An average entry in Hoot Gibson's series for low-budget producer M.H. Hoffman, The Dude Bandit may be a chore for viewers not attuned to the star's lackadaisical acting technique and slightly rumpled appearance. For Gibson devotees, however, there is the usual enjoyment of watching Hoot pretend to be a nincompoop only to reveal his true self at the end. Hoffman had rescued "the Hooter" from unemployment when Universal's Carl Laemmle fired him after the changeover to sound. Then Laemmle wanted him back and Gibson was more than willing to comply. Hoffman held him to his contract and Hoot sued. He lost and was for all intents and purposes through as a B-Western headliner.