In Old California (1942 film)

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In Old California is a 1942 American Western starring John Wayne as Tom Craig, a Boston pharmacist who travels to Sacramento during the Gold Rush. Tom arrives in San Francisco, where his eastern manners and skill with medicines win him respect. He partners with singer Lacey Miller to open a drugstore, while a boastful rancher named Britt Dawson constantly causes trouble.

Tom helps settlers and gets drawn into the town’s dangers, including Britt’s schemes to ruin him. A key incident sees Tom’s elixir poisoned, a man dies, and the crowd blames Tom, nearly lynching him until gold is discovered and the town’s fortunes change. A U.S. Marshal arrives, Tom is briefly jailed, and Ellen Sanford, who had dated him, leaves for San Francisco.

Lacey and Tom grow closer, while Britt’s crimes continue to threaten the town. A typhoid fever epidemic at the gold fields prompts Tom to stay and help, especially after Lacey and her friends head there. Britt and his gang try to steal medicine, but Joe shoots Britt, who finally dies after admitting he poisoned Tom’s elixir. Tom is cleared, and he and Lacey end up together in Sacramento.