In Old Arizona

Plot

Army Sergeant Mickey Dunn is dispatched to the Arizona territory to capture the Cisco Kid, a charismatic and notoriously charming bandit who has been terrorizing the region. The Cisco Kid, unaware that his beloved Tonia is unfaithful, spends his ill-gotten gains lavishly on her, believing her to be his devoted sweetheart. While the Kid is away on his criminal enterprises, Tonia becomes entangled with Dunn, seduced by the substantial reward offered for the Cisco Kid's capture—dead or alive. The two lovers conspire to ambush and eliminate the Cisco Kid upon his return, with Tonia agreeing to lure him into a trap. In a climactic confrontation, the Cisco Kid discovers Tonia's betrayal and Dunn's treachery, leading to a dramatic showdown in the desert. The film concludes with the Cisco Kid outwitting his adversaries and escaping, leaving behind the treacherous couple to face their own fate.

Historical Background

The production and release of 'In Old Arizona' occurred during a pivotal moment in cinema history—the transition from silent films to 'talkies.' 1928-1929 represented the death knell for silent cinema, as studios rapidly converted to sound technology despite enormous costs and technical challenges. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred just months after the film's release, heralding the Great Depression that would dramatically affect the film industry and American society. The Western genre, which had flourished in the silent era, faced an uncertain future as early sound films were often constrained to studio sets due to audio recording limitations. 'In Old Arizona' proved that Westerns could successfully adapt to sound while maintaining their outdoor appeal, helping preserve the genre during this transitional period.

Making Of

The production of 'In Old Arizona' was marked by dramatic circumstances and technical innovation. Originally, Raoul Walsh was set to both direct and star as the Cisco Kid, having already begun filming some scenes. However, tragedy struck when Walsh was involved in a serious car accident while traveling to the Utah location, resulting in the loss of his right eye and forcing him to withdraw from the project entirely. Irving Cummings was brought in as director, while Warner Baxter, who had been playing second lead, was promoted to the starring role. The technical challenges of recording sound on location were immense; the production team had to haul bulky, primitive audio equipment through rugged terrain, often dealing with wind, wildlife sounds, and other environmental obstacles that could ruin takes. Despite these challenges, the production succeeded in creating a naturalistic outdoor sound film that proved the viability of location shooting in the sound era.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'In Old Arizona' was groundbreaking for its time, representing a successful marriage of location shooting with the new demands of sound recording. Director of Photography Arthur Edeson utilized the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon and Yosemite National Park to create stunning visual compositions that enhanced the Western setting while accommodating the technical constraints of early sound equipment. The camera work shows a transitional aesthetic, retaining some of the grandeur and sweeping movements of late silent cinema while adapting to the more static positioning required by primitive microphones. Edeson employed natural lighting to great effect, particularly in the desert scenes where the harsh sunlight created dramatic contrasts that emphasized the rugged landscape.

Innovations

'In Old Arizona' represents several major technical achievements in cinema history, most notably as one of the first successful sound films shot primarily on location. The production team overcame enormous challenges in recording clear dialogue in outdoor environments, developing innovative solutions for wind noise, microphone placement, and sound-proofing that would influence subsequent location filming. The film demonstrated that the bulky and fragile sound recording equipment of the era could be transported and operated in remote locations, expanding the creative possibilities for filmmakers. The synchronization of audio and visual elements in outdoor settings proved particularly challenging, requiring precise timing and coordination between actors, camera operators, and sound technicians.

Music

The musical score for 'In Old Arizona' was composed by R.H. Bassett, who created a soundtrack that blended traditional Western themes with the emerging conventions of early sound film scoring. The music incorporated Mexican and Spanish-influenced melodies appropriate to the Cisco Kid character, establishing a musical template that would influence countless subsequent Western films. As one of the early sound films, the movie utilized both diegetic music (music within the story) and non-diegetic scoring to enhance emotional impact and narrative development. The soundtrack featured several musical numbers performed by the cast, including songs that helped establish the Cisco Kid's charming personality and romantic nature.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the Cisco Kid is introduced robbing a stagecoach with charm and wit, establishing his character as a gentleman bandit rather than a common criminal.
• The romantic scene between the Cisco Kid and Tonia where he showers her with gifts and declarations of love, oblivious to her treacherous nature.
• The tense confrontation between Sergeant Dunn and Tonia as they plot the ambush of the Cisco Kid, revealing their mutual attraction and shared greed.
• The climactic desert showdown where the Cisco Kid discovers the betrayal and outwits both his enemies in a dramatic display of cunning and marksmanship.
• The final scene where the Cisco Kid rides off into the sunset, having escaped his pursuers and left the treacherous couple to their fate, cementing his status as an enduring Western hero.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics hailed 'In Old Arizona' as a triumph of the new sound technology and a significant achievement for the Western genre. The New York Times praised its 'natural outdoor effects' and noted that the dialogue 'never seems forced or artificial'—high praise for an early sound film. Variety particularly commended Warner Baxter's performance, calling it 'a masterful creation' that 'captures the essence of the roguish bandit.' The film's technical achievement of recording clear dialogue on location was widely noted and admired, with many critics expressing surprise at the audio quality achieved in outdoor settings. Modern critics and film historians view the movie as a landmark in both the Western genre and the transition to sound, though some note that the acting style still retains some of the theatricality of the silent era.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences embraced 'In Old Arizona' with enthusiasm, making it one of the most popular films of 1929 and a significant box office success for Fox Film Corporation. The combination of Western action, romance, and the novelty of clear outdoor sound recording proved irresistible to moviegoers hungry for the new 'talkie' experience. Warner Baxter's charismatic performance as the Cisco Kid resonated with viewers, making him an instant star and fan favorite. The film's success was particularly notable given that many early sound films had struggled to find audiences due to technical limitations and stilted dialogue. The Cisco Kid's charming roguery and the film's blend of humor, action, and romance appealed to a broad demographic, helping to establish the character as a beloved figure in popular culture.

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