Sin Town
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Ray Enright
Constance Bennett
Broderick Crawford
Patric Knowles
Anne Gwynne
Leo Carrillo
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
During the oil boom of the 1910s, confidence woman Kye Allen falsely claims that oilman Angelo Colina tried to take advantage of her while both are traveling by train. Her partner in crime, Martin "Dude" McNair, then comes to Colina's defense, and the oilman offers to sell him four prime Carsin oil plots out of gratitude. Arriving at the oil fields, however, Dude and Kye discover that they themselves have been swindled, as the wells are dry. Dude then meets and takes an immediate fancy to Laura Kirby, daughter of the local newspaper publisher. Arriving in Carsin, the two con artists learn that Laura's father has been murdered and saloon proprietor Rock Delaney has been accused of the crime. Dude stops the townspeople, who are led by Wade Crowell, Laura's fiancé, from lynching the saloon owner. In return for saving his life, Dude demands that Rock make him a partner and the saloon owner quickly agrees, making Kye worry. Dude calls a meeting of the Carsin gambling and saloon proprietors, saying that they must band together under his leadership. When he demands protection money, however, saloon owner Kentucky Jones leaves the meeting, and later that night, his establishment is blown up. Kye visits Rock in jail and tells him that she will not let Dude be blamed for his violent actions. A town meeting is called to rally support against Rock and Dude, but it quickly breaks up when Dude falsely reports a giant oil strike. Later, Dude tries to romance Laura as the heartbroken Kye secretly watches. When Judge Eustace Vale, an old friend of Dude and Kye, arrives in town, Dude finances his purchase of a fifty per cent interest in Laura's failing newspaper. Meanwhile, Kye offers to bankroll Wade's oil drilling with her life savings, only to discover that Dude has already spent the money on Laura's newspaper. The con man then admits that he has fallen in love with Laura, and the defeated Kye makes plans to leave town. Later, Colina returns to Carsin in order to act as the front for Rock's purchase of a partnership in Wade's well. After Laura loans Wade her newfound money, however, he turns down the crooked oilman's offer. Rock then sends his henchman, Dry Hole, to sabotage Wade's well, knowing that Dude will be blamed for anything that happens. After Wade's well is blown up, Kentucky rallies the town against both Rock and Dude. While Kentucky eavesdrops from his hiding place, Rock sneaks into the saloon and confesses all to Dude. The two men fight, and as the townspeople break through the saloon's barricades, Rock defeats Dude, but is killed by Kentucky. Dude is saved from a lynching by Kentucky, but then is ordered to leave town. Meanwhile, Laura and Kye arrive at Wade's well just in time to see it strike oil. Later, Kye meets Dude on a train and tells him that she has retrieved their $17,000 from Colina. The two then decide to settle down together in an honest life.
Director
Ray Enright
Cast
Constance Bennett
Broderick Crawford
Patric Knowles
Anne Gwynne
Leo Carrillo
Andy Devine
Ward Bond
Arthur Aylsworth
Ralf Harolde
Charles Wagenheim
Billy Wayne
Hobart Bosworth
Bryant Washburn
Jack Mulhall
Paul Bryar
Oscar O'shea
Eddy Waller
Clarence Muse
Ben Erway
Ed Peil Sr.
Harry Strang
Guy Usher
Rebel Randall
Jean Trent
Victor Zimmerman
George Lewis
Frank Hagney
Murray Parker
Neely Edwards
Jack C. Smith
Larry Mcgrath
Bob Barron
Kernan Cripps
Art Miles
Charles Marsh
Frank Coleman
Crew
Richard Brooks
Bernard B. Brown
Edward Curtiss
W. Scott Darling
R. A. Gausman
Gerald Geraghty
A. J. Gilmore
Gene Lewis
Harold H. Macarthur
Paul Neal
Jack Otterson
George Robinson
H. J. Salter
Gil Valle
George Waggner
Vera West
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Sin City. The picture was originally slated to star Marlene Dietrich. According to Hollywood Reporter, Universal sought Ray Enright as the director of the Dietrich project, as he had previously worked with her on the Universal 1941 film The Spoilers , but they were unable to get Warner Bros., to whom Enright was under contract, to agree to a "loan-out." Tay Garnett was then selected to direct the Dietrich project. The production eventually was canceled and Dietrich was cast in Pittsburgh (see entry above). In July 1942, the project was revived as a vehicle for Constance Bennett, with Broderick Crawford cast in August 1942 in his "first romantic 'Gable-type' lead." Director Enright was finally able to direct the project when Universal "bought-out" his contract with Warner Bros., then signed him to a two-picture deal in late July 1942. In mid-Aug, Hollywood Reporter reported that actor Robert Stack had been cast in the film in the role of "Wade Crowell," a part that he had previously turned down, but one that had been re-written and enlarged specifically for him. In late August 1942, however, Stack was suspended by Universal and actor Patric Knowles was cast in the role. According to Hollywood Reporter, the setting of the film was changed from the 1920s to the 1910s so that wooden, rather than steel, oil derricks could be used, due to the shortage of steel at the beginning of World War II. Hollywood Reporter production charts include Edward Earle in the cast, but his appearance in the released film has not been confirmed.
