Dirt Rich

Just back from World War I, Sam Sheridan is a bit bewildered by his cool reception in the dusty town of Dane, Tex., when he arrives with his pregnant wife, Georgia, a beat-up car and a letter informing him that a man he never met has left him 100 acres of land. The estate lawyer offers Sam several thousand dollars to part with his legacy, but refuses to answer any questions. Local merchants shun Sam, stating only that Pete Spence, the richest man in town, wants him out. An old cowboy, Draw Poker, and his Indian sidekick Tongue befriend Sam, who finally learns some hard truths about his origins. With singleminded intensity, Sam and a growing crew of outcasts probe his land for oil. After successfully tapping the biggest oilfield in East Texas, Sam sets out to ruin Spence and the town of Dane, and unwittingly allows ambition to taint him irreparably. Despite their larger-than-life qualities, there is a flat predictability to the characters and situations here. Though the territory is familiar, Howard, author of true-crime tales Brothers in Blood and Zebra, has written a solid, smooth entertainment. 75,000 first printing; $75,000 ad/promo. March 24