THE OKLAHOMAN
US, 1957, 80 minutes, Colour.
Joel Mc Rea, Barbara Hale, Brad Dexter, Gloria Talbott, Michael Pate, Verna Felton, Douglas Dick, Esther Dale, Ray Teal.
Directed by Francis D. Lyon.
Joel Mc Rea has taken his place as one of the chief actors in Hollywood westerns. After a career as a man about town and then an action adventurer in the 1930s, he moved into smart comedies in the 1940s, and then, especially in the 1950s, into westerns where he became, along with Randolph Scott, one of the iconic upright men of the West.
This is particularly true of this film, a small film but beautifully photographed, a western where he is a doctor moving out West when his wife dies in childbirth and he stays in the local town in Oklahoma to bury her and then decides to stay to work as a doctor. A kindly widow whose two sons died in the Civil War takes them in and acts as a grandmother to the child – Esther Dale.
The young Indian woman, Gloria Talbott, comes to look after the little girl and falls in love with the doctor. There is also a ranch owner, a widow, played by Barbara Hale, whose feisty mother is forever dropping hints about marriage.
There are complications in the town which is partly owned by a rancher, Brad Dexter, one of the Magnificent Seven, who becomes more interested in oil when it is found on local properties, especially that owned by an Indian who has been granted land after the uprisings. He is played by Michael Pate.
Needless to say, the swaggering owner becomes violent, and the doctor has to take a stand, almost like High Noon – but, interestingly, in the previous shootout, a villain is wounded in the arm and his target does not die. The doctor is also wounded – but lives another day.
Popular Western ingredients with a difference.
1. An engaging Western? A western with the difference? The focus on a doctor, his role of healing before the use of guns?
2. The widescreen photography, the Oklahoma countryside, the town of the 1870s, boarding house, doctor’s surgery, the hotels, the homes of the ranchers? The musical score?
3. Joel Mc Rea and his career in westerns, a veteran, an icon, the decent upright man of the West?
4. The opening, the birth of Louise, the death of the wife in childbirth, the friends and their support, going to the town, John burying his wife, Mrs Fitzgerald and welcome, his decision to stay because of the grave, for his daughter, working in the town as a doctor?
5. the years passing, his reputation, the good doctor, the range of patients? Mrs Fitzgerald, her kindness, the death of her sons in the war, becoming a grandmother to Louise, support for John? Louise running in front of the carriage, Mrs Fitzgerald feeling too old, wanting Maria to help? Mrs Fitzgerald, the
collapse, satisfaction in life with Louise and John, her death?
6. The role of the Indians, a more personal approach in the dialogue, characters acknowledging Indian rights, the battles, the treaties, themes and settling the land, ownership, rights, families? Charlie an exemplary Indian? Always telling the truth? His son? Coming to the doctor, the son and swallowing the oil? The stomach pump?
7. The indication of oil, the discovery of petroleum, in the western states? Dobie, his power in the town, his brothers and entourage, the confrontation by Randall, his not wanting to shoot him, the brother drawing, being wounded, and Randall surviving? The information about the oil, send his brother to scout the property? Finding oil on Indian land? Dobie and his ambitions?
8. Maria, 18, Charlie’s daughter, coming to work in the house, sharing the meetings, the bond between them? Rumours in the town? Mrs Barnes, outspoken, matchmaking, criticising her daughter? The birthday party, Dobie and his dancing with Maria, belittling her in his speech, John to her defence, almost fight, the news about Charlie and his brother?
9. Charlie, seeing the brother at the swamp, being shot at, hiding, throwing the knife, giving himself up?
10. The atmosphere in the town, the sheriff and his control, Dobie and the drinking in the bar, the threats to Charlie? John going to the sheriff, the discussion about Charlie safety, getting his release?
11. Ann, widow, her large range of cattle, her liking for John, and his? Her jealousy of Maria, coming to his office? Her later apology and farewell to Maria?
12. John, deciding to go to Oklahoma City, to get the Indian agent, his horse being shot?
13. John and his realisation about the oil, the town divided, half supporting Dobie, half afraid of him?
14. John and challenging him about the oil, explaining to the people, Dobie wanting a high noon stand-off, killed, John wounded?
15. Charlie free, Maria leaving, Ann’s apology, marriage and happy ending?
