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.