One of several epic film stories about oil wildcatting released in the 1940s. I'm familiar with 3: the prior "Boomtown" and "Flowing Gold". and the later Tulsa". Each of these sports a gusher or two, and all except this one feature a spectacular oil field fire. While gushers provide dramatic evidence of a strike under high pressure, they aren't really what you want. They waste oil and contaminate the surrounding area, increase the risk of a fire, and , if offshore, will contaminate the marine environment.
The alternative title of "War of the Wildcats" correctly suggests competition to be king of the regional oil exploration and production businesses. Albert Dekker plays Jim Gardner: the established kingpin of the oil exploration business in Oklahoma, and an obvious candidate to be the chief villain in a fight with a consortium of small oil producers, farmers and Aboriginal Americans for a share of the riches. John Wayne, as Dan Somers, although lacking experience in oil exploration, is elected leader of the consortium. This turns out to be a fortuitous choice when the two go to Washington to plead their case before the president(T.R.). Although Gardner, with his vast experience and material advantages, might seem the overwhelming choice, Dan fought with the rough riders in Cuba, and T.R. remembers him. Also, Dan offers the Aboriginal Americans a 50% stake in the profits vs. Gardner's 12 1/2 %. T.R. wants to make sure the Aboriginal Americans get their fair share, thus decides in favor of the consortium. However, if they fail to deliver a given quantity of oil after 4 months, the concession will be transferred to Gardner, thus providing him with the incentive to impede their ability to deliver in time. Toward this end, Gardner buys the oil pipeline from this region to the Tulsa refinery, thus forcing the consortium to transport their oil in wooden tanker wagons and makeshift containers in wagons(Where did they all of a sudden get all of these wagons?).In addition, the Cherokee Kid, who sometimes works for Gardner, has his independent reason to want to sabotage the consortium's efforts.
As you might expect, a woman is also involved in the competition for oil rights. Martha Scott plays a schoolteacher and novelist from the east , who wants some experience living in the west. At first, she brushes off romantic overtures from the two men. But, eventually she is caught in a passionate kiss with Gardner out in the moonlight in a wilderness area. But, she then sharply changes her attitude, gets out of the buggy, and walks along the road until Wayne, in his buggy, picks her up. Seems something Gardner said led her to believe that his intention was for her to become his mistress, rather than wife, upsetting her.
Gardner's men try to sabotage the oil wagons by creating a sizable blaze out along the road. But, most of the wagons get through unscathed. Also, a pair of Gardner's men tinkered with some of the wagons, making them unhitch during their travels, wrecking quite a few. That mad dash to the refinery was the action highlight of the film.
Dale Evans leads a troupe of singer/dancers in a stage show in the saloon. Best remembered for her inclusion in the later TV series: The Roy Rogers Show, in her early career, she was mostly a singer.
John Wayne fans will want to see this superior Republic offering, featuring a rather young Wayne. Dekker provides a rather appealing villain, in most respects, except toward the end.
The alternative title of "War of the Wildcats" correctly suggests competition to be king of the regional oil exploration and production businesses. Albert Dekker plays Jim Gardner: the established kingpin of the oil exploration business in Oklahoma, and an obvious candidate to be the chief villain in a fight with a consortium of small oil producers, farmers and Aboriginal Americans for a share of the riches. John Wayne, as Dan Somers, although lacking experience in oil exploration, is elected leader of the consortium. This turns out to be a fortuitous choice when the two go to Washington to plead their case before the president(T.R.). Although Gardner, with his vast experience and material advantages, might seem the overwhelming choice, Dan fought with the rough riders in Cuba, and T.R. remembers him. Also, Dan offers the Aboriginal Americans a 50% stake in the profits vs. Gardner's 12 1/2 %. T.R. wants to make sure the Aboriginal Americans get their fair share, thus decides in favor of the consortium. However, if they fail to deliver a given quantity of oil after 4 months, the concession will be transferred to Gardner, thus providing him with the incentive to impede their ability to deliver in time. Toward this end, Gardner buys the oil pipeline from this region to the Tulsa refinery, thus forcing the consortium to transport their oil in wooden tanker wagons and makeshift containers in wagons(Where did they all of a sudden get all of these wagons?).In addition, the Cherokee Kid, who sometimes works for Gardner, has his independent reason to want to sabotage the consortium's efforts.
As you might expect, a woman is also involved in the competition for oil rights. Martha Scott plays a schoolteacher and novelist from the east , who wants some experience living in the west. At first, she brushes off romantic overtures from the two men. But, eventually she is caught in a passionate kiss with Gardner out in the moonlight in a wilderness area. But, she then sharply changes her attitude, gets out of the buggy, and walks along the road until Wayne, in his buggy, picks her up. Seems something Gardner said led her to believe that his intention was for her to become his mistress, rather than wife, upsetting her.
Gardner's men try to sabotage the oil wagons by creating a sizable blaze out along the road. But, most of the wagons get through unscathed. Also, a pair of Gardner's men tinkered with some of the wagons, making them unhitch during their travels, wrecking quite a few. That mad dash to the refinery was the action highlight of the film.
Dale Evans leads a troupe of singer/dancers in a stage show in the saloon. Best remembered for her inclusion in the later TV series: The Roy Rogers Show, in her early career, she was mostly a singer.
John Wayne fans will want to see this superior Republic offering, featuring a rather young Wayne. Dekker provides a rather appealing villain, in most respects, except toward the end.