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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Fiddlin' Buckaroo remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have about an hour to kill and you don't mind a movie where the hero spends more time with his horse than the lead actress, you should give this a shot. It is perfect for people who like those old-fashioned westerns where you always know who to cheer for. People who want gritty realism or complex plots will probably hate it and turn it off after ten minutes.
Ken Maynard is the star here, and he plays a guy named Fiddlin'. He is actually a government man undercover, but he carries a fiddle everywhere. 🎻
The music is provided by The Arizona Wranglers. They show up a lot, and sometimes it feels like the movie is just an excuse for them to have a jam session in the middle of the desert.
The plot is basically a straight line drawn in the dirt with a stick. Fiddlin' joins a gang run by a guy named Wolf, played by Fred Kohler.
Kohler has a great 'bad guy' face. He was also in Roaring Guns, and he just looks like he’s constantly smelling something bad, which I guess is his way of acting mean.
Fiddlin' makes friends with a guy named Banty. Banty is played by Billy Franey, and he is that classic sidekick who mostly exists to get confused and make funny faces.
The whole thing goes sideways when Wolf decides to kidnap a girl named Ann. Fiddlin' finally decides he's had enough of being a 'bad guy' and tries to stop him.
There is a scene where Fiddlin' gets trapped in a burning building. It is actually one of the better parts because the fire looks pretty real and scary for 1933.
You can see the smoke filling up the room, and I wondered if Ken Maynard was actually coughing. It's greatest sin is that it takes a little too long for the rescue to happen, but it’s still cool to watch.
Then there is Tarzan, the horse. This horse probably has a higher IQ than the the entire outlaw gang combined.
Tarzan is the one who actually saves Fiddlin' from the fire. If you enjoyed the animal-focused action in Smoky, you will love Tarzan’s performance here.
The horse even seems to know when the camera is on him. He does these little head nods that make him look like he’s thinking about his next move.
The girl, Ann, played by Gloria Shea, doesn't have much to do. She mostly just stands there and looks worried while the men jump off porches and shoot at rocks.
It reminds me a bit of The Ranch Romeo because of how simple the romance feels. It’s just there because movies are supposed to have a girl in them, I guess.
The fiddle playing is... well, it’s loud. Sometimes the sound doesn't quite match up with Ken's hands, but he’s a real rodeo star, so we can forgive his finger-synching. 🤠
I noticed one of the extras in the background of the saloon scene just staring at the camera for a second. It’s those little mistakes that make these old B-movies feel so human and cozy.
The ending has a lot of riding and chasing. It’s not as epic as something like The Last Frontier, but it gets the job done.
Fiddlin' and Banty eventually team up to bring the gang in. It’s very satisfying in a predictable way, like eating a grilled cheese sandwich.
One thing that was weird was how the gang just let a guy with a fiddle join them so easily. You’d think outlaws would be a bit more suspicious of a guy who wants to play songs during a heist.
But that is the charm of The Fiddlin' Buckaroo. It doesn't try to be smart; it just tries to be fun.
If you want something fancy, you should probably watch Our Blushing Brides instead. But if you want to see a horse act like a fireman, this is your best bet.
Anyway, it’s a decent watch if you like dusty boots and fiddles. It’s short enough that it doesn't overstay its welcome.
IMDb —
1917
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