Opening intertitles set this, "In that period of Western American history when the Sheep Barons invaded the domain of the Cattle Kings - their bleating hordes cropping the grass close to the ground - and with sharp hoofs destroying its roots leaving behind then an arid desert of what had once been fertile grazing land - the cow-men in seeking to stem this destructive white menace by force of arms, caused an era of blood-shed on the frontier second only to the Indian wars."
After a rollicking shootout, good cowboy Yakima Canutt (as Yak Darnell) and his grizzly sidekick Nelson McDowell (as "Calamity" Jenkins) pause to reflect. Flashbacks reveal Mr. Canutt's dad and brother died saving the ranch from encroaching sheep-herders. As Canutt was the last in his line, beloved mother Florence Lee (as Annabelle) persuaded her son to give up the gun. "Live by the sword, die by the sword," the old woman declares. Consequently, Canutt decides to disarm.
Soon, events lead to Ms. Lee releasing Canutt from his promise. The old woman, who is prone to heart attacks even when seeing her son has a cut forehead, believes Canutt needs a gun to protect himself, after all. This is fortunate because Canutt is blamed for shooting duplicitous Dick La Reno (as Buck Allenby), the father of sweetheart Alma Rayford (as Wanda). Then, can Canutt ward off wicked sheep-sympathizer Harry Northrup (as Jim Kincaid) and save the family ranch?
When you compare him to cowboy heroes of the era, Canutt is an attractive, above average western star. And, of course, he did his own stunts. Canutt's athletics are the main strength in "The Outlaw Breaker", alongside some nice looking locations. Otherwise, this is an ordinary western. Canutt collaborated on the story with director Jacques Jaccard. Partially due to voice limitations, Canutt moved mainly into stunt doubling for stars like John Wayne. Canutt was always an asset.
**** The Outlaw Breaker (1926) Jacques Jaccard ~ Yakima Canutt, Nelson McDowell, Harry Northrup, Alma Rayford
