California (1947)Epic account of how California became a state, featuring a wagon train, the Gold Rush, a wicked saloon queen, and an evil profiteer. Director:John Farrow |
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California (1947)Epic account of how California became a state, featuring a wagon train, the Gold Rush, a wicked saloon queen, and an evil profiteer. Director:John Farrow |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Ray Milland | ... |
Jonathan Trumbo
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| Barbara Stanwyck | ... | ||
| Barry Fitzgerald | ... |
Michael Fabian
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George Coulouris | ... |
Capt. Pharaoh Coffin
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| Albert Dekker | ... |
Mr. Pike
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| Anthony Quinn | ... |
Don Luís Rivera y Hernandez
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| Frank Faylen | ... |
Whitey
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Gavin Muir | ... |
Booth Pennock
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James Burke | ... |
Pokey
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Eduardo Ciannelli | ... |
Padre
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Roman Bohnen | ... |
Col. Stuart
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| Argentina Brunetti | ... |
Elvira
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| Howard Freeman | ... |
Sen. Creel
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Julia Faye | ... |
Wagon Woman
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"Wicked" Lily Bishop joins a wagon train to California, led by Michael Fabian and Johnnny Trumbo, but news of the Gold Rush scatters the train. When Johnny and Michael finally arrive, Lily is rich from her saloon and storekeeper (former slaver) Pharaoh Coffin is bleeding the miners dry. But worse troubles are ahead: California is inching toward statehood, and certain people want to make it their private empire. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Definitely NOT a great movie, but very enjoyable, especially if one is a Stanwyck fan. Cinematography bounced back and forth from lush, to "quick, get it done" shots.
Ray Milland did not quite cut it as the hardened trail boss and buffalo hunter. But maybe that's because his character really is not-he deserted from the army for getting involved with a married woman. Stanwyck shines as the self-reliant lady gambler and flirt who has been tossed around her whole life, with a few exceptions.
Yes the movie is rather corny, but let's face it the movie industry was right in the middle of the Macarthy era and needed safe material to work with. It DID give a rather honest perspective of how many lost sight of what they really had set out for, and how others took advantage, at any cost.