''The Bonanza Buckaroo'' is a 1926 American silent

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His obituary called him "a capable and versatile director willing to take on any ass ...

and starring

Jay Wilsey Jay Wilsey (February 6, 1896 – October 25, 1961) was an American film actor (born Wilbert Jay Wilsey). He appeared in nearly 100 films between 1924 and 1944. He starred in a series of very low-budget westerns in the 1920s and 1930s, billed as B ...

Harry Todd Harry Todd (born John Nelson Todd;Kiehn, David (2003). Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company'. Berkeley, CA: Farwell Books. p. 291. . December 13, 1863 – February 15, 1935) was an American actor. Early life and career A native ...

, and Judith King. It was released on August 28, 1926.

Plot

When Buffalo Bill Jr. rescues an older woman trapped in a runaway car, she invites him to dine with her and her wealthy husband. At dinner, Bill becomes entranced with the couples' daughter, Cleo. He quickly learns that Andrew Gordon's daughter will only marry someone with the means to support her in the style she is accustomed to. Bill is dismayed until he overhears a plot to snap up the property between Andrew Gordon's mine and that of his chief rival. With the help of his sidekick, Chewin' Charlie, they subdue Fraction Jack and manage to stake their claim to the land first. Leaving Charlie to guard the claim, Bill heads back to town to register their stake. With the claim in hand, Bill approaches Andrew and they come to an agreement for Gordon to purchase the claim, expanding his holdings. It also satisfies Gordon that Bill has the business sense needed to marry his daughter. Bill arrives back at the claim just in time to save Charlie from claim jumpers.

Cast

as Bill Merritt (credited as Buffalo Bill Jr.) *

as Chewin' Charlie * Judith King as Cleo Gordon (credited as Judy King) *

Lafe McKee Lafayette S. "Lafe" McKee (January 23, 1872 – August 10, 1959) was an American actor who appeared in more than 400 films from 1912 to 1948. Career McKee began working in show business in 1893. Part of his career was spent with Art Mix Pro ...

as Andrew Gordon * Winifred Landis as Mrs Andrew Gordon * Al Taylor as Carney *

Slim Whitaker Charles Orbie "Slim" Whitaker (July 29, 1893 – June 27, 1960) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 340 films between 1914 and 1949. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and died in Los Angeles, California, from a heart attack ...

as Fraction Jack (credited as Charles Whitaker) * Denman Maley as Spike (credited as Dutch Maley) * Emily Barrye as the maid * William Ryno as the sheriff (credited as Bill Ryno)

Production

Production on the film was completed by the end of June 1926. It was the second of the "Buffalo Bill Jr." series for Action Pictures. The first of the series was ''

Rawhide Rawhide may refer to: *Rawhide (material), a hide or animal skin that has not been tanned * Whip made from rawhide Entertainment * ''Rawhide'' (1926 film), a Western directed by Richard Thorpe * ''Rawhide'' (1938 film), a Western starring baseball ...

'', also directed by Thorpe and starring Wilsey. In November it was part of a number of films which were picked up by Pathe for distribution.

Reception

Motion Picture News The ''Motion Picture News'' was an American film industry trade paper published from 1913 to 1930. History The publication was created through the 1913 merger of the ''Moving Picture News'' founded in 1908 and ''The Exhibitors' Times'', founde ...

'' gave the film a "fair" rating. They enjoyed the flow of the story, and the novelty of the characters' motivations. They also highlighted the cinematography of Ray Reis. ''

The Moving Picture World The ''Moving Picture World'' was an influential early trade journal for the American film industry, from 1907 to 1927. An industry powerhouse at its height, ''Moving Picture World'' frequently reiterated its independence from the film studios. ...

'' gave the picture a better review. They enjoyed the way comedy had been intertwined with the action, saying "it leaves little to be desired for this type of entertainment." They felt it elevated the status of the Buffalo Bill Jr. franchise.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bonanza Buckaroo, The 1920s English-language films 1920s Western (genre) comedy films American black-and-white films 1926 comedy films 1926 films Associated Exhibitors films Films directed by Richard Thorpe Silent American Western (genre) comedy films 1920s American films English-language Western (genre) comedy films