Hollywood’s First Outdoor Talkie Western

On the 20^th of January 1929, the movie In Old Arizona was released on the wide cinema screen. This American Western directed by Irving Cummings and Raoul Walsh prides itself in being the first major feature film to use the new technology of sound whilst being filmed in outdoor locations. Although its plot, acting and visuals were far from perfect, the film is remembered for simply being an early example of technical innovation in moviemaking.

The film made extensive use of natural settings, filming in Bryce Canyon National Park, ion National Park in Utah and the San Fernando Mission and the Mojave Desert in California. It was also amongst the first in developing the image of the singing cowboy, based on the character of the Cisco Kid from the short story The Caballero’s Way by O. Henry. Its tale revolves around Cisco, a jolly caballero (knight or