Boom Town

Big John McMasters and Shorty Sand join forces after stealing drilling equipment from Luther Aldrich. Their first well is a bust, and Aldrich arrives with the sheriff to reclaim his property. The setback pushes the two men to regroup and plan a smarter approach.

They pool what money they have and regroup after the bust, gathering funds to partly pay Aldrich back. McMasters and Sand decide to offer Aldrich a percentage of the next well to secure his backing and a second chance.

Elizabeth 'Betsy' Bartlett arrives in the oil town and McMasters sweeps her off her feet, marrying her. Sand accepts the situation, hoping Betsy will be happy, even as he hides his own feelings. The marriage brings personal tension into the business partnership.

On their first anniversary Betsy catches Sand dancing with a barroom floozy. The men quarrel over the relationship and the oilfield, culminating in a coin toss that decides control of the entire operation. The win or loss changes the balance of power between them.

Betsy leaves her husband after the quarrel, but returns when she learns that Sand has taken nearly everything from McMasters. The personal pain mirrors the economic volatility of the oil boom, straining all four relationships involved.

Building on renewed success, McMasters moves to New York to expand into refineries and distribution. He faces competition from former customer Harry Compton as he reshapes his business empire. The move marks a shift from raw oil to broader control of the supply chain.

To gain an edge, McMasters hires Karen Vanmeer, Compton's adviser. She uses her social connections and charm to gather industry information that could tip the balance in his favor. Her role deepens the tension as rivals become entangled in personal schemes.

Sand suffers a catastrophic loss when a revolution sweeps through his South American investments. He wakes to find that what he built there has vanished, leaving him ruined. The blow forces him back into the orbit of McMasters.

At an oilmen's convention, McMasters and Sand reconnect and set aside their personal tensions. Sand goes to work for his old friend again, renewing their professional alliance. The reunion re-engages the work of rebuilding their fortunes.

Sand suspects McMasters is having an affair with Karen Vanmeer. He offers to marry Karen himself to save Betsy's marriage, but Karen declines, recognizing the motive is to protect Betsy, not pursue romance. The matter adds a personal twist to the business rivalry.

Betsy attempts suicide by taking sleeping pills, overwhelmed by the marital strains. Sand decides that the only way to help her is to bankrupt McMasters, choosing a drastic and ruthless tactic to force a resolution.

Sand's costly campaign collapses and he goes broke. He asks McMasters to divorce Betsy, pressuring the married man to face the consequences of his marriage. McMasters begins to confront his own priorities.

McMasters is prosecuted by the government under the Sherman Antitrust Act and loses his business. The legal defeat undermines everything he built, forcing a harsh reckoning. The case marks a turning point in the fortunes of both men.

Despite the setbacks, Sand and McMasters reunite as partners with Betsy watching over them. Aldrich supplies them with equipment, restarting the cycle as the fortunes rise again. The film ends with a glimmer of renewed possibility.