The Cisco Kid and Pancho

I want to thank the many of you that wrote me last week questioning why I did not have a column posted. I was in the hospital again having a Heart Cath done to see why I was having severe pains and pressure in the upper left side of my chest. It was found that I have two small arteries on the back, that are cosmetic in nature, totally blocked and one other that was able to be "cleaned out." The other three in the front that do most of the work are OK. More medications are in the process for my time on Earth. I totally appreciate each and every one of you and will, according to a Statler Brothers song, "Go to my Grave Loving You"--Percival

The Cisco Kid was a film, radio, television and comic book series based on the fictional Western character created by O. Henry in his short story "The Caballero's Way," published in 1907, in the collection Heart of the West. Films and television depicted the Cisco Kid as a heroic Mexican caballero, although in O. Henry's original story, he was a non-Hispanic character and a cruel outlaw.

Numerous movies featured the character, beginning in the silent film era with William R. Dunn portraying the Cisco Kid in The Caballero's Way (1914), followed by The Border Terror (1919). Warner Baxter won an Oscar for his portrayal of the Cisco Kid in the early sound film In Old Arizona (1928), directed by Irving Cummings and Raoul Walsh, who was originally slated to play the lead, until a jackrabbit jumping through a windshield cost him an eye while on location.

The movie series, with Cesar Romero in the title role, began with The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939), and Duncan Renaldo took over the reins in 1945 with The Cisco Kid Returns. The Cisco Kid came to radio, however, on October 2, 1942, with Jackson Beck in the title role and Louis Sorin as Pancho. This series continued on Mutual until 1945. It was followed by another Mutual series in 1946, starring Jack Mather and Harry Lang, who continued to head the cast in the syndicated radio series of more than 600 episodes from 1947 to 1956.

Renaldo returned to the role for the popular 156-episode Ziv Television series (1950-1956), notable as one of the first TV series filmed in color. His sidekick, Pancho, was played by Leo Carrillo. Growing up, Renaldo was an orphan and never knew his parents. He emigrated to America in the 1920's and did portrait painting until he was signed by MGM in 1928. He was arrested in 1934 for illegal entry into the United States but was pardoned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and returned to his first love, acting. Although most of his work was done in B-films, Duncan did venture into higher budgeted films like Spawn of the North (1938) and For Whom The Bell Tolls. He was also a producer, writer and director.

The Cisco Kid is featured in movies dating from 1928-1950 and also in a return in the 1994 movie made for television. In the age of black and white television, the show was filmed in color. As the Cisco Kid, Renaldo roamed the Old West on a black and white horse named "Diablo," accompanied by his constant companion "Pancho," played by Leo Carrillo, who rode his horse "Loco." The Cisco Kid always helped where needed, and, unlike most western heroes, he never killed anyone.

Duncan Renaldo illustrated a book of poetry by Moreton B. Price titled Drifter's Dreams. His illustrations are ink sketches of idyllic scenes, primarily seascapes and landscapes.

For his contributions to the television industry, Duncan Renaldo has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in 1980 at age 76 in California.

Although he played stereotypical Latinos, Leo Carrillo was part of an old and respected California family who could trace their roots back to the Conquistadores. His great-great grandfather, José Raimundo Carrillo, was an early Spanish settler . His great-grandfather Carlos Antonio Carrillo was Governor of Alta California from 1837 to 1838, his great-uncle, José Antonio Carrillo, was a three-time mayor of Los Angeles, and his grandfather, Pedro Carrillo, was a writer.

A university graduate, Leo Carrillo worked as a newspaper cartoonist for the San Francisco Examiner before turning to acting on Broadway . In Hollywood, he appeared in more than 90 films, in which he played supporting or character roles. However, he is best remembered from the television show The Cisco Kid, on which he portrayed Pancho, a role he had previously played in several films.

A preservationist and conservationist, Carrillo served on the California Beach and Parks commission for eighteen years and played a key role in the state's acquisition of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the Los Angeles Arboretum, and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. He was eventually made a goodwill ambassador by the State Governor at the time.

As a result of his service to the State, a park on the Pacific Coast Highway was named in his honor, and the city of Westminster, California named an elementary school for him. The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, originally Rancho de los Qiotes, in Carlsbad, California is a registered California Historical Site.

Leo Carrillo died of cancer in 1961 and also has a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I have recently begun to collect the many television series of their work into my computer and will be burning them to DVD to further watch when there is moment in time I want to recapture The Cisco Kid on top of his faithful steed "Diablo," the black and white paint that carried him thru the Old West. I also want to remember Pancho on "Loco" as they ended their program each week with the words "Oh Pancho … Oh Cisco." Then Pancho yelled out, "See you next time," and rode into the sunset in search of another adventure.

Even though they were sometimes portrayed as outlaws and banditos, they never killed anybody on screen and were like Robin Hoods of the Old West. The film industry should take a look at history and follow the examples set forth by the writers of the 50's. I am sure that a lot of good would come of it.

Duncan and Leo, thank you for making my childhood a time filled with good memories. May you both Rest in Peace until we all meet in Heaven again.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree