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      The Kissing Bandit

      Released Nov 18, 1948 1h 42m Musical Comedy List
      Reviews 38% Audience Score 250+ Ratings In the 19th century, Ricardo (Frank Sinatra) is a hotel keeper in Spanish-ruled California. But his father did something decidedly different, once masquerading as an outlaw called the "Kissing Bandit" because he planted a smooch on women after robbing them. Ricardo doesn't know this, though, until his dad's former partner, Chico (J. Carrol Naish), finds the young man and tells him the story, eventually getting Ricardo to follow in his dad's footsteps and become an outlaw. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Nov 21 Buy Now

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This one goes down as Frank Sinatra's worst movie. Rated: C Oct 26, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Ronald F The movie was a box office disappointment in 1948, but 75 years later, it has a certain nostalgia for the movie buff. It has a very good cast with cameo roles of some of the biggest stars of MGM before they were stars, including Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, and Ricardo Montalbon. And J. Carol Naish and Mildred Natwick steal the show. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/06/23 Full Review Kye R 3RD BEST MOVIE IVE EVER SEEN!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Every man needs a woman to inspire him. Ricardo has left his family in Mexico to go to college in Boston and make an honest living. Unfortunately, his family makes him come back to Mexico after his father dies and pick up the family business...as the kissing bandit. Ricardo reluctantly begins the family business with the help of a family friend. "You think I enjoy meeting a man like you?" Laslo Benedek, director of The Wild One; Death of a Salesman, Namu, The Killer Whale; The Night Visitor; Sons, Mother, and a General; and Affair in Havana, delivers The Kissing Bandit. The storyline for this picture is just okay but the characters are fun and the film concludes well. The acting is awesome and the cast includes Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, J. Carrol Naish, and Mildred Natwick. "What are you, you ugly man?" I randomly came across this some time ago on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and had to DVR it. I love Sinatra and this was a fun movie from his youth. This wasn't an overly serious movie, and has some good comedic lines; but overall, this is just an average addition to the genre. "Kissing is the best part of the job." Grade: C+ Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Pretty awful and actually very insulting Frank Sinatra musical vehicle where old blue eyes plays a latino. Even if you can get by or forgive the Hollywood practice of this era of Anglo stars playing ethnic parts, it's still not a very good film. Frank plays a goofy kid who is the son of the the infamous Kissing Bandit. She's supposed to take over for his father, but Frank was raised in Boston and can't even ride a horse. Unfunny comedy ensures, followed by unmemorable musical numbers (and I do count myself as a fan of Sinatra). The only reason I watched this film is my current obsession with Ricardo Montalban, who ended up only playing "Fiesta Specialty Dancer." The film does feature the great Cyd Charisse, but there really isn't a whole lot to recommend about this film. I suppose it's probably only for Sinatra die-hards or for Ricardo Montalban completionists like myself. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The MGM musical that everybody loves to hate actually has some highlights: Grayson sings the standard "Love Is Where You Find It," Broadway dancer Sono Osato makes a rare screen appearance dancing with a whip, and - best of all - Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller do the "Dance of Fury." Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member one of the silliest musicals ever made even its star frank sinatra used 2 joke about how bad it was/is. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Kissing Bandit

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the 19th century, Ricardo (Frank Sinatra) is a hotel keeper in Spanish-ruled California. But his father did something decidedly different, once masquerading as an outlaw called the "Kissing Bandit" because he planted a smooch on women after robbing them. Ricardo doesn't know this, though, until his dad's former partner, Chico (J. Carrol Naish), finds the young man and tells him the story, eventually getting Ricardo to follow in his dad's footsteps and become an outlaw.
      Director
      Laslo Benedek
      Production Co
      Metro Goldwyn Mayer
      Genre
      Musical, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 18, 1948, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 19, 2015
      Runtime
      1h 42m
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