The Woman I Stole (1933)
Director:
Irving Cummings
Writers:
Joseph Hergesheimer (novel), Jo Swerling
Stars:
Jack Holt, Fay Wray, Donald Cook
Tough Jim Bradier, an adventurous engineer used to getting whatever he wants by any means necessary, returns to the oil fields he established in North Africa after an extended trip to America. His goal is to take away Vida, the beautiful wife of Stephen Corew, whom Jim appointed general manager because of his affection for Vida. Vida is eager to leave her gentle, serious-minded husband for the more masterful Jim, but the would-be lovers' plans are disrupted by the violent sabotage being committed by a bandit known as General Rayon. Rayon's brigands have been terrorizing the oil workers, and just as Jim is about to confront Stephen about Vida, Stephen accuses him of having left because he is a coward. Angered by Stephen's accusation, Jim decides to stay, and despite their hatred of each other, the two men work together to rid the fields of Rayon. Jim meets with Rayon, who is very similar to him in temperament, and discovers that the bandit is working for Lentz, Jim's ambitious, crooked business manager, who desires to take over the company during the turmoil caused by Rayon. Jim easily convinces Rayon to work for him instead, although Stephen has become convinced that Jim has been masterminding the troubles. Jim produces evidence of Lentz's corruption after the business manager tries to have him killed, and Jim and Stephen realize that the adversity has made them friends. Now aware of Vida's faithless nature, Jim leaves her behind and boards a ship bound for New York. He finds Stephen on board, and as the men toast their freedom, they are joined by Teresita, a tempestous native dancer seeking to continue her amorous pursuit of Jim.