Susan Hayward plays a woman named Cherokee, to convince the audience she's part Native American. If she was fully white, the audience would never accept a love triangle between Robert Preston and Pedro Armendariz, a Mexican playing a full Native American. As it is, the film doesn't really treat Pedro with the same respect and chances that it gives to Robert Preston.
Susan lives in Tulsa, Arizona, and the majority of the film is the pursuit of discovering oil on her land. It's incredibly boring. If you want to watch an oil movie, watch Giant. Neither she nor Robert are portrayed as particularly good people, so how are you supposed to root for either of them? Add in the proverbial "aw-shucks" hick character played by Chill Wills, and you'll find yourself leaving the room for more popcorn without pressing pause.
Until I watched Tulsa, I thought Susan Hayward was immune to the slew of bad movies most actors make in his or her lifetime. She's one of my all-time favorite actresses, but even she has made some doozies. Save your time and watch a good Susan Hayward movie instead.
Until I watched Tulsa, I thought Susan Hayward was immune to the slew of bad movies most actors make in his or her lifetime. She's one of my all-time favorite actresses, but even she has made some doozies. Save your time and watch a good Susan Hayward movie instead.