The Gay Buckaroo

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.