Let 'er Buck (1925)

Director:

Edward Sedgwick

Writers:

Raymond L. Schrock (screenplay)
Raymond L. Schrock (story)

Release Date:

22 March 1925 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Hoot Gibson	...	Bob Carson
Marian Nixon	...	Jacqueline McCall (as Marion Nixon)
Charles K. French	...	Colonel Jeff McCall
G. Raymond Nye	...	James Ralston
William Steele	...	Kent Crosby (as William A. Steele)
Josie Sedgwick	...	Miss Mabel Thompson
Fred Humes	...	Sheriff

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

Universal Pictures

Hoot Gibson meets Ben Hur

I haven't seen many Hoot Gibson movies -- I'm more familiar with the work of his wife, stuntwoman Helen Gibson -- but I suspect that "Let 'er Buck" isn't typical Hoot Gibson fare. Among other things in this movie, Hoot competes in a chariot race!

CONTAINS SPOILERS. Texas Cowhand Bob Carson (Gibson) is in love with Jacqueline McCall, daughter of a wealthy ranch owner. And the feeling is mutual. But then Carson gets into a gunfight with Jacqueline's cousin Jim Ralston, and shoots him dead. To escape prosecution for murder, Carson hops a freight car and lands up in Pendleton, Oregon ... just before the world rodeo championship competition. (Outside of the USA and Australia, how many nations compete in a 'world' rodeo championship?) Ranch owner Mabel Thompson has a bronco she wants to enter in the competition, but the horse is an 'outlaw' because no man can ride him. Carson proves his ability to ride the bronc, and agrees to represent the Thompson ranch in the contest.

Meanwhile, a contingent from Texas arrive to compete in the contest. To be precise, the contingent are from Colonel McCall's ranch ... and are headed by Jim Ralston, who ain't really dead after all. (That no-good cowpoke...) Jacqueline wants Carson to ride for her father's ranch instead, but Carson believes he owes his loyalty to Mabel Thompson, who had faith in him when he was down and out. The night before the big rodeo, Ralston and his galoots kidnap Carson. Of course he escapes just in time, and competes in the rodeo's chariot race. (I wonder if this scene inspired the climax of the Marx Brothers' 'Horse Feathers'.) Of course, Carson wins the race, the rodeo and the heart of Jacqueline.

I'm tempted to say I don't give a Hoot about Gibson, but in fact Hoot Gibson is quite good in this film, despite its by-the-numbers script. (There's never any doubt that Hoot will triumph, so there's no suspense.) The direction by Edward Sedgwick is efficient, and his sister Josie gives a good performance as Hoot's patroness. The camera work by Virgil Miller is excellent. "Let 'er Buck" benefits from some authentic footage of the Pendleton rodeo championships, and it's amusing to see that the popularity of 'Ben Hur' led to such fads as a rodeo chariot race. I'll rate this movie 6 out of 10.