Ramona (1936)

Twentieth Century-Fox
Directed by Henry King
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

Loretta Young is the daughter of a Spanish aristocrat living on a plantation in Old California. At first, it appears to be a harmonious blend of Indians, Mexicans and newly arrived Americans. However, when she falls in love with Indian Don Ameche, racism rears its ugly head. Her family quickly disowns her and the couple must leave the ranch to get married. On their own, they become successful farmers in the fertile San Fernando Valley. One day land grabbing Americans take their land by force, with the blessing of the government. On the road again, they end up in the cabin of Tennessee rednecks who at first welcome them but then become suspicious once they found out they are "Injuns". Since these Injuns happen to be Christians they put away their guns. It's a handsome Technicolor production and Loretta photographs beautifully in her jet-black, dyed hair, but tends towards the melodramatic.