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Boom Town (1940)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
30 August 1940 (USA)
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Tagline:
Where Men Are Rough And Tough . . . And Like Their Women The Same Way ! more
Plot:
Two buddies who rise from fly-by-night wildcatters to oil tycoons over a twenty year period both love the same woman. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Oil
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Wildcatter
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Oil Field
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Oil Tycoon
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Partnership
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Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
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User Comments:
Realism in 'Boom Town'
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Clark Gable | ... | Big John McMasters |
 | Spencer Tracy | ... | Jonathan Sand |
 | Claudette Colbert | ... | Elizabeth Bartlett McMasters |
 | Hedy Lamarr | ... | Karen Vanmeer |
 | Frank Morgan | ... | Luther Aldrich |
| Lionel Atwill | ... | Mr. Harry Compton |
| Chill Wills | ... | Deputy Harmony Jones |
| Marion Martin | ... | Whitey |
| Minna Gombell | ... | Spanish Eva 'Evie' |
| Joe Yule | ... | Ed Murphy |
| Horace Murphy | ... | Tom Murphy |
| Roy Gordon | ... | Mr. 'Mac' McCreery |
| Richard Lane | ... | Assistant District Attorney |
| Casey Johnson | ... | Little Jack McMasters |
| Baby Quintanilla | ... | Baby Jack McMasters |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Boom Town! (USA) (alternative spelling)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Rita Hayworth did a screen test for the role of Karen Vanmeer.
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Quotes:
Big John McMasters:
[to Elizabeth] You sure can talk straight to a fella and ball him up at the same time.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Tony Hancock Special (1972) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
The Wedding March
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Boom Town (1940)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| time frame *possible spoiler* | dsklodginski |
| Wonderful | sallybally90 |
| Gable/Tracy: Best Buddy Combo Ever? | ProfessorFate |
| underrated | sightless |
Recommendations
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As one who has worked in the "oil patch" for 25 years, I feel that 'Boom Town' is the most realistic portrait of the industry (during that period) that has ever been put on film. The formation of the cartel mimics the origins of Standard Oil. Also, the 'feel' of the picture is right and the industry is not romanticized as in other films. Perhaps, as was noted in other comments, this is because of Gable's experience as a wildcatter.
Several others have noted, or objected to, Gable's speech about the nature of the industry. Yes, it is decidedly pro-business and anti-government, but it is not really laissez faire. The film argues for controlled production of oil fields to maximize their long-term benefit. This speech is amazingly prescient of our current crisis.
I watch this one every time it airs.