Ray Milland is her counterpart in this sadly underrated and forgotten gem of American westerns in the 40s, while this epic actually catches a very important historical chapter, covering the development of California from the great gold rush and pioneer invasion in the 1850s to how it became a state of the union. Victor Fleming's music adds a fresh good spirit to the film by catching the right mood of the pioneer and golddigger songs. Barbara Stanwyck is as always outstanding and rises from the mud she is thrown into from the start to the usual brilliance of a leading lady not to be trifled with. Of course, although they are enemies from the beginning and practically through the whole film, you know from the start that Ray and Barbara will end up together, and the main interest of the film is to see how.
The best part of the film is the beginning, the pioneering trail suddenly changing character as gold is discovered, and the election scenes in the end. Barry Fitzgerald is always enjoyable, although he always makes the same character, but at least it is reliable as an asset and thoroughly enjoyable. Anthony Quinn turns up in a crucial stage and adds to the story, there will even be some shooting eventually. It's not a regular western at all but very interesting as especially an refreshing and glorious chronicle of Californian history.
The best part of the film is the beginning, the pioneering trail suddenly changing character as gold is discovered, and the election scenes in the end. Barry Fitzgerald is always enjoyable, although he always makes the same character, but at least it is reliable as an asset and thoroughly enjoyable. Anthony Quinn turns up in a crucial stage and adds to the story, there will even be some shooting eventually. It's not a regular western at all but very interesting as especially an refreshing and glorious chronicle of Californian history.