The Kissing Bandit (1948)

Ricardo, the milquetoast son of a Mexican bandit, would rather lead a quiet life in Boston. But the family would rather that he follow in his father's footsteps and become "The Kissing Bandit".

Director:

Laslo Benedek

Writers:

John Briard Harding, Isobel Lennart

Stars:

Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, J. Carrol Naish

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frank Sinatra	...	Ricardo
Kathryn Grayson	...	Teresa
J. Carrol Naish	...	Chico
Mildred Natwick	...	Isabella
Mikhail Rasumny	...	Don Jose
Billy Gilbert	...	General Felipe Toro
Sono Osato	...	Bianca
Clinton Sundberg	...	Colonel Gomez
Carleton G. Young	...	Count Ricardo Belmonte
Ricardo Montalban	...	Fiesta Specialty Dancer
Ann Miller	...	Fiesta Specialty Dancer
Cyd Charisse	...	Dancer
Edna Skinner	...	Juanita
Vicente Gómez	...	Mexican Guitarist

Storyline

Ricardo, son of a mexican bandit, becomes against his will a bandit. He falls in love with Theresa, the daughter of the governor, who is expecting tax collectors from spain. Ricardo sees a good chance there.

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Plot Keywords:

inheritance | hotel | bandit | governor | 

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Taglines:

The Boldest Spectacle Ever Told in Song, Spectacle and Technicolor!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Me besó un bandido

Filming Locations:

Kennedy Meadows, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was first telecast in Seattle Saturday 26 January 1957 on KING (Channel 5), in Hartford CT 10 February 1957 on WHCT (Channel 18), in Phoenix 23 February 1957 on KPHO (Channel 5), in Minneapolis 4 March 1957 on KMGM (Channel 9), in Los Angeles 8 March 1957 on KTTV (Channel 11), in Chicago 16 June 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), in Philadelphia 26 July 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6), in Altoona PA 23 August 1957 on WFBG (Channel 10), and in New York City 3 November 1957 on WCBS (Channel 2); in San Francisco it was finally seen 3 August 1959 on KGO (Channel 7). At this time, color broadcasting was in its infancy, limited to only a small number of high rated programs, primarily on NBC and NBC affiliated stations, so these film showings were all still in B&W. Viewers were not offered the opportunity to see these films in their original Technicolor until several years later.

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Connections

Referenced in The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra (1978)

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Soundtracks

Love is Where You Find It
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Earl K. Brent
Sung by Kathryn Grayson

User Reviews

Musical Mess With a Few Highlights

Perhaps the director was trying for another PIRATE (Good Garland and Kelly musical) -- but this lame musical epoch falls flat. Sinatra and Kathryn Graysons voices do not blend well -- and their chemistry together lacks spark. The premise of Sinatra as a sweet guy who tries to impersonate his late "bandito" father is okay, but he seems awkward in the role. What's amazing and wonderful here, is how Sinatra can take a rather insipid song and make it seem special -- his phrasing and eloquence as a singer make you want to hear it again. When Grayson sings the same songs it's hard to believe she's not singing something entirely different and not nearly as interesting. She has her big moment with "Love Is Where You Find It" which suits her perfectly and shows off her abilities. The photography is lucious and both stars look appealing as do the costumes and sets. Co-stars Mildred Natwick and J. Carroll Nash put lots of energy into making the impossible work. Aside from Sinatra's singing there is a strange menage-a-tois dance with Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller. It's fascinating and weird. Montalban and Charisse were a wonderful dancing team and this number is a real oddity.