Today’s quick review: War of the Wildcats. Catherine Allen (Martha Scott), a sheltered schoolteacher, sets out to see the world and falls in love with Jim Gardner (Albert Dekker), an Oklahoma oil tycoon who promises her everything she could ever want. But Daniel Somers (John Wayne), an honest cowboy, derails Gardner’s plans by undermining a crucial land deal and showing Catherine something that means more than money.
War of the Wildcats is a Western adventure about the oil boom in the early 20th century. An upright cowboy battles a crooked oilman for a valuable oil field and the heart of a fine woman. War of the Wildcats follows their rivalry as it escalates from a few harsh words to an oil rush that embroils the entire town. War of the Wildcats goes far on the back of its story and its likable lead, but it is held back some by its loose plot work.
Much of the movie’s charm comes from Daniel Somers and the way he deals with tricky situations. Daniel uses his wits to defuse trouble when possible, but when he is out of options, he never backs down from a challenge. His early indifference to Catherine and Jim, his resourcefulness when it comes to the oil field, and his determination to support the town even when everything looks hopeless all make Daniel a hero worth following.
Still, War of the Wildcats is not graceful about setting up its conflict. The early skirmishes between Daniel and Jim lack direction, and Daniel makes for a passive hero until he is backed into a corner. The part of the story that is most unique—a race to claim a new oil field—only gets going late in the movie. And while the romance with Catherine works well enough, it is not as well-developed or poetic as other Western romances.
War of the Wildcats makes a fine pick for anyone in the mood for an enterprising adventure. The plot, characters, and overall execution of the movie do not stand out, but they do make for an enjoyable story that balances lighter humor with action, drama, and romance. Give War of the Wildcats a shot if you are a fan of John Wayne or the kinds of small-town conflict seen in Westerns. Steer clear if you want something groundbreaking.
For a more upbeat Western romantic comedy starring John Wayne, try The Fighting Kentuckian. For a darker drama about the early oil business, try There Will Be Blood.
[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036038/). I give it the same for a decent adventure.