Tulsa (1949)

Stuart Heisler's film is set in during the 20s Oklahoma oil boom. Susan Hayward plays Cherokee Lansing, daughter of a rancher killed by the oilmen, who is determined to get her revenge by finding oil before they can. Helped by native American Jim Redbird and roustabout Brad Brady she strikes it rich but her greed sees her and oilman Bruce Tanner become partners. But as the wells increasingly pollute the pasture, tensions rise and a calamitous fire threatens to engulf both sides in this Oscar-nominated drama.