The Cowboy Counsellor: A B-Western That Actually Tries

Is it worth your time?

If you enjoy old-school B-Westerns where the plot feels like it was scribbled on a napkin during lunch, you will dig this. It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but it has a weird, charming energy. If you need high-budget polish or snappy modern pacing, stay away. This is definitely for the folks who like their movies dusty and a little bit stiff.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Cowboy Counsellor (1932) through its definitive frames.

Fred Gilman is doing a lot of heavy lifting here as the fake lawyer. He plays it with that specific brand of 1930s over-confidence that makes you wonder how he ever got away with anything. His "law book" is clearly just a stack of papers held together by hope and bad glue.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Cowboy Counsellor (1932) through its definitive frames.

The courtroom stuff

The transition from grifter antics to a real murder trial is jarring. Like, one minute we’re laughing at a goofy scam, and the next, someone’s life is on the line. It doesn't transition smoothly. It just sort of slams into the next scene. Honestly, it’s kind of funny how serious everyone starts acting the moment a judge walks in.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Cowboy Counsellor (1932) through its definitive frames.

The courtroom set looks like it was built in a shed behind the studio. I noticed a wall in the background that looks like it might fall over if someone sneezes too hard. It adds to the charm, I guess. Much better than the sterile sets you see in something like Penguin Pool Murder.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Cowboy Counsellor (1932) through its definitive frames.

Small observations

• The horses look bored. Like, really bored.
• The hats in this movie are too clean. Nobody’s been on a trail for more than five minutes.
• There is a scene where a character delivers a monologue that feels like it lasts for three business days.
• I’m pretty sure I saw the same extra in three different towns. He has a very distinct mustache.

It’s not as punchy as The Hayseed, but it tries to do something different with the whole "stranger comes to town" trope. It feels less like a real movie and more like a collection of scenes that someone stitched together with twine. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it just makes you look at your watch.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Cowboy Counsellor (1932) through its definitive frames.

There is a moment near the end where the lead actor fumbles a line and just kind of keeps going. They didn't even bother to cut it. It’s these little imperfections that make me like the movie more than I probably should. It’s got heart, even if it’s missing a brain or two.

Don't expect a deep character study. It's just a guy in a cowboy hat trying to convince a jury he knows how to read. That's good enough for a rainy afternoon. 🤠