Sacramento

I really enjoyed this early western. Most of the oaters that came out of the 40s, even the ones honored to have John Wayne in them were not ones to be remembered in years to come as classics. This one is definitely a cut above the cookie cutter variety of that era. John Wayne plays a Boston bred pharmacist who is dapper and very sure of himself when it comes to either being strong and forceful, or brimming with confidence in regards to the ladies. Although there is some of the usual fisticuffs and shootouts, this is not a typical western with multiple gunfights and saloon brawls. Its just a bit more on the civilized side for that early era. Whether your an old time John Wayne fan, or just a wannabe cowpoke like me that longs for the good old days of television when the western was king, I think this is one definitely worth your time to sit a spell for...

The main novelty here is watching John Wayne in an unusual western role for him, a pharmacist for whom violence is not the first resource, although he is still tough enough. Wayne could give his characters a sort of gentle charm that serves him well here.

Other than that, we get a decent story, entertaining but nothing special.

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!

This western from the Republic is a good surprise. First for the character played by John Wayne, a pharmacist, who doesn't fire a single shot during the whole film and doesn't kill anybody. So he is not a typical John Wayne. Then the story, which cleverly mixes John Wayne's uneasy relationship with the titular villain, Albert Dekker (who tends to squint a bit too much), as they both covet Binnie Barnes, one unknowingly, the other very ostensibly. Then the arrival of the gold discovered in California and the madness that goes with it will change the game. The villain remains the villain of course.

Note that it is co-written by three writers, including two women. One of them having been a gagman at Universal (Frances Hyland). The comic relief is provided by Edgar Kennedy and Patsy Kelly, who are not subtle, but who contribute to the originality of this western.

The whole thing is mounted with rhythm where things happen quickly, without any dead time. With multiple settings. To serve these different plots, where everything is guessed, the film is conducted with efficiency by combining entertainment and dynamism.

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.