Lone Cowboy is a 1933 American Pre-Code western film directed by Paul Sloane. The film stars Jackie Cooper, Lila Lee, and Addison Richards. The film was released on December 1, 1933, by Paramount Pictures, but is currently owned by Universal.
The film is about a 10 year old boy named Scooter O'Neil, who adores his single father and dreams of being a cowboy. Scooter's father is about to be arrested for larceny, so he sends his son away to a cattle ranch before committing suicide.
Scooter befriends rancher Dobe Jones, who happens to be on a mission to track down and kill the man who stole his wife from him.
Tropes:
- Bloodless Carnage: When Scooter is shot by a stray bullet, there is no blood shown.
- Cowboy: Dobe Jones.
- Cowboys and Indians: Scooter and his friends are playing this in the very first scene of the film.
- Children Raise You: Dobe becomes a better person and eventually gives up his revenge quest because of Scooter's influence.
- Cheerful Child: Scooter.
- Desperately Craves Affection: Scooter wants so badly for Dobe to be kind to him. Eventually, he gets his wish.
- Empty Promise: Mr. O'Neil promises Scooter he'll see him on his birthday, knowing full well he'll be dead by then.
- Exact Words: When the police come to Mr. O'Neil's door, he begs for one more day so he can take Scooter to the train station, promising he'll be at the apartment when the officer get's there. When the cop does show up, Mr. O'Neil has shot himself. Leaving behind a note reading; "I told you I'd be here."
- Innocently Insensitive: Scooter immediately asks Dobe about his wife when they meet, not knowing she has recently left him for another man.
- Killing in Self-Defense: Dobe decides not to kill Jim after all, but Jim shoots him and Dobe is forced to kill him in self defence.
- Missing Mom: It is never explained what happened to Scooter's mother.
- Never Learned to Read: Dobe does not know how to read, which Scooter finds out when he asks him to read him a bedtime story. Later, Scooter attempts to give him a few lessons.
- Notorious Parent: Scooter's father sent him away because he was about to be arrested.
- Parental Substitute: Dobe to Scooter, by the end.
- Resentful Guardian: Dobe wants nothing to do with Scooter at first.
- The Seven Western Plots: Revenge.
- Tagalong Kid: Scooter. Dobe wants to ditch him at a boarding school in town at first, but eventually warms to him.
- Train Escape: Scooter hops onto a train to try and get back to Chicago to see his dad, but is quickly evicted, and Dobe has to tell him the truth about his father.
