtedly make modern viewers uncomfortable. In addition, the ending is very rushed to bring the movie in under 70 minutes. Until then, however, it is a fine sound B for Hoot Gibson fans.