6.4/10
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22 user 10 critic

In Old California (1942)

Passed | | Action, Adventure, Drama | 31 May 1942 (USA)
In Old California Poster
During the California Gold Rush, Boston pharmacist Tom Craig sets up shop in Sacramento where he clashes with local town crook Britt Dawson.

Director:

William C. McGann (as William McGann)

Writers:

Gertrude Purcell (screenplay), Frances Hyland (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

John Wayne, Binnie Barnes, Albert Dekker | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

See all 28 photos »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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 (as Milt Kibbee)
Paul Sutton ... Chick - Dawson's Henchman
Anne O'Neal Anne O'Neal ... Mrs. Tompkins
See full cast »
Learn more

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Storyline

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. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

deception | damsel in distress | slick villain | archive footage | stock footage | See All (122) »

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance | Western

Certificate:

Passed | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Wayne plays a druggist. In real life, his father was a licensed pharmacist. See more »

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.
See more »

Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Street with No Name (1948) See more »

Soundtracks

There's Gold in the Hills
Music by David Buttolph
Lyrics by Sol Meyer
See more »

User Reviews

 
very watchable and slight film
26 January 2006 | by MartinHafer – See all my reviews

This was a John Wayne film before he became a major star. If you remember this and that this was never meant to be a top-quality film with a big budget, then you will probably see that for what it is, it does very well. This western is a bit better than the average western because Wayne's acting is as good as ever and Albert Dekker is a great villain as well. Plus, the writing is very good for this type of film--with excellent dialog and the plot moves along very nicely as well. So, overall, all the necessary elements for a B-Western are here. Oh, and I almost forgot, it has a lady (Binnie Barnes) who is pretty much there as a plot device (after all, you NEED a woman to come between the men in this type of movie--or so it seems). The bottom line is this is fr from great, but very watchable for those who like the genre.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1942 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Gold Runs the River See more »

Filming Locations:

Big Tujunga Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures Corporation (I) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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