The Kissing Bandit

Ricardo rides from Boston to California to inherit what he believes was his deceased father's innkeeping job. He soon discovers the inn operates as a front for a criminal scheme known as The Kissing Bandit. Chico, the former sidekick, steps in to mentor him and turn him into the new bandit.

In the governor's district, Teresa, the governor's daughter, is escorted back to the governor's residence. Chico and Ricardo rob Teresa's carriage to test Ricardo's loyalty and to establish the bandit's reputation.

During the escape from the carriage theft, Ricardo falls off a cliff. He encounters Teresa, and the sight of her triggers an instant, though unspoken, romance; he is too frightened to kiss her.

Ricardo goes to the governor's mansion and serenades Teresa from beneath her balcony, declaring his feelings. The guards open fire, but Chico arrives to save him. He learns that romantic commitment cannot be part of a bandit's life.

Chico arranges for Bianca, a sex worker, to seduce Ricardo as a test of his resolve. Bianca performs a dramatic dance with a bullwhip and invites a kiss, but Ricardo recoils, muttering that he must put a flower in some water.

Count Belmonte arrives at the inn with General Torro. He catches Ricardo and Chico trying to plunder his luggage, triggering a swordfight that Torro mostly sleeps through. The two bandits manage to tie up Belmonte and Torro.

Colonel Gomez arrives at the inn to search for the Kissing Bandit, but he learns that Belmonte and Torro are staying there and are all tied up, so he heads back to inform the governor.

Ricardo finds a letter of introduction to the King in Belmonte's luggage and decides that he and Chico will visit the governor's mansion posing as Belmonte and Torro.

At the governor's mansion, Ricardo and Chico are welcomed as Belmonte and Torro. Teresa recognizes Ricardo but says nothing, later confronting him privately about why he did not kiss her.

Chico is planning to raid the governor's stockpile of taxes, while Ricardo receives a pep talk about keeping romance separate from the bandit's life. During a siesta, Ricardo attempts to shoo a fly, underscoring the tension and distraction.

At a fiesta in their honor, Ricardo recalls that his father abducted his mother and resolves to abduct Teresa to prove his sincerity. Teresa reacts positively to the idea, which pleases her.

A social dance unfolds in the courtyard as the crowd distracts itself with the Señorita. Chico uses the moment to raid the governor's riches, while Ricardo contemplates marrying Teresa and wonders about the consequences. Chico reminds him that this is a bandit's life.

The real Belmonte and Torro arrive and identify Ricardo and Chico, who are immediately arrested and slated to be executed at dawn. Gomez visits them in jail, and they outwit him, escaping and imprisoning Gomez in their cell.

Belmonte attempts to seduce Teresa but is interrupted by Ricardo, who fights and defeats him.

Fed up with the bandit life, Ricardo plans to return to Boston and relinquish his title. Teresa appears at his balcony and urges him to stay. He confesses that he was never a true bandit and had nothing to inherit, then kisses her, leaving Teresa fainting and the question lingering: is he the Kissing Bandit after all?