Oklahoma Crude (1973)

In 1913, in Oklahoma, oil derrick owner Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway), aided by her father (Sir John Mills) and a hobo (George C. Scott), is stubbornly drilling for oil despite the pressure from major oil companies to sell her land.

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writer:

Marc Norman

Stars:

George C. Scott, Faye Dunaway, John Mills

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George C. Scott	...	Mase
Faye Dunaway	...	Lena
John Mills	...	Cleon
Jack Palance	...	Hellman
William Lucking	...	Marion
Harvey Jason	...	Wilcox
Ted Gehring	...	Wobbly
Cliff Osmond	...	Massive Man
Rafael Campos	...	Jimmy
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Lawyer
John Hudkins	...	Bloom
Harvey Parry	...	Bliss
Bob Herron	...	Dulling (as Dullnig)
Jerry Brown	...	Rucker
Jim Burk	...	Moody

Storyline

It's oil boom time in Oklahoma, and Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway), a hard-bitten, cyncial feminist has a fight on her hands. The big oil companies don't like the fact that she's working a potentially profitable wildcat rig. Reluctantly, Lena must accept the aid of her estranged father Cleon Doyle (Sir John Mills), and Noble Mason (George C. Scott), the man he hires to help. The three form an unlikely team: Lena hates men, Mason is out for himself, and Lena's father is trying to make up for a lifetime of neglecting his daughter. But together, they take on the big guys and put up a terrific fight.

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Plot Keywords:

cigar smoking | nudity | oil | father | oklahoma | 

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Taglines:

Rip roaring adventure...wild, raunchy humor!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cast includes four Oscar winners: George C. Scott, Faye Dunaway, Sir John Mills, and Jack Palance.

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Quotes

Mason: You don't like men much, do you?
Lena: No.
Mason: Maybe you're the kind who prefers women.
Lena: No. Women are even worse; they try to be like men, but they can't cut it. I'd like to be a member of a third sex.
Mason: Third sex? Mmm-hmmm. Well, which article would you have - the one that goes in, or the one that goes out?
Lena: Both.
Mason: Well, which one would you favor?
Lena: Both. If I had both sex organs, I could just screw myself, couldn't I? Well, couldn't I?
[Mason gets up to leave the shack]
Lena: Aren't you going to finish your soup?

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Connections

Referenced in Times Square (1980)

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Soundtracks

Send a Little Love My Way
Music by Henry Mancini
Lyrics by Hal David
Sung by Anne Murray
[Played over the opening titles, opening credits and end credits. It is also played as background music when Mase is trying to sleep in his leaky tent during the rainstorm.]

User Reviews

Fun and entertaining movie about a peculiar trio defending a lone well and they take on big oil trusts

Amusing film by the great producer and director Stanley Krmer , including an attractive and interesting screenplay written by Marc Norman . It's oil boom time in Oklahoma and Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway) , a man-hating , strong-willed woman has a struggle on her hands : the big oil companies don't appeal the fact that she's working a potentially profitable oil well . Reluctantly, Lena has to accept the aid of her estranged father Cleon (John Mills) , and Mason (George C. Scott) , the man he contacts to help . The three form an unlikely alliance against the oil trusts that are represented by a nasty ex-general (Jack Palance) and his big guys (William Lucking , Cliff Osmond) . But together are determined to defend the lone wildcat rig , as the good guys contend the bad guys and put up a terrific facing .

This is a wild raunchy rip-roaring yarn , an agreeable picture that has comedy , fights , shootouts , mildly enjoyable situations , nonthinking amusement and likable performances . Enjoyable acting by Faye Dunaway and Geoge C. Scott , both of whom steal the show , she as a hard-bitten, stubborn feminist and he as an obstinate drifter . Enjoyable relationship among three protagonists : Lena hates men , Mason stunningly played by George C. Scott , giving a brilliantly comic acting , he is out for himself , and Lena's father wonderfully acted by John Mills is attempting to make up for a lifetime of neglecting his daughter . Furthermore , a good support cast as Harvey Jason , William Lucking , Cliff Osmond and special mention to Jack Palance playing an unforgettable villain . Colorful cinematography in Panavision filmed on location in Ospital Ranch, Stockton, California, USA , being compellingly photographed by Robert Surtees , an excellent cameraman expert on superproductions as Ben Hur , Quo Vadis , Cimarron , King Solomon's Mines , among others . Atmospheric and lively musical score by Henry Mancini , Blake Edwards' usual .

This old-fashioned motion picture was well produced and directed by Stanley Kramer . He directed 14 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances .He was a notorious producer and director who gave big successes . Kramer formed his own production company in 1947, in conjunction with Carl Foreman .He had a reputation for being frugal, working well within his budgetary limitations . Many of his films reflected social or political concerns and were often controversial . Stanley was consequently tagged as a "message film maker" and "Hollywood's Conscience" . Among his most popular films are : The pride and the Passion¨, ¨On the beach¨, ¨¨ Judgment at Nuremberg¨, ¨Ship of fools¨, ¨World is mad , mad ,mad¨ and ¨Guess Who's Coming to Dinner¨ . However , ¨Oklahoma crude¨ resulted to be a flop at box office though nowadays is well considered . rating : Above average . Worthwhile watching .

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1973 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Oklahoma Crude

Filming Locations:

Sonora, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,443,396

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Stanley Kramer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1