In Old California

The gold rush. everyone gets rich! John Wayne had already hit it big in Stagecoach a couple years back. Here, he's Craig, pharmacist from Boston, on is way to Sacramento. His east coast ways don't go over too well here on the rough and ready west coast. Costars regulars Binnie Barnes and Milton Kibbee. The typical good cowboy (pharmacist) against bad cowboy. Patsy Kelly is in here for comedy. and there are comedy bits here and there. Sure, there's a serious storyline here, or actually a bunch of little subplots all over the place. horses galloping along. rootin, tootin, shootin! It's just okay. kind of goes rambling all over. Directed by William McGann, who had started in the silents and worked his way up to director. nominated for "Stolen Life". best part of this is patsy kelly. she's fun.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill Western of the era. John Wayne's performance is wonderful as a confident, strong, educated Pharmacist! Something totally different! Unfortunately the public of the time didn't give him a chance to explore the depths of his acting abilities. They wanted the big, macho shhoot-em-up guy they'd been seeing in all those B Westerns. What a shame! This is a gem of a film! Great cast and lots of fun. There is plenty of action and gun play but also a hero with a brain! Duke was able to pay tribute to his Dad who was a Pharmacist in this well done film. Give it a view!

IN OLD CALIFORNIA is a typical John Wayne outing and one that sees him playing a character a little different from his usual cowboy types. This time around he's a druggist who arrives in town and makes early enemies, as well as allies, before the Californian gold rush enlivens things considerably. This is a somewhat middling film that sees the Duke engaging with a well-developed role, although the plotting is rather long-winded and doesn't really go anywhere very fast.

Boston druggist John Wayne travels to Sacramento to open a drug store. On the way he angers big-shot Albert Dekker, who attempts to blackball Wayne, only to find him partner up with his girlfriend, leading to the inevitable love-triangle, skulduggery, and showdown. One of the minor Wayne westerns cranked out by Republic Pictures in the nineteen-forties, this mild programmer is pleasant enough entertainment, though nothing really to write home about. It could have been a little better. The Duke is a bit softer than usual, in a role that's a lot different than you're used to seeing, that of an educated, suit-wearing gentleman.

Once John Wayne got passed B movies, he moved from hit to hit for the most part. Most of those movies are films people know, Stagecoach, Flying Tigers, Back to Bataan, among others. In Old California doesn't get so well known. But what it is, is an absolutely well crafted western, and in a rare case for me... an authentic feeling romance that does NOT dominate the plot but rather spreads itself subtly through the entire film, complete with a few twists. Everyone's characterization is excellent, from comedic value, to heroes and villains. This is an excellent John Wayne film for anyone who wants to find yet one more to enjoy.

John Wayne's acting range comes through loud and clear on this one. In Old California, Duke's romantic side is on full display. For this there is no better leading lady than Brit Binnie Barnes. The casting was perfect for this one. Albert Dekker played the heavy to perfection. The comic relief was brilliantly played by arguing couple Patsy Kelly and Edgar Kennedy. Good to see the world's first Captain America, DIck Purcell and every town needs a town drunk like Emmett Lynn. Great action and great acting in this classic western.

I really enjoyed this early western. Most of the oaters that came out of the 40s, even the ones honored to have John Wayne in them were not ones to be remembered in years to come as classics. This one is definitely a cut above the cookie cutter variety of that era. John Wayne plays a Boston bred pharmacist who is dapper and very sure of himself when it comes to either being strong and forceful, or brimming with confidence in regards to the ladies. Although there is some of the usual fisticuffs and shootouts, this is not a typical western with multiple gunfights and saloon brawls. Its just a bit more on the civilized side for that early era. Whether your an old time John Wayne fan, or just a wannabe cowpoke like me that longs for the good old days of television when the western was king, I think this is one definitely worth your time to sit a spell for...