Republic Pictures
Not part of a collection.
In Old California
Torn from the pages of America's most reckless era-THE UNFORGETTABLE GOLD RUSH DAYS!
Boston pharmacist Tom Craig comes to Sacramento, where he runs afoul of local political boss Britt Dawson, who exacts protection payment from the citizenry. Dawson frames Craig with poisoned medicine, but Craig redeems himself during a Gold Rush epidemic.
- Original title
- In Old California
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
CinemaSerf
Feb 15, 2025 · via TMDB
After a bit of an altercation on the steamboat, “Craig” (John Wayne) arrives in the burgeoning town of Sacramento to set up his pharmacy. He’s no quack, but can’t find premises. Luckily, the lady who was the source of an earlier drenching steps up and agrees to rent him a shop next to her bar. “Lacey” (Binnie Barnes) sees opportunities galore in this broad-shouldered young man but those are not shared by her beau, the town’s self-appointed boss “Britt” (Albert Dekker). What now ensues follows a predicable pattern as it builds to its conclusion, but along the way there is some decent chemistry between a charismatic Wayne and Barnes and plenty of mischief. It’s tightly cast with a few familiar faces to pep up the story as the shenanigans take shape and as our visitor demonstrates just how effective bending a nickel between your fingers can be at conflict management. The production is all very routine but some effort has gone into the look of the film and the writing even manages a little spirit now and again too. Perhaps there are one too many songs, but I still quite enjoyed this lively gold-rush pioneering adventure.
John Chard
May 4, 2017 · via TMDB
Sweet singing coyotes. Tall and elegant pharmacist Tom Craig comes to Sacramento to open up his own drug store. On route he incurs the wrath of bully boy Britt Dawson, who doesn't take kindly to his Bostonian manners, however Dawson's girl Lacey Miller does, and along with newly acquired friend Kegs McKeever, Tom has the foundation to see his plans thru to fruition, but Dawson and his loose cannon younger brother are determined to get in the way. This is one of those films that the John Wayne haters should seek out when they use the argument that he always played the same characters. Here he is far from macho, for sure he will be forced to branch out and defend what's right, but his Tom Craig here is gentile and full of grace, very much a gentleman thank you very much. Plot wise we are treated to standard fare, good guys and bad guys just don't get on, and you just know that some pretty dames are going to have a say in proceedings. Yet this piece really has much more going for it, it's sense of fun, courtesy mainly of Edgar Kennedy and Patsy Kelly's blossoming relationship, the advancement of drugs to cure the sick and it's back drop of the Sacremento gold rush, all of it comes together to totally satisfy come the final credits. 7.5/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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John Wayne
Tom Craig
Binnie Barnes
Lacey Miller
Albert Dekker
Britt Dawson
Helen Parrish
Ellen Sanford
Patsy Kelly
Helga
Edgar Kennedy
Kegs McKeever
Dick Purcell
Joe Dawson
Harry Shannon
Mr. Carlin
Charles Halton
Mr. Hayes
Emmett Lynn
Whitey
Robert McKenzie
Mr. Bates (as Bob McKenzie)
Milton Kibbee
Ezra Tompkins
Paul Sutton
Chick - Dawson's henchman
Richard Alexander
Clem - Dawson's Henchman (uncredited)
Jessie Arnold
Worried Woman
Hooper Atchley
Higgins
Stanley Blystone
San Francisco Deputy
Rudy Bowman
Townsman
Ed Brady
Angry Citizen in Lynch Mob
Frank Brownlee
Man on Street
Nora Bush
Townswoman
Horace B. Carpenter
Townsman
Lynne Carver
Undetermined Minor Role
Chester Conklin
Undetermined Minor Role
Jim Corey
Shorty
Wade Crosby
San Francisco Bartender
Donald Curtis
Pike - Dawson's Henchman
Tex Driscoll
Townsman
Frank Ellis
Wagon Driver
Fern Emmett
Mrs. Coggins
Esther Estrella
Maria Alvarez
Jim Farley
Angry Citizen in Lynch Mob
Martin Faust
Miner
Martín Garralaga
Señor Alvarez
H.W. Gim
Townsman
Dorothy Granger
Girl in First Saloon
Karl Hackett
Charlie - Wagon Owner
Frank Hagney
Angry Citizen in Lynch Mob (uncredited)
Robert Homans
Marshal Alvin Thompson
Olin Howland
Undetermined Minor Role
Lew Kelly
Forty-Niner
Jack Kirk
Wagon Driver on Run
Rex Lease
Gold Strike Rider
George Lloyd
San Francisco Sheriff
Eric Mayne
Townsman
Mathew McCue
Townsman
Frank McGlynn Sr.
Undetermined Minor Role
Joe McGuinn
Deputy
Robert Milasch
Townsman
Carl Miller
Saloon Patron
Frank Mills
Loudmouthed Oaf (uncredited)
Art Mix
Undetermined Minor Role
James C. Morton
Red - Sacramento Bartender
Charles Murphy
Saloon Patron
Bill Nestell
Townsman
Frank O'Connor
Bystander on Riverboat
Jack O'Shea
Saloon Patron
Bud Osborne
Undetermined Minor Role
Jack Perry
Townsman
Ralph Peters
Undetermined Minor Role
Tex Phelps
Townsman
Bob Reeves
Townsman
Forrest Taylor
Man in Saloon with Carlin
Harry Tenbrook
Saloon Waiter
Harry Tyler
Huckster
Minerva Urecal
Mrs. Carson
Guy Usher
Captain of First Boat
Slim Whitaker
Man on Street
Blackie Whiteford
Townsman
Matt Willis
Joker at Bar in San Francisco
Michael Miller
Yerp Bates
Frances Hyland
Screenplay
Gertrude Purcell
Screenplay
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May 31, 1942
