Arizona is a 1940 American Western film directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Jean Arthur, William Holden, Warren William, and Porter Hall.
In 1860, Peter Muncie (Holden) passes through Tucson with a wagon train on its way to California. There, he encounters Phoebe Titus (Arthur), the only American woman in the pioneering community. She stands up to Lazarus Ward (Hall), reclaiming (at gunpoint) $1100 that two of his men stole from her. Impressed, Peter begins courting Phoebe, but admits he isn't ready to settle down. She and store owner Solomon Warner form a new freight company to compete with Ward. She offers Peter a job heading the new freight company, but he declines, promising to return after he sees California.
As the Civil War breaks out, the Union garrison withdraws, leaving of Tucson without protection from hostile Indians. Phoebe persuades the wavering residents to remain with the help of newcomer Jefferson Carteret (William). Carteret is friendly to Phoebe, but secretly coerces Ward to accept him as a silent partner. Carteret and Ward bribe Indian chief Mano, giving him guns in exchange for his men attacking any freight wagons but theirs.
The Confederates send troops, gaining the community's temporary allegiance, but they are soon recalled back east. Then the union sends troops from California, including Peter, who is now a sergeant. Peter helps Phoebe secure an army freight contract. Carteret has Ward slander her to the Union commander, claiming she supplied ammunition to the Confederate troops, but she and Peter extract the truth from Ward at gunpoint and regain the contract.
Phoebe always dreamed of owning a ranch. She has the land, purchased cheaply from those who moved away after the Union garrison withdrew, and $15,000 from her army contract. She persuades Peter, whose enlistment has expired, to travel to Nebraska to buy cattle for the ranch with the $15,000. Carteret has his men, disguised as Mexican bandits, steal her money. Then he offers to loan her the money, with her business and land as collateral.
Six months later, Carteret tells Phoebe that her loan is due the next day. Meanwhile, Peter is half a day away with their herd. Carteret tells chief Mano to have his men attack, but Peter and his men drive them off. Peter extracts a confession from one of Carteret's men, but Carteret kills both Ward and the talking henchman. The town celebrates Phoebe and Peter's wedding, but after the ceremony, Peter leaves Phoebe with Warner and goes to settle accounts with Carteret. Gunshots are heard, Peter returns, and the happy couple ride home to the ranch.
Not to be confused with the 2018 dark comedy by the same name.
This film provides examples of:
- Animal Stampede: The Indians stampede Peter's herd before it reaches Tucson, but Peter and his men are able to turn the stampede back towards the Indians, who flee.
- Big Bad: Carteret becomes this when he forces Ward to accept him as a silent partner.
- Cattle Drive: Peter returns from Nebraska with a herd of cattle and a team of good men.
- Demoted to Dragon: Ward starts out as the big bad, until Carteret appears and forces Ward to accept him as a silent partner.
- False Flag Operation: Carteret has his men disguise themselves as Mexican bandits and pretend to Run for the Border when they steal Phoebe's $15,000.
- The Film of the Book: Based on Arizona, a 1939 novel by Clarence Budington Kelland.
- Firing in the Air a Lot: Especially when chief Mano's men attack the herd, and Peter's men turn the stampede back towards the Indians.
- The Savage Indian: Played straight with chief Mano and his men. Averted when Peter first arrives in Tucson and an old timer gives him the lay of the land, pointing out that the peaceful Papago Indians living in Tucson hate the Apaches too.
- Settling the Frontier: The residents of Tucson are building a new life in the Sonoran Desert.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: Carteret's suit and top hat make him seem out of place when he first appears. He tones down his attire over the course of the film, but continues to dress better than the other residents of Tucson.
- She Cleans Up Nicely: Phoebe usually dresses like the men of Tucson, wearing jeans and shirts. But when she wears dresses for special occasions, she is quite attractive.
- Title Card: Used to set the scene after the initial credits, and several times after that.
