California Straight Ahead! (1937)

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  • CALIFORNIA STRAIGHT AHEAD


    DIRECTED BY ARTHUR LUBIN
    PRODUCED BY TREM CARR/PAUL MALVERN
    UNIVERSAL PICTURES


    Photo with the courtesy of lasbugas


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Plot Summary
    Former school bus driver Biff Smith manages a trucking company
    which has its fleet pitted against a freight train in a race
    to deliver aviation parts to the Pacific coast.
    Summary written by Ed Stephan


    Full Cast
    John Wayne .... Biff Smith
    Louise Latimer .... Mary Porter
    Robert McWade .... Corrigan
    Theodore von Eltz .... James Gifford
    Tully Marshall .... Harrison
    Emerson Treacy .... Charlie Porter
    Harry Allen .... 'Fish' McCorkle
    LeRoy Mason .... Padula
    Grace Goodall .... Mrs. Porter
    Olaf Hytten .... Huggins
    Monte Vandergrift .... Clancy
    Lorin Raker .... Secretary
    Frank Ellis .... Truck driver (uncredited)
    Oscar Gahan .... Truck driver (uncredited)
    George Morrell .... Truck driver (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Herman Boxer story
    Scott Darling screenplay


    Produced
    Trem Carr .... producer
    Paul Malvern .... associate producer


    Cinematography
    Harry Neumann


    Filming Location
    Santa Clarita, California, USA
    Newhall, California, USA

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 8 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • California Straight Ahead! is a 1937 American film about truck drivers
    starring John Wayne and directed by Arthur Lubin.
    The action movie features a memorable cross-country race between trucks and trains.


    This was Duke's 3rd. film of a 6 picture Universal deal,
    and it was not a happy time ,the films were mediocre,
    but things were about to change, because, just after
    Duke returned to Republic for The Three Mesquiteers
    and thereafterStagecoach


    Arthur Lubin, whose films with Abbot and Costello, saved Universal
    from going bankrupt, he was promoted to director of the epic
    Phantom of the Opera , which was a huge success.
    However, he wasn't quite so successful with the films, he made with Duke.
    There were 4 films,


    California Straight Ahead
    I Cover The War
    Idol of the Crowds
    Adventure's End


    The action films, were entertaining,
    but were cheaply made, and proved to be
    disappointing at the box office.


    However I enjoyed this film, it was both fun and entertaining
    I thought the 3 main actors, Duke, Louise Latimer, Robert McWade,
    played well together, and with the addition of
    Tully Marshall, it made for an enjoyable film.


    california-straight-ahead-poster.jpg


    User Review

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 3 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • This is a film I hadn't even heard of until Keith posted it here. Here is a poster, and also a 1948 re-issue poster (appears to be of the same vintage as the lobby card posted by Keith in his introductory post for this thread).

  • Hi

    A couple of years ago Television had a golden spell where they showed many of John Wayne's earlier films Lady From Louisiana, Lady For A Night and California Straight Ahead all of which I taped. Like Keith says it's a watchable picture and quite enjoyable.

    Regards

    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Thanks for the great pictures and the reminder about this film. I wish I had seen the TV broadcast and taped it. I have all but Adventures End and they are copies of the old, I think, 35mm and are poor quality. The flicks were enjoyable and showed how Duke was perfecting his Craft. I'll have to pull this one and watch it this weekend. One of the few things nice about getting old is that even if you've seen a movie your memory sayes it's new. Thanks again - Big Jim

  • I liked the old white haired Boss in this one! Went through a lot of aspirin! Duke sings a lot in this one too! If you haven't seen it folks, SEE IT! It's a good one!