Raiders of Old California

As a history teacher, this sort of western irritates the life out of me. While it's supposed to be set just after the Mexican War (which ended in the late 1840s), nothing about the film looks right—nothing. The guns are all repeating cartridge pistols circa 1870s-1880s, the cavalry uniforms from the 1860s and the whole look of the film is just another late 1800s film. So why, then, did they bother setting the film in this much earlier era if they just didn't care what they slapped on the screen? I guess they just wanted to churn out anything—hoping the public just would watch it anyways.

The film involves a very common theme to westerns—the baddies who are trying to grab up all the land and force the good people off their own property. In this case, an evil American is trying to force Mexicans off their land now that it's become a US territory. Unfortunately, it's all very familiar, the acting is unspectacular (at best) and the production just looks cheap and slapped together. My feeling is that since there were at least 13923035440509 other westerns made during this era, why not try watching one of the others first? After all, it's most likely a lot more interesting and better produced than this cheapie. And, perhaps my score of 3 is a bit generous.

After making The Badge of Marshal Brennan earlier in the year, Jim Davis once again teamed with producer/director Albert C. Gannaway and co-stars Arleen Whelan, Marty Robbins, Lee Van Cleef, Louis Jean Heydt, Harry Lauter, and Douglas Fowley, among others, for this one. Here, he's Captain Angus McKane who, after the Mexican war, takes the land that once belonged to his enemies by force and threatens to shoot anyone who dares to challenge him for it. I admit to being partly confused by some sequence of events but a flashback near the end explains nearly everything to my satisfaction. I also noticed one sequence involving fighting Indians that seemed the same one from the other picture I mentioned at the beginning of this review. Probably was done that way for budget purposes but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of this one. Really, there's good action and compelling drama throughout. So on that note, Raiders of Old California is recommended.

This film begins in the waning days of the Mexican War in California with a U.S. cavalry officer by the name of "Capt. Angus Clyde McKane" (Jim Davis) attacking a fortified position commanded by a Mexican officer named "Don Miguel Sebastion" (Lawrence Dobkin). Although he puts up a stern defense the sheer weight of numbers takes its toll and Don Miguel eventually has to surrender. Three years later Angus Clyde McKane owns a huge tract of land and begins forcing the people who currently reside there to relocate. As a result of his actions a judge by the name of "Ward Young" (Louis Jean Heydt) and his adult son, who is a federal marshal named "Faron Young" (Faron Young) ride into a town nearby to evaluate Angus Clyde McKane's legal claim to the properties. However, rather than clarifying the issue what they find is conflicting evidence and a an increased amount of violence inflicted upon those who are willing to come forward to the tell the truth. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a rather run-of-the-mill Western which covers most of the key elements in the plot but doesn't quite stand out on its own. Likewise, the acting was adequate at best and as a result I have to rate this picture as about average.

Never having heard of producer-director Albert C. Gannaway, I wasn't sure what to expect, even though I am a long-time fan of Jim Davis.

In addition, I had never seen Faron Young in a movie, either, and again had no idea what to expect.

Faron Young, whom I remember from my childhood as a singer, turns out to be one good action hero, an excellent cowboy movie star.

Director Gannaway was an absolute master of camera placement.

So I was not only surprised, I was exceedingly pleased by what I saw in "Raiders of Old California."

The script has some flaws. I never heard of Comanches in California, but except for the title, California doesn't seem to have anything to do with this. It seems, except for the title, to be in Texas and maybe Arizona. "Seems" because of a discussion about the boundaries of the land in question.

But the story moves otherwise beautifully, with superb action, highly professional stunts, and plenty of them, and, again, lots of action, with Faron Young playing his part as if he had made a hundred movies.

Harry Lauter gets one of his best roles, and plays it perfectly. He was an actor! And deserved more and bigger roles.

Jim Davis has never been more evil. Another truly great actor.

Douglas Fowley gives what must be his most unusual performance, as a crusty desert-rat kind of sheriff. Another truly great actor, he more often played a villain, and usually a city slicker, but his characterization here is just eye-popping.

Lee Van Cleef also gives an excellent performance as a nasty character, and his eventual switch to hero roles was gratifying to his fans, and impressive to his audience. He was paid, according to reports, with satchels and briefcases full of money to make a series of Italian westerns, and he earned every penny.

Everything -- except for the occasional script and/or title flaw -- about "Raiders" is excellent. For a very little known western, it is more than excellent, and I highly recommend you give it a look. There is a first-quality print available at YouTube, where I saw it. I hope you like and admire it as much as I do.

Jim Davis was used to play villains in westerns, so this one here is not that surprising, but he has the lead character, and that's tremendous for my taste. It's so rare that the main "hero" has such a place in the story. Albert C Gannaway was a petty film maker but a damn good one, providing efficient stuff, fast paced and without forgetting the importance of characters. This western belongs to his best, thans again to Jim Davis' character, so unusual, I repeat. And Lee Van Cleef's presence contributes to this taut western that I recommend a lot; such a shame that it is not better known. Just enjoy.