California (1947)

So much average

As Good As It Gets

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I don't particularly like westerns. I am usually bored with their macho heroes and their stereotypes. In "California", however, stars my all-time favorite actor, Ray Milland, so I wanted to see whether he is as good in this genre as he is in romantic comedies, adventures and dramas. Not to my surprise, he proved to be much above the typical western hero. He is realistic and effective, without excessiveness, mannerisms or gimmicks. What I consider one of the best westerns, "A Man Alone", is played and directed by Ray himself...Returning to California, it is an epic movie, a large scale production, in glorious color, rich in costumes, settings and extras. It covers important historical ground, including the 1848 mass migration, the gold rush and the political struggles that led to the incorporation of California to the United States. All this is the background of the tumultuous love-hate relationship between Trumbo and Lily, Ray Milland and Barbara Stanwyck.One cannot find fault with this movie: It is aptly directed by John Farrow, the music score by Victor Young is memorable, the script, in the 98 minutes duration of the movie, gives a balanced account of the personal story and the ampler historical events of the time, while a plethora of talented character actors contribute to its authentic touch. My only objection is the folklore singing at the movie's opening sequence, which could well be omitted, and the same goes for other singing interludes as well as the songs, supposedly sung by Barbara Stanwyck, all of which interrupt the action. Maybe the Studio heads imposed them, as a sort of lyric accentuation, but they actually steal valuable time that could be used for better character development. As for the two stars: Although very beautiful in her own way, I think Barbara Stanwyck is not cut for period roles, her type is not that of the traditionally classic beauty. Also her acting in the first half of the movie is more aggressive than required. Ray Milland, on the other hand, has the correct approach of the man who does not trust women, after a previous involvement that made him desert his post in the army. Their mutual distrust causes a fierce antagonism, and they go to extremes to conceal their true feeling for each other. Of course, love finds its way in the end and the final scene is very tender. Trumbo must pay his due to the army, and Lily is ready to wait for his return, for as long as it takes. They are both charismatic actors, and if the movie concentrated more on them and less on the "epic" side, it would have been immensely richer. Nevertheless, the movie is very much worth seeing and great entertainment.

Uggh! This film starts off very, very poorly with a sappy introduction that only can be believed if you see it. I really think it best if you skip the narration and singing and cut straight to the scene at the beginning of the film where the person is taking luggage off the stage coach! Unfortunately, the horrible singing returns at the 22 and 100 minute mark--and I found myself contemplating plunging a screwdriver into my ears to make it stop and I also felt rather envious of my deaf daughter! And, speaking of singing, at about the 29 minute mark, Barbara Stanwyck sings a song in a bar. It's obvious to anyone who's seen her movies and is familiar with her voice that this is NOT Stanwyck who is singing--the voice just isn't right.The film is purportedly about the founding of the state of California. It begins on a wagon train where Barbara Stanwyck hitches a ride after she's driven out of town for her wicked ways. Once there, she meets up with an instantly hates Ray Milland--and you know that means that eventually fall in love (old movie cliché #16). But this trip is disrupted by news of the discovery of gold and the trek west degenerates into an "each man for himself" affair! Once in California, bad-girl Barbara lands on her feet very well. She makes a fortune running a saloon/gambling den. She's also very friendly with the ever-slimy George Coulouris--a man who ALWAYS plays the most weasel-like and unsavory characters. While Stanwyck is bad, at least her gambling joint is on the level--everything about Coulouris is crooked and he is the evil boss-man who is behind claim-jumpings and killings (cliche #12). Later, the evil boss-man decides he doesn't want California to become a state, as he loves lawlessness. So much of the rest of the film consists of his paid baddies making life tough for the good folks.So what's going to happen next? Will Coulouris' reign of terror be ended? Will Ray break Barbara's evil spirit and make this philly his own (huh?!)? Will there be any major surprises in the film? By the way, there's one surprise in this film. Not only does Ray Milland play a cowboy(!), but he gets into a fistfight! This just seemed odd in light of the sort of person the Welsh-born Milland usually played. Fortunately for the sake of realism, Milland IS beaten to a pulp in this fight! I enjoyed his acting, but just could never picture him in westerns--let alone being a two-fisted brawler! Along for the ride are some nice character actors to give the film color. Barry Fitzgerald, Anthony Quinn and Albert Dekker are welcome supporting additions to the film.

Definitely NOT a great movie, but very enjoyable, especially if one is a Stanwyck fan. Cinematography bounced back and forth from lush, to "quick, get it done" shots.Ray Milland did not quite cut it as the hardened trail boss and buffalo hunter. But maybe that's because his character really is not-he deserted from the army for getting involved with a married woman. Stanwyck shines as the self-reliant lady gambler and flirt who has been tossed around her whole life, with a few exceptions.Yes the movie is rather corny, but let's face it the movie industry was right in the middle of the Macarthy era and needed safe material to work with. It DID give a rather honest perspective of how many lost sight of what they really had set out for, and how others took advantage, at any cost.

"California" was an ambitious film from Director John Farrow and Paramount Pictures. In spite of its lavish Technicolr photography and a music score from Victor Young, it falls flat as a big budget movie.The film is basically divided into three parts, the wagon train sequence, the arrival in California sequence and the fight for statehood sequence.Wagon master Jonathon Trumbo (Ray Milland) is leading a wagon train of settlers to the promised land of California in the late 1840s. In one of the towns he meets "saloon gird;" Lily Bishop (Barbara Stanwyck) who is being run out of town by the ladies of the town. She asks to accompany the wagon train and wine maker Michael Fabian (Barry Fitzgerald agrees to take her along. When news of a gold strike in California reaches the wagons, the farmers catch gold fever and desert Trumbo and the train.Later in California Trumbo arrives to find Lily in 'the employ" of ex slaver Captain Pharoh Coffin (George Coulouris) who has ambitions to take over the whole of California by blocking its bid for statehood. Trumbo recognizes Coffin and confronts him only to be beaten up by his brutish henchman Pike (albert Dekker). Although Lily loves Trumbo she still plans to marry Coffin (for his money of course).The fight for statehood follows with Fabian representing the pro statehood side and Coffin leading the anti-statehood faction. Naturally, the pro statehood faction carries the day. Coffin attempts to force his will with arms, a blazing gun battle ensues and...................................This movie, although it has its moments, plays more like a "B" movie, especially in the middle, than any thing else. One expects Zorro or The Cisco Kid to ride in at any moment. I mean a villain named Pharoh Coffin, come on. The shots of the wagon train are impressive (probably due to stock footage) and the shots of the landscape are equally appealing in glorious color. But the movie falls flat.Ray Milland is not really that convincing as a hard nosed wagon master. Stanwyck, always better than her material, gives a good performance as the gold digging Lily. Coulouris' villain is melodramatic and fits more into a "B" movie than an "A" big budget feature. Dekker's brutish henchman is good, but he would have made a better Coffin than colorless Coulouris. Others in the cast include Anthony Quinn, Frank Faylen, Eduardo Ciannelli and Agentina Brunetti. To add to the "B" look of the film several "B" movie veterans appear in small supporting roles.A better script, some casting changes and we could have had a much more memorable movie.