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In Old California

  • 19421942
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
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
6.3/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
    • William C. McGann
  • Writers
    • Gertrude Purcell(screenplay)
    • Frances Hyland(screenplay)
    • J. Robert Bren(original story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Binnie Barnes
    • Albert Dekker
    • 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
  • Photos46

    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)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)
    In Old California (1942)

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The parrot's second line was done by a fellow speaking in a falsetto voice. The parrot's first line was ad-libbed by the parrot.
    • 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
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Duke as a Druggist in Entertaining 'B'-Movie...
    One of the many gradually improving westerns Republic created for their biggest star in the early forties, "In Old California" was still very much in the 'B'-picture mold, but was a very entertaining tale of young Boston druggist Wayne relocating to Sacramento (echoing his real-life father's journey from Iowa to California, as a pharmacist), where his modern ideas and integrity (and the attentions from saloon girl Binnie Barnes) puts him at odds with 'town boss' Albert Dekker. While fundamentally a pacifist (Wayne diffuses potential confrontations with an ability to bend coins in his fingers!), Dekker, seeing him as a threat, decides to eliminate him by switching medicine with poison, discrediting him...but Wayne would soon have an opportunity to redeem himself...

    The film benefits from the comic talents of two of Hollywood's best comedians, Edgar Kennedy (master of the 'Slow Burn') and Patsy Kelly (an old pro at sarcastic wisecracks), the teasing byplay between Wayne and Barnes, and his confrontations with Dekker (one of the 1940s' best 'villains', and a perfect foil for the young 'straight-arrow' leading man).

    One of Wayne's more 'offbeat' oaters, but still a popular entry, during one of Wayne's busiest years!
    helpful•6
    1
    • cariart
    • Sep 6, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 31, 1942 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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
    • 1 hour 28 minutes

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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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