George Brent is Jared Whitney, an engineer sent to the gold fields of the Sacramento Valley to oversee hydraulic mining operations.
The problem is, the hydraulic mining is ruining the farms downstream and threatening the holdings of the Ferris family. Col. Chris Ferris (Claude Rains) is determined to avoid violence and fight the matter out in court, until his son is killed.
Olivia de Haviland, 22 at the time, plays his daughter Serena, who is torn between devotion to her father and her love for Jared Whitney.
Whitney’s torn, too, once he realizes how far his greedy bosses will go to protect the flow of their gold.
The ending is all purple prose, but it’s fun getting there, and the special effects are something special considering the film was made in 1938.
Directed by:
Michael Curtiz
Cast:
George Brent … Jared Whitney
Olivia de Haviland … Serena Ferris
Claude Rains … Col. Chris Ferris
Margaret Lindsay … Rosanne Ferris
John Litel … Ralph Ferris
Marcia Ralston … Molly Featherstone
Barton MacLane … Slag Martin
Tim Holt … Lance Ferris
Sidney Toler … Harry McCooey
Gabby Hayes … Enoch Howitt
Henry O’Neill … Judge
Willie Best … Joshua
Robert McWade … Mr. Crouch
Russell Simpson … MacKenzie
Harry Davenport … Dr. Parsons
Clarence Kolb … Sen. Walsh
Moroni Olsen … Sen. Hearst
Runtime: 94 min.
Memorable lines:
Col. Chris Ferris, arguing his case with a judge: “We have only one question to ask. Does the law of this country give one man the right to ruin another man’s land. The right to stand on a mountain and throw mud in his face. Because that’s what the miners are doing to us.”
Col. Ferris to daughter, Serena: “Serena, you can’t be in love with a Yankee mine mucker.”
Serena: “I am.”
Colonel: “But it’s ridiculous. Well, in the first place, you’re nothing but a little girl. What do you know about being in love anyway?”
Rosanne Ferris to Serena, about her orchard: “You’ll save the family fortune at the expense of your looks. It isn’t worth it Serena. Look at your hands. They’re like whip leather.”
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