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' 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