Silver Dollar

Silver Dollar

Year: 1932

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Alfred E. Green

Drama

Can any man ask one woman to share his years of struggle- Another to adorn his days of triumph? A farmer strikes it rich out West, then leaves his wife for a young beauty.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Silver Dollar (1932)

Trace every key event in Silver Dollar (1932) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Move to Colorado to seek gold

Yates Martin uproots his wife Sarah and infant son and moves to 1876 Colorado in search of gold. He buys a mining claim there but quickly abandons it after two prospectors tell him of a strike in Leadville. Following Sarah's prudent advice, he shifts to Leadville and sets up a store to capitalize on the town's growing boom.

1876 Leadville, Colorado
2

Stakes in miners and partnerships form a web of bets

With funds dwindling, Yates begins staking miners in return for partnerships in their diggings. He bets on other people's labor to build a fortune while Sarah watches with increasing worry. The arrangement binds his wealth to the oscillating success of multiple claims around Leadville.

1876-1877 Leadville, Colorado
3

Silver strike narrows the path to fortune

Just as the Martins are ready to return to Kansas, prospectors Rische and Hook arrive with news of a silver strike. Yates secures a third share of the discovery, instantly transforming his prospects from precarious to potentially enormous. The windfall anchors his ambition and reshapes his future.

late 1870s Colorado mining camps
4

Purchases a $50,000 claim despite objections

Yates spends part of his newfound wealth to buy a claim from a downtrodden miner for $50,000, ignoring Sarah's objections. The deal is controversial, and the buyer knows the risk as he plans to use the ore for political leverage as well. The purchase foreshadows the risky path that blends business prowess with political ambition.

late 1870s Colorado
5

Foreman warns the claim may be worthless

Shortly after the purchase, Yates's foreman informs him that the claim may be worthless. He orders the crew to keep digging anyway, at least until the election, so he won't look foolish if the ore delivers. The insistence on digging reveals how his political dreams drive his business decisions.

pre-election Colorado
6

A hidden lode and political ascent

Against all odds, a lode richer than the first strike emerges from the digging. The sudden fortune anchors Yates's political momentum: he wins the Lieutenant Governor election and steps into public power. The mining success and public office reinforce each other, accelerating his ascent.

election year Colorado
7

Denver opera house project begins

Flush with wealth, Yates funds and plans an opulent opera house in Denver. The project becomes a symbol of his ambition to shape the city’s culture as well as its economy. Construction draws attention from all corners of society.

between election and grand opening Denver, Colorado
8

Lily Owens enters as his mistress

During the opera house project, Yates meets Lily Owens and begins an affair that soon becomes his mistress. The relationship marks a break with his wife Sarah and complicates his public image. The affair signals a new chapter in his personal life as the empire grows.

during construction Denver
9

Grand opening with General Grant

At the grand opening, General Ulysses S. Grant attends as guest of honor, elevating Yates’s profile to national attention. The gala cements his status among the elite and fuels his appetite for greater power. The event blends politics, money, and fame in one luminous evening.

opening night Denver
10

Senate bid and Washington wedding

Emboldened by his wealth and ambitions, Yates seeks a U.S. Senate seat. He divorces Sarah and marries Lily in Washington, DC, with the President among the wedding guests. The ceremony marks his ascent into national politics and the entanglement of his personal life with power.

post-opera house opening Washington, DC
11

Gold standard policy and the price of silver plummets

When the President shifts the country to the gold standard, the price of silver plummets and Yates loses almost everything. He keeps only the Matchless mine, which is not profitable at the new price. He refuses Sarah’s offer of money, choosing pride over reconciliation.

gold standard era Colorado; Washington, DC
12

Postmaster appointment and final decline

A friend secures the post of postmaster for him in Denver, but Yates collapses and dies penniless. His rise and fall run in stark contrast, and the man who once commanded wealth ends his days in quiet poverty. The legacy of his ambition remains a cautionary tale.

death Denver

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:40

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Silver Dollar Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Silver Dollar

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