In Old Oklahoma is a 1943 American Western (genre) film starring John Wayne, Martha Scott, Albert Dekker, George "Gabby" Hayes, Marjorie Rambeau, and Dale Evans. The movie was directed by Albert S. Rogell and is usually shown under the alternative title
War of the Wildcats, its re-release name. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and the other for Academy Award for Best Sound (Daniel J. Bloomberg).< name="Oscars1944"></>
Plot
Eastern school teacher Catherine Allen becomes notorious in 1906 when it is learned that she has authored a romance novel. She decides to move West and begin a new life.
On the train, oil man Jim Gardner makes a pass at her. Catherine asks a cowboy, Dan Somers, to sit nearby as a safety measure. Both are on their way to Oklahoma, with stagecoach driver Despirit Dean tagging along with his friend Dan.
Many people in Sapulpa are upset with Jim's business tactics. A farmer feels he was paid too little for his property after Jim discovers oil there. Jim is furious when Dan strongly discourages Chief Big Tree from selling Indian land at too low an offer.
Dan travels to Washington, D.C., to ask President Theodore Roosevelt about oil rights. He fought for Teddy and the Rough Riders a few years before. Teddy offers him a chance to transport thousands of barrels of oil to a Tulsa inery to win the rights over Jim, which leads to Jim's hired man, the Cherokee Kid, setting off an explosion and sabotaging the trip.
Catherine and Dan fall in love, with hotel owner Bessie Baxter playing matchmaker. A final fistfight between Dan and Jim settles matters once and for all.
Cast
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- John Wayne as Daniel F. Somers
- Martha Scott as Catherine Elizabeth Allen
- Albert Dekker as Jim "Hunk" Gardner
- George "Gabby" Hayes as Despirit Dean
- Marjorie Rambeau as Bessie Baxter
- Dale Evans as Cuddles Walker
- Grant Withers as Richardson
- Sidney Blackmer as Theodore Roosevelt
- Paul Fix as the Cherokee Kid
See also
John Wayne filmography
Category:1943 films
Category:American films
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:English-language films
Category:Films directed by Albert S. Rogell
Category:1940s Western (genre) films
Category:Republic Pictures films
Category:American Western (genre) films