Cimarron (1931 film)

Pioneers of the Wild West (OT: Cimarron ) is a western starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, directed by Wesley Ruggles from 1931 Produced by RKO film won the first Oscar for Best Western the film of the year. . The film is based on the novel by Edna Ferber

Action

In 1889, the U.S. government is part of the Oklahoma Land Run free two million acres of land in the former Indian Territory for settlement. The adventurous Yancey Caravet takes his young wife Sabra and their son with Cimarron in the new area to help out as a newspaper publisher in state-building. 1893 leaves the restless Yancey his family to experience new adventures. Sabra takes over the newspaper. When oil is found, Yancey comes back to be elected governor of the territory, but over throws with the powerful investors who try everything to defraud the Indians. Again Yancey leaves house and home. Sabra finally goes into politics and elected as congressman for the newly founded state of Oklahoma.

Background

The author Edna Ferber described the societal and social changes in the U.S. over a longer period in their epic novels. The focus was usually women who put up with courage, bravery and determination against the adversities and challenges of the environment to defend and to fight for their place in society. Many of her works had already been filmed as So Big 1925 with Colleen Moore and Show Boat in 1929. In Cimarron, published in 1929, she told the story of the State of Oklahoma against the background of the marriage of Yancey and Sabra. The film company RKO newly founded bought the film rights for the then huge sum of 125,000 U.S. dollars. The occupation of the main characters did not turn out quite simple. Richard Dix was the biggest male star of RKO and had turned several times already in the Western silent film. The studio bought the film rights, especially in order to have a suitable material for Dix. As a partner Fay Bainter was initially intended, but with the production manager of the studio, William Le Baron, fell out. He settled for Irene Dunne, which so far only a movie, the musical had turned Leathernecking. Dunne had taken at a prestigious drama school for a few months intensive instruction after the failure of her debut. To convince the producers, they made ​​on your own, test the recording in which they grew old with the support of the Make- Up Department from 16 to 56. The recordings eventually persuaded to give Le Baron Irene Dunne role. For the scenes of the great conquest over 5,000 extras and 47 cameras were used. However, the film proved at the box office only moderately successful and caused the end losses of approximately U.S. $ 250,000.

For Irene Dunne Cimarron meant the breakthrough as an actress. Already in mid- 1931, she announced in her film Consolation Marriage as the sole star on the movie title. With Richard Dix together they turned in 1934, directed by William Wellman Stingaree.

Metro -Goldwyn -Mayer produced in 1960 with Glenn Ford and Maria Schell, directed by Anthony Mann, a remake of the substance. Due to the copyright implications of the RKO film could not be shown on television for many years.

Theatrical Release

The film cost 1.433 million dollars, which he did not again grossed at the box office with 1,383,000 U.S. dollars. The studio had to record a loss in the amount of 565,000 U.S. dollars at the end.

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1931, the film won in the categories:

  • Best Picture
  • Best Art Direction - Max Rée
  • Best Adapted Screenplay - Howard Estabrook
  • Special Award for the make -up - Ern Westmore

In addition, there were nominations in the categories:

  • Best Director - Wesley Ruggles
  • Best Actor - Richard Dix
  • Best Cinematography - Edward Cronjager
1931 in film William LeBaron RKO Pictures Film score Academy Award for Best Picture Land Run of 1889 Stingaree (1934 film) 4th Academy Awards
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