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CYCLONE KID would have been just as well off addition to his personal appearances.
perhaps in two reels. Story trouble. By 1935 Buzz was definitely back before the
Story is one of those impossible things that has camera, playing second lead to Rex Bell in a series
the youthful Buzzy Barton in narrow escapes. Caryl of Resolute pictures, appearing in the AKO classic
Lincoln is the heroine. Not much to the part as she all-star POWDERSMOKE RANGE, and in films with
played it. And the director kept her as silent as Bill Cody, Bill Elliott, Hoot Gibson, Jack Luden, Jack
possible. Randall, William Boyd, and Bob Steele. The little boy
Second fiddle to Barton is Francis Bushman, Jr. appeal was gone. However, Buzz demonstrated a
He looked the strapping, young ranch hand who fell certain charisma that served him well, though it was
in love with the rancher's daughter. obvious that he would not achieve adult stardom.
Interminably padded. Perhaps part of the effort Had the war not interrupted his career, it is probable
to restore westerns to their one-time popularity that he would have gone on for some time playing
niche in the hearts of young America. supporting roles in numerous westerns.
Buzz Barton's saddle is empty now, just as are
HUMAN TARGETS those of most of the western s_tars who thrilled au-
Variety, January 26, 1932 diences around the world for half a century. By no
stretch of the imagination was he a major cowboy
For an up and at 'em western this is a winner. It star, having achieved only a modicum of success.
is the best entertainment yet directed by J.P. Nevertheless, he made his own unique contribution
McGowan. Strong and long enough to stand up to Western Cinema and earned his right to screen
alone in the daily-change grinds. immortality in the pages of Western film history in
Although it is full of socking, there is a realism those halcyon days of yesteryear when naiveness
in the punching not often found in this style of was vastly more fun than today's ultra
western. Even young Buzz Barton puts over his sophistication.
blows with an adult bad cowpuncher convincingly. For those of us old enough to remember, we will
Young Barton looks a real comer in the western miss the whimsicalness of this freckled-faced
class. Still a lad, he has that certain sincerity and youngster who brought to life on the screen the
wistfulness of expression which makes him 100% dreams of other kids. His pranks were amusing, his
likeable. escapades thrilling, and his horsemanship inspiring.
Story and supporting cast in this are also excep-
tional. Nicely knit together and unhampered by poor PARTIAL FILMOGRAPHY: BUZZ BARTON
direction or editing, the theme moves into a climax
that will get even the snobbish variety of fans clut- LWEST OF THE RAINBOW'S END.
ching for the swinging pay-off.
Gold claims, cows, bad men, sheriffs, shooting, Released ........................ August, 1926
riding, battling--the whole galaxy is held together in Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rayart
manner far exceeding the jumbled routine followed Length . .............................. 5 Reels
by the average producer of westerns. Director . ....................... Bennett Cohn
Producer . ........................ Harry Webb
Buzz starred in 14 F.B.O. sagebrushers, lucky to Scenario . ......................... Daisy Kent
have been associated with a studio that took a lit- From a Story by . ............. Victor Rousseau
tle pride in its product and that spent a little more
polish that the quickies being churned out by Cast
numerous independent outfits out for a fast buck
on the smallest investment possible. When F.B.O. Jack Perrin
ceased operations with the advent of sound, Buzz Pauline Curley
scrambled for work along with other cowpokes shot Billy Lamarr (Buzz Barton)
out of the saddle by technology. At Big 4, a small Tom London
indie firm, he teamed up briefly with Wally Wales James Welch
in four cactus capers, shared honors with Rin-Tin- Milburn Morante
Tin in one feature, and starred solo in another. At Whitehorse
Mascot, Nat Levine featured him along with Rin-Tin- "Starlight" (a horse)
Tin, Walter Miller, and June Marlowe in the serial "Rex" (a dog)
THE LONE DEFENDER, but by the end of 1931 Buzz
temporarily abandoned the screen to hit the rodeo 1. HI-JACKING RUSTLERS
circuit and star in a stage revue. He was only 19. I
have not been able to find any screen credits for Released .......... . .. . ..... •-• November, 1926
Buzz for the years '32, '33, and '34, but it is probable Distributor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rayart
that he was in a few westerns during this time in Length . .............................. 5 Reels