‘Blowing Wild’: An Entertaining Melodrama

A great cast lights up a tale of striking it rich through oil.

(L–R): Jeff Dawson (Gary Cooper), Ward “Paco” Conway (Anthony Quinn), and Dutch Peterson (Ward Bond), in “Blowing Wild.” Warner Bros.

NR | 1h 30m | Action, Adventure, Drama | 1953

In 1953, Hollywood delivered two films about the quest for fortune in the oil industry. Directed by Anthony Mann, “Thunder Bay” stars James Stewart and Dan Duryea as down-on-their-luck wildcatters searching for “black gold” in Louisiana. Universal International handled distribution. At the same time, Warner Bros. released “Blowing Wild,” set in South America and featuring Gary Cooper and Ward Bond.

While Stewart and Cooper portray more gentlemanly leads, Duryea and Bond bring a sharp edge with wisecracking roles. Both films also include ethnically ambiguous characters: Gilbert Roland in “Thunder Bay” and Anthony Quinn in “Blowing Wild.”  The key distinction between these two adventure yarns is “Blowing Wild’s” introduction of a pair of female characters, which adds a large dose of melodrama.

Bandits strike, in “Blowing Wild.” Warner Bros.

Desperate Situations

“Blowing Wild” opens to wildcatters Jeff Dawson (Cooper) and Dutch Peterson (Bond) as they attempt to strike it rich with an oil well in a region notorious for bandit activity. Bandits do indeed discover their oil rig and proceed to rob them of what little valuables they possess, having invested all their resources into the well. Adding insult to injury, the bandits hurl lit sticks of dynamite at the rig, destroying it entirely.

Jeff and Dutch return to town, clean up by splashing water on themselves from a public pool, and head to an employment agency. Work opportunities are scarce, leaving the two men in a dire situation.

To make ends meet, Jeff agrees to a perilous job transporting nitroglycerin in a rickety old truck for a shady character named Jackson (Ian MacDonald). That evening, Dutch, driven by hunger and frustration, attempts to rob a well-dressed man in a dark alley. But when Jeff intervenes, they both realize the would-be victim is their old friend, Ward “Paco” Conway (Quinn).

Since Paco has struck it rich in the oil business, he offers Jeff and Dutch jobs. When Jeff  discovers that his former lover, Marina (Barbara Stanwyck), is now married to Paco, he refuses to work for him. Dutch gets shot during the hazardous transport job, and they’re both cheated out of their earnings. As tension escalates, Jeff and Dutch reluctantly agree to take Paco up on his offer.

Great Cast Brings Depth

“Blowing Wild” boasts an impressive cast with Stanwyck, Cooper, Ruth Roman, and Quinn bringing star power and talent to this melodramatic tale of love, betrayal, and ambition.

Stanwyck and Cooper share a charged chemistry from the moment their characters appear on screen together. The tension between them is palpable, hinting at a complicated past that unfolds as the movie progresses.

Stanwyck’s portrayal of Marina is especially compelling. She’s as poisonous and predatory as a black widow, determined to reclaim Jeff, not necessarily because she still loves him, but because he no longer seems to want her. This dynamic is fascinating to watch, with Stanwyck skillfully embodying the role of a scheming, relentless woman. Jeff is fully aware of the danger Marina poses, so much so that he considers hauling nitroglycerin across treacherous terrain while being chased and shot at by bandits to be a safer bet than rekindling their relationship.

Sparks fly between Sal Donnelly (Ruth Roman) and Jeff Dawson (Gary Cooper), in “Blowing Wild.” Warner Bros.

Quinn shines as the happy-go-lucky Paco; he seems optimistic about life and remains blissfully unaware of the romantic tension between his wife and his old friend. He brings the character to life with flair, despite Paco’s marital issues. There are even a few lighter moments, including a memorable race between Quinn in a car and Stanwyck on horseback.

Roman’s Sal Donnelly offers a refreshing contrast to Stanwyck’s Marina. Where Marina is manipulative and conniving, Sal is straightforward and kind-hearted. The burgeoning connection between Sal and Jeff adds some nice romance to the story, highlighting the stark differences between the two women vying for Jeff’s attention. McDonald as the villain adds his usual edge to the character. He also shared the screen with Cooper in a memorable collaboration in “High Noon” (1952).

Marina (Barbara Stanwyck), in “Blowing Wild.” Warner Bros.

While this movie may not rank among the greatest films of Stanwyck or Cooper’s careers, it’s good entertainment. This well-paced melodrama is enriched by strong performances and beautiful scenery. Watching Stanwyck’s Marina plot and scheme is a particular delight, and the film’s exploration of heightened emotions, as suggested by its title, keeps the audience engaged.

“Blowing Wild” might not be the pinnacle of cinema, but it’s a solid entry that showcases its cast’s  immense talent and offers plenty of intrigue and drama along the way.

“Blowing Wild” is available on YouTube.

‘Blowing Wild’ Director: Hugo Fregonese Starring: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Ruth Roman Not Rated Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Release Date: Sept. 16, 1953 Rated: 3 stars out of 5

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