The Cowboy Star

Pleasant little matinée western that ought to please front row kids of all ages. The format is different since the main character, Yorke, (Starrett) is both a real and a movie cowboy. I love that opening where Yorke is sneakily revealed as a movie cowboy while using movie tricks to make us think the action is real. But Yorke's tired of the Hollywood fakery and wants to get back to the open range. So he turns down a big new movie contract and relocates to the real West where he meets the winsome Mary Baker (Meredith) and other fine folks. The trouble is that modern day (1936) gangsters (Lawrence) are also hiding out there. This sets up an interesting contrast between a traditional cowboy like Yorke and 1930's desperadoes like Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd. Then too, I like the way Yorke learns a different way of looking at the cowboy hero as a result of clashing with these desperadoes. Overall, it's a nifty little time passer with a cleverly constructed positive message.