In Old Arizona

Plot

In Arizona, a bandit known as the Cisco Kid robs a stagecoach. Word of this deed reaches to Sergeant Micky Dunn, who is tasked by his superior to bring in the Cisco Kid dead or alive, with a $5,000 reward promised once he succeeds. They meet in a barber shop, though Dunn is unaware of the Cisco Kid's true identity and passes him off as a friendly civilian. When he leaves, the local blacksmith tells him that was the Cisco Kid, much to Dunn's chagrin.

The Cisco Kid is in a relationship with Tonia Maria, and visits her often. He loves her, but she has frequent affairs without his knowledge. Dunn and Maria meet each other and begin an affair. Dunn tells Maria that once he takes down the Cisco Kid, he will give the $5,000 reward to Maria, making her fall in love with him. They express their love for each other while the Cisco Kid secretly watches and listens nearby, learning of her betrayal.

She writes a secret letter to Dunn telling him to come that evening to take down the Cisco Kid before he makes his escape. However, the Cisco Kid finds this letter and replaces it with a fake letter "from Maria" which he has written himself. His letter says that he will be dressed up in Maria's clothes in an effort to disguise himself from Dunn, while Maria is actually in the Cisco Kid's clothes riding away. Dunn receives this fake letter, believing it to be from Maria. When the Cisco Kid leaves her house, Dunn shoots Maria, believing her to be the Cisco Kid in disguise. Now farther away, the Cisco Kid laments that "[Maria's] flirting days are over, and she can finally settle down". He then makes his escape.

Cast

• Warner Baxter as the Cisco Kid
• Edmund Lowe as Sergeant Mickey Dunn
• Dorothy Burgess as Tonia Maria

Production

Music

The film features a theme song entitled "My Tonia" which was composed by B. G. De Sylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson.

Awards and nominations

At the 2nd Academy Awards, the film won Best Actor for Warner Baxter's performance and was nominated for four other awards—Outstanding Picture; Best Writing (Tom Barry)—tied for most nominations of the year with The Patriot; and Best Cinematography (Arthur Edeson).

The February 2020 issue of New York magazine lists In Old Arizona as among "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars".

Preservation

The Academy Film Archive preserved In Old Arizona in 2004.

Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, this movie entered the public domain on January 1, 2024.

References

References

1. (1938). "The All Time Best Sellers". Quigley Publishing Company.
2. "In Old Arizona". AFI.
3. Varner, Paul. (2009). "The A to Z of Westerns in Cinema". Scarecrow Press.
4. "Public Domain Day 2024 | Duke University School of Law".
5. "Raoul Walsh {{!}} American Film Director & Actor {{!}} Britannica".
6. "The 2nd Academy Awards (1930) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org.
7. "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars".
8. "Preserved Projects". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
9. "Public Domain Day 2024 | Duke University School of Law".