Cast
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Susan Hayward
as Cherokee Lansing
Robert Preston
as Brad Brady
Pedro Armendáriz
as Jim Redbird
Lloyd Gough
as Bruce Tanner
Chill Wills
as Pinky Jimpson (Narrator)
Ed Begley
as John J. 'Johnny' Brady (as Edward Begley)
Jimmy Conlin
as Homer Triplette
Roland Jack
as Steve, Cherokee's Ranchhand
Harry Shannon
as Nelse Lansing
Lola Albright
as Candy Williams (uncredited)
Paul E. Burns
as Tooley (uncredited)
John Dehner
as Oilman (uncredited)
Dick Gordon
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Fred Graham
as Charlie - Cherokee's Foreman (uncredited)
Frank Hagney
as Doorman at Gambling Emporium (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Stuart Heisler
Producer
- Walter Wanger
Reviews
John Chard
Seynatawnee means Red Hair, but to him it means Boss!
Tulsa is directed by Stuart Heisler and adapted to screenplay by Frank S. Nugent and Curtis Kenyon from a Richard Wormser story. It stars Susan Hayward, Robert Preston, Pedro Armendáriz, Lloyd Gough and Ed Begley. Music is by Frank Skinner and cinematography by Winton C. Hoch.
It's Tulsa at the start of the oil boom and when Cherokee Lansing's (Hayward) rancher father is killed in a fight, she decides to take on the Tanner Oil Company by setting up her own oil wells. But at what cost to the grazing land of the ranchers?
Perfect material for Hayward to get her teeth into, Tulsa is no great movie, but it a good one. Sensible ethics battle greed and revenge as Hayward's Cherokee Lensing lands in a male dominated industry and kicks ass whilst making the boys hearts sway. She's smart, confident and ambitious, but she's too driven to see the painfully obvious pitfalls of her motives, or even what she has become. It all builds to a furious climax, where fires rage both on land and in hearts, the American dream ablaze and crumbling, the effects and model work wonderfully pleasing.
Slow in parts, too melodramatic in others, but Hayward, Preston, Gough and the finale more than make this worth your time. 7/10
May 7, 2015
CinemaSerf
This has a slightly incongruous conservation slant to it as it follows the battle between the oil drillers and the local, largely indigenous, Oklahoman farmers. Now forgetting the terrible song at the start from "Pinky" (Chill Wills) - who provides us with the optimistic narration; we are introduced to the honorable "Cherokee" (Susan Hayward) who is after compensation when her father is killed by flying debris from an oil derrick owned by "Tanner" (Lloyd Gough). Nothing doing says he, but when she comes into some oil leases that she can ill afford to exploit, he has enough of a fair-mined (and venal) spirit about him to lend her the cash. The remainder of this drama is all quite predicable, and though Hayward does enough as the woman conflicted by both the ecology of what they are doing and also with would be husband "Brad" (Robert Preston) versus the admiring local lad with a conscience "Jim" (Pedro Armendáriz), the rest of the cast just go through the motions. There are some decent visual effects towards the end as things hot up and there is an underlying message of reconciling progress with nature that shows even in 1949 people were thinking about balance. It's watchable enough.
May 28, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Tulsa examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Stuart Heisler brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1949, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Tulsa took approximately 27 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 899 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 274 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1949, when this film was released:
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Tulsa shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Wrong Turn at Tahoe, which focuses more on action than character development, Tulsa offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Walking Tall and Scum explore similar territory, Tulsa stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 13, 1949
- Runtime: 1h 30m
Where to Watch
