The Gay Buckaroo (1932) DVD-R

Starring Hoot Gibson, Roy D'Arcy, Merna Kennedy, Edward Peil Sr., Lafe McKee
Directed by Phil Rosen

Print: black/white
Runtime: 66 min.
Genre: drama

Successful horse rancher Clint Hale (Hoot Gibson) is in love with Mildred Field (Merna Kennedy), daughter of gold miner "Sporty Bill" Field (Lafe McKee) who has struck it rich and bought a large cattle ranch. He only plays at being a rancher and leaves the running of the spread in the hands of an unfit foreman and a lazy crew of cowhands. Mildred also has her father's taste for extravagant living and is amused by Clint's courtship but she really admires Dave Dumont (Roy D'Arcy in his best - and only - over-the-top silent films style) who runs the saloon and gambling hall. Clint, humiliated by Dumont, when he gives Mildred a horse, is advised by his wise Chinese man-of-all-work, Hi-Low Jack (Edward Peil), that to win a girl like Mildred, he has to become a "gay buckaroo." Clint goes to Dumont's place to collect some owed-money, intending to spend it on fine and flashy clothes and, after whipping a Dumont henchie and clashing with Dumont, collects the money and discovers he has lost it