Romance of the Ranchos — 1941

The series opens on Rancho San Rafael, the Verdugo grant whose pastureland became modern Glendale.

Rancho Santa Gertrudes, from its first years to its long division into Santa Fe Springs and Downey.

Rancho San Jose -- the grant that became the city of Pomona.

Rancho Aguaje de La Centinela, the 'water sentinel,' and the coast towns from Inglewood to Redondo Beach that grew on it. Howard Duff plays at least four parts.

A determined widow fights to hold Rancho Rodeo de Las Aguas -- the 'gathering of the waters,' known today as Beverly Hills.

Two neighbouring ranchos, San Pedro and Palos Verdes, and the long feud between the families who held them.

Rancho Paso de Bartolo Viejo, 'old Bartolo's pass,' on ground that is now part of Whittier.

The mission lands of San Fernando, and the Battle of Cahuenga Pass -- with its one strange casualty.

'Little hills' and 'little cottonwoods': the two Nieto ranchos that became the city of Long Beach.

Tiburcio Vasquez, the Southern California bandit who built a career out of his contempt for the Americanos.

Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica -- the coastal grant underneath modern Santa Monica.

The Newhall country, Rancho del Valle, and the first discovery of gold on Rancho San Francisco.

Rancho San Antonio and the Lugo family, on ground now covered by Bell, Huntington Park and their neighbours.

Part one of the life of Benjamin David Wilson, remembered here as the first American mayor of Los Angeles.

Wilson's story concludes, carrying through the conquest of California from Mexico, 1845 to 1849.

The founding of Mission San Gabriel, and Christmas as it would have been kept there.

Rancho San Jose de Buenos Aires -- 'good airs' -- the grant that is now Westwood.