The Kissing Bandit (1948)

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(416 ratings)

In this period musical, Ricardo (Frank Sinatra) is the son of a Mexican innkeeper who has come to California to take over a hotel owned by his family after the death of his father. Ricardo makes the startling discovery that his father was best known as a "kissing bandit," a dashing thief who… More In this period musical, Ricardo (Frank Sinatra) is the son of a Mexican innkeeper who has come to California to take over a hotel owned by his family after the death of his father. Ricardo makes the startling discovery that his father was best known as a "kissing bandit," a dashing thief who aptitude for crime was matched by his gift for romancing the ladies. When tax collectors from Spain begin to overrun his homeland, Ricardo decides to follow in his father's footsteps, liberating the taxmen's ill-gotten gains and winning the heart of Teresa (Kathryn Grayson), the governor's daughter. Also starring J. Carrol Naish, Billy Gilbert and Mildred Natwick, The Kissing Bandit also features the fancy footwork of Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, and Cyd Charisse, who appear as specialty dancers in the production numbers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Laslo Benedek
Written By: Isobel Lennart
Genres: Western, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 18, 1948 Wide
On DVD: May 13, 2008

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Has the MGM sheen but is severely lacking in the story department. Silly script sinks the picture although there is an excellent specialty number with Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse and Ricardo Montalban. Mildred Natwick is enjoyable in a small role in support.and Kathryn Grayson is in fine… More
Has the MGM sheen but is severely lacking in the story department. Silly script sinks the picture although there is an excellent specialty number with Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse and Ricardo Montalban. Mildred Natwick is enjoyable in a small role in support.and Kathryn Grayson is in fine voice but this is the type of film that effectively killed Sinatra's career before he managed to come back with From Here to Eternity.