California (1947 film)

California is a 1947 American Western film directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck, and Barry Fitzgerald. The film tells the story of a wagon train traveling from Missouri to California in 1848, just before the start of the Gold Rush.

The plot centers around Jonathan Trumbo (Ray Milland), a former artillery officer haunted by his past, and Lily Bishop (Barbara Stanwyck), a ruthless and ambitious businesswoman seeking to exploit the opportunities in the burgeoning California territory. They become rivals as Trumbo champions the rights of the settlers and opposes Lily's monopolistic ambitions. Pio (Barry Fitzgerald), a wise and humorous Irish wagon master, provides comic relief and guidance to the travelers.

The film depicts the hardships faced by the pioneers on the arduous journey west, including attacks by bandits, disease, and the harsh elements. It also explores the conflicts between settlers and established landowners, and the moral dilemmas posed by the pursuit of wealth and power. California culminates in a showdown between Trumbo and Lily, with the future of the California territory hanging in the balance.