Cimarron
US (1931): Drama/Western
When the government opens up the Oklahoma territory for settlement, restless Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) claims a plot of the free land for himself and moves his family there from Wichita. A newspaperman, lawyer, and just about everything else, Cravat soon becomes a leading citizen of the boom town of Osage. Once the town is established, however, he begins to feel confined once again, and heads for the Cherokee Strip, leaving his family behind. During this and other absences, his wife Sabra (Irene Dunne) must learn to take care of herself and soon becomes prominent in her own right. Wesley Ruggles directs for RKO. (George S. Davis, IMDb)
Cimarron's claim as the only Western to win Best Picture held for sixty years, until Dances With Wolves also earned that distinction for 1990. Unforgiven soon followed in 1992.
7 nominations, 3 Awards
· Best Picture 1930-31: William Le Baron, producer (Ruggles, RKO Radio)
· Writing (Best Adaptation) 1930-31: Howard Estabrook
· Best Art Direction/Set Decoration 1930-31: Max Ree - Art Direction
· Actor 1930-31: Richard Dix
· Actress 1930-31: Irene Dunne
· Directing 1930-31: Wesley Ruggles
· Cinematography 1930-31: Edward Cronjager