grantss
It is the late-1800s and the US government is buying land from Indians in an area known as the Cherokee Strip, in the Oklahoma Territory. Gold intended for the Indians is hijacked by the gang of Whip McCord (played by Humphrey Bogart). The gang is in turn ambushed and robbed by Jim "The Oklahoma Kid" Kincaid (James Cagney). This leads to a deadly feud between McCord and Kincaid.A good old-fashioned good guys vs bad guys western. Plot is fairly basic, but works. Similarly the acting is a bit over-the-top, but works. It is basically the swagger of James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart that propels the movie, and makes it work. Makes it quite amusing at times, too...On a side note, this might actually be the first movie to include both Cagney and Bogart, so the movie is of historical significance too.
alexandre michel liberman (tmwest)
The problem is not the actor, James Cagney (The Oklahoma Kid) but the unwritten credibility rule that this film (unlike most westerns) does not follow: a hero cannot be as good on the draw and fistfights as to place him too far above the others. Add to that a routine plot and the conclusion is that Cagney and Bogart deserved something better.The big hat does not suit Cagney well, he keeps blowing the smoke off his gun and in a cheesy scene he sings a lullaby in a poor Spanish. Bogart's physical type and costumes he wears, blend better. On the plus side is the excellent cinematography of James Wong Howe, the constant action scenes, the final brawl, and being able enjoy the great Cagney performing a musical number (not the lullaby). Only avid western movie fans like myself would care to see this film and overall it is a rewarding experience, after all we learn to appreciate even the flaws.
wes-connors
President Grover Cleveland declares some Oklahoma Cherokee land to be available for western settlers, which attracts singing cowboy James Cagney (as "The Oklahoma Kid" Jim Kincaid) and his more dastardly, dark-suited rival Humphrey Bogart (as "Whip" McCord). Mr. Bogart gains control of the burgeoning town of Tulsa's vice, crime, gambling, and murder trade. Mr. Cagney lives on the outskirts since he's "WANTED!" But, he becomes reform-minded when Bogart's gang make trouble for Cagney's estranged brother Harvey Stephens (as Ned Kincaid), who want to clean up Tulsa. Cagney is also attracted to Donald Crisp (as Judge Hardwick)'s virtuous daughter, Rosemary Lane (as Jane Hardwick). In hindsight, this is more of a novelty than a movie.***** The Oklahoma Kid (3/3/39) Lloyd Bacon ~ James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Harvey Stephens
fedor8
Right up until the end the bad guys have the upper-hand - always - which kind of put into question the competence of the good guys. A couple of innocent-man-accused-of-a-crime plots are irritating. Some unnecessary dialogue in which various dull legal issues get debated. This is just a mediocre dumb old western, so what's this nonsense about trying to keep things "realistic"? Cagney's atypical presence in a western is one of the few - if not the only - entertaining thing about the movie. Somewhere around the middle there is a ridiculously-timed marriage proposal; sort of like "Where is the Kid hiding??!! Where is he?!... Oh, and by the way, will you marry me?"
AD
