Fresh and Exciting

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Frank Sinatra was a wonderful performer, and made some good films where he shone in. 'The Kissing Bandit' is not one of them in either case.'The Kissing Bandit' is not unsalvageable by all means. The production values are as lavish as can be, with particularly beautiful photography that clearly loves Kathryn Grayson. It has one great song in "Love is Where You Find It", the one song that's truly memorable and the only one to stir any genuine emotion where Grayson sings her heart out and digs deep into the soul to deliver the impact needed.The other highlight is the electric dance number "Dance of Fury" with Cyd Charisse, Riccardo Montalban and Ann Miller, the most energetic the film gets and the highlight of the film. There are three good supporting performances, those of Mildred Natwick, Billy Gilbert and particularly J. Carroll Naish.Sinatra however is ill at ease and looks miserable throughout, it was abundantly clear that he didn't want to make 'The Kissing Bandit' and although he would constantly joke about it being his low-point one can't help thinking that he was actually being serious. He does sing as mellifluously as ever and his phrasing and breath control are impeccable. Grayson shines in "Love is Where You Find It", but she has performed with much more charm and spark as well as being in better voice elsewhere that suited her operatic voice far better. The two generate very little chemistry together, and due to their two different singing styles they don't blend and at odds stylistically and vocally. Montalban shines only in "Dance of Fury", he has little to do in the rest of the film.Worst thing about 'The Kissing Bandit' is the daft, paper thin which makes the film drag badly story which meanders all over the place. The script is similarly witless, while the direction is far too stolid, only coming to life properly in "Dance of Fury". "Love is Where You Find It" aside, the songs and music are at best very forgettable, no matter how well Sinatra sings it "Siesta" is particularly mundane.All in all, Sinatra's worst and easy to see why it was such a major flop. 4/10 Bethany Cox

The Kissing Bandit (1948) * 1/2 (out of 4) Chico (J. Carrol Naish) has Ricardo (Frank Sinatra) come to Mexico because it turns out that he's the son of the infamous Kissing Bandit. Chico plans on taking the guy, who has been staying in Boston, and turning him into the next Kissing Bandit to steal more than just the heart from Teresa (Kathryn Grayson) but Ricardo has other ideas.THE KISSING BANDIT is apparently a film that Sinatra hated making and it's pretty obvious that this film simply wasn't meant for him. While going through some Sinatra pictures on Turner Classic Movies, host Robert Osborne made some good comments about the legends early days at MGM. Instead of playing off his image and music, MGM instead decided to make Sinatra play nerdy roles where the characters didn't know how to speak to women and usually made a fool of themselves. With these types of roles it's easy to see why Sinatra's career would pretty much crumble before being rescued with FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.As for THE KISSING BANDIT, it's pretty darn bad on several levels but we can start with Sinatra who is downright awful here. Why on Earth anyone would think this would be a good role for him is just mind-blowing and you have to wonder if someone in MGM's office really wanted to kill his career with this film. Playing a Mexican bandit is just downright stupid and especially with there being no attempt for even an accent. It's also clear that Sinatra isn't giving the character much effort but I guess we can't blame him.Naish and Grayson are both good in their roles and I'd argue that the Technicolor is quite good and at least gives us some pretty stuff to look at. With that being said, the rest of THE KISSING BANDIT is rather bad with some really boring dance numbers and all of the songs are rather forgettable. One has to wonder what Sinatra thought about singing these things.THE KISSING BANDIT is a film Sinatra hated and it's easy to see why.

A klutzy young man returns West after being schooled in the hotel business via Boston; he quickly learns his friends in Spanish-colonized Old California expect him to fill his deceased father's shoes instead--that of a romantic thief known for kissing his female victims after robbing them. Colorful but silly M-G-M production has a great deal of talent before and behind the camera, but it never takes off. This might have been fun, second-string material for Abbott & Costello, but Frank Sinatra looks lost and embarrassed in the lead. Combination of raucous comedy and musical interludes are hindered by the poor staging (Sinatra is photographed singing at one point in a mirror, but one doesn't concentrate on his performance so much as noticing how odd the star appears reflected in this way!). Kathryn Grayson is the Governor's daughter who falls for Frank, and her high soprano trilling turns her singing scenes into self-parody. Aside from Robert Surtees' cinematography and the decent art direction, this "Bandit" remains kissless. * from ****

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.