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In Old California

  • 19421942
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Wayne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker, Patsy Kelly, Helen Parrish, and Dick Purcell in In Old California (1942)
Western

During the California Gold Rush, Boston pharmacist Tom Craig sets up shop in Sacramento where he clashes with local town crook Britt Dawson.During the California Gold Rush, Boston pharmacist Tom Craig sets up shop in Sacramento where he clashes with local town crook Britt Dawson.During the California Gold Rush, Boston pharmacist Tom Craig sets up shop in Sacramento where he clashes with local town crook Britt Dawson.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William C. McGann
  • Writers
    • Gertrude Purcell(screenplay)
    • Frances Hyland(screenplay)
    • J. Robert Bren(original story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Binnie Barnes
    • Albert Dekker
Top credits
  • Director
    • William C. McGann
  • Writers
    • Gertrude Purcell(screenplay)
    • Frances Hyland(screenplay)
    • J. Robert Bren(original story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Binnie Barnes
    • Albert Dekker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos34

    John Wayne and Binnie Barnes in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    John Wayne in In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    Binnie Barnes in In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Tom Craigas Tom Craig
    Binnie Barnes
    Binnie Barnes
    • Lacey Milleras Lacey Miller
    Albert Dekker
    Albert Dekker
    • Britt Dawsonas Britt Dawson
    Helen Parrish
    Helen Parrish
    • Ellen Sanfordas Ellen Sanford
    Patsy Kelly
    Patsy Kelly
    • Helgaas Helga
    Edgar Kennedy
    Edgar Kennedy
    • Kegs McKeeveras Kegs McKeever
    Dick Purcell
    Dick Purcell
    • Joe Dawsonas Joe Dawson
    Harry Shannon
    Harry Shannon
    • Mr. Carlinas Mr. Carlin
    Charles Halton
    Charles Halton
    • Mr. Hayesas Mr. Hayes
    Emmett Lynn
    • Whiteyas Whitey
    Robert McKenzie
    Robert McKenzie
    • Mr. Batesas Mr. Bates
    • (as Bob McKenzie)
    Milton Kibbee
    Milton Kibbee
    • Ezra Tompkinsas Ezra Tompkins
    • (as Milt Kibbee)
    Paul Sutton
    Paul Sutton
    • Chick - Dawson's Henchmanas Chick - Dawson's Henchman
    Anne O'Neal
    • Mrs. Tompkinsas Mrs. Tompkins
    Richard Alexander
    Richard Alexander
    • Clem - Dawson's Henchmanas Clem - Dawson's Henchman
    • (uncredited)
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Worried Womanas Worried Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Hooper Atchley
    Hooper Atchley
    • Higginsas Higgins
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Bernard
    Sam Bernard
    • Mineras Miner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William C. McGann
    • Writers
      • Gertrude Purcell(screenplay)
      • Frances Hyland(screenplay)
      • J. Robert Bren(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
    deceptiondamsel in distressslick villainarchive footagestock footage116 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Wayne plays a druggist. In real life, his father was a licensed pharmacist.
    • Quotes

      Britt Dawson: That'll teach ya to lay hands on the lady I aim to marry.

      Tom Craig: Oh, well in that case I offer my sincerest apologies.

      Britt Dawson: Apologies for walloping ya?

      Tom Craig: No, for treating your bride-to-be like a package.

      Britt Dawson: What kind of lingo is this?

      Lacey Miller: Oh, he's from Boston.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in 100 Years of John Wayne (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      There's Gold in the Hills
      Music by David Buttolph

      Lyrics by Sol Meyer

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    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
    helpful•11
    2
    • hitchcockthelegend
    • Oct 16, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 31, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sacramento
    • Filming locations
      • Big Tujunga Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Republic Pictures Corporation (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    John Wayne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker, Patsy Kelly, Helen Parrish, and Dick Purcell in In Old California (1942)
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