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Will begin by saying that I've been a major John Wayne fan all of my life and have seen many many of his movies, and have screened many of those dozens and scores of times. Recently I viewed this title for the first time. Personally, I feel the film was very well done, and in particular is a solid testament to the fact that the Duke had a much better ability to portray different characters than he has often been credited with. Granted, some Wayne movies are superior to others, but this one had tremendous entertainment value and certainly does not deserve the negative reviews I have read of it. The vast majority of John Wayne's movies rate an overall "good" at the very least, and certainly all of them are worth watching once. I highly recommend this one to even the most apathetic, luke-warm John Wayne fans, and even to his most critical detractors as it really was 88 minutes of good entertainment so make some popcorn, snuggle on the couch with your sweetheart and enjoy this unusual John Wayne film...

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!

In Old California is a fun, surprisingly complex John Wayne vehicle from more positive and principled days. It features a good good guy (gosh, even goes to church! feature that!), a couple of bad bad guys - and even a character that transforms from shady to admirable.

It's a move that takes one's attention, keeps it, and sends one off feeling good. If that's your idea of a good movie experience, give it a go.

Boston druggist John Wayne travels to Sacramento to open a drug store. On the way he angers big-shot Albert Dekker, who attempts to blackball Wayne, only to find him partner up with his girlfriend, leading to the inevitable love-triangle, skulduggery, and showdown.

One of the minor Wayne westerns cranked out by Republic Pictures in the nineteen-forties, this mild programmer is pleasant enough entertainment, though nothing really to write home about. It could have been a little better.

The Duke is a bit softer than usual, in a role that's a lot different than you're used to seeing, that of an educated, suit-wearing gentleman.

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...