IRVING CUMMINGS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB. 

USA, 1928.  Fox Film Corporation.  Adaptation and dialogue by Tom Barry, based on the story The Caballero’s Way by O. Henry.  Cinematography by Arthur Edeson.  Production Design by Don B. Greenwood.  Costume Design by Sam Benson.  Film Editing by Louis R. Loeffler.  

Warner Baxter won an Oscar for his ridiculous performance as the Cisco Kid, part lover and part fighter. Baxter is wanted by the law all over, but there’s one particular lawman, a jokester from New York no less, who is on the hunt for him. Conveniently, one woman is in love with both of them, leading to lots of duels in the sun. Creaky editing and overripe performances (a result of awkward microphone techniques of the early talkies) make for a dreadful experience that is only salvageable as a curiousity for movie buffs and Oscar historians.

Academy Award:  Best Actor (Warner Baxter)
Nominations:  Best Picture; Best Director (Irving Cummings); Best Writing; Best Cinematography