"In Old Sacramento" is noteworthy, if for nothing else, as Bill Elliott's first "A" list film following his stint in Republic's Red Ryder "B" series. Unfortunately Republic chose a "B" level story for him to star in.
Elliott plays Johnny Barrett a gambler who is also a Zorro like figure known as "Spanish Jack" who has been robbing gold mine shipments in retaliation for the murder of his brother at the hands of some claim jumpers years earlier. Now that he was out of the "B"s, Elliott was allowed to have a love interest in the person of Belle Malone (Constance Moore) who gets to warble some forgettable songs over the course of the picture.
Sheriff Jim Wales (Eugene Palette in an off beat role), has vowed to bring Spanish Jack and his partner Laramie (Jack La Rue) to justice. During an escape attempt, Barrett and Laramie happen upon the camp of gold miner Sam Chase (Henry H. Daniels Jr.). Chase later turns up in town and takes an interest in Belle much to Barrett's chagrin. Chase loses his money to gambler Slayter (Grant Withers) and is forced to take drastic action to recoup his losses.
Republic normally was known for high production values in its' westerns. They missed the boat (no pun intended) on this one. Most of the story takes place on a muddy indoor street set mostly at night. The amateurish back projection shots of Elliott and La Rue's getaway on horseback are laughable.
But as always, Republic populated their "A" list westerns with a cast of faces familiar to western lovers. Also appearing are Ruth Donnolly as Zebby Booker for comedy relief, Lionel Stander as Dodge the head of the vigilantes, Dick Wessell as Oscar the bartender, Lucien Littelfield as the barber and Hal Taliaferro as the town doctor. Also in lesser roles and unbilled are Ellen Corby, Wade Crosby, William Haade, Kenne Duncan, Tom London Leroy Mason and Eddy Waller among others. And watch for Bobby Blake who had played Little Beaver to Elliott's Red Ryder as a newsboy.
Elliott's "A" films would get better over the years but this one will be remembered for I believe, his first on screen kiss and a less than happy ending.
Elliott plays Johnny Barrett a gambler who is also a Zorro like figure known as "Spanish Jack" who has been robbing gold mine shipments in retaliation for the murder of his brother at the hands of some claim jumpers years earlier. Now that he was out of the "B"s, Elliott was allowed to have a love interest in the person of Belle Malone (Constance Moore) who gets to warble some forgettable songs over the course of the picture.
Sheriff Jim Wales (Eugene Palette in an off beat role), has vowed to bring Spanish Jack and his partner Laramie (Jack La Rue) to justice. During an escape attempt, Barrett and Laramie happen upon the camp of gold miner Sam Chase (Henry H. Daniels Jr.). Chase later turns up in town and takes an interest in Belle much to Barrett's chagrin. Chase loses his money to gambler Slayter (Grant Withers) and is forced to take drastic action to recoup his losses.
Republic normally was known for high production values in its' westerns. They missed the boat (no pun intended) on this one. Most of the story takes place on a muddy indoor street set mostly at night. The amateurish back projection shots of Elliott and La Rue's getaway on horseback are laughable.
But as always, Republic populated their "A" list westerns with a cast of faces familiar to western lovers. Also appearing are Ruth Donnolly as Zebby Booker for comedy relief, Lionel Stander as Dodge the head of the vigilantes, Dick Wessell as Oscar the bartender, Lucien Littelfield as the barber and Hal Taliaferro as the town doctor. Also in lesser roles and unbilled are Ellen Corby, Wade Crosby, William Haade, Kenne Duncan, Tom London Leroy Mason and Eddy Waller among others. And watch for Bobby Blake who had played Little Beaver to Elliott's Red Ryder as a newsboy.
Elliott's "A" films would get better over the years but this one will be remembered for I believe, his first on screen kiss and a less than happy ending.