The Hard Hombre

A Poverty Row pre-Code western from M. H. Hoffman Jr.'s Allied Pictures, directed by Otto Brower. Rodeo champion turned cowboy star Hoot Gibson plays William Penn "Peaceful" Patton, a mild-mannered cowhand raised on pacifism who is mistaken for the notorious outlaw known as the Hard Hombre. Trading on the outlaw's fearsome reputation, Peaceful strong-arms a valley of ranchers into a fair division of grazing land — until his mother arrives and exposes the masquerade, and the real Hard Hombre rides in for revenge. Shot around the Vasquez Rocks, the film also carries a quiet piece of screen history: Florence Lawrence, the very first movie star of the silent era, appears in a minor role. It is in the public domain in the United States.