CIMARRON
US, 1931, 114 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Dix, Irene Dunne.
Directed by Wesley Ruggles.
Cimarron is based on a novel by Edna Ferber, a story about the opening up of Oklahoma with the runs on the land in 1889 and 1893, the development of the territory, its build-up to a state. The span of the story extends from 1889 to 1930, the time in which the film was made. Edna Ferber also wrote the books for Show Boat, Giant, So Big.
The film won the Oscar for best film of 1931. It was directed by Wesley Ruggles, a director who worked in a number of genres. Richard Dix’s performance as Yancey Cravat is rather histrionic, more stage-like than for cinema. By contrast, Irene Dunne in an early role is able to move from a simpering devoted wife, a puritanical pillar of society to a woman who takes a newspaper in hand and finally is elected to the Congress. She was to be a strong force in films in the 1930s and 40s including Roberta, Show Boat, Penny Serenade, Anna and the King of Siam.
The film is interesting in its portrayal of the west, of the Oklahoma Territory, of the characters who built up the state, of the restless men like Yancey Cravat who needed to move, who fought in the American -Spanish war, who profited by the oil gushers in Oklahoma Territory. The film is also interesting in its presentation of the native American Indians, the slurs from characters like that of Irene Dunne who gradually change, even accepting a native American as a daughter-in-law. There is also a glimpse of African Americans, especially in the young boy Isaiah. However, while the word ‘Jew’ is not mentioned (and was not mentioned in films of this period), one of the central characters is a Jewish salesman, presented very sympathetically. There was a remake of the film in 1961 starring Glenn Ford and Maria Schell, directed by Anthony Mann. It is much more extensive in scope with a longer running time and widescreen colour.
1.A film of the early 30s, classic status, Oscar, a piece of Americana, the forty years of history of Oklahoma Territory?
2.The black and white photography, the sound engineering, the staging, the focus with close-ups, the sweeping scenes of action, the runs on Oklahoma Territory? The acting styles – from stage, adapted for screen? The musical score?
3.The title, Oklahoma, the runs, 1889, the Cherokee run, the Indians and the small payment, the land, the building up of the towns, the discovery of oil, the modern cities of the US?
4.The forty years of action, the structure of the film, the introduction to Oklahoma Territory, Yancey and the land rush, his losing the land, the defiance of the woman, going back to Wichita, meeting the Venables, their prim attitudes, Sabra and her making the decision? The journey, settling, setting up the paper, life and the development of the frontier town, the Cherokee run, moving to 1898, the Spanish -American war, 1907 and the greater development of Oklahoma, the transition to 1929, the forty years’ development and change?
5.Yancey as the focus, the portrait of the restless adventurer? Sabra and the portrait of the prim young woman, having to be on her own, developing? Her achievement?
6.Yancey Cravat, Richard Dix and his acting style, the histrionic style? His experiences in Oklahoma? Marriage to Sabra, Cim as the young son, the meal with the Venables, the discussions, the decisions? On the wagons? Encountering Kid? The past friendship? The arrival in the town, the rough town, Yontas and his threats, setting up the paper, his quest, the confrontations in the street, Yontas shooting the hat, his reaction? The leadership, being invited to the church, the set-up for Yontas, the shooting? The collection, money for building the church? The paper and his success? The Cherokee run, his wanting to go? The encounter with Kid, the threats? The shootout? Isaiah and his death? His going away, leaving Sabra and the children, being away for five years? His return, the immediate defence in the courtroom, the young woman, the friendship with her? His love for Sabra, his disappearance? The Spanish-American? war? The editorial about the Indians, his statements about the injustice? His disappearance, his memory, the drifter at the end, the oil rig, giving his life? Sabra finding him? The monument to the pioneers of Oklahoma?
7.The American frontier, the Indians, the taking of the land, the poor recompense, their being in the towns? The growing wealth? American commerce? The individuals, empires? The prejudices against the Indians? The presence of an African American boy? American pride, enterprise? Changing attitudes, especially in the 1920s? The building of the skyscrapers, industry, commerce? The oil rush?
8.Irene Dunne as Sabra, the scope of her performance, the initial timidity, her decision to go with Yancey, prim, her life in the town, her being cautious, with the women, respectable, fashions? In the church? The women of the town, her coping with Yancey’s absence? The birth of the children? The paper and her attack against Dixie? Her shock at Yancey defending Dixie? Yet her continued love? Dealing with her children, Donna and her becoming a snob? Cim and Ruby, Sabra’s bigotry against the Indians? Her continuing to run the paper, the passing of the forty years, the election to Congress, the dinner, her speech, her acknowledging Ruby, her pride, the forty years and remembering Yancey’s editorial about the Indians?
9.Cim, the young boy, friendship with Isaiah, his growing up, friendship with Ruby, independence, marrying and having a family? Donna, snobbery, going away to school, her reaction to her father? Her marriage and success?
10.The various helpers on the paper, pioneers, support of Yancey, support of Sabra, working with her over the forty years? The printer, layout?
11.The women of the town, Edna May Oliver and her comic style?
12.The Indians, the poor recompense for the land, the Cherokee run, in the town, looked down on, standing at the back of the church? Ruby and her work in the house? The son of a chief? Sabra’s bigotry? The end, her acknowledgment of Ruby and her grandchildren? The chief paying tribute to her and her stances?
13.Isaiah, the caricature of the African American, the young boy, the meal, frightened, going to the town, his work for the family, going to the church, Yancey sending him home, his going out to help, his death?
14.Sol Levy, his being the butt of taunts, the rope around his neck, Yancey rescuing him, his going to the church, the Hebrew church included with all the other churches, the friendship with Yancey, with Sabra, his carrying Isaiah when he was killed? The presentation of a Jewish character in a Hollywood film at the beginning of the 1930s?
15.The scope of the film, its acclaim in 1931, how does it stand up in retrospect? An insight into attitudes of the 1930s?
