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Tulsa

Name: Tulsa
Director: Stuart Heisler
Released: 1949
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

1.9/10

Minimal

1949

Approved

Director

Stuart Heisler

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Tulsa is a period drama centered on individual morality and the economic struggles of the oil boom. While it presents a more complex female lead compared to many contemporary films, the narrative remains rooted in traditional social hierarchies. The film's emphasis on resource acquisition and personal vendettas reinforces conventional Western structures. It prioritizes individual pursuits of wealth and power over systemic critiques or diverse cultural perspectives. Overall, the production reflects the typical studio system frameworks of the late 1940s, focusing on established dramatic structures rather than challenging social norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Tulsa have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any queer subtext or non-cisgender identities. It adheres strictly to the assumption that everyone is straight and cisgender.

How does Tulsa portray gender?

Limited

Cherokee Lansing plays a significant role in driving the plot, evolving from a seeker of justice to a powerful woman. However, her influence is often controlled by male protectors.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Tulsa?

Limited

The cast is mostly white, reflecting the production standards of 1949. Despite the protagonist's name, the film does not explore Native American identity or decolonial themes.

How does Tulsa represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story highlights the tension between corporate interests and individual ranching traditions. It emphasizes traditional Western values related to land ownership and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Does Tulsa include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities. Disability is not a central theme or plot device in the film.

Present on Screen

The protagonist, Cherokee Lansing, drives the central narrative conflict.
The film delves into complex themes of female ambition and the shift from justice to obsession.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks meaningful representation of Indigenous heritage or decolonial themes.
The film operates within a strictly straight-centered framework with no queer subtext.
The story reinforces traditional patriarchal structures and Western-centric values of land ownership.

Official Synopsis

It's Tulsa, Oklahoma at the start of the oil boom and Cherokee Lansing's rancher father is killed in a fight with the Tanner Oil Company. Cherokee plans revenge by bringing in her own wells with the help of oil expert Brad Brady and childhood friend Jim Redbird. When the oil and the money start gushing in, both Brad and Jim want to protect the land but Cherokee has different ideas. What started out as revenge for her father's death has turned into an obsession for wealth and power.

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