Post by Coopsgirl on Sept 14, 2009 19:23:09 GMT -6
Here is the synopsis from the American Film Institute Catalog for The Last Outlaw.
After Gary’s tough time making Children of Divorce, a picture he felt completely out of place in, he went back to his comfort zone, the Western, for The Last Outlaw. It was released on July 2, 1927. In this film, Gary plays wandering cowpoke Buddy Hale accompanied again by Flash the Wonder Horse who was also featured in Arizona Bound as was Betty Jewell as his leading lady. Not specified in the AFI description is that his sidekick Chick, played by Billy Butts, was 8 years old at the time. He was born in 1919 and according to the IMDB.com listing, he is still alive. He and Gary made a fun team as Billy seems to have been a good actor (this is all I’ve seen him in) and like Shirley Temple and other good child actors, he has adult ability but still maintains a very childlike, fun quality about him. They seemed to have good chemistry and are very believable as pals.
I’m going to do something a little different with these reviews and I hope y’all will enjoy it. Instead of detailed synopses, I’m going to imagine what a conversation between me and Gary about each film would be like. I daydream quite a bit, it’s a habit I’ve had since I was a kid. One of my favorite daydreams is that I’m sitting on my comfy couch watching his films with Gary sitting right beside me. On this particular day we have just finished The Last Outlaw.
“That was good.” “You’re easy to please” Gary says with a bit of a chuckle. “I’m serious. I like that one.” “That’s one of the earliest lead roles I had. I didn’t even really know what I was doing yet.” “It’s fun to watch your early ones and see how you progressed. You really didn’t have very far to go. You looked very natural and relaxed, like a seasoned pro.” “Are you trying to give me a swelled head?” he asks still not wanting to take the compliment. “No, just giving credit where credit is due.” “Okay, I guess I wasn’t too bad. What was your favorite part?” “Anytime you’re riding a horse is fun to watch. You were so good at it and I totally stink. All the scenes with your little sidekick Chick were cute too.” “The horse work was fun; I always enjoyed that. Billy was fun to work with too. I think he knew more what to do that I did” he says chuckling again to himself.
“I still can’t imagine why you’d wanna watch some old silent film. I mean, were your grandparents even born yet when I made this one?” “Actually my grandpa was born that year smarty pants. I like silent movies. It’s like they’re a totally different genre, at least that’s how I look at it. Besides, if a movie’s good, it doesn’t matter how old it is or if has sound or not.” “I suppose that’s true. Still it’s a little embarrassing to watch these early ones. How would you like it if I got that tape of your first dance recital and showed it at the local movie house for all the town to see?” he says teasing me. “I wouldn’t like that at all. I kept scratching my nose but it looked more like I was picking it. I was only four though and you were around 26 here so that’s not exactly the same” I answer with a laugh. “I guess not. Still, I hope we can get through these first few as quickly as possible.”
After Gary’s tough time making Children of Divorce, a picture he felt completely out of place in, he went back to his comfort zone, the Western, for The Last Outlaw. It was released on July 2, 1927. In this film, Gary plays wandering cowpoke Buddy Hale accompanied again by Flash the Wonder Horse who was also featured in Arizona Bound as was Betty Jewell as his leading lady. Not specified in the AFI description is that his sidekick Chick, played by Billy Butts, was 8 years old at the time. He was born in 1919 and according to the IMDB.com listing, he is still alive. He and Gary made a fun team as Billy seems to have been a good actor (this is all I’ve seen him in) and like Shirley Temple and other good child actors, he has adult ability but still maintains a very childlike, fun quality about him. They seemed to have good chemistry and are very believable as pals.
I’m going to do something a little different with these reviews and I hope y’all will enjoy it. Instead of detailed synopses, I’m going to imagine what a conversation between me and Gary about each film would be like. I daydream quite a bit, it’s a habit I’ve had since I was a kid. One of my favorite daydreams is that I’m sitting on my comfy couch watching his films with Gary sitting right beside me. On this particular day we have just finished The Last Outlaw.
“That was good.” “You’re easy to please” Gary says with a bit of a chuckle. “I’m serious. I like that one.” “That’s one of the earliest lead roles I had. I didn’t even really know what I was doing yet.” “It’s fun to watch your early ones and see how you progressed. You really didn’t have very far to go. You looked very natural and relaxed, like a seasoned pro.” “Are you trying to give me a swelled head?” he asks still not wanting to take the compliment. “No, just giving credit where credit is due.” “Okay, I guess I wasn’t too bad. What was your favorite part?” “Anytime you’re riding a horse is fun to watch. You were so good at it and I totally stink. All the scenes with your little sidekick Chick were cute too.” “The horse work was fun; I always enjoyed that. Billy was fun to work with too. I think he knew more what to do that I did” he says chuckling again to himself.
“I still can’t imagine why you’d wanna watch some old silent film. I mean, were your grandparents even born yet when I made this one?” “Actually my grandpa was born that year smarty pants. I like silent movies. It’s like they’re a totally different genre, at least that’s how I look at it. Besides, if a movie’s good, it doesn’t matter how old it is or if has sound or not.” “I suppose that’s true. Still it’s a little embarrassing to watch these early ones. How would you like it if I got that tape of your first dance recital and showed it at the local movie house for all the town to see?” he says teasing me. “I wouldn’t like that at all. I kept scratching my nose but it looked more like I was picking it. I was only four though and you were around 26 here so that’s not exactly the same” I answer with a laugh. “I guess not. Still, I hope we can get through these first few as quickly as possible.”