Dan and Ben (William Boyd and Pat O'Brien) are partners and wildcatters. A wildcatter was a name given to small independent outfits where they were trying to find out in order to strike it rich. After some serious problems where they are nearly put out of business by an evil oil company, a friend of theirs offers to go into partnership with them. But Dan will need to first go to New York City to get financing. While there, he meets and falls head over heels for Claire (Mae Clark). He knows absolutely nothing about her but doesn't care...he just wants to take her out west with him when he returns to work.
What Dan doesn't know is that Claire is a woman with a past. Like so many Pre-Code films, very adult content is implied...so that the adults in the audience will put two and two together...but kids will be blissfully ignorant. At least, that was the intention of many Pre-Code films like "Flaming Gold". What is her past? I assume she was a prostitute....and I think most folks seeing the film will assume this as well.
The biggest problem with Claire's past is that Dan is ignorant of this and his partner, Ben DOES....and he obviously resents her and assumes the worst about her. Where does all this end up? Well, in a finale that seems over and done with very, very quickly...too quickly. In fact. the film and the acting are very good but since it as a cheap B-movie, it really looks like they abruptly ended the film and a good 10-15 more minutes would have allowed for a much better and satisfying ending. Still, it is enjoyable and well made in most respects.
What Dan doesn't know is that Claire is a woman with a past. Like so many Pre-Code films, very adult content is implied...so that the adults in the audience will put two and two together...but kids will be blissfully ignorant. At least, that was the intention of many Pre-Code films like "Flaming Gold". What is her past? I assume she was a prostitute....and I think most folks seeing the film will assume this as well.
The biggest problem with Claire's past is that Dan is ignorant of this and his partner, Ben DOES....and he obviously resents her and assumes the worst about her. Where does all this end up? Well, in a finale that seems over and done with very, very quickly...too quickly. In fact. the film and the acting are very good but since it as a cheap B-movie, it really looks like they abruptly ended the film and a good 10-15 more minutes would have allowed for a much better and satisfying ending. Still, it is enjoyable and well made in most respects.