The Oklahoman (1956)

56% of users liked it
(86 ratings)

Joel McCrea stars in this leisurely paced Western from Allied Artists (formerly Monogram) originally released in Cinemascope. Having lost his wife in childbirth en route to California, Dr. John Brighton (McCrea) builds a new home for himself and his baby daughter in an Oklahoma backwater town,… More Joel McCrea stars in this leisurely paced Western from Allied Artists (formerly Monogram) originally released in Cinemascope. Having lost his wife in childbirth en route to California, Dr. John Brighton (McCrea) builds a new home for himself and his baby daughter in an Oklahoma backwater town, lodging with kindhearted Mrs. Fitzgerald (Esther Dale). As the town grows up around him, Brighton becomes a well-respected local medico, championing the rights of the area's Indian population when nasty rancher Cass Dobie attempts to buy them out cheap. Unbeknownst to the townspeople, Dobie has discovered oil on the land belonging to Charlie Smith (Michael Pate), whose beautiful daughter, Maria (Gloria Talbott), is working as little Louise Brighton's (Laurie Mitchell) nursemaid. When Charlie is forced to kill Cass' brother, Mel (Douglas Dick), in self-defense, Cass vows revenge. Aided by female rancher Anne Barnes (Barbara Hale), Brighton learns about the discovery of oil and there is a final confrontation on main street. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Francis D. Lyon
Written By: Daniel B. Ullman
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: May 19, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Feb 24, 1993
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A classy western.

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Cast

            Joel McCrea as Dr. John Brighton

            Barbara Hale as Anne Barnes

            Brad Dexter as Cass Dobie

            Gloria Talbott as Maria Smith

            Verna Felton as Mrs. Waynebrook

            Douglas Dick as Mel Dobie

            Michael Pate as Charlie Smith

            Anthony Caruso as Jim Hawk

            Esther Dale as Mrs. Fitzgerald

            Adam Williams as Bob Randell

            Ray Teal as Jason Stableman

            Peter J. Votrian as Little Charlie

            John M. Pickard as Marshal Bill

            Gertrude Astor as Woman

            Scotty Beckett as Messenger at Ranch

            Diane Brewster as Eliza

            Wheaton Chambers as Lounger

            Mimi Gibson as Louise Brighton

            Robert Hinkle as Ken the Driver

            Earl Hodgins as Sam the Bartender

            I. Stanford Jolley as Storekeeper

            Doris Kemper
            
            Harry Lauter as Grant

            Jennifer Lea as Girl

            Rankin Mansfield as Doctor

            Kermit Maynard as Townsman

            Laurie Mitchell
            
            Dorothy Neumann
            
            Sheb Wooley as Cowboy/Henchman

            Bill Foster as Dobie Henchman

            Watson Downs
            
            Lennie Geer as Bushwacker

            Allen Kramer as Wild Line

            Don Marlowe as Rider

            John Pickard
            
            Gloria Talbot
            
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