(From Old Corral collection) Above from L-to-R are Bob Steele, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Hoot Gibson, Carey and a wounded Tom Tyler in a scene from POWDERSMOKE RANGE (RKO, 1935).  This early Three Mesquiteers adventure had Carey portraying 'Tucson Smith', Gibson as 'Stony Brooke', and Williams as 'Lullaby Joslin'.  Steely eyed Tom Tyler portrayed the good/bad gunman 'Sundown Saunders', and Steele was the 'Guadalupe Kid'. Released September 25, 1935, POWDERSMOKE RANGE (RKO, 1935) was the first film based on the Mesquiteers adventures written by William Colt MacDonald. Gibson was second billed behind Carey. (From Old Corral collection) Left to right are 'Big Boy' Williams, Ethan Laidlaw, Harry Carey and Hoot Gibson in a lobby card from POWDERSMOKE RANGE (RKO, 1935). (Courtesy of Les Adams) L-to-R are Big Boy Williams, Hoot Gibson, and Harry Carey, Sr. in a scene from POWDERSMOKE RANGE. (Courtesy of Randy Laing) Above from left to right are Hal Taliaferro (Wally Wales) as "Jim Bowie", Hoot Gibson, and Jack Perrin as "Davy Crockett" in a scene from the chapterplay, THE PAINTED STALLION (Republic, 1937). (From Old Corral collection) Above from left to right are Hoot Gibson, George Morrell, youngster Sammy McKim, Hal Taliaferro/Wally Wales and Ray 'Crash' Corrigan in a still from Chapter 1 of THE PAINTED STALLION (Republic, 1937) serial. Corrigan was the star and Hoot got second billing.

After making and spending a fortune during his years as a big western star at Universal (1921-1930), Hoot's fortunes had begun to tumble. By the time of the Futter films, one estimates his take at only $5,000 or so per picture. Bad investments and bad marriages hurt him financially.

One of his expensive indulgences was buying a third interest in the Baker Ranch and Rodeo at Saugus, California for $250,000 in April 1930. By the mid '30s depression years, the bank had foreclosed on the property.

Unable to land any lead roles or compete with singing cowboys now flooding the screen, Hoot left Hollywood and hit the sawdust trail, traveling and performing in a number of circuses and western shows. Hoot was with Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in '37. In 1938 Hoot traveled with Robbins Brothers Circus clear up through Nova Scotia. In 1939 Hoot was with Russell Brothers Circus for half a season.

In 1940 and part of '41 Hoot rode with Jim Eskew's JE Ranch Rodeo. It was on this show he met his wife to be, Dorothy Irene Dunstan, a former western radio singer and performer. They were married July 3, 1942 and Dorothy was wife number four.

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Les Adams writes about this image and Hoot's endorsement and tie-in to Bost Tooth Paste: this still was on display in drug and department stores and magazine ads in the Spring and Summer of 1935. It was on behalf of Bost (not Best) Tooth Paste and was used in a contest with first prize being a guest of Hoot Gibson for a week during the time of his annual Hoot Gibson Rodeo at his Saugus Ranch (in California) on the dates of September 1-2. Open to all boys and girls under the age of 15 and entry deadline was August 5. They were to fill in the last line of this jingle: Hoot Gibson is my favorite star His acting can't be beat. But Bost Tooth Paste is sure by far _________________________. (Fill in last line) Mail in with an empty large size carton (or facsimile drawn by hand) of Bost Tooth Paste. Connected with the showing of SUNSET RANGE (First Division, 1935).

(Courtesy of Western Washington Fair Association) Thanks to Patty Herman and the Western Washington Fair Association for the above photo of Gibson. Hoot was in Puyallup, Washington with the Buffalo Brady Rodeo in September of 1935. (Courtesy of Fred D. Pfening, Jr.) Above is an autographed photo of Gibson while he was with the Hagenbeck Wallace Circus, 1937.

(Courtesy of Fred D. Pfening, Jr.) Above - poster of Hoot with the Robbins Bros Circus. A calendar check for Tuesday, May 24 reveals that combination of day and date was May 24, 1938.