This film has four big stars perfectly cast and appearing at their very best in a very entertaining film about "wild catting" in the American oil industry.I rated it 7/10.First up is Clark Gable playing the "mans man" role he made so famous in "Gone with the Wind".Next up is Spencer Tracy giving one of his speeches in court where he seems so comfortable, ("Judgment at Nuremburg", Cass Timberlayne" etc).Next up we have Claudette Colbert giving one of her best sympathetic "tea and sympathy" performances e.g. "Since You Went Away" and finally there is the gorgeous Hedy Lamarr playing to her strength of a sophisticated, intelligent and beautiful business associate who knows how the oil industry business is is transacted in the New York corridors of power.The film was made one year before the U.S. entered WWII so the budget could afford to be generous.Fot its day, the scenes and special effects of the oil well fire were very realistic.One reviewer remarked that Clark Gable in his youth worked on a "wild cat" oil site, if so this gave his performance added realism.What about those muddy roads.I felt like asking the town corporation to pave them over with some of that oil money flooding into the oil barons' coffers which presumably would attract some local taxation!
48 Reviews
Great Stars in Entertaining Saga
dglink13 June 2007
Portraying a friendship similar to the one they shared in the earlier "San Francisco," Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy play two oilmen or wildcatters in "Boom Town," an entertaining saga directed by Jack Conway. Gable is the colorful Big John McMasters, a Rhett Butler from Texas, who lives large and romances big. Tracy is the more solid, down-to-earth Jonathan Sand, who is Gable's moral conscience, much like he was in "San Francisco." The pair meet cute while heading in opposite directions on a narrow board walkway across a muddy street. Despite a damp start, the two men bond, and their friendship endures for years through fights, jealousy, and competition over business and women, particularly Claudette Colbert. The mud is barely washed off their clothing when Gable unwittingly steals Colbert from Tracy, and the jilted platonic lover carries a torch for his lost love throughout the film. When not womanizing or swindling, Gable and Tracy make and lose several fortunes separately and together without breaking a sweat. Oil gushers, well fires, and fistfights, the action wanders all over the MGM back lot from Texas to South America to New York.
Gable anchors the film with his larger-than-life personality, while Tracy underplays in deference to his more charismatic co-star. Although re-teaming the Oscar-winning leads of "It Happened One Night" must have seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, Colbert, unfortunately, often seems out of place in "Boom Town." Her manners, poise, and dress do not mesh with the Texas oil fields or the South American hovels. She is on firmer ground as the well-dressed lady of the manor. The sight of perfectly made-up Colbert scrubbing clothes on a washboard with a big grin on her face strains the story's credibility. Although the enigmatic Hedy Lamarr has a flawless face and incomparable beauty, she rarely wrinkles her professionally applied cosmetics to show any trace of an emotion. However, she is certainly believable as the object of any man's lust and physically perfect as an "other woman." Fortunately, a fine cast of supporting players, such as Frank Morgan, Chill Wills, and Lionel Atwill, surround the leading stars and further enhance the lively proceedings.
First class production values, a fast-moving story, and appealing stars make "Boom Town" a solid entertainment, if not a masterpiece.
Gable anchors the film with his larger-than-life personality, while Tracy underplays in deference to his more charismatic co-star. Although re-teaming the Oscar-winning leads of "It Happened One Night" must have seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, Colbert, unfortunately, often seems out of place in "Boom Town." Her manners, poise, and dress do not mesh with the Texas oil fields or the South American hovels. She is on firmer ground as the well-dressed lady of the manor. The sight of perfectly made-up Colbert scrubbing clothes on a washboard with a big grin on her face strains the story's credibility. Although the enigmatic Hedy Lamarr has a flawless face and incomparable beauty, she rarely wrinkles her professionally applied cosmetics to show any trace of an emotion. However, she is certainly believable as the object of any man's lust and physically perfect as an "other woman." Fortunately, a fine cast of supporting players, such as Frank Morgan, Chill Wills, and Lionel Atwill, surround the leading stars and further enhance the lively proceedings.
First class production values, a fast-moving story, and appealing stars make "Boom Town" a solid entertainment, if not a masterpiece.
Four big stars in one film
lastliberal3 April 2008
This was the biggest film of the year for MGM in 1940. They used four of their biggest stars, any one of whom could have starred in their own films.
Clark Gable already had an Oscar for It Happened One Night, another nomination for Mutiny on the Bounty, and was nominated in the 1940 Academy Awards for Gone with the Wind.
Spencer Tracy, a nine-time Oscar nominee, already had a nomination for San Francisco, a win for Captains Courageous, and a win the previous year for Boy's Town.
Three-time Oscar nominee Claudette Colbert already had a win for It happened One Night, which she did with Gable, and a nomination for Private Worlds.
Frank Morgan had gotten one of his two nominations for The Affairs of Cellini.
And, our Star of the Month, Hedy Lamarr, was just beginning her career.
This was a raucous film with all the excitement that you would expect in one about wildcatters in the oil business and featured barroom fights, streets of mud, and stories ripped from the headlines. It was an amazing love story about two men in love with the same woman. It was pure entertainment.
Clark Gable already had an Oscar for It Happened One Night, another nomination for Mutiny on the Bounty, and was nominated in the 1940 Academy Awards for Gone with the Wind.
Spencer Tracy, a nine-time Oscar nominee, already had a nomination for San Francisco, a win for Captains Courageous, and a win the previous year for Boy's Town.
Three-time Oscar nominee Claudette Colbert already had a win for It happened One Night, which she did with Gable, and a nomination for Private Worlds.
Frank Morgan had gotten one of his two nominations for The Affairs of Cellini.
And, our Star of the Month, Hedy Lamarr, was just beginning her career.
This was a raucous film with all the excitement that you would expect in one about wildcatters in the oil business and featured barroom fights, streets of mud, and stories ripped from the headlines. It was an amazing love story about two men in love with the same woman. It was pure entertainment.
Wonderful movie
birdeyes30412 August 2011
My mother grew up in the East Texas oil boom in 1935. This film closely resembles Kilgore Texas. My whole family has been in the business since the early 40's. My father was burned in an oil field explosion and recovered. The film was done well, showing all of the hard work men endured in the fields. This movie is true and correct showing the hardships of the life in the business, from being dirt poor to having the finer things in life. All of the actor's in this movie closely resemble people we have dealt with over the years. I also enjoyed seeing this move in black and white as it focused on the story line rather than a big color feature. I will definitely watch this move again as it brings home the people that risked there lives to bring a product to the people at the beginning of the industrial age with romance and a little humor. I would recommend it to anyone.
Pretty good buddy movie of the times.
gazzo-222 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This one has it all-great cast(Spencer, Clark, Hedy, Claudette), rousing action(check that oil well fire scene), over-use of montages, boom and bust cycles, beautiful women(esp. Hedy), fistfights, etc. A typical big budget, big star feature of the times.
I donno how much I bought the soap opera angle-clearly Claudette and Spencer should have gotten back together at the end, w/ Gable taking off w/ Hedy. She was easily more his type. The movie is quite superficial-they gain and lose fortunes at a seeming moments notice, bounce back easily and keep on plowing ahead. Gable and Tracy carry this, esp. Gable. It's likable, somewhat overlong and tends to drag a bit in the second half. Frank Morgan and Chill Wills help keep it lively. Look out for a neato Curt Bois cameo too. Think 'Casablanca' and 'Vipers'.
*** outta ****, you will like it if you like the two leads.
I donno how much I bought the soap opera angle-clearly Claudette and Spencer should have gotten back together at the end, w/ Gable taking off w/ Hedy. She was easily more his type. The movie is quite superficial-they gain and lose fortunes at a seeming moments notice, bounce back easily and keep on plowing ahead. Gable and Tracy carry this, esp. Gable. It's likable, somewhat overlong and tends to drag a bit in the second half. Frank Morgan and Chill Wills help keep it lively. Look out for a neato Curt Bois cameo too. Think 'Casablanca' and 'Vipers'.
*** outta ****, you will like it if you like the two leads.
Who's oil is it, anyway?
funkyfry4 October 2002
Tracy and Gable play two "wildcatters" -- oil hunters -- who are always at loggerheads and both manage to gain and lose several fortunes before the film's end. Colbert is the woman they both love; Lamarr is of course the "other" woman in husband Gable's life. A lot of fun scenes (especially when the 2 bullheaded oil barons finally duke it out), good characterizations (Morgan, as always, deserves a mention, this time as the slightly petty equipment broker they both rely on), but a somewhat predictable story, though well scripted. Ultra-conservative Mahin has spiced Tracy's rousing final speech (yes, he ALWAYS gets one) with the pro-business slant so favored by himself and exec-producer Mayer, managing to make this into sort of an anti-Capra comedy.
Big prewar MGM Production
blanche-220 December 2008
Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert and Hedy Lamarr star in "Boom Town," a 1940 film directed by Jack Conway. It's about wildcatters and friends, played by Gable and Tracy, who make money as partners, love the same woman, go their separate ways, reunite, all under the specter of oil rigs.
Gable has a role he owned, that of Big John, a tough guy, a man's man, kind of Rhett Butler goes wildcatting. Tracy is Jonathan Sand, his buddy, with a girl back home. Big John meets a lady and falls for her - except it's Sand's girlfriend Elizabeth (Colbert) who's just arrived in town. Well, she had to choose between Clark Gable, matinée idol, and Spencer Tracy, a character actor whose talent gave him leading man status. She chooses Big John. Sand accepts it as best he can. By now the two have struck oil and are in the big money. Eventually, Big John loses his part of the business to Sand, and he and Elizabeth leave the area in order to rebuild - and they do, big time. The couple end up in New York, where Big John meets a Big Beauty named Karen (Lamarr) and goes for her, threatening his marriage.
Everyone is very good in this absorbing movie, with Lamarr's knockout beauty a real asset. This is nothing against Colbert, who is stunning as well and excellent as Elizabeth. Gable and Tracy have good chemistry - in the end, this is really a buddy movie, and they're a good match. Gable is very sexy and at his peak here.
Very enjoyable, with great special effects - no expense spared for the four huge stars.
Gable has a role he owned, that of Big John, a tough guy, a man's man, kind of Rhett Butler goes wildcatting. Tracy is Jonathan Sand, his buddy, with a girl back home. Big John meets a lady and falls for her - except it's Sand's girlfriend Elizabeth (Colbert) who's just arrived in town. Well, she had to choose between Clark Gable, matinée idol, and Spencer Tracy, a character actor whose talent gave him leading man status. She chooses Big John. Sand accepts it as best he can. By now the two have struck oil and are in the big money. Eventually, Big John loses his part of the business to Sand, and he and Elizabeth leave the area in order to rebuild - and they do, big time. The couple end up in New York, where Big John meets a Big Beauty named Karen (Lamarr) and goes for her, threatening his marriage.
Everyone is very good in this absorbing movie, with Lamarr's knockout beauty a real asset. This is nothing against Colbert, who is stunning as well and excellent as Elizabeth. Gable and Tracy have good chemistry - in the end, this is really a buddy movie, and they're a good match. Gable is very sexy and at his peak here.
Very enjoyable, with great special effects - no expense spared for the four huge stars.
Realism in 'Boom Town'
twodox26 January 2006
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.
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.
Ups and Downs of a Traveling Block.
rmax3048237 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
MGM produced a good number of these pictures -- two pals driven apart (for a time) by a woman. In more than one case, Clark Gable was the raffish go-getter and his pal, Spencer Tracy, was the more grounded and less reckless partner.
Here, the two are partners in a wildcatting oil drill in Texas in the earlier years of the century. They're both broke and have a lot of fun talking investors into funding their enterprise, stealing equipment, and celebrating when the oil comes in. It's the beginning of the automobile explosion and the oil is black gold. They also use oil in the production of lubrication, WD-40, plastic, cosmetics and ointment.
The fly in the ointment is Claudette Colbert. She's a City Mouse whom Tracy deeply loves. But when she comes to Texas for a visit, seeking adventure, she runs into Gable first and the next thing, they're married. Tracy handles the news very well, but it sets up a competitive and unforgiving conflict between the two which is happily resolved at the end, when the principals march, arms linked, across the tawny hills of California's central valley, ready to start again as pals, and somebody mentions the place is called Kettleman Hills. Discovered in 1928, it was one of the biggest oil fields in California, now depleted of all but one half of one percent of its original oil.
Well, there's hardly a dull moment in the movie. In fact, there IS no dull moment in the movie. There's always Gable glad-handing everyone, Tracy glowering, Colbert wondering if Gable really loves her, and Hedy Lamarr glowing with her incendiary sensuality. It's hardly worth repeating that Hedy Lamarr was not her real name. It's far to good to be true. Her actual name was Hedy Keester von Rauchen-Verboten. There's a lot of shouting and one good brawl before Gable and Tracy renew their bond. Fist fights are the only way that REAL MEN can resolve their differences. Can you imagine them sitting around and discussing their opposing values? "How do you feel about my stealing your girl, Square John?" "Oh, I don't know. I -- I feel all EMPTY inside. (Sob.)"
You'll love it.
Here, the two are partners in a wildcatting oil drill in Texas in the earlier years of the century. They're both broke and have a lot of fun talking investors into funding their enterprise, stealing equipment, and celebrating when the oil comes in. It's the beginning of the automobile explosion and the oil is black gold. They also use oil in the production of lubrication, WD-40, plastic, cosmetics and ointment.
The fly in the ointment is Claudette Colbert. She's a City Mouse whom Tracy deeply loves. But when she comes to Texas for a visit, seeking adventure, she runs into Gable first and the next thing, they're married. Tracy handles the news very well, but it sets up a competitive and unforgiving conflict between the two which is happily resolved at the end, when the principals march, arms linked, across the tawny hills of California's central valley, ready to start again as pals, and somebody mentions the place is called Kettleman Hills. Discovered in 1928, it was one of the biggest oil fields in California, now depleted of all but one half of one percent of its original oil.
Well, there's hardly a dull moment in the movie. In fact, there IS no dull moment in the movie. There's always Gable glad-handing everyone, Tracy glowering, Colbert wondering if Gable really loves her, and Hedy Lamarr glowing with her incendiary sensuality. It's hardly worth repeating that Hedy Lamarr was not her real name. It's far to good to be true. Her actual name was Hedy Keester von Rauchen-Verboten. There's a lot of shouting and one good brawl before Gable and Tracy renew their bond. Fist fights are the only way that REAL MEN can resolve their differences. Can you imagine them sitting around and discussing their opposing values? "How do you feel about my stealing your girl, Square John?" "Oh, I don't know. I -- I feel all EMPTY inside. (Sob.)"
You'll love it.
Gable's most personal role
bkoganbing9 January 2004
When one thinks of roles identified with Clark Gable, Boom Town does not immediately come to mind. Yet this film, done at what most would consider the high water mark of Gable's career (after Gone With the Wind and before Carole Lombard's death) was possibly his most personal role. Before he was actor Gable worked in the oil fields with his widowed father. After that he decided acting was a far easier way to make a living. But he actually lived the life that he and Spencer Tracy portrayed in Boom Town. He brings more to the part of Big John McMasters than any other part he ever did. I'm sure he was an unofficial technical consultant on the film.
The film is also an ode to laissez faire capitalism, maybe one of the most right wing films ever done in Hollywood. You will never hear Herbert Hoover's rugged individualism better justified than in Spencer Tracy's speech to the jury in Gable's anti-trust trial. One half of the script writing team was James Edward Grant who later did many of the more propagandistic films that John Wayne did.
Frank Morgan is his usual befuddled self, he had a patent on those parts. Claudette Colbert is fine as the woman both men love and Hedy Lamarr was her usual alluring self.
Great entertainment all around.
The film is also an ode to laissez faire capitalism, maybe one of the most right wing films ever done in Hollywood. You will never hear Herbert Hoover's rugged individualism better justified than in Spencer Tracy's speech to the jury in Gable's anti-trust trial. One half of the script writing team was James Edward Grant who later did many of the more propagandistic films that John Wayne did.
Frank Morgan is his usual befuddled self, he had a patent on those parts. Claudette Colbert is fine as the woman both men love and Hedy Lamarr was her usual alluring self.
Great entertainment all around.
"I pick my own posies, jughead!"
utgard1419 August 2014
A couple of oil-drilling buddies (Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy) strike it rich together. Then a woman (Claudette Colbert) comes between them. Tracy plays O'Brien to Gable's Cagney in this predictable but fun MGM production. All three stars are in good form. Gable gets most of the memorable lines. Hedy Lamarr does well in her villainess role. Nice support from Frank Morgan, Chill Wills, and Lionel Atwill. In addition to Lamarr, Marion Martin provides some eye candy. Action scenes are great but can't mask what is basically a simple soap opera doused in testosterone. Not to mention a love triangle that's pretty weak. It goes on a bit longer than it should but it's still enjoyable. Fans of the stars will like it.
Great cast, oversized story, fast editing, rich photography...it's really good!
secondtake3 May 2014
Boom Town (1940)
An expansive, fun-loving, rags to riches to rags to riches story of early oil prospectors. Wildcatters. Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy make the unlikely pair of men who join forces to strike it rich, and they're both lively and sharp on their game. The main women in both their lives is Claudette Colbert, and of course circumstances make both men fall in love with her. Guess who wins?
As the men find oil, then disaster, then more oil and more disaster, Colbert hangs on. Later in the movie, Gable in New York (during a successful few years) and he is caught up with an urban siren played by Hedy Lamar. To an audience used to film noir, we know she's a classic femme fatale, wanting something she shouldn't have and using what she does have to try and get it.
But this is pre-noir, and of course a Western in many ways. In fact, it's before the U.S. entered WWII, and it's slightly odd to see a sprawling tale of such important seeming events when the big events are happening in Europe. But it's sweeping and convincing in that 1940s Hollywood style that is kicking in, technically flawless, beautiful made in every way.
Throw in four great actors (as well as Frank Morgan, the man who the year before played the Wizard in that Oz movie) and you have a really excellent production. Gable as a youth even worked in the oil industry with his father, so he knew his stuff. Tracy, mad about details in his contact, was unhappy on the set and didn't get along with either woman, and it shows, once you know it.
Why isn't this a great classic, with everything going for it? I think the story. It is filled with so many clichés even these actors, under director Jack Conway, couldn't make it fresh. The clichés are great of course—the rivalry over the same woman, the improbably rise to wealth (and fall), but you see them with familiarity. And the suddenness of huge turns of fate as it propels forward are a bit grand to the point of grandiose. Even the end you can see coming, in the big view.
Still, I'd recommend this for the sheer joy of it all. Of course, Colbert and Gable were famous in the 1934 "It Happened One Night," and it's fun to see them six years later here. But even all the oil industry scenes, including a couple great disasters, are very well done and exciting stuff.
An expansive, fun-loving, rags to riches to rags to riches story of early oil prospectors. Wildcatters. Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy make the unlikely pair of men who join forces to strike it rich, and they're both lively and sharp on their game. The main women in both their lives is Claudette Colbert, and of course circumstances make both men fall in love with her. Guess who wins?
As the men find oil, then disaster, then more oil and more disaster, Colbert hangs on. Later in the movie, Gable in New York (during a successful few years) and he is caught up with an urban siren played by Hedy Lamar. To an audience used to film noir, we know she's a classic femme fatale, wanting something she shouldn't have and using what she does have to try and get it.
But this is pre-noir, and of course a Western in many ways. In fact, it's before the U.S. entered WWII, and it's slightly odd to see a sprawling tale of such important seeming events when the big events are happening in Europe. But it's sweeping and convincing in that 1940s Hollywood style that is kicking in, technically flawless, beautiful made in every way.
Throw in four great actors (as well as Frank Morgan, the man who the year before played the Wizard in that Oz movie) and you have a really excellent production. Gable as a youth even worked in the oil industry with his father, so he knew his stuff. Tracy, mad about details in his contact, was unhappy on the set and didn't get along with either woman, and it shows, once you know it.
Why isn't this a great classic, with everything going for it? I think the story. It is filled with so many clichés even these actors, under director Jack Conway, couldn't make it fresh. The clichés are great of course—the rivalry over the same woman, the improbably rise to wealth (and fall), but you see them with familiarity. And the suddenness of huge turns of fate as it propels forward are a bit grand to the point of grandiose. Even the end you can see coming, in the big view.
Still, I'd recommend this for the sheer joy of it all. Of course, Colbert and Gable were famous in the 1934 "It Happened One Night," and it's fun to see them six years later here. But even all the oil industry scenes, including a couple great disasters, are very well done and exciting stuff.
Charismatic stars in long-winded oil epic...fun for star-gazers...
Doylenf3 April 2008
BOOM TOWN can't decide whether it wants to be a buddy flick (CLARK GABLE and SPENCER TRACY) about wildcatters, a domestic romance with an "other woman" angle (CLAUDETTE COLBERT, HEDY LAMARR), or just a big brawling adventure epic about losers and winners amid gushing oil.
Somehow, it manages to be all three--which makes for a rather uneven story that serves as a star-gazer for fans who like to watch the foursome go through their paces even though the script isn't strong enough to support them and their misadventures.
Claudette is lovely in the chief romantic role as Gable's love interest, but it's HEDY LAMARR (who strolls into the story pretty late in the film) who dazzles with her close-ups and that amazing beauty.
Gable is right at home in this get-rich-quick-scheme drilling for oil, since he was an oil rigger at one time before his movie days. He and Tracy are both in love with Claudette--but after she falls for Gable she regrets his close working relationship with Lamarr--and that's where the plot starts to thicken but loses credibility at the same time.
Lamarr's role is so underwritten that she hardly has time to register strongly as a sophisticated woman attracted to Gable. The focus is hardly on the women involved, but instead the main thrust of the plot is carried by Gable and Tracy and their relationship.
It's the sort of macho buddy film you'd think Gable's friend Victor Fleming would direct, but instead it's Jack Conway behind the reigns. He keeps the action flowing, but somehow none of the characters manage to be really involving and it runs a little too long, just short of tedium, since no new ground is explored.
Summing up: Mainly of interest for Gable fans--he plays his blustery devil may care self in great style, fresh from his triumph as Rhett Butler.
Somehow, it manages to be all three--which makes for a rather uneven story that serves as a star-gazer for fans who like to watch the foursome go through their paces even though the script isn't strong enough to support them and their misadventures.
Claudette is lovely in the chief romantic role as Gable's love interest, but it's HEDY LAMARR (who strolls into the story pretty late in the film) who dazzles with her close-ups and that amazing beauty.
Gable is right at home in this get-rich-quick-scheme drilling for oil, since he was an oil rigger at one time before his movie days. He and Tracy are both in love with Claudette--but after she falls for Gable she regrets his close working relationship with Lamarr--and that's where the plot starts to thicken but loses credibility at the same time.
Lamarr's role is so underwritten that she hardly has time to register strongly as a sophisticated woman attracted to Gable. The focus is hardly on the women involved, but instead the main thrust of the plot is carried by Gable and Tracy and their relationship.
It's the sort of macho buddy film you'd think Gable's friend Victor Fleming would direct, but instead it's Jack Conway behind the reigns. He keeps the action flowing, but somehow none of the characters manage to be really involving and it runs a little too long, just short of tedium, since no new ground is explored.
Summing up: Mainly of interest for Gable fans--he plays his blustery devil may care self in great style, fresh from his triumph as Rhett Butler.
Would Have Preferrred Grubby Over Soapy
ccthemovieman-115 July 2007
There was something lacking in this film, not that I didn't like it: it just wasn't as good as it should have been. There was an intensity missing. I found it tough to get involved with the story and the characters.
The cast was terrific: Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Hedy Lamarr, Frank Morgan, Lionel Atwill, Chill Wills - are you kidding me? That's an incredible cast.
Gable had the lead as the cocky oil wildcatter "John McMasters" and Tracy has his more controlled friend "John Sand." The latter is more than leery of his buddy which turns out to be prophetic as McMasters marries the woman Sands had his eyes on: "Elizabeth Bartlett," called "Besty" in the film and played by Colbert. However, he accepts it in a mature manner.
This romance angle comes and goes just like the oil fortunes of these two men. One day they're up; the next day, they're broke. Lamar enters the picture to give it another melodrama twist. That's probably why I was bit letdown in the end. The romances took over from the rousing man's adventure story I thought it was going to be, and looked like it was going to be in the first part of the story. However, I guess they figured women might not come to the theater if there were no complicated romance issues among the tales of two man grubby oilmen. I would have preferred the grubbiness, as this turned out to be a little too long and boring, despite those dynamic lead actors.
The cast was terrific: Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Hedy Lamarr, Frank Morgan, Lionel Atwill, Chill Wills - are you kidding me? That's an incredible cast.
Gable had the lead as the cocky oil wildcatter "John McMasters" and Tracy has his more controlled friend "John Sand." The latter is more than leery of his buddy which turns out to be prophetic as McMasters marries the woman Sands had his eyes on: "Elizabeth Bartlett," called "Besty" in the film and played by Colbert. However, he accepts it in a mature manner.
This romance angle comes and goes just like the oil fortunes of these two men. One day they're up; the next day, they're broke. Lamar enters the picture to give it another melodrama twist. That's probably why I was bit letdown in the end. The romances took over from the rousing man's adventure story I thought it was going to be, and looked like it was going to be in the first part of the story. However, I guess they figured women might not come to the theater if there were no complicated romance issues among the tales of two man grubby oilmen. I would have preferred the grubbiness, as this turned out to be a little too long and boring, despite those dynamic lead actors.
One of the Best "Buddy" films!
Alfriend16 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is MGM classic rests on the giant talents of its stars, especially Tracy and Gable. The plot in lesser hands would not have been very believable and moves along at a very swift pace. This was the third and final pairing of the two great stars. In large part because Tracy got sick of playing the side-kick to Gable's hero who always got the girl. The two actors always respected each other. Gable always envious and admiring of Tracy's acting skills. And Tracy always admired Gable's confidence and swagger that made him the "King" of the movies. To start with the characters are wild-catters living by the seat of their pants, but in the end they are after money and power no matter what the cost. Only Tracy as Square-John is motivated by love and his own personal moral-code. But that again is the part that Tracy always played in the three film pairings with Gable. Gable, as usual, is the risk-taking n'er-do-well living outside the vein of morality who always gets the girl. Tracy never gets the girl, but is always the moral force of the story. The guy who'll do the right thing no matter what and he is the one who usually is responsible for reforming Gable. In a certain sense like most buddy films, the love story is between the two guys and it never shines better than in their explosive fight scene towards the films end.
Claudette Colbert does a great job with a thinly written part as "the beautiful Betsy". Hedy Lamarr is really fine as Gable's other girl, Karen Vanmeer. There is a scene between Hedy and Tracy late in the story that is electric and so well done. She really holds her own with the famous scene-stealer.
Frank Morgan, Lionel Atwill, and Chill Wills are among the rest of the excellent MGM company supporting cast in this film.
It's too bad that this was the last film with the two great stars. They were so great together.
This is a fast-paced, fun film entertainment that you'll thoroughly enjoy.
Claudette Colbert does a great job with a thinly written part as "the beautiful Betsy". Hedy Lamarr is really fine as Gable's other girl, Karen Vanmeer. There is a scene between Hedy and Tracy late in the story that is electric and so well done. She really holds her own with the famous scene-stealer.
Frank Morgan, Lionel Atwill, and Chill Wills are among the rest of the excellent MGM company supporting cast in this film.
It's too bad that this was the last film with the two great stars. They were so great together.
This is a fast-paced, fun film entertainment that you'll thoroughly enjoy.
Amazingly Cast
DKosty12315 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This is a case of a film with an amazing cast being done well as a period piece but which is an aging piece of film. The version I watched seemed choppy in sequences, including the first encounter between Gable & Tracy where the first time Gable calls him Shorty was missing. As I kept viewing this copy, it appeared the sequences were choppy & I can't believe when this film was first released it was that choppy. The question is can it be restored or is there a better copy than the one I saw.
This cast of 4 heavy hitters with Tracy, Gable, Hedy Lamaar & Claudet Colbert is almost bigger than the screen. Add in Frank Morgan & Chill Wills and you have to wonder why all these folks were available for the same film. While this is a good film, it could have been a little better.
It is interesting seeing & hearing Spencer Tracy make a closing speech in court where he mentions conservation of oil years before the industry even had any programs about this. Especially being before World War 2 as because of Hitler, environmentalism was scrapped for the war effort in some ways. The war did produce some of the earliest recycling programs in the US.
This movie is about Wild Catting for oil and how it really was back in the early days. This is the kind of world which no longer exists. In this era, nobody was too big to fail.
This cast of 4 heavy hitters with Tracy, Gable, Hedy Lamaar & Claudet Colbert is almost bigger than the screen. Add in Frank Morgan & Chill Wills and you have to wonder why all these folks were available for the same film. While this is a good film, it could have been a little better.
It is interesting seeing & hearing Spencer Tracy make a closing speech in court where he mentions conservation of oil years before the industry even had any programs about this. Especially being before World War 2 as because of Hitler, environmentalism was scrapped for the war effort in some ways. The war did produce some of the earliest recycling programs in the US.
This movie is about Wild Catting for oil and how it really was back in the early days. This is the kind of world which no longer exists. In this era, nobody was too big to fail.
this movie could have been so much better
planktonrules24 May 2006
Okay, it's true that if you have a movie starring Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy it can't be bad. That's just a fact (trust me). However, despite their star power, this movie could have been so much better. The plot after a while becomes VERY tiresome and the relationship between the guys makes no sense (unless you read and agree with my final comment below).
Gable and Tracy love each other and yet spend the entire fighting and making up again and again. The initial excuse is over a woman, but it soon is apparent that this isn't the real reason, as Gable not only takes Tracy's girl but then takes a hot tamale as his mistress.
However, despite the silliness of this plot, the absolute WORST moment of the film is the courtroom scene near the very end. No court in the world would allow the hysterics of either the prosecuting lawyer (straight from the Spanish Inquisition, but perhaps a little MORE vociferous in his prosecution) or Tracy to stand up and make a long schmaltzy speech despite neither lawyer asking him to say anything of the sort or make a speech.
So, why still a 6? Well, the movie is generally fun (except towards the end when it just seems to go on too long) and the charismatic actors are fun to watch.
A final note. My wife STRONGLY disagrees, but I thought there was perhaps an unintended or intended homo-erotic quality to the relationship between Gable and Tracy's characters in the film. Their love-hate relationship was odd and Gable's inability to maintain any intimacy with his wife or mistress combined with Tracy's apparent asexuality is very peculiar indeed. The ONLY sparks of love or passion occur between Gable and Tracy!
Gable and Tracy love each other and yet spend the entire fighting and making up again and again. The initial excuse is over a woman, but it soon is apparent that this isn't the real reason, as Gable not only takes Tracy's girl but then takes a hot tamale as his mistress.
However, despite the silliness of this plot, the absolute WORST moment of the film is the courtroom scene near the very end. No court in the world would allow the hysterics of either the prosecuting lawyer (straight from the Spanish Inquisition, but perhaps a little MORE vociferous in his prosecution) or Tracy to stand up and make a long schmaltzy speech despite neither lawyer asking him to say anything of the sort or make a speech.
So, why still a 6? Well, the movie is generally fun (except towards the end when it just seems to go on too long) and the charismatic actors are fun to watch.
A final note. My wife STRONGLY disagrees, but I thought there was perhaps an unintended or intended homo-erotic quality to the relationship between Gable and Tracy's characters in the film. Their love-hate relationship was odd and Gable's inability to maintain any intimacy with his wife or mistress combined with Tracy's apparent asexuality is very peculiar indeed. The ONLY sparks of love or passion occur between Gable and Tracy!
Moving oil-drilling saga dealing with adventures and misfortunes of two peculiar oil prospectors
ma-cortes26 February 2022
This is the story of a hard-driving breed of Americans - Wisecracking Oil Prosprectors-¨Wildcatters¨. Made of the bone and blood of pioneers , Men born of the lasting miracle that is America . They proved the Earth from early Pennsylvania to California's Kettleman Hills to bring forth America's greatest treasure , the life blood of today's world . These wildcatters protagonists : Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy arrange to con enough equipment and capital to develop their own oil fields. Concerning their especial relationship over a twenty year period . But then things go wrong , as both love the same woman. Gable and Tracy..buddies in battle! Colbert and Lamarr..rivals in love! .Devil may-care men fought for girls and gold . Drama at its mightiest! Strong men-and the beauties who loved them! Crackling, Surging Action...With The Biggest Cast Ever Assembled In One Picture!
Stars a stunning couple , Glark Cable and Spencer Tracy , both of whom pal up and break up and get rich and go broke so many times in this oil-drilling saga that it's hard to keep track . But while these the greatest stars got dirty making it , the movie itself cleaned up at the box-office . Both of them starred together three films : ¨San Francisco¨ , ¨Test Pilot¨ , and the last being this ¨Boom Town¨. The two biggest stars , Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy got along very well , but Tracy reckoned enough and he , subsequently , never conceded top billing another actor for a major character again. The film relies heavily on the the sympathetic friendship between Gable and Tracy is put to the test when Big John/Gable inadvertently falls in love with Elizabeth/Claudette Colbert who unfortunately results to be John's longtime fianceé. They're well accompanied by two attractive actresses at the time : Hedy Lamarr and Claudette Colbert . In addition , a large number of secondaries giving decent acting , such as : Frank Morgan , Lionel Atwill , Marion Martin, Horace Murphy and Chill Wills.
Based on a story by James Edward Grant , developing efficiently the entertaining adventures and distresses of the two offbeat protagonists . It displays an atmospheric and evocative cinematography by cameraman Harold Rosson. As well as adequate and romantic musical score by Franz Waxman. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jack Conway. This prestigious Hollywood filmmaker Conway had started out in the industry as an actor, joining a repertory theatre group straight out of high school. He segued into film acting in 1909. Two years later he became a member of D. W. Griffith's stock company, appearing primarily as a leading man in westerns . In 1913 he made his mark as a director and gained valuable experience at Universal before moving on to MGM in 1925 where he made a notorious career with all solid box-office gold. He directed the studio's first sound picture, Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928). Directing Arsène Lupin (1932) with John Barrymore , the successful Viva Villa! (1934) with Wallace Beery , A Yankee at Oxford (1938) with Robert Taylor , Too Hot to Handle (1940) played by Clark Gable with whom Conway worked several times . He remained under contract until 1948, often in charge of prestige assignments featuring the studio's top male star, Clark Gable: Boom Town (1940), Honky Tonk (1941), The Hucksters (1947). And his big hit : A tale of two cities (1935) , a lavish rendition based on Charles Dickens novel . Rating Boom Town (1940) 6.5/10 . Better than average . The pic will appeal to Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy fans .
Stars a stunning couple , Glark Cable and Spencer Tracy , both of whom pal up and break up and get rich and go broke so many times in this oil-drilling saga that it's hard to keep track . But while these the greatest stars got dirty making it , the movie itself cleaned up at the box-office . Both of them starred together three films : ¨San Francisco¨ , ¨Test Pilot¨ , and the last being this ¨Boom Town¨. The two biggest stars , Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy got along very well , but Tracy reckoned enough and he , subsequently , never conceded top billing another actor for a major character again. The film relies heavily on the the sympathetic friendship between Gable and Tracy is put to the test when Big John/Gable inadvertently falls in love with Elizabeth/Claudette Colbert who unfortunately results to be John's longtime fianceé. They're well accompanied by two attractive actresses at the time : Hedy Lamarr and Claudette Colbert . In addition , a large number of secondaries giving decent acting , such as : Frank Morgan , Lionel Atwill , Marion Martin, Horace Murphy and Chill Wills.
Based on a story by James Edward Grant , developing efficiently the entertaining adventures and distresses of the two offbeat protagonists . It displays an atmospheric and evocative cinematography by cameraman Harold Rosson. As well as adequate and romantic musical score by Franz Waxman. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jack Conway. This prestigious Hollywood filmmaker Conway had started out in the industry as an actor, joining a repertory theatre group straight out of high school. He segued into film acting in 1909. Two years later he became a member of D. W. Griffith's stock company, appearing primarily as a leading man in westerns . In 1913 he made his mark as a director and gained valuable experience at Universal before moving on to MGM in 1925 where he made a notorious career with all solid box-office gold. He directed the studio's first sound picture, Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928). Directing Arsène Lupin (1932) with John Barrymore , the successful Viva Villa! (1934) with Wallace Beery , A Yankee at Oxford (1938) with Robert Taylor , Too Hot to Handle (1940) played by Clark Gable with whom Conway worked several times . He remained under contract until 1948, often in charge of prestige assignments featuring the studio's top male star, Clark Gable: Boom Town (1940), Honky Tonk (1941), The Hucksters (1947). And his big hit : A tale of two cities (1935) , a lavish rendition based on Charles Dickens novel . Rating Boom Town (1940) 6.5/10 . Better than average . The pic will appeal to Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy fans .
strong males
politian26 July 2006
What jumps out for me after my first viewing is the extraordinary confidence on display in the two male stars. The women are also strong, but the story belongs to Tracy/Gable and their identical code of honor. Few US films achieve this level of natural aristocracy. If they do, it's often one character who possesses the requisite courage and honor, and it brings out the Iago-esquire in others. This is an unusual document in which love and honor rule, and the matter of winning/losing in terms of material goods is viewed with the hauteur of a view of life that has pretty much been eclipsed. As for the writing, it's not bad - the characters could have been more fully rounded, but there's enough substance to make for a credible world in which these guys make their way. Tracy and Gable brought this quality of strength to a lot of their films, but having both present, without sacrificing part of either, is quite special.
Great pic with great performances by Gable, Tracy, Colbert, & Morgan
vincentlynch-moonoi5 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite films with either Spencer Tracy or Clark Gable...and here you have both! And one of my favorite scenes -- Gable and Tracy meeting for the first time on plank across a muddy street and then both getting soaked in mud -- is a classic. And, the film has another very necessary ingredient -- Frank Morgan, whose role sort of holds the whole thing together.
Gable and Tracy play two oil wildcatters who steal drilling equipment from Morgan. After a few false starts they strike it rich and than cut Morgan in for a percentage of their business. The fun is in following their cyclical ups and downs along the way in both oil and a woman -- Claudette Colbert who intended to marry Tracy, but then falls in love with Gable.
This is a pretty interesting film where you can learn a bit about the climate of the wildcat oil business of the day. And, the plot here is pretty good, as well. The only place in the story where things fall down a bit is late in the picture with the courtroom scenes. The director hurried through this portion of the film so much that some of the actors talk so fast it's almost hard to understand them...although Tracy gives one heck of a soliloquy here.
It's hard to say whether this is Gable's or Tracy's picture. Perhaps it is one of those rare cases where they really do share the load equally, and they have a great chemistry on screen (this is one of three they made together...but the last because the top billing contracts of both actors later made their appearing together a problem the studio couldn't solve). Gable is Gable. But it's interesting to note a very different Tracy here than the one you might have seen in "Boys Town" just two years earlier. Perhaps a bit more like the Tracy of "Northwest Passage", also in 1940.
Claudette Colbert is wonderful here as Gable's wife. The odd star out is Hedy Lamarr, who by rights shouldn't have gotten equal billing with Gable, Tracy, and Colbert. She doesn't appear until after the halfway point in the picture, and in screen time comes in a weak fourth...frankly, Frank Morgan gets more screen time and is the far more interesting character. But, that's not the way Hollywood works. And I must say, at least in this picture, Lamarr stinks. She was a very attractive woman. Period.
Excellent motion picture, and one that should find a place on your DVD shelf...it's certainly on mine.
Gable and Tracy play two oil wildcatters who steal drilling equipment from Morgan. After a few false starts they strike it rich and than cut Morgan in for a percentage of their business. The fun is in following their cyclical ups and downs along the way in both oil and a woman -- Claudette Colbert who intended to marry Tracy, but then falls in love with Gable.
This is a pretty interesting film where you can learn a bit about the climate of the wildcat oil business of the day. And, the plot here is pretty good, as well. The only place in the story where things fall down a bit is late in the picture with the courtroom scenes. The director hurried through this portion of the film so much that some of the actors talk so fast it's almost hard to understand them...although Tracy gives one heck of a soliloquy here.
It's hard to say whether this is Gable's or Tracy's picture. Perhaps it is one of those rare cases where they really do share the load equally, and they have a great chemistry on screen (this is one of three they made together...but the last because the top billing contracts of both actors later made their appearing together a problem the studio couldn't solve). Gable is Gable. But it's interesting to note a very different Tracy here than the one you might have seen in "Boys Town" just two years earlier. Perhaps a bit more like the Tracy of "Northwest Passage", also in 1940.
Claudette Colbert is wonderful here as Gable's wife. The odd star out is Hedy Lamarr, who by rights shouldn't have gotten equal billing with Gable, Tracy, and Colbert. She doesn't appear until after the halfway point in the picture, and in screen time comes in a weak fourth...frankly, Frank Morgan gets more screen time and is the far more interesting character. But, that's not the way Hollywood works. And I must say, at least in this picture, Lamarr stinks. She was a very attractive woman. Period.
Excellent motion picture, and one that should find a place on your DVD shelf...it's certainly on mine.
A great movie
Elizabeth-32812 July 1999
I love this movie! It's such a touching movie about romance, friendship, and oil...is that touching? Anyway, if I were Claudette Colbert, I would have a hard time deciding between Clark Gable (handsome and rugged) and Spencer Tracy (sweet, caring, and devoted). If you've never seen "Boom Town", you really have to! It's great.
A Great Buddy Movie
lewis-5115 March 2010
Thus is well worth watching. I liked the interaction between Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. I am not especially fond of either of them, but they were both very good here, and believable.
It is indeed a rousing "buddy" movie. It goes at a fast pace, and that's great. The scene at the burning oil well is very well done.
Ultimately, I rate it no higher than 7 because I find it a bit dated. What exactly "dated" means may be worth a whole essay. It's not the obvious things, like hair styles, manner of speech, and so forth. What I mean here is that it has been written to appeal to the norms and standards of a certain time and culture. You might say every movie is like that; nonetheless I think too much realism has been lost. Without giving away any spoilers, I don't think the way the situation with Hedy Lamarr turned out was realistic. I also do not like the last speech by Tracy. I am sure it was a winner at the time, but it's not realistic - then or now. It was designed to appeal to most viewers then.
Maybe I'm just sulking because I didn't see enough of Hedy Lamarr. ;-)
-henry
It is indeed a rousing "buddy" movie. It goes at a fast pace, and that's great. The scene at the burning oil well is very well done.
Ultimately, I rate it no higher than 7 because I find it a bit dated. What exactly "dated" means may be worth a whole essay. It's not the obvious things, like hair styles, manner of speech, and so forth. What I mean here is that it has been written to appeal to the norms and standards of a certain time and culture. You might say every movie is like that; nonetheless I think too much realism has been lost. Without giving away any spoilers, I don't think the way the situation with Hedy Lamarr turned out was realistic. I also do not like the last speech by Tracy. I am sure it was a winner at the time, but it's not realistic - then or now. It was designed to appeal to most viewers then.
Maybe I'm just sulking because I didn't see enough of Hedy Lamarr. ;-)
-henry
Moves Like a Tornado
telegonus7 May 2002
This movie doesn't let up, as it journeys from Texas oil fields to Latin America to New York City to Oklahoma. Its characters go from rich to poor in what seems like a blink of the eye. As the main characters, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy are in top form, and still young enough looking in 1940 to play oil wildcatters. The ladies, Claudette Colbert and Hedy Lamarr, play more complex than usual women for this kind of film, as their motivations at all times make sense even if one doesn't care for them.
Boom Town isn't an easy movie to categorize. I guess you'd call it an adventure, though it has a good deal of drama, some of it serious, and the actors bring a rare sincerity to their roles. Gable is livelier and seems happier here than I've ever seen him. Tracy, never a cheerful sort, is as near to a happy camper as he can be.
Jack Conway wasn't usually regarded as a director of the first rank even by his studio, does a fine job of keeping things moving at a swift pace. Yet he knows how to slow things down, too, so that one can catch a real glimpse of a small western city or an oil field. The script, by John Lee Mahin and James Edward Grant, does not for a minute seriously question the motivations or morals of the main characters, and this could be classified as a conservative adventure film or a Republican epic. Whatever. It's well enough done to satisfy even the most persnickety liberal.
Boom Town isn't an easy movie to categorize. I guess you'd call it an adventure, though it has a good deal of drama, some of it serious, and the actors bring a rare sincerity to their roles. Gable is livelier and seems happier here than I've ever seen him. Tracy, never a cheerful sort, is as near to a happy camper as he can be.
Jack Conway wasn't usually regarded as a director of the first rank even by his studio, does a fine job of keeping things moving at a swift pace. Yet he knows how to slow things down, too, so that one can catch a real glimpse of a small western city or an oil field. The script, by John Lee Mahin and James Edward Grant, does not for a minute seriously question the motivations or morals of the main characters, and this could be classified as a conservative adventure film or a Republican epic. Whatever. It's well enough done to satisfy even the most persnickety liberal.
Entertaining soap-opera
nnnn450891914 August 2008
"Boom Town" is a very entertaining soap-opera which solely depends on the charm of it's two stars.I'm happy to say that both Gable and Tracy are great in this movie.The action sequences are amazingly done considering the vintage of this movie. Gable has some socko female performers to woe in Colbert and Lamarr. The storyline plays like a cross between a buddy-movie and soap-opera,most likely to appeal to both men and women. The business practices depicted in the movie surely favors aggressive capitalism as the American way. But if you can swallow some of those scenes the movie is very entertaining. Lending able comic support are two scene-stealers from many a film: Frank Morgan and Chill Wills. "Boom Town " is definitely worth a look.
Clark is a cad in this one
HotToastyRag15 September 2019
If you liked seeing offscreen buddies Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy in San Francisco, you'll be anxious to rent Boom Town, a quasi-drama about two pals in love with the same woman. Claudette Colbert has a far less important role than the two men's friendship, but since their friendship isn't that great to begin with, that should tell you a little about the movie. Clark is a smooth talker who often gets into jams Spence has to clean up. For example, he has the idea of stealing oil drilling equipment from Frank Morgan so he and Spence can get rich quick. Then, after they do strike oil, Clark continues his wild ways while Spence looks towards settling down. He sends for his girl. Claudette, but before he has time to meet her at the station, Clark has literally talked her into marrying him instead! How can they still be friends after that?
Throughout the rest of the movie, the audience gets to know Clark as more and more of an irresponsible jerk. He treats Claudette badly, and Spence resents him. Hedy Lamarr costars as the other woman, and it's just as easy to dislike her as it is to dislike Clark. I'm just too much of a Claudette fan for my own good, and if she gets treated badly in a movie, I'm probably not going to like it.
Throughout the rest of the movie, the audience gets to know Clark as more and more of an irresponsible jerk. He treats Claudette badly, and Spence resents him. Hedy Lamarr costars as the other woman, and it's just as easy to dislike her as it is to dislike Clark. I'm just too much of a Claudette fan for my own good, and if she gets treated badly in a movie, I'm probably not going to like it.
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