Oklahoma Crude is Stanley Kramer's attempt at a western, semi-modern though it might be. It also is quite a different look at early statehood Oklahoma circa 1913. The movie kind of dates itself when a drunken George C. Scott and John Mills listen and sing along to a gramophone record of You Made Me Love You which came out in 1913.

It's nothing like that other movie of Oklahoma's early days Cimarron, Edna Ferber's tale of pioneer women and Yancey Cravat who has an honored place with cowboy heroes. George C. Scott is no hero, but he's forced into a heroic mold because he doesn't like being spit on as Jack Palance the oil company man does.

Three very estranged people Faye Dunaway who is one liberated and independent woman determined to hang on to her oil lease and bring in an oil well gusher. She has to accept help from her father John Mills and from George C. Scott who Mills finds on the bum so to speak. He certainly does have certain skills that he brings to bear. Palance is his usual rough customer as the oil company man.

One ought to see Cimarron, both versions to contrast with this film. One ought to also see the MGM big budget film about the oil industry Boom Town that starred Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Claudette Colbert. The film is an ode to laissez faire capitalism and its attitudes are 180 degrees apart from Oklahoma Crude.

The end also has one ironic postscript and more in line with real life than most of what you see.

And George C. Scott is bad for the bad guys, but a cowboy hero he ain't.

In 1973 I saw this film when it first came out accompanied with my father. We saw it in a movie house out in the Coney Island section in Brooklyn, and it was on a rarity these days - a double bill with a film from France (I believe it was TRAFFIC by Jacques Tati). The movies were entertaining for a change. OKLAHOMA CRUDE was an unexpectedly good film - not a great western but an unusual one.

The plot is similar to the plots of many westerns. A woman owns a small parcel of land which is the subject of interest by powerful local interests. Instead of it being land where the local water hole is located (as in THE BIG COUNTRY) it is potentially rich oil land. The woman here (Faye Dunaway) is very independent and very bitter - her father (John Mills) has always been distant and never helped her or her mother. But circumstances force her to rely on Mills and on drifter George C. Scott. Scott is quite a slippery type - out for himself. So Dunaway proceeds to keep him on a tight leash.

The local Oil Company represents the big land owner in traditional westerns. And, taking a leaf from SHANE, it's "gunslinger" is Jack Palance. But Palance is a smoother villain (and at times a funnier one) than his classic killer in SHANE. When Scott offers to sabotage Dunaway's attempts at fighting the big, bad corporation, Palance, calmly smoking a cigar motions Scott over to him. "I don't think I can use you for that.", our Jack says in a typically deadly confidential whisper of that gravelly voice of his, "but I'll tell you what. I'll give you $10.00 if you'll kiss my ass!" Scott doesn't reply immediately, but later on he gets a little back at Jack - at a particularly dark threatening moment, Scott pulls his shotgun up against Palance's groin (lower section). Caught off guard and frightened, we see a river come out of Jack's midriff. When he is "emptied out", he looks disgustedly at his ruined overcoat, strips it off him gingerly, and dumps it on the floor of Dunaway's homestead before he leaves.

The film had many choice moments - like John Mills and one of Palance's army of thugs confronting each other, both firing their guns, and both discovering that they have no ammo in their guns. They then have to race to arm their weapon first...and it becomes a really close thing.

The slapstick moments enliven the film - and even last to the last moments when (much to Palance's amazement) his bosses are ready to meet any demand to get that oil. All in all a pretty good and unusual movie, and one that should be seen by people who like western films.

Amusing film by the great producer and director Stanley Krmer , including an attractive and interesting screenplay written by Marc Norman . It's oil boom time in Oklahoma and Lena Doyle (Faye Dunaway) , a man-hating , strong-willed woman has a struggle on her hands : the big oil companies don't appeal the fact that she's working a potentially profitable oil well . Reluctantly, Lena has to accept the aid of her estranged father Cleon (John Mills) , and Mason (George C. Scott) , the man he contacts to help . The three form an unlikely alliance against the oil trusts that are represented by a nasty ex-general (Jack Palance) and his big guys (William Lucking , Cliff Osmond) . But together are determined to defend the lone wildcat rig , as the good guys contend the bad guys and put up a terrific facing .

This is a wild raunchy rip-roaring yarn , an agreeable picture that has comedy , fights , shootouts , mildly enjoyable situations , nonthinking amusement and likable performances . Enjoyable acting by Faye Dunaway and Geoge C. Scott , both of whom steal the show , she as a hard-bitten, stubborn feminist and he as an obstinate drifter . Enjoyable relationship among three protagonists : Lena hates men , Mason stunningly played by George C. Scott , giving a brilliantly comic acting , he is out for himself , and Lena's father wonderfully acted by John Mills is attempting to make up for a lifetime of neglecting his daughter . Furthermore , a good support cast as Harvey Jason , William Lucking , Cliff Osmond and special mention to Jack Palance playing an unforgettable villain . Colorful cinematography in Panavision filmed on location in Ospital Ranch, Stockton, California, USA , being compellingly photographed by Robert Surtees , an excellent cameraman expert on superproductions as Ben Hur , Quo Vadis , Cimarron , King Solomon's Mines , among others . Atmospheric and lively musical score by Henry Mancini , Blake Edwards' usual .

This old-fashioned motion picture was well produced and directed by Stanley Kramer . He directed 14 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances .He was a notorious producer and director who gave big successes . Kramer formed his own production company in 1947, in conjunction with Carl Foreman .He had a reputation for being frugal, working well within his budgetary limitations . Many of his films reflected social or political concerns and were often controversial . Stanley was consequently tagged as a "message film maker" and "Hollywood's Conscience" . Among his most popular films are : The pride and the Passion¨, ¨On the beach¨, ¨¨ Judgment at Nuremberg¨, ¨Ship of fools¨, ¨World is mad , mad ,mad¨ and ¨Guess Who's Coming to Dinner¨ . However , ¨Oklahoma crude¨ resulted to be a flop at box office though nowadays is well considered . rating : Above average . Worthwhile watching .