Duncan Renaldo (1904-1980) was a film and television star from Romania. He emigrated from Europe in the 1920s, and began working in entertainment in 1928. He was best known for his role in western films, particularly for his role as The Cisco Kid, a character he played in twelve films and in 156 television episodes. Cisco and his sidekick Pancho (played by Leo Carrillo) traveled the West righting wrongs and fighting injustice wherever they found it. The Cisco Kid character was the creation of short story writer O. Henry, who had written stories about The Kid’s adventures 50 years before he was seen on television from 1950 to 1956. In the O. Henry stories, Cisco was a bandito, but he became a hero when he was first seen in several silent films in the 1920s.
Additional content for this collection can be found in the "Inventory for collection."
Duncan Renaldo and William Boyd holding American flag, ca. 1950
William Boyd played the popular western character "Hopalong Cassidy."
The Cisco Kid astride his rearing horse Diablo, ca. 1950
The Cisco Kid with his horse Diablo, ca. 1950
Portrait of Duncan Renaldo as The Cisco Kid, ca. 1950
Duncan Renaldo as The Cisco Kid advertising IGA milk, ca. 1950
Cisco Kid products, ca. 1950
The display contains various "Cisco Kid" toys, books, and clothing.
Young girl wearing Cisco Kid branded attire, ca. 1950
The Cisco Kid advertising Farm Crest Cuban Spice mix at a display of Farm Crest products in Detroit, Michigan, ca. 1950
Men dressed in kerchiefs and sombreros next to display for Cisco Kid radio show, ca. 1955
Advertising for a new Cisco Kid radio show to be aired in Detroit, Michigan, sponsored by Farm Crest.
Duncan Renaldo with a Maasai tribesman, 1931
Renaldo became fascinated by the Maasai tribe whom he met in Africa while filming Trader Horn in 1931.