Flowing Gold (1940) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Johnny Blake is a fugitive because he killed a man in self-defense. He confesses this to Linda Chalmers when they decide to flee together to Venezuela, revealing the truth about his past as they plan their escape from the oilfields and his legal troubles.

Foreshadowing: The police arrive multiple times throughout the film searching for a fugitive, with Hap initially shown a wanted poster bearing Johnny's photograph.

• johnny blake fugitive
• murder charge
• self defense
• killed man

Johnny proves himself by saving Hap from an attack. When Hap fires a drunken worker, the man turns violent and attacks Hap. Johnny intervenes and prevents harm, earning Hap's trust and securing his place on the crew despite the police presence.

Foreshadowing: Hap initially agrees to hire Johnny only on a trial basis, keeping him close while hoping to manage the situation.

• johnny saves hap
• prove loyalty
• drunken worker attack

Hap invests his savings because the bank rejects Wildcat's loan request due to Hammond's interference. With money running dry and the project at risk, Hap offers his life savings and is made a partner, cementing his bond with Wildcat and giving the crew a chance to proceed with drilling.

Foreshadowing: Hammond is introduced as Wildcat's longtime bitter enemy, and his influence at the bank creates the financial obstacle.

• hap partner
• life savings
• bank loan rejected
• hammond blocks funding

The fence is erected by Hammond's men to block Hap's crew from accessing Wildcat's leased oil field. In response, the crew tears through the barrier, triggering a chaotic brawl. During the fight, Johnny briefly clashes with Hap but switches sides to help rout Hammond's men, solidifying his loyalty.

Foreshadowing: Hammond's hostile intent was established when he blocked Wildcat's bank loan.

• fence brawl
• hammond men
• equipment blocked
• drilling site conflict

Johnny flees because his fingerprints match those on file with law enforcement. Knowing capture is imminent if he stays, he makes the painful decision to leave Linda and the operation just as the police arrive, though he later returns during the crisis.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Johnny is arrested for a brawl and his fingerprints are taken, creating the evidence that later leads to his identification.

• fingerprint match
• police arrive
• johnny flees
• lawmen close in

Lightning strikes set the oil well ablaze during a critical moment when police are closing in on Johnny. A crane is needed to fight the fire, but the rain-soaked road makes the journey treacherous. Johnny takes the wheel and drives the crane through dangerous conditions to extinguish the blaze, saving the operation before being taken into custody.

Foreshadowing: The well is described as reaching a critical moment just before the fire breaks out.

• lightning strike
• oil fire
• crane
• rain soaked road
• firefight

Johnny is taken into custody after the fire is extinguished. Despite his heroic act in saving the oil well, his fingerprints have already matched those on file with law enforcement, and he is arrested. However, Linda chooses to accompany him to face the charges rather than abandon him.

Foreshadowing: Johnny's fingerprints were taken when he was arrested earlier for the brawl, and the timeline notes that police close in having matched his fingerprints.

• johnny arrested
• arrested taken into custody
• linda goes with him

Linda chooses to accompany Johnny because their love has been established throughout the film. Despite Johnny being a fugitive and now under arrest, she reaffirms their relationship by deciding to face the charges alongside him rather than abandon him, showing the loyalty and commitment that defines their romance.

Foreshadowing: Johnny and Linda confess their love earlier, and they had planned to flee together to Venezuela to start fresh.

• linda with johnny
• loyal love
• face charges together
• accompanies arrested

Hammond is Wildcat's longtime bitter enemy who actively works to sabotage his oil ventures. He blocks Wildcat's loan request at the bank, forcing Hap to invest his savings. Hammond also sends men to erect a fence blocking the drilling site, sparking the brawl. The conflict represents the ruthless competition in the oil industry.

Foreshadowing: Hammond's antagonistic role is established early when he prevents Wildcat's financing.

• hammond rival
• oil business rivalry
• sabotage
• blocked loan
• business enemy

Hap tries to stop the couple from leaving because he has developed feelings for Linda himself and wants her to stay. When he learns of their plans to move to Venezuela's oil fields, he hesitates and attempts to persuade them otherwise, though the well's success ultimately provides hope for all.

Foreshadowing: Hap is described as initially oblivious to the romance between Johnny and Linda, suggesting his feelings developed gradually.

• hap loves linda
• disuade venezuela plan
• jealousy
• romantic rivalry

The well initially shows water, which mirrors a nearby unsuccessful well, causing concern that they might have struck the same dry layer. However, Hap urges the crew to continue drilling despite the setback. Their persistence pays off when they finally strike oil, validating their risky investment.

Foreshadowing: The timeline notes that hitting water initially causes cautious optimism, echoing a nearby failure.

• well hits water
• dry hole
• drilling setback
• oil strike finally