Old Los Angeles


1h 27m 1948

Brief Synopsis

Old Los Angeles (never known as "California Outpost" until 1953 when Republic re-issued it under that changed-title) finds Bill Stockton (Bill Elliott as William Elliott)leaving Missouri to join his brother Larry (Henry Brandon), and prospect for gold in California. Bill and his pal, Sam Bowie (Andy Devine), arrive in the picturesque town of old Los Angeles in 1848, but find that the outlaws rule...attacking mines and trains, burning ranches, looting stores and killing those who oppose them. Bill learns that Larry has been murdered for the gold claim he had staked for them. He sets out to avenge his brother's death but runs into difficulty when Estelita Del Rey (Estelita Rodriguez) misleads him to protect her lawless lover, Johnny Morrell (John Carroll.) Bill also suspects Luis Savarin (Joseph Schildkraut), gambling house proprietor, and Marie Marlowe (Catherine McLeod), an entertainer at Savarin's place.

Film Details

Also Known As
California Outpost
Genre
Western
Release Date
Apr 25, 1948
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Republic Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Republic Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 27m
Sound
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1

Synopsis

In Los Angeles, during the California gold rush, prospector Larry Stockton and his friend, Miguel, are attacked by a gang of outlaws, and Larry is forced to sign over his gold claim. The two are then shot, and soon the U.S. Army assigns Larry's brother Bill, an ex-Missouri marshal, to find their killer. After Bill and his partner, Sam, question one of the suspects, saloon owner Luis Savarin, they are attacked by outlaws. When Bill and Sam shoot one of the outlaws, killing him, Marshal Luckner threatens to arrest them for murder. Hoping to win favor with Bill and Sam, Savarin steps in on their behalf. Later, they are introduced to one of the outlaws, Johnny Morrell, Savarin's fiancée, Marie Marlowe, and Estelita Del Rey, a rancher's daughter. When Estelita's brother Tonio tries to force her to return home, Bill punches him. Bill advises her to go, and later, kisses Marie at Las Flores Canyon. When Diego, who has been hired to guard the mine, sees them nearby, he draws his gun and orders them to leave the area. Back in town, Marie tells Savarin that Bill has invited them to visit his ranch. Johnny returns to the saloon, where Estelita's mother, Señora Del Rey, learns that Las Flores Canyon Dam is under threat of attack. As Tonio prepares to leave, Don Alvarado and Señor Martin enter with news that cattle rustlers have invaded the Marando Rancho. When the townspeople gather to repair the dam, which has been destroyed by the gang, they are suddenly ambushed. Although Estelita vouches for him, Johnny is arrested for trying to detonate the dam. When Luckner threatens to report his arrest to Savarin, Johnny shoots him. Later, Marie tells Bill that she is marrying Savarin for his money. That evening, Estelita ignores Tonio's wishes and sneaks out to meet Johnny. Bill and Sam follow her, and when Bill begins fighting with Johnny, Estelita slaps him in the face. Later, Bill tells Marie that there are valuable gold deposits at the dam site. After Johnny steals Diego's clothes and goes to the mine, which he has been guarding, he finds a rich vein of gold underneath a 1,500 pound rock. When Bill, Sam and Tonio see Johnny lurking around the mine, they grab him. Meanwhile, Bill is kidnapped by Luckner and tells Savarin that Johnny has been captured. After Marie reveals that she is the gang's leader, she leaves on the Sacramento stage. Johnny grabs Luckner's gun, kills him and escapes. When he finds Savarin, Johnny kills him as well. Bill catches up to the stage, and Marie admits that she knew Savarin was not the owner of the land for which he was selling deeds. At the ranch, Señora Del Rey reports that the outlaws have escaped with the gold, so Bill follows them to Big Tujunga. After he shoots Savarin's henchman, Clyborne, Johnny escapes and rides into town. When Estelita rushes to embrace Johnny, she is accidentally shot and killed by Bill. After Estelita is buried, Marie prays for peace to return to Los Angeles.

Film Details

Also Known As
California Outpost
Genre
Western
Release Date
Apr 25, 1948
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Republic Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Republic Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 27m
Sound
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

A pre-production news item in Hollywood Reporter indicated that Ilona Massey was scheduled to appear in the cast. According to a notation in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the AMPAS Library, this film was re-edited and re-released in 1953 under the title California Outpost. Modern sources include House Peters, Jr. in the cast.