Watch California

California is a 1963 Western film directed by Hamil Petroff and produced by Vincent M. Fennelly. It stars Jock Mahoney as Dana Maddox, a former Texas Ranger who travels to California to investigate a string of robberies committed by a gang led by Tom Fuller (Michael Pate). Along the way, Maddox meets and falls in love with Cathy Eversham (Faith Domergue), a wealthy widow who is being targeted by the gang.

The film begins with Maddox arriving in California and seeking out the local sheriff to offer his services as a Ranger. The sheriff is skeptical of Maddox's abilities and warns him to stay out of his way. Undeterred, Maddox begins to investigate the robberies and eventually discovers that the gang is targeting wealthy citizens who have recently purchased gold mines. Maddox also learns that Cathy Eversham is the next likely target, as she has recently inherited a gold mine from her late husband.

Maddox decides to protect Cathy and her mine, and they quickly fall in love. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Cathy is conflicted about her feelings for Maddox, as well as her loyalty to her late husband's memory. Meanwhile, the gang becomes increasingly violent in their attempts to steal the gold, eventually leading to a dramatic showdown between Maddox and Fuller.

One of the strengths of California is its strong performances, particularly from Mahoney as Maddox. He exudes a rugged charm and quiet confidence that make him a compelling protagonist. Domergue also shines as Cathy, bringing a vulnerability and complexity to her character that make her more than just a damsel in distress. Pate is appropriately menacing as Fuller, but the character is never fleshed out beyond his villainy.

Another strength of California is its stunning cinematography. The film was shot on location in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the rugged, picturesque landscapes contribute greatly to the film's atmosphere. The camera work is also dynamic and inventive, particularly in the action scenes.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The pacing can be sluggish at times, particularly in the middle section of the film. The romance between Maddox and Cathy also feels underdeveloped, with their attraction to each other based more on physical chemistry than emotional connection. Additionally, the supporting characters are mostly one-dimensional, with the exception of a sympathetic bartender named Joe (played by Eduard Franz).

Despite its flaws, California is an engaging and atmospheric Western that should please fans of the genre. The strong performances and stunning scenery more than compensate for any shortcomings in the story or pacing.

California is a 1963 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.