Ride on Vaquero

Cesar Romero is the Cisco Kid in the sixth and last of his appearances as the bandito. He's in the brig, but Colonel Paul Harvey cuts him a deal: if Cisco will escape and investigate a gang, there'll be a pardon if he's successful. At first he says no. When it turns out to be a kidnapping ring and they're holding an old friend of his, he agrees, takes the Colonel's guns, frees Chris-Pin Martin as Pancho and off they go, pursued and pursuing.

It's not the best of Romero's Cisco Kid Bs for 20th Century-Fox, but it's short and picks up steam, when Cisco runs into Mary Beth Hughes (for the second time in the series). As always, Pancho's simple greed and bloodthirstiness are funny, no effort is made to cast against type, and Ben Carter, Mantan Moreland's old stage partner, is very funny in an underplayed role.

The Cisco Kid's in trouble again - and this time, before he even steps on the screen! His saloon singer girlfriend, Mary Beth Hughes (who was also seen as a saloon floozy in Lucky Cisco Kid) turns in The Cisco Kid for a reward to the sheriff. But, when she tries to tell them the famous bandit is Cesar Romero, he's already smelled the whiff of trouble and taken off with his faithful sidekick Gordito (Chris-Pin Martin).

The rest of the movie is a series of near-misses of Cesar's true identity getting found out. Even though he's more of a Robin Hood than a real bandit, his face still graces the Wanted posters. In a funny segment, they try to lure out the Cisco Kid through a dance auction. Whoever bids the highest wins a dance with Mary Beth; Cesar also gets to show off his ballroom training in this movie! As the title suggests, Cesar and Chris-Pin have to keep riding on - I think. So, even though Cesar's good-natured and doesn't hold a grudge against Mary Beth, don't hold your breath to see her in the next installment in the series. Unfortunately, you won't get to see Cesar himself in the next installment, either. It's time to pass the baton again. Before Cesar it was Warner Baxter, and for the next three Cisco Kid movies Duncan Renaldo takes over. It was a fun six movies while it lasted. And Ride on Vaquero certainly gives him a fun send-off.

This is just an okay outing for Cesar Romero as 'The Cisco Kid'. I say okay because it's the last appearance by Romero as the character...and I wanted more! Also, unfortunately, instead of punching folks in the face or shooting his enemies, this time you find the Kid dancing...a lot!

When the film begins, Cisco is captured by the US Army and the Commander has an interesting proposition--that Cisco should work for the government to find out who's behind a string of kidnappings. But, to do this, they have to make it look like Cisco and Gordito escape from prison...which soon occurs. What follows is a lot of romancing and dancing and the like.

This isn't a bad film, as it's hard to imagine Romero ever making a bad film because he's such a likable actor. But there isn't a lot of depth to this one and it's sad that this is Romero's swan song to the franchise...he could have been given better material.

With Ride On Vaquero Cesar Romero said farewell to playing the Cisco Kid for 20th Century Fox. He did all together six films as O'Henry's famous outlaw. As always the accent is on romance and charm and Romero's use of both to get himself and out of trouble.

But with what happens to him in the beginning of the film Romero is ready to give up women. During a rendezvous with a pretty girl soldiers break in and arrest him and his ever faithful Sancho Panza Chris-Pin Martin.

While in jail the army colonel Paul Harvey offers him a Dirty Dozen type deal. In a nearby town some prominent local citizens are being kidnapped and one of them is the son of an old friend. Romero jumps at that deal as it involves a pardon.

Of course in the town Romero meets up with another old flame Mary Beth Hughes who were never quite sure of because she did not like having him run out on her. As for the kidnappers they prove to be some of the town's most solid citizens.

Ride On Vaquero offers his fans a chance to see Cesar Romero as dancer. He started out as a dancer and no doubt could have done musicals full time. Romero and Mary Beth Hughes are an attractive pair entertaining the denizens of the saloon she entertains at.

Warner Baxter, Cesar Romero, Gilbert Roland, and Duncan Renaldo each offered a different Cisco Kid interpretation. I think a lot will agree that Romero's is a smooth and charming one.