Directed by Stuart Heisler and produced by Walter Wanger, Tulsa is a Technicolor drama set against the backdrop of the 1920s Oklahoma oil boom. Starring Susan Hayward, Robert Preston, and Pedro Armendáriz, the film explores themes of greed, conservation, and personal transformation—making it one of the earliest Hollywood films to tackle environmental concerns head-on.
Plot Summary
After her father is killed in an oil well explosion caused by corporate negligence, Cherokee Lansing (Susan Hayward) vows revenge. She dives into the oil business herself, determined to outdo the ruthless Bruce Tanner (Lloyd Gough). Along the way, she partners with geologist Brad Brady (Robert Preston), who urges responsible drilling and land preservation. As Cherokee’s ambition grows, she loses sight of her values—until a tragic fire, sparked by her Native American friend Jim Redbird (Pedro Armendáriz), forces her to confront the consequences of unchecked greed.
Cast Highlights
- 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. Brady
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Despite its title, most of the film was not shot in Tulsa. Location work took place on the 10,000-acre ranch of Oklahoma Governor Roy J. Turner in Sulphur, Oklahoma
- Producer Walter Wanger originally wanted Dana Andrews or Robert Mitchum for the male lead, but budget constraints led to casting Robert Preston instead
- Chief Iron Eyes Cody, later famous for his 1970s anti-littering PSA, appears briefly in the opening credits—though he was actually Italian-American
- The film was nominated for an Academy Award for its special effects, particularly the dramatic oil fire scenes
Themes and Legacy
- Tulsa was ahead of its time in portraying the environmental impact of oil drilling, a topic rarely addressed in 1940s cinema
- The film’s climax—featuring a massive oil fire—was both a technical achievement and a symbolic turning point for its characters
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