The Cowboy Counsellor

Hoot the cowboy isn't on the plate much in this one, but the comedic elements that Hoot seems to often showcase in his films is on target here. Fun characters are on the scene and a light, fun approach to a nice little plot with a difference makes this picture quite enjoyable to watch.

A surprisingly enjoyable entry from Poverty Row outfit M. H. Hoffman Inc., which has Hoot Gibson as a dodgy salesman of law books who, despite not being the qualified lawyer he claims to be, agrees to represent a man wrongly accused of holding up a stagecoach. Gibson displays a surprising amount of charm in the role, indicating that the endless parade of soulless, no-budget westerns he starred in probably robbed him of the opportunity to show his true worth as an actor.

An excellent Hoot Gibson programmer in which he plays a confidence man posing as a lawyer selling phony law books. When a murder takes place, he is called in to defend the accused man. Al Bridge is also excellent as the sheriff looking for exculpatory evidence.

The direction is credited to George Melford, one of the best visual stylists of the silent era, but he shows little flair here. There is no camera movement, but he does have some fun with the cuts.

Hoot Gibson was an unusual cowboy hero.

He won his battles more often -- at least in the films I've seen so far -- with his wits and personality than with his fists or gun.

And did he have a personality.

In "The Cowboy Counsellor" he is somewhat of a "Professor" Harold Hill, trying to sell "The Ranchman's Lawyer" to sheriffs and to anyone else who thinks he needs a guide to the law.

His claim to being a law expert causes him to get hired to defend a pretty girl's brother (she's played by Sheila Bromley and he by Fred Gilman) from a stage-coach robbery accusation.

Since it's a Hoot Gibson movie, there is more plot and story than gunfights and brawls, and it's a lot of fun.

Hoot is backed up by a crackerjack cast, just filled with superlative cowboy movie performers, some not especially well known today, but with lots of talent and personality, too.

Two of them have wonderful names: Silver Tip Baker, who has an uncredited bit as a barfly, and Skeeter Bill Robbins who has a big part as a deputy.

Two of the greats, Slim Whitaker, as the jury foreman, and Glenn Strange, are uncredited, which is so unjust.

Another of the greats is Al Bridge, with that unmistakable voice. He has a big part as the sheriff.

Young Bobby Nelson shows some almost Mickey Rooney scene-stealing ability as the younger brother.

Director George Melford is someone of whom I know nothing, but judging only by this beautifully crafted movie, I have to rate him highly.

He and his cast are helped immensely by a good script, credited to veteran Jack Natteford.

I can't offer too much praise for "The Cowboy Counsellor." Even though the print I saw, at YouTube, is choppy, and even interrupted by a commercial, it is one of the best B Westerns I've seen.

I recommend "The Cowboy Counsellor" very highly. I'll watch it again.