Tom Tyler, the caballero

There are two movies that stand out in Tom Tyler's film career where his manner of dress is quite different from that of a cowboy, superhero, or even a business suit: a Mexican costume. This is seen in his silent film “Flying U Ranch” (1927), and “Unconquered Bandit” (1935). It could be that Tom's dark good looks make him perfect as a caballero. Or maybe it is because his portrayal of heroic figures that are well suited to the dashing and debonair Mexican mold, ready for justice, weapons of choice at his disposal:

That faithful friend and noble foe
Have only bled to make more strong
The yoke that Spain has worn so long.

                             -William Cullen Bryant

Flying U Ranch

Named after a ranch of the same name up in Montana, “Flying U Ranch” is about a cattle rustler, and a ranch owner whose cattle is disappearing rather quickly, calls upon an agent to track down who is behind the rustling. Tom arrives, disguised as a caballero named Miguel Garcia, and soon finds himself entwined with the ranch owner's daughter (Nora Lane), and makes instant friends with her little brother, Chip Jr. (Frankie Darro). Tom is described in The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (May 19, 1928) as appearing dashing, being dressed in black velvet pants with yellow-gold satin bands spanning the outside length of the pants, a matching jacket with yellow-gold trim, a brightly colored serape (blanket-like shawl), and a sombrero decorated with silver ornaments. There is even one scene in this silent film where Tom is playing a Spanish guitar, accompanied by four other men, one playing a saxophone! Writtern by Bertha Muzzy Bower (B. M. Bower), a 35mm film print of “Flying U Ranch” exists at Cinematheque Royale de Belgique in Brussels.

Unconquered Bandit

Tom is half Spanish and half English in “Unconquered Bandit” and is out to avenge the death of his father (John Elliott), which means going after Cleyburn (William Gould) who is behind the crime. Tom does not stop there though, for he also wants to break Cleyburn's heart at the same time, making love to his girl (Lillian Gilmore). The fiesta in “Unconquered Bandit” in reminiscent of that in Tom's silent film, “The Canyon of Missing Men” (1930), and the Mexican costume recalls that of “Flying U Ranch” with a few differences: the pants and jacket are black with gold trim, although the jacket has an ornate design in gold at the cuffs as well as at the lower hem, plus a bow tie. Tom also wears a second Mexican costume in tan suede with ornamental stitching on the collar, the pants having black stripes on the outside. With both costumes he wears a sombrero, plus a brown shawl. Of course, he looks equally dashing in both costumes. For those who are curious to see how fantastic Tom looks dressed up in these outfits, “Unconquered Bandit” is available on DVD.