Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified people during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store in October, 1953. The store had just completed a $100,000 expansion project which included a new children's department. Mr. Renaldo was asked to attend the grand opening of the newly refurbished B&I; his appearance drew 75,000 shoppers in one day. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Television star Duncan Renaldo seems to give a warm greeting to one of his many fans during his appearance at the B&I Circus store on October 24, 1953. Best known for his work as the "Cisco Kid" in both movies and television, Mr. Renaldo was stranded in the United States when the Brazilian ship on which he was employed burned in the early 1920's. He moved into the field of film production and then into acting, with some of his early roles in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" (1929) and "Trader Horn" (1931). Because there was some confusion as to the legality of his entry into the United States, he was imprisoned at McNeil Island for about a year in the early 1930's. He was eventually pardoned by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-1980--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with a group of unidentified women during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The store was celebrating its $100,000 expansion on Saturday, October 24, 1953, with the exclusive public appearance of Mr. Renaldo who had flown to Washington on a West Coast Airlines DC 6-B. A full page ad in the News Tribune on October 23rd promoted Mr. Renaldo's visit heavily and also thanked the television show's sponsors, Mission Macaroni and Sunny Jim peanut butter, for relinquishing previous claims on Mr. Renaldo's time so that he could appear at the B&I. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Actors--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with three children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store. The actor's appearance on October 24, 1953, was in conjunction with the $100,000 expansion of the store, which included an entirely new children's department. In his exclusive public appearance, Mr. Renaldo gave free autographed pictures to all children accompanied by their parents. The pictures featured "The Cisco Kid" and his famous horse, "Diablo." Two of the children posed with Mr. Renaldo carry on his Western theme; they are dressed in (cowboy) boots, jeans, and the little girl is wearing a cowboy hat. A full page ad promoting Mr. Renaldo's visit also indicated that holster gun sets on sale at $2.98, cowboy hats at $1.17 and "Cisco" comic books at a mere dime apiece. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," spreads his arms out wide as he poses with one woman and seven children during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the B&I Circus Store on October 24, 1953. Since the B&I was publicizing the opening of a brand new children's department, a part of its $100,000 expansion, perhaps some of the children dressed in Western garb had purchased apparel there. Cowboy hats were on sale for $1.17, holster gun sets for $2.98, and cowboy boots for $3.97. Should the waiting for the promised autographed pictures of the television and movie star make the kids hungry, they could have purchased a yard long hotdog (said to be 36 inches long) for 97 cents. (TNT 10-23-53, D-1, Ad) ALBUM 7. TPL-9105

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

One of the B&I 's flamboyant publicity stunts brought actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," to Tacoma in October, 1953. Here he poses with B&I Circus Store owner Earl (E.L.) Irwin, his wife Constance, and children Mary Lou and Ron. Opened in 1946 by Leo Bradshaw & Earl Irwin (hence the "B&I"), the store originally offered war surplus goods and hardware. Irwin bought out Bradshaw and increased the size and offerings of the complex, publicizing it with outrageous stunts such as a circus, wild animals and a quarter of a million pounds of ice in a guessing contest. The crowds poured in. Earl Irwin died in 1973 at the age of 64 and Constance and his children continued to run the business. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.--Family; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, Constance; Irwin, Mary Lou; Irwin, Ron;

Actor Duncan Renaldo, TV's "The Cisco Kid," poses with B&I Circus Store owner E.L. Irwin, second from left, and Mr. Irwin's wife Constance during a visit to Tacoma sponsored by the store in October, 1953. Mr. Irwin has donned Mr. Renaldo's trademark sombrero for this photograph. Over 75.000 adults and kids crowded the area to see the star and receive an autographed picture. ALBUM 7.

Renaldo, Duncan, 1904-80--Public appearances; Irwin, E.L.; Irwin, Constance; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);