What's not to like about a movie reuniting Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert with Spencer Tracy starring too and the beautiful Hedy Lamarr in a supporting role! This movie is about oilmen Big John McMasters (Gable) and Square John Sand (Tracy). They meet each other in Texas when both are broke. Sand has spotted a possible site for an oil well, and they shmooze the supplier Luther Aldrich (Frank Morgan, the Wizard of Oz) to become rich overnight. When the well catches on fire, they flip the coin for complete control. McMasters loses and is poor again. But guess what? McMasters has already met and married a new woman in town, Betsy Bartlett (Claudette Colbert), and she was the woman that Sand has been trying to raise enough money to bring to town to marry himself. These two men battle through the entire movie. One time McMasters is down, and then the next time Sand is down. And then vice versa. But McMasters has the best deal because he has a loyal wife who supports his every move. And then comes a son, Jack, that they both love. When McMasters decides to enter oil refining in New York, enter Karen Vanmeer (Hedy Lamarr) as a sort of advisor who through her relationships with other oilmen learns all the secrets of the game. But she has another goal: she wants to break up McMasters marriage. And then Square John comes back into the picture, offers to marry Vanmeer to protect his former love, and joins forces with McMasters' main competitor. How this movie ends is up to you. This movie was nominated for Best Cinematography and deserves it. The movie is beautifully photographed in black and white. It was obviously a predecessor to all the oil TV shows that we watched in the 1980s, and there is really a lot to learn by watching this movie. I was not impressed with this movie the first time that I watched it. But my second viewing gave me a much better appreciation for the story. The oil business is up and down. And we are still fighting for it. You will like this story too.Read full review
Excellent DVD of an early Hollywood classic - Great story,acting and cinematography!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great cast of Oscar winners playing their parts so well. Hedy Lamarr comes in late in this money making movie but causes a lot of the drama a screen siren can stir up with her gorgeous looks and great acting! Fun movie to watch.
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This DVD was well worth purchasing! Excellent quality and factory sealed as stated. I will buy again!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great period piece, fun story line, Recommend it for vintage movie lovers.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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