An American Western. A story set in Oklahoma in 1906 about the struggle of a an ambitious, hard-bitten frontier cowboy competing with a wealthy oilman for the rights to a tract of oil-rich land and a pretty young former schoolteacher-cum-novelist. This is a light-hearted adventure, action-packed with a political undertone about the exploitation of native Indians and a theme about how industrialism is taking over the wild west. John Wayne cuts a splendid hero figure, looking comically exasperated by the lively, boisterous Martha Scott. The story progresses efficiently and ends with a strong third act though overall it is rather forgettable - failing to be much more than playfully charming. Nominated for two Academy Awards for drama and comedy, and sound, this is an engaging epic with some strong acting support.
Review of In Old Oklahoma
