Warner Baxter, ‘In Old Arizona’ (1928)
Advertised as the first all-talking Western, In Old Arizona is about a charming bandit who plays cat-and-mouse with the sheriff who’s trying to catch him, all while romancing a local beauty.
The movie may have historical significance, but not an artistic one.
Warner Baxter created the genre staple of the singing cowboy in a charming, but cartoonish performance as a Mexican outlaw.
My Oscar Book:
It’s a mediocre performance, especially when compared to that of the previous winner, Emil Jannings, for his tour-de-force performances on both The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh.
Warner Baxter was far more deserving for his role as the desperate producer in the 1933 musical, 42St Street, which earned Best Picture nomination, but no actors of the large ensemble were selected by the Academy.
