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BUZZ BARTON

The Littlest Saddle King

by Buck Rainey ups built around himself and depending entirely on
his own talents to sustain them at the boxoffice.
When guns belched smoke, heroines screamed It was April 13, 1927 when his father, Floyd H.
silently, and pantomine dominated the screen, a Lamoreaux, and his mother, Myrtle Lamoreaux, sign-
freckled-faced, pint-sized hero charged into the cor- ed a contract with F.B.O. for Buzz's services. The
ral of western film players and rode like a comet youngster, whose real name was William Andrew
across the soundles magical carpet of a projection Lamoreaux, had already been appearing in Rayart
screen to compete with the likes of Buck Jones and films using the name Billy Lamar in support of Jack
Tom Mix for the adolation of the "prairie and Perrin. The kid was homely and freckled, but he
pistols" clientele at neighborhood and small town could ride like fury and engaged in more death de-
theatres of the United States and other countries fying stunts on a horse than most grown cowboys.
that utilized the "B" western product. Consequently, he was called "The ridin' fool of
Newspaper theatre advertisements of the 1920's Hollywood" by the prairie flicker contingent of the
capitalized on the uniqueness of such a diminutive glamour capitol.
western star, as shown in these typical plugs of the But let's let Buzz himself give us the highlights
day: of his career. The following remarks are taken ver-
"See the world's greatest boy Western star roar- batim from a letter that the film star wrote author
ing through to new triumphs as a daredevil ranger Buck Rainey on November 26, 1976:
of the air lanes. Breath-taking rides through the I was born In Galletin, Missouri September 3, 1913
clouds--blood-tlngling battles with bandits--roaring on a farm. We later moved to California. There was
races down the peril-lined air lanes with the U.S. a Western street in Newhall and they kept horses
Mail." ··THE YOUNG WHIRLWIND and stagecoaches. I always liked horses and used
"See your freckled favorite in a slashing action to hang around there. It was there that I met Jack
drama of heroic '49! Crashing thrill drama of the old Perrin and he got me in the movies. I was 12 years
Oregon Trail--of covered wagons winding through In- old. I went to school in Newhall. During the time I
dian infested wastes--of a boy who brought help•· was working on films, the studio furnished a private
just in time!" ··ORPHAN OF THE SAGE tttacher for me. When I finished the picture I would
"Another burn-'em'up Western! The thrill kid of go back to my regular schooling.
the mounted West gallops through to new records I enjoyed working with Jack Perrin. He was my
as a boy rider of the cattle range. Never before has life-long friend. I respected and admired him both
the boy rode with such daring--Never before has he as a person and as an actor. I was named Billy Lamar
hit such a peak of thrills--Never before have you seen by Jack, as my real name Lamoreaux had to be
such a film of the West as thls--Live again through shortened for picture work. Jack was a very good
the dream days of youth with this gallant little knight rider.
of the range as he battles his way through against There was Tom Tyler, Bob Steele, and Frankie
odds and proves himself the gamest of the game. Darro under contract at F.B.O. I was under contract
·•THE PINTO KID to the studio for five years. We had a good budget
"Hoo-ray Buzz is back again! The kid who rides and spent a lot of money on the films. Most of our
like the wind and fights like lightning bids for new pictures took around three weeks. Most of the loca-
thrill fame as a daredevil horseman. The Kid's here tions were here in California, since we had available
with an action smash that will give you thrills never rivers, lakes, mountains, and desert areas.
seen before!" ••THE FRECKLED RASCAL Rex Bell was a swell guy. He was very easy to
"Every minute--a thrlll--a laugh--a sensatlon--See work with an knew the scripts and dialogue. Picture-
the wild chase of the runaway stage--See Buzz leap wise he was a good cowboy.
from a second-story window onto the back of his In the early thirties I traveled back East with Gor-
racing pony!--See the fight on the cliff's brink!--See man Brothers Show. Mr. Gorman was head of the
these and a hundred other thrills in this blazing new Balasco Theatres. During the time I was starring in
drama of the West!" ··THE LITTLE SAVAGE the Gorman Brothers Show I endorsed Daisy Air
Complying with a nation-wide demand for youth, rifles, along with Buck Jones.
more youth, and still more youth on the screen, I left the picture Industry and Joined the navy dur•
F.B.O, signed 13-year old Buzz Barton to a long-term Ing World War II. I was in Salpan, Guam, and lwo
contract in 1927, giving him the unique distinction Jima (Author: Buzz was aboard the battleship
of being the youngest western star ever to ride the "Missouri", along with Leif Erickson, for the U.S.A.-
cinema range in a series of full-fledged shoot-em- Japan Peace Treaty signing). When I got out of the