The Kissing Bandit (1948)

Poor Ricardo.  He is summoned from Boston back to Spain's colony of California by Chico to help his father's family make their inn a success.  Or so he thinks.  Actually, his father was a bandit chief known as the Kissing Bandit, and Ricardo finds himself pressed to fill his shoes.  But Ricardo is afraid of nearly everything, and he can't comprehend the idea of kissing women he doesn't know, women he hasn't been introduced to.

How lucky could he be when the first carriage they hold up carries the lovely governor's daughter, coming home once and for all from school.  He promised Chico he'd kiss every girl, but Theresa is too beautiful.  Posing as the king's right hand man come from Spain with the head of the secret police to collect the taxes, Ricardo and Chico pay the governor a visit, one to woo a lovely lady, the other to steal the taxes.

When push comes to shove, Ricardo shows himself a real man, but now that he has his heroine, he seems reluctant to take her!  Why?  Because he's not really a bandit and he isn't at all like the man he's been playing - or is he?

With a little humor and a great low song for Frank Sinatra, this movie is worth seeing for anyone who likes a musical, uncomplicated romance.  Kathryn Grayson's performance was also fairly pleasing.  The other actors, as well as their characters, perfectly complimented the film.  It is not a deep plot, easily followed, and a little silly.  Sinatra once again fills the role of a naive, inexperienced lover, and does it perfectly.

The cutting and editing in this movie is a little sloppy and certainly noticeable in some places, but otherwise, it's beautifully put together.

Points: 10
Rating: A

~Meggy




Instead of a song or trailer, I have silent pictures for you:

!

Climb the balcony...!

He abducted her....

Or did I?

For more great photos: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/the-kissing-bandit  I am not responsible for content on this site - just saying....  But the above four photos came from this address.