Tulsa (1949) Director: Stuart Heisler Studio: Walter Wanger Productions / Eagle-Lion Films Starring: Susan Hayward, Robert Preston, Pedro Armendáriz, Chill Wills Release Date: February 13, 1949 Runtime: 90 minutes Format: Technicolor Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama, Western, Melodrama Summary: Tulsa follows Cherokee Lansing (Susan Hayward), a determined woman in 1920s Oklahoma who inherits land after her father’s death. When oil is discovered, she aggressively pursues drilling rights, quickly transforming herself into a powerful oil baroness. Her relentless ambition brings her wealth and influence, but also betrayal, environmental destruction, and personal tragedy. Torn between greed and redemption, Cherokee must confront the consequences of her choices in the rapidly changing oil boom era. Background: The film was produced by independent filmmaker Walter Wanger and distributed by Eagle-Lion Films, shot in vivid Technicolor to emphasize the drama of Oklahoma’s oil fields. Directed by Stuart Heisler, Tulsa reflected postwar themes of ambition, corruption, and industrial growth. The movie also carried subtle commentary on environmental exploitation, showing the devastating impact of unchecked oil drilling on land and livestock. Susan Hayward’s powerhouse performance further solidified her status as a leading lady of late 1940s melodrama. Trivia: Tulsa was filmed partly on location in Oklahoma, capturing authentic landscapes of oil fields. The film marked one of Susan Hayward’s early starring roles, paving the way for her 1950s success in dramatic roles. The story draws loosely from Oklahoma’s real oil boom era following World War I. Technicolor was a major selling point, giving the film a striking visual appeal at a time when color features were still relatively rare. Hashtags: #Tulsa1949 #SusanHayward #Technicolor #ClassicHollywood #OilBoomDrama #StuartHeisler #WalterWange