Cimarron Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wesley Ruggles

None of the other directors listed were from the United States. David Cronenberg is from Canada, Ingmar Bergman from Sweden, and Charlie Chaplin was British. Only Ruggles and Chaplin had directed any films during the 1930s. Wesley Ruggles hailed from California and, prior to his directing years, acted in various silent films during the 1910s.

He successfully directed various films of the 1930s including "No Man of Her Own" starring Clark Gable and "College Humor" starring Bing Crosby. His most acclaimed film however was "Cimarron" earning him an Academy Award in what sources state was the first Western genre film to win the award.

Answer: False

Howard Estabrook was the screenwriter who wrote the script for the film based on the novel "Cimarron" that was written by Edna Ferber. The novel itself was named after the Cimarron Territory in Oklahoma, an unsettled area of land often referred to as "No-Man's Land". Like the film, the novel follows the lives of Yancey Cravat and his wife who immigrate to the fictional town of Osage, Oklahoma where they write in a local newspaper in an attempt to build their fortune.

Answer: Richard Dix

Richard Dix succeeded in the film industry in both the silent film era as well as the sound film era of the 1930s. Best known for his starring role as Yancey Cravat in "Cimarron", Yancey Cravat is the typical pioneer of the times. He is handsome, tall, gruff, and unafraid to take risks during tough times. On the other hand, he is often reckless and impulsive. Dix also had roles as John MacTavish in "The Ten Commandments", and starred in various roles in seven of the eight "Whistler" films. Like many actors and actresses of his time, he suffered from alcohol addiction and by the late 1940s, it had take a tole on his body.

He suffered a heart attack while traveling by train in 1949 and died shortly after at the age of 56.

Answer: Oklahoma

The film plot takes place during the Land Rush of 1889. During this period of time, unassigned lands were officially opened up by the US government to those who wanted to settle there. In "Cimarron", the Cravat family leaves their home to seek out free government land and winds up in the fictional town of Osage, Oklahoma. Upon their arrival, their plans are foiled and Yancey Cravat kills an outlaw named Lon Yountis, who once killed the previous publisher of the local newspaper.

As a result, the Cravat family take over the Osage Wigwam.

Answer: Lon Yountis

Yountis is an outlaw and leader of a gang that murdered the prior publisher of the Osage newspaper. After Yancey Cravat is unable to establish a new ranch, he moves into Osage. While walking down the main street, Yountis insults Cravat's white cowboy hat and shoots it off of his head. Cravat's wife Sabra becomes outraged and charges after him. Later in the film, Yancey Cravat confronts and kills Yountis.

As a result, he is now able to establish himself as the new publisher of the newspaper.

Answer: She is a prostitute.

Cunning and sly, Dixie Lee manages to outsmart Yancey Cravat and his family for the prized Bear Creek land claim. She ends up on trial for much of her reckless conduct and her persona as a public nuisance within the community. After Yancey returns to the town after a five year absence, much to the disappointment of his wife Sabra and other women in the town, he defends her in court.

He fights for Dixie Lee and wins her an acquittal.

Answer: True

When Sabra discovers that her son Cim (played by Don Dillaway) has been having relations with a local Indian chief's daughter (uncredited in the film), she is repulsed and disapproves. For much of the film, she loathes not only Cim's girlfriend, but the American Indians in general. Years later, Sabra is elected as an Oklahoma Congresswoman and compliments the Indian girl who has now become her daughter-in-law.

Answer: American Indians

As part of scheme with political motives, Yancey Cravat writes an editorial in which he "favours" the rights of American Indian citizenship. The actual motive, however, was to trick them out of their wealth and prosperity. Cravat would print an editorial that accused the government and their demagogues of planning to rob the Indians again. Sabra would attempt to stop him because he was essentially slurring the government. As a result of this recklessness, he lost his campaign to become governor and disappeared from town once again.

Although his wife has always loathed the American Indians (particularly her son's relationship with an Indian girl), she tries to convince her husband not to go through with the arrangement; he publishes the article against her wishes and disappears from the town.

Answer: He stutters when he talks.

Printer Jesse Rickey (played by Roscoe Ates) worked for the Osage newspaper prior to Yancey and Sabra Cravat taking ownership. Throughout the film, he stutters whenever he talks. This is most evident when he is assisting in adjusting the new sign for the newly structured Osage Wigwam building after the death of Lon Yountis.

After Yancey Cravat leaves his wife to trick the American Indians of their wealth, Rickey continues to work as the printer under the authority of Sabra Cravat.

Answer: False

After being elected as Oklahoma's first Congresswoman, Sabra Cravat is in attendance at a luncheon to reveal a statue to honour the pioneers of the Oklahoma land rush. As Yancey had been absent from her life for many years, to trick others out of their wealth, Sabra had moved forward with her life.

She overhears that a tramp going by the name of "Old Yance" has been injured risking his life to save other oil drillers resulting from an explosion. Yancey dies in her arms after one last embrace and discovers that the revealed statue has been designed in his image.