The Cisco Kid Returns *** (1945, Duncan Renaldo, Martin Garralaga, Roger Pryor) – Classic Movie Review 8287

Director John P McCarthy’s 1944 Western The Cisco Kid Returns stars Duncan Renaldo as ‘O Henry’s famous Robin Hood of the Old West’ in the first of his series of Cisco Kid films with Martin Garralga as his sidekick Pancho at poverty row Monogram Pictures studios.

In Betty Burbridge’s screenplay, Cisco saves the heroine Rosita Gonzales (Cecilia Callejo) from marrying the villain John Harris (Roger Pryor) by saying that he is married to her and showing a child (Sharon Smith) he has borrowed for the occasion.

But, when Cisco wants to give back the kid, he finds her dad (Walter Clinton) has been shot dead as part of a money-grabbing plot. And next, Cisco is accused of abducting the child.

Renaldo as The Cisco Kid and Martin Garralga as his sidekick Pancho are a notable duo, sharing good chemistry, but, though busily plotted, the tale is more than a little lumpy and far fetched, making the fast-moving film seem a bit faded.

Also in the cast are Anthony Warde, Fritz Leiber, Vicki Lane, Jan Wiley, Walter Clinton, Sharon Smith, Cy Kendall, Eva Puig, Bob Duncan, Bud Osborne, Elmer Napier, Carl Mathews, Jerry Shields, Neyle Marx and Cedric Stevens.

Released on 3 April 1945, it is the first of three Renaldo-Garralga Cisco Kid films made that year, followed by the 15 May 1945 release of The Cisco Kid in Old New Mexico.

It is revealed here that Cisco’s real name is Juan Francisco Hernandez.

It is director John P McCarthy’s final film of 48.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8287

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