IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Epic account of how California became a state, featuring a wagon train, the Gold Rush, a wicked saloon queen, and an evil profiteer.Epic account of how California became a state, featuring a wagon train, the Gold Rush, a wicked saloon queen, and an evil profiteer.Epic account of how California became a state, featuring a wagon train, the Gold Rush, a wicked saloon queen, and an evil profiteer.
John Alban
- Delegate
- (uncredited)
George Anderson
- Miner
- (uncredited)
Carl Andre
- Wagon Train Member
- (uncredited)
Billy Andrews
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since. Television broadcasts were delayed until 1960 in order to protect Paramount's 1958 theatrical re-release which was still in wide distribution through 1959; its earliest documented telecast took place in Phoenix Friday 11 March 1960 on KVAR (Channel 12). At this time, color broadcasting was in its infancy, limited to only a small number of high rated programs, primarily on NBC and NBC affiliated stations, so these film showings were all still in B&W. Viewers were not offered the opportunity to see these films in their original Technicolor until several years later. It was released on DVD 8 May 2007 as one of 4 titles in Universal's Classic Western Roundup Volume 2, and, since that time, cable TV viewers have been afforded the opportunity of seeing it looking just like new, in glorious Technicolor, on the Western Channel.
- GoofsA number of the pistols used by characters appear to be cartridge revolvers, rather than cap-and-ball.
- Quotes
Booth Pennock: You know, Trumbo, if ever you grow up, you'll learn that a woman is like a poker game. What you take in one hand you drop in the next.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Something to Talk About (1995)
Featured review
Fails to Gel
The movie is a stab at an epic western that simply fails to gel. The best part is the "moving west" scenes of wagon trains convoying across the open southwestern terrain. These achieve an epic feel that the dramatics unfortunately fail to duplicate. The screenplay itself is pretty crowded, telling the story of California's becoming a state, no less. From settlers to gold rush to saloons to political intrigue, the story is traced out mainly through Milland, Stanwyck, and Coulouris, with Fitzgerald as a salt-of-the-earth anchor.
Now, that might work, except director Farrow has little feel for the material. The various parts come across in rather limp, unexciting fashion. It's as if he's content to simply film the script without bringing its many conflicts to dramatic life. Thus, the drama is conveyed in words instead of characters. Then too, Oscar winner Milland appears either miscast or uninspired. His role really calls for a bigger personality than Milland's generally low-key wagon master. (He may have viewed a western as a comedown after his award winning role in The Lost Weekend.) Stanwyck is of course Stanwyck even though she's dolled-up to suit Technicolor filming and crowded around by the packed screenplay . Too bad the guy who could have enlivened the action remains in supporting background, namely, the commanding Albert Dekker (Pike).
Anyway, I guess I now know why this epic western remains so obscure, despite its Paramount pedigree and marquee cast.
Now, that might work, except director Farrow has little feel for the material. The various parts come across in rather limp, unexciting fashion. It's as if he's content to simply film the script without bringing its many conflicts to dramatic life. Thus, the drama is conveyed in words instead of characters. Then too, Oscar winner Milland appears either miscast or uninspired. His role really calls for a bigger personality than Milland's generally low-key wagon master. (He may have viewed a western as a comedown after his award winning role in The Lost Weekend.) Stanwyck is of course Stanwyck even though she's dolled-up to suit Technicolor filming and crowded around by the packed screenplay . Too bad the guy who could have enlivened the action remains in supporting background, namely, the commanding Albert Dekker (Pike).
Anyway, I guess I now know why this epic western remains so obscure, despite its Paramount pedigree and marquee cast.
helpful•85
- dougdoepke
- Aug 20, 2012
- How long is California?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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