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This film is also very commonly known as "War of the Wildcats". As you watch it, the movie sure looks like a B--but with just a bit more polish, a bit longer running time and a bit more in the way of budget. This is because the film is sort of like a transitional film for Wayne. While he played in a ton of Bs during the 1930s, around 1939 (with "Stagecoach") he began playing in better and better films. But many of them looked a lot like Bs and felt a lot like Bs. His bigger budget studio projects were still a few years ahead.

The film begins with a feminist author (Martha Scott) leaving her tiny town. Apparently the local prudes were angry at her writing such a scandalous romance novel--and you get the impression that it really isn't THAT bad. In fact, it really can't be because Scott is a school teacher and never really lived a worldly life in this town. So, at the urging of the women, she is determined to see the world--and be more like one of her characters. But, she is conflicted and isn't quite sure where to go or what to do. Her dull old aunt wants her to live with her in Kansas City--but when she meets a big-time oil man (Albert Dekker), he convinces her to follow him to the oil fields and promises her wealth and excitement. There are two problems with this. First, Dekker is a bit of a pig and an ego-maniac. Second, John Wayne pops into her life--and back then he was a major hunk. And, since he was the star, it's not especially surprising where it all ends. In the middle portion of the film, Wayne and Dekker vie for power and fight over oil land that the Indians are willing to lease. But Dekker is determined not to play nicely--and seems willing to use some dirty tricks to make sure he alone gets these leases.

Overall, this is not an especially deep film nor is it very realistic. However, it is fun--and that is very important. Gabby Hayes and especially Marjorie Rambeau provide some fun support and color.

Spanish American War Veteran John Wayne hitches a ride on oil magnate Albert Dekker's private railroad car just as he's putting the moves on traveling school teacher Martha Scott. That sets off a rivalry between them both professional and personal as Wayne gets under Dekker's skin.

Dekker's the big kahuna in Oklahoma territory which would soon be admitted under President Theodore Roosevelt to the union. He's crowding a lot of the small operators out of the field and they see in Wayne a leader and savior.

Later on when Wayne and Dekker compete with the rival proposals for leasing Indian oil lands they go to the White House where Dekker thinks he's got an inside track with the Interior Department. This leads to one of the three best scenes in the film. It turns out that the Duke served in the Rough Riders. The reunion of Wayne and Sidney Blackmer as Theodore Roosevelt is pretty good, who'd have thought Wayne would have had the ultimate inside track.

Dale Evans is in the film, she has a brief role as a saloon entertainer and sings a couple of period songs. She had not yet met her future husband Roy Rogers on the Republic lot, but in fact she was more the westerner than he in real life. He was from a rural Ohio town and she was from Uvalde, Texas. Dale also sang with Anson Weeks band before coming west both literally and figuratively.

Martha Scott is a good crinolined heroine wooed by both Wayne and Dekker. You will also see Grant Withers in one of his few roles in which he wasn't a villain.

Second best scene in the film, John Wayne emptying his pistol into Paul Fix who played one of Dekker's henchmen who actually goes a bit too far because of his personal hatred for Wayne.

Third best scene, the climatic rush to deliver oil by covered wagons and tankers when Dekker buys the pipeline to fulfill the contract. The normally parsimonious Republic studio and its boss Herbert J. Yates broke the piggy bank to stage this one in what was obviously their big budget film of the year. Still plays quite well today.

This is one of John Wayne's better films of the forties. He's given good production values in this western and a perfect role for him. Fans of the eternal Duke should not miss this one.

A lesser entry in the John Wayne canon, but not without interest. I thought Duke did quite well with the light comedy in the first part of the film before getting tough later on. And he looks as good as he ever did.

I liked the opening scene as the camera panned along the train interior catching the comments of the passengers - including, I'm sure, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams who had a few words to say, though the film doesn't appear in his filmography on this site or in Quinlan.

Albert Dekker is quite a likable villain, and, for the era in which the film was made, it's quite clear what his intentions are towards Martha Scott; the innuendo is strong, and in the hotel she even looks into the room adjoining hers and gasps when she spots the bed where he wants her to end up.

I'm a bit dubious about the total oil capacity of the various wagons at the end of the film and how easily some of the explosions occurred, but the sequence is quite a novel one. And the period - very early 20th century - is an interesting one, with the film making several allusions to the new life-style that will be made possible by oil.

Apparently Rhonda Fleming is in the chorus line in her very first film, and Gabby Hayes isn't too annoying in his customary old coot/sidekick role.

One of Poverty Row studio Republic's intermittent big-budget efforts, War of the Wildcats is a lively, if fairly routine, western notable for its early 20th-century setting. Wayne plays Daniel F. Somers, formerly one of Teddy Roosevelt's rough riders, who finds himself entangled in a love-and-oil battle with Albert Dekker. Wayne is fairly amiable here, representing the old west and the little man forced to adapt in the face of modern technology and the dawn of big business. Dekker, of course, represents this future. He drives one of them new-fangled auto-mobeels and is erecting oil wells just as fast as he can. He is also dismissive of the native population – he even has one, a Cherokee, scrub his back as he takes a bath – while Wayne shows them respect and receives it in return. I'm not quite sure how that stacks up today, given our knowledge that the treatment of the native American by the old west fell somewhat short of what can be considered fair.

Anyway, possibly the best aspect of this film is that Dekker's character isn't portrayed as an out-and-out villain, driven only by greed. He is smart and relatively sophisticated, and also brave. Anyone who has ever had the experience of working with or for a 'captain of industry' (for want of a better term) or a self-made man, will probably recognise oilman Gardner's characteristics exactly as those that account for the success of these people. They aren't necessarily bad people, just ruthless enough to do whatever is necessary in pursuit of their goals.

Martha Scott is a fairly bland heroine – it's difficult to see why such rugged individuals as Somers and Gardner would both be so keen to bed her. Gardner's frankness in this matter is also refreshing given the times in which this film was made. He makes no secret of what he desires from Catherine and doesn't resort to any particular underhand tactics to make his desires come true. Of course, he doesn't succeed – it would be another quarter of a century before Hollywood would allow a character like Jim Gardiner to win the girl (and the oil).

In imdb, it's In old oklahoma.... roku has this as war of the wildcats 1943; the opening credits show wildcats. Stars john wayne, al dekker. When school teacher catherine allen heads west to really experience life, she bumps smack into wildcat oilman jim gardner and cowboy dan somers. Of course, they both chase after her. As well as oil rights. And what kind of a western would this be without gabby hayes? And dale evans in one of her earlier roles. It's silly and fun and moves right along. Better than your average western. Not dry and dusty like so many others. Directed by albert rogell. Nominated for best music and best sound.

I didn't expect much from this one but it's better than it has any right being. On the surface it looks like an ordinary, run-of-the-mill B western with cowboy John Wayne leading a revolt against greedy oil baron Albert Dekker. Oh and the obligatory pretty school teacher Martha Scott, who catches the eye of both Wayne and Dekker. But it's actually a fun little movie that captures your attention and never drags. Wayne and Dekker play their white hat/black hat parts well, and Scott is charming with a nice chemistry with Duke. Supporting cast features greats like Gabby Hayes, Marjorie Rambeau, and Paul Fix. And just wait until Teddy Roosevelt shows up. That was my favorite part.

This a John Wayne film like no other. Take it from a huge fan that's seen most of his movies. Although this not classified as a comedy, the Duke's turns in a sly performance full of great one-liners and facial expressions that had me rolling. Its action adventure in the oil fields and it's very entertaining and fun. Wayne is Cowboy Dan Somers and he competes with oilman Jim Gardner for oil lease rights on Indian land in Oklahoma, as well as for the attentions of schoolteacher turned scandalous book author Cathy Allen. It has a good supporting cast including George "Gabby" Hayes. You will never see the Duke quite like this in any other role. If you're a fan of the Duke, you will love this film. It was originally titled "In Old Oklahoma" and then reissued as "War of the Wildcats".

John Wayne & Albert Dekker compete for oil rights on Indian territory, and for the attention of Martha Scott in this Republic Pictures film shot out of Utah, USA.

An interesting Western of sorts due to its characters and its more modern setting, with Wayne & Dekker playing the old and new factions of the West. It's based on a story by Thomson Burtis who co-writes the script along with Eleanore Griffin and Ethel Hill. Albert Rogell directs in the workmanlike way that befits his career. A pretty mundane story is in truth saved by its final third, where thankfully the action picks up and we are treated to something resembling a pulse. The light hearted approach to the romantic strand doesn't sit quite right, and a glorious fist fight between the two protagonists is ruined by Rogell being unable to disguise the stunt men doing the work. But hey, stunt men deserve their moment of glory always. Solid support comes from George 'Gabby' Hayes and Wayne as usual has much screen charisma, particularly when rattling off his pistol. But in spite of its better than usual Republic budget, it remains a film of interest only to 1940s Wayne enthusiasts. 4/10

How in the world did Martha Scott make it? She's a terrible actress! Yes, we all watch her every Easter in Ben-Hur, but I guess she improved with age. In the 1940s, she was downright stinky. In this John Wayne comedy, she plays a ridiculous "modern" female who wants to experience life and shed her sheltered schoolteacher existence. In the beginning of the movie, she gets kicked out of town because she wrote a scandalous romance novel. After about thirty minutes, the script forgets all about her book, and her being a schoolteacher (and why would an innocent teacher bleach her hair in the 1800s?) A smooth-talking playboy and oil tycoon, Albert Dekker, tells Martha he'll give her an education and help her learn how to really live - I'm not kidding - and she buys it. No respectable woman in the 1800s would let a man pay for her hotel suite and ride around with him unchaperoned.

Why would anyone watch this? Because John Wayne is really cute. He's funny, charming, and his classing brow furrow will win you over within five minutes. There's no reason for Martha to even be undecided between Albert and Duke. Albert is a cad. Duke is sincere. And way cuter. But, if that's your primary motivation in watching the film, you can just stick with Stagecoach. He's just as cute, and it's not painful to watch.

Plot-- Business tycoon Gardner wants drilling rights on Indian land and he'll use about every trick to get it. But he's up against the local little guys who've pooled their assets to get the same rights. Luckily they see in cowboy drifter Dan Somers a guy with the potential to lead them even if he doesn't see that potential himself. Plus, Dan and Gardner become rivals over the affections of winsome writer Catherine.

That climatic wagon stampede across the flat prairie still has me dizzy. Great action effect that must have employed every stuntman in Hollywood, to say nothing about every wagon. Now, if Dan (Wayne) doesn't get to the government office first, then the scheming Gardner (Dekker) gets the oil millions. Okay, so Dan's got an edge since the government man likes the ladies more than his duties. But, what great rivals Wayne and Dekker make. Each is an imposing presence, even if Wayne puts on his best "aw shucks" act, while Dekker keeps an icy calm. And I love it when they duel gimlet-eye to gimlet-eye. Still, sweet-face Martha Scott gets as much screen time as the guys, so likely Republic was trying to build her into a star. And, of course, where there's Wayne, Gabby Hayes can't be far behind, doing his unforgettable crusty old coot bit. And catch the pre-Roy Dale Evans bringing down the house with as charming a stage number as many an A-musical. No wonder Roy grabbed her.

All in all, it's a spectacular action flick, even if the romantic interludes get a little tiresome. Wayne sure shows his acting chops, more animated than I've seen him. His cowboy Dan goes from just another prairie drifter to hard-driving trail boss in really convincing fashion. And though he'd probably hate the word, he does it in what amounts to winning fashion. And catch that opening sequence in Gardner's private car. It's unusual and superbly done. Republic popped a bundle for this, and it shows up in the colorful crowd scenes (thanks to director Rogell) and big oil well gushers, along with that final stampede.

I'm not sure why this unusual oater is so obscure in the Wayne canon. But in my book it's as good entertainment as any of his many horse operas. And for fans of crashing buckboards, this is the Promised Land.

"In Old Oklahoma" or "War of the Wildcats" (its re-release title), could have been one of Wayne's better 40s westerns. It is spoiled in the first half, by Wayne trying to do the light comedy thing in his romancing of Martha Scott. It just doesn't work. There is plenty of excitement in the second half including a good fight between Wayne and villain Albert Dekker and a race to the refinery wagon race at the film's climax.

Besides Wayne, Scott and Dekker, we have George "Gabby" Hayes, Grant Withers on the right side of the law, Sidney Blackmer as Teddy Roosevelt and saints preserve us, Miss squeaky clean Dale Evans playing a saloon showgirl of all things, little touchy and all. If you look closely in the railway car scenes at the beginning, you'll see "B" veterans Roy Barcroft, Lane Chandler, Leroy Mason and Tom London in bit parts. Veteran Heavy Harry Woods appears in the dance hall sequence.

Not bad, but could have been better.

An American Western. A story set in Oklahoma in 1906 about the struggle of a an ambitious, hard-bitten frontier cowboy competing with a wealthy oilman for the rights to a tract of oil-rich land and a pretty young former schoolteacher-cum-novelist. This is a light-hearted adventure, action-packed with a political undertone about the exploitation of native Indians and a theme about how industrialism is taking over the wild west. John Wayne cuts a splendid hero figure, looking comically exasperated by the lively, boisterous Martha Scott. The story progresses efficiently and ends with a strong third act though overall it is rather forgettable - failing to be much more than playfully charming. Nominated for two Academy Awards for drama and comedy, and sound, this is an engaging epic with some strong acting support.

This film begins in Oklahoma where oil has been discovered and one man named "Jim Gardner" (Albert Dekker) has benefited the most as he has not only become wealthy but controls that area with an iron fist-and he thinks he can do whatever he likes with nothing to hold him back. As it so happens, a young schoolteacher by the name of "Catherine Elizabeth Allen" (Martha Scott) has just written a steamy romance novel and because of her recent notoriety is forced to leave her town back East and take the first train to Kansas City to start all over again. On this particular train she meets Jim Gardner and becomes intrigued with him due in large part to the way he uses his influence to get things done. However, it's also at this time that a dashing young cowboy named "Daniel F. Somers" (John Wayne) meets her acquaintance and things become much more complicated as not only does he become a rival to Jim Gardner in the oil business--but for her affection as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a pretty good John Wayne movie in that it had some good humor mixed in with the action and romance. Admittedly, the movie was rather dated and there were some corny scenes here and there but overall I thought it was an enjoyable film for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Albert Dekker was one excellent actor, and in this movie shows he was an excellent action star as well.

He and the Duke have one of the fiercest fight scenes ever, yet the Dekker character is still ultimately likable even though he is a pretty rotten scoundrel.

Siding Duke is his frequent co-star, another excellent actor, George "Gabby" Hayes.

Also siding him, as the oil field manager, is a terribly unheralded actor, Grant Withers, as one of the strongest characters on the screen.

Martha Scott was one gorgeous and incredibly talented woman, to repeat, incredibly talented and apparently so recognized by her fellow actors. But, for some strange reason, she did not become that proverbial household name.

Watch her in this movie and you too will wonder why. She is adorable, and has a beautiful and extremely expressive face.

Speaking of adorable: Dale Evans became The Queen Of The Cowgirls, and as co-star and later wife of Roy Rogers, that is how we know her -- mostly. But in this movie she is also the sexy and delightful singer and dancer in the saloon-night club. And what a talent! That she became a major star later is a, these days, surprising and gratifying example of justice. Dale Evans had it all, beauty and talent and our hearts.

John Wayne gives one of his best performances, playing light comedy in much of the first half of the movie, and then his expected action hero thereafter.

And there is plenty of action, beautifully photographed by Jack Marta and beautifully directed by Albert S. Rogell. They make a good team and make this a wonderful film to watch.

And to listen to? Well, it has both Gabby Hayes and John Wayne singing -- not so pleasant, but funny.

The rest of the listening is very pleasant as two women script-writers, Ethel Hill and Eleanor Griffin, produce a superlative script from the original story by Thomson Burtis. Those three writers have created likable and believable characters who speak delightful and also believable dialogue.

Everything works together to produce for us an excellent motion picture experience, and you can see it at YouTube. I hope you do. This is a great movie.

This was Republic's most successful picture of 1943, offering solid if unspectacular entertainment.

It is a somewhat unusual western, being set in the early 20th century and featuring an antagonist (played by Albert Dekker) who is a ruthless businessman rather than the conventional evil villain. Dekker represents modernity and Wayne, of course, the more traditional hard moral man.

The two male leads compete for the heart of a romance writer played by Martha Scott, and for the oil rights of the Indian territory, with Wayne representing a much less predatory way of doing business.

Add some humor and lively action scenes and you get a quite enjoyable product, if a bit formulaic.

An entertaining western from 1943.

'War of the Wildcats' held my interest from start-to-finish, I really enjoyed seeing the oil-themed premise unfold. There are good performances from John Wayne (Daniel), Martha Scott (Catherine) and Albert Dekker (Jim). The action sequences are nicely done, also.

Some elements of the story are, obviously, outdated, especially to do with Scott's Catherine who isn't written incredibly; except for at the beginning, I guess. Although, in those terms, it does feature a mostly pleasant story regarding Native Americans, which is something you don't always see from these old films.

By the end, I had an enjoyable 102 minutes watching this. Well paced and well acted.

John Wayne plays a cowboy who allows himself to be underestimated by wildcatter Albert Dekker. His 'aw shucks' manner like Jimmy Stewart in 'Destry Rides Again' masks a tough, intelligent character who rises to the challenge posed by Albert Dekker's Jim Gardner.

Part of what makes the movie interesting is that the villain, Jim Gardner, is not just a standard heavy. Yes, he's a ruthless businessman, single minded in his drive for success. On the other hand, he's competent and he's no coward. Early in the movie he arrives at one of his well sites and is told there's a mechanical problem. None of his workers seem able or willing to fix it. Disregarding his personal safety, he climbs a rope to the top of the well and fixes the problem.

He's also a close physical match for John Wayne's character, with two long fights. Like it or not, Gardner represents the kind of entrepreneur that built this country. You can't help having a grudging respect for him.

Wayne's Dan Somers has a populist outlook. At the sight of an oil well spouting oil, Martha Scott's Cathy Allen, gushes "It smells like a new day, like prosperity"; Somers replies, "To me it just smells".

Somers saves Gardner from getting shot by a disgruntled farmer, then prevents Gardner from beating up the farmer. Somers seems to represent a 'New Deal' philosophy.

Duke has his hands full in this one. He wants the schoolmarm Martha Scott, fending off the rich Albert Dekker, and reluctantly in a battle for oil. Sidekick Gabby Hayes as Despirit Dean is in rare form throughout this classic gem. If that wasn't enough the showgirls had the greats Dale Evans and Rhonda Fleming. Prominent Broadway lead Marjorie Rambeau had some wonderful lines delivered to perfection. Grant Withers, Paul Fix, and Hollywood's meanest cowboy, Harry Woods rounded out a superb cast. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders would've been proud of this one.