Cimarron

Plot

Spanning forty years from 1889 to 1929, the film follows the restless Yancey Cravat, a flamboyant lawyer and newspaperman who joins the Oklahoma Land Rush with his refined wife, Sabra. After losing his initial claim to a clever prostitute named Dixie Lee, Yancey moves his family to the burgeoning boomtown of Osage, where he establishes the town's first newspaper and becomes a moral leader. However, Yancey’s wanderlust repeatedly pulls him away to new frontiers, leaving Sabra to manage the newspaper and raise their children alone. Over the decades, Sabra transforms from a prejudiced, dependent wife into a powerful political figure and Oklahoma's first female member of Congress. The epic concludes with a poignant reunion as Yancey dies in Sabra's arms after a heroic act at an oil field, symbolizing the passing of the old frontier spirit into the modern era.

Historical Background

Released in 1931, Cimarron arrived during the early years of the Great Depression and the transition from silent films to 'talkies.' It reflected a national nostalgia for the frontier spirit and the 'rugged individualism' that many felt was being lost in the modern, industrialized world. The film covers the actual historical event of the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 and the subsequent oil boom, providing a dramatized look at the rapid transformation of the American West from wilderness to statehood. Its portrayal of Native Americans and African Americans, while progressive for 1931 in its intent to show Yancey's tolerance, is viewed today as being heavily steeped in the racial stereotypes of the era.

Making Of

The production was a logistical marvel of the early sound era. Director Wesley Ruggles and cinematographer Edward Cronjager utilized 28 different camera setups to capture the chaos of the land rush, a feat rarely attempted in 1931. The film faced significant challenges with sound recording in outdoor environments, which was still a relatively new technology. RKO's decision to spend over $1.4 million during the depths of the Depression was seen as a massive risk, nearly bankrupting the studio despite the film's eventual prestige. The makeup department, led by Ern Westmore, was highly praised for the realistic aging of Richard Dix and Irene Dunne over the film's 40-year narrative span.

Visual Style

Edward Cronjager’s cinematography was revolutionary for its time, especially the use of moving cameras during the land rush. He employed wide-angle shots to capture the vastness of the prairie and utilized deep focus techniques that predated 'Citizen Kane.' The visual transition of the town of Osage from a collection of tents to a modern city with skyscrapers was achieved through meticulous set design and clever camera angles.

Innovations

The film's primary technical achievement was the coordination of the land rush sequence, which involved thousands of extras and animals moving at high speeds. It also showcased advanced 'aging' makeup and the construction of one of the largest outdoor sets in Hollywood history. The transition from silent to sound technology is evident in the film's ambitious use of dialogue in large, crowded outdoor scenes.

Music

The film features a score by the legendary Max Steiner, though in 1931, full orchestral scores were not yet the norm. Much of the film relies on diegetic sound, but Steiner’s contributions helped set the emotional tone for the epic's more dramatic moments. It is an early example of how music could be used to bridge large gaps in time within a narrative.

Memorable Scenes

• The Great Oklahoma Land Rush: A chaotic, high-energy sequence featuring thousands of wagons and riders charging across the plains to stake claims.
• The Death of Lon Yountis: Yancey confronts the outlaw in a tense showdown that establishes his role as the town's protector.
• Sabra's Congressional Speech: A late-film scene where Sabra reflects on the growth of the state and her own journey from a reluctant settler to a leader.
• The Final Reunion: Sabra finds a dying Yancey in the mud of an oil field, bringing their forty-year saga to a tragic end.

What Critics Said

At the time of its release, Cimarron was a critical sensation, praised for its 'grandiose' scale and historical importance. The New York Times called it a 'spectacular achievement.' Modern critics, however, are much harsher; it is often cited as one of the 'weakest' Best Picture winners due to its episodic structure, dated acting styles (particularly Richard Dix's theatrical performance), and uncomfortable racial depictions. It currently holds a relatively low score on review aggregators compared to other Oscar winners.

What Audiences Thought

1931 audiences were awestruck by the film's spectacle, particularly the opening land rush. It was a massive hit in terms of ticket sales, though the high production costs meant it didn't turn a profit until its 1935 re-release. Modern audiences often find the film's pacing slow and the protagonist's frequent disappearances frustrating, though the technical achievement of the opening sequence still commands respect.

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