In 1889, lawyer and newspaper editor Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) convinces his genteel wife, Sabra (Irene Dunne), to join him in the rush to claim land in Osage, Oklahoma. After they begin to settle into the community, Yancey leaves to go further west. Alone, Sabra inherits his editorial duties and struggles to bring “civilization” to the settler colonial town. Over a tumultuous 40 years, the couple are repeatedly separated and reunited as Oklahoma makes its long journey to statehood.

This film won the 1931 Oscar for Best Picture, the first Western to take that award.

Cimarron

Adapted from: Cimarron by Edna Ferber (1930)

Director: Wesley Ruggles

Year: 1931

Studio: RKO Radio Pictures

Genre: Western, Epic