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.

Summer Stock

It's been a while since I've written a movie review.  Here goes - 

A Movie Review by Magdalen Aithne Arkwright

If you loved Gene Kelly in the crazy-famous film 'Singing in the Rain', you ain't seen nothin' yet!  In the 1950s film 'Summer Stock', as Joe Ross, he dances on tables, milks a cup of milk, directs a play, and falls in love with the woman who owns a barn - Jane Falbury, a.k.a. Judy Garland.

If you ever questioned Garland's talent, or your liking of her, doubts be gone!  This actress gives a truly stunning and convincing performance.  Hard working and determined to make her way with the farm, she agrees to let her younger sister Abigail and Abigail's friends put on a play in her barn on the condition that they help with the farm work.  Jane's friends and neighbors scorn show people, but Jane is stubborn and, without any farmhands, she needs the help.  However, the big shot male lead of the play walks off with Abigail for "her big chance" and leaves everyone dead in the water.  They need someone who can act, sing, and dance - the triple threat.  In a tough spot, Joe Ross throws Jane into the opening, rehearsing her mercilessly to get her ready in time.

Meanwhile, Joe Ross started out as a love interest of Abigail's.  Joe Ross planned to ask Abigail to marry him if his play was a success and he could support her - as he reassured Jane right off.  But there's a slight change of plans.  Abigail considers herself a prima dona and, one night, while Joe Ross is explaining his love for the theater to Jane, the heart flips decidedly in the other direction.  There's just one problem - Jane is a respectable farmer and she's also been engaged to Orville Wingait for four years.

The whole thing blows up when showtime comes and Orville threatens to close the show and then disappears.  Without telling anyone, he drove to New York to fetch Abigail - no fiancee of his is going to be on the stage!  But Jane fights tooth and nail for this play and for Joe, who invested all his money to get it off the ground.  What's more, she likes the theater.  She's never had so much fun in her life!

A few supporting actors and actresses to look forward to are Gloria DeHaven (Abigail Falbury), Carleton Carpenter (Artie), Marjorie Main (Esme), and Jeanne Coyne (uncredited, who became Gene Kelly's second wife in later years).

There is plenty of fun to be had, humor to be enjoyed, and your hearts are sure to ache before the movie is through.

 

Rating: 10, A (see sidebar)

~Meggy


Click here to view a brief post about the attire in the film