What Is Oklahoma Blues About?
The premise of Oklahoma Blues in 308 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑splashed frontier town of Rainbow’s End, the dusty streets hum with the promise of a new future. The community teeters between modest ambition and restless uncertainty as it vies to become the county seat, a status that could transform its modest storefronts into bustling centers of commerce. Against this backdrop, a lively musical rhythm weaves through daily life, turning every showdown and sunrise into something that feels almost like a song.
Enter the charismatic singing cowboy Jimmy, whose smooth voice and steady hand make him a natural hero for a town hungry for hope. By his side strides the quick‑tongued, larger‑than‑life sidekick Cannonball, a comic‑relief figure whose habit of spinning wild rumors is as infectious as his laughter. Together they hatch a daring notion: to let the legend of the “Melody Kid” — a name that rings with danger and intrigue — become a rallying point for the townsfolk, blending myth with reality in a way that only a frontier ballad could sustain.
The film balances bright, toe‑tapping musical interludes with the grit of classic Western adventure. Its tone is buoyant yet grounded, inviting the audience to root for a pair whose friendship is as harmonious as their duets, while the town’s residents, from the earnest sheriff to the warm‑hearted shopkeeper, add layers of community spirit. The energetic choreography of gun‑fights and song‑slinging creates an atmosphere where danger feels like a dance and every challenge is met with a grin and a refrain.
At its core, the story is a celebration of identity and reputation, exploring how a single, cleverly crafted story can lift a community out of doubt. As Jimmy and Cannonball ride the line between legend and reality, the audience is left wondering just how far a melody can echo across the plains, and what the next verse of Rainbow’s End’s saga might hold.
What Happens in Oklahoma Blues?
The complete story of Oklahoma Blues, from the first scene to the last, in 771 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Rainbow’s End becomes the center of a tense tug-of-war between politics, crime, and justice after State Commissioner Walton [J.C. Lytton] tells Sheriff Sam Oldring [Steve Clark] that the town could be the new county seat. The announcement comes just as a brutal stagecoach holdup by four gunmen shatters the quiet ride, leaving Oldring wounded by a slug and the passengers shaken. When the stage finally rolls into Rainbow’s End, Walton confronts Judge Emerson [Frank LaRue] and explains that the town’s recent wave of lawlessness—coupled with the stage attack—casts doubt on its fit for the county seat, even though the locals have raised more than $40,000 to fund a courthouse.
Recognizing the town’s fragile morale, Cannonball [Dub Taylor]—a quick-witted comic-hero type—takes it upon himself to rally the townspeople. He announces the arrival of a notorious outlaw who could reshape the town’s reputation: The Melody Kid [Jimmy Wakely], a name that rings with danger but is, in truth, a front. The Melody Kid is actually Cannonball’s friend Jimmy Wakely, a principled cowboy who has agreed to pose as an outlaw to boost Rainbow’s End’s standing. The plan hinges on appearances and publicity, a risky gambit that could either crank up the town’s pride or deepen its peril.
Jimmy’s first frontier of action arrives in a restaurant where he tangles with Slip Drago [George J. Lewis], a gunman tied to Beasley [I. Stanford Jolley], the town’s undertaker who secretly leads the gang. Judy Joyce [Virginia Belmont], who runs the local business and provides a sense of home to many, witnesses Jimmy’s rough encounter, and soon Jimmy visits his old ally Oldring. Oldring, who’s frail with illness and considering leaving Rainbow’s End, wants to see the town restored but fears the gang’s reach might force him out altogether. Beasley, meanwhile, schemes behind the scenes of court and law, hoping to push his own land grab at Yuba Junction into the county-seat race.
After Slip reports his brush with The Melody Kid, Beasley’s gang closes in on Jimmy. Cannonball and Oldring intervene, driving the attackers away and even killing two of them. Walton, watching the town struggle to regain its footing, puts forward a plan to hire The Melody Kid to bring some order to Rainbow’s End. Jimmy agrees to take the job—at least until Oldring recovers—while he makes a point about Judy’s business, admiring the simple comfort of “home cooking” and resisting pressure to abandon the town.
As the plot thickens, Jimmy is about to ferry the town funds to Capital City to hand them over to the commissioner when Beasley stages a trap, using a phony sheriff to arrest him on phony charges of murder and robbery. Jimmy escapes with the help of Cannonball, and in a bold move, determines to seize control of the situation. He takes the money at gunpoint from Beasley and Emerson just before Slip Drago and Matt Drago [Zon Murray] ride in to stage a new holdup. The Dragos push hard to force Jimmy into revealing where the cash is hidden, and the tension escalates into a full-blown confrontation.
The truth begins to surface: Oldring informs Emerson and Beasley that Cannonball created The Melody Kid as a covert plan to infiltrate the gang, and that Jimmy may have already diverted the cash away from the targets. Emerson tries to verify this with Walton, only to learn that the money has not yet reached its destination. With the Dragos pressing Jimmy to talk, the danger spikes as the gang closes in.
In a decisive sequence, Cannonball and Oldring trail the fake sheriff to the hiding place where Jimmy is being held. A tense shootout erupts, and the duo rescues Jimmy while capturing Beasley and his gang, bringing a measure of justice to Rainbow’s End. With the immediate threat neutralized, Jimmy sets out to deliver the funds, but not before a quiet, shared decision emerges: he and Cannonball will resume their wandering ways, their alliance proven and the town left to decide its own fate.
Ultimately, Rainbow’s End is a place of contrasts—the stubborn hope of a community, the calculated schemes of those who stand to gain from power, and the fragile line between vigilantism and law. The tale moves with a brisk tempo, balancing moments of humor, tension, and grit as its ensemble navigates a landscape where reputation, loyalty, and money can tilt the scales in an instant. In the end, the film leaves open the possibility of renewal for Rainbow’s End, even as its principal players drift back toward the horizon, each carrying the weight of what they’ve learned about trust, courage, and the price of truth.
“home cooking.”
Oklahoma Blues Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Stagecoach hold-up and assault on Oldring” to “Jimmy plans to resume wandering with Cannonball”. 14 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Stagecoach hold-up and assault on Oldring
Four gunmen ambush the stagecoach carrying Walton and Sheriff Oldring. One assailant slugs Oldring with a revolver, injuring him and scattering the passengers. The attack foreshadows growing lawlessness as Rainbow's End approaches.
When:On the way to Rainbow's End Where:Stagecoach route to Rainbow's End
- 2
Rainbow's End deemed unfit as county seat
Upon arriving in Rainbow's End, Walton tells Judge Emerson that the town's holdup and general lawlessness disqualify it as county seat. He notes the locals have raised over $40,000 to build a courthouse, but money can't fix the chaos. The moment underscores the stakes for the town's future.
When:Upon arrival in Rainbow's End Where:Rainbow's End
- 3
Cannonball forecasts The Melody Kid's arrival
Cannonball warns the townsfolk that a notorious outlaw named The Melody Kid is coming to Rainbow's End. He reveals that The Melody Kid is actually his friend Jimmy Wakely, a law-abiding cowboy, but pretends the outlaw persona will boost his own reputation. The town braces for trouble while curious loyalties form.
When:After the holdup, in Rainbow's End Where:Rainbow's End
- 4
Jimmy confronts Slip Drago in Judy Joyce's restaurant
Jimmy tangles with gunman Slip Drago inside Judy Joyce's restaurant, showing his quick draw and resolve. The confrontation tests his disguise as The Melody Kid and exposes him to the town's growing tensions. Later, he visits his old friend Oldring to check on his health and plans.
When:Shortly after The Melody Kid's arrival Where:Judy Joyce's restaurant
- 5
Oldring packs to leave as Beasley schemes
The ailing Sheriff Oldring begins packing to depart Rainbow's End after his failed efforts to capture the gang. Unbeknownst to him, Beasley the undertaker is the gang's leader and is maneuvering to have Yuba Junction named the county seat for his own gain. The pieces of a larger conspiracy start to come into focus.
When:Before the gang move against Jimmy Where:Rainbow's End
- 6
Beasley's gang targets Jimmy after Slip's report
Following Slip Drago's report of the earlier encounter, Beasley's gang goes after Jimmy. He and Cannonball drive them off and manage to kill two of the attackers, forcing the rest to retreat. The confrontation escalates the town's peril and tightens the duo's resolve.
When:After Slip's report Where:Rainbow's End
- 7
Town considers hiring The Melody Kid to clean up Rainbow's End
Walton argues that Rainbow's End could still contend for county seat if lawlessness is eliminated. Judge Emerson suggests hiring The Melody Kid to clean up the town, and Jimmy agrees to take the job to help the town while Oldring recovers. He also insists Judy keep her cafe, preferring 'home cooking'.
When:Before Jimmy takes funds to Capital City Where:Rainbow's End
- 8
Beasley arrests Jimmy with a phony sheriff
Just as he is about to take the town's funds to Capital City, Beasley has Jimmy arrested on murder and robbery charges by a phony sheriff. The setup aims to remove Jimmy from the money-handling process and cement Beasley's control over Rainbow's End. The trap foreshadows the peril Jimmy faces from both the gang and corrupt officials.
When:Just before transferring funds to Capital City Where:Rainbow's End
- 9
Jimmy escapes with Cannonball's help; takes cash in a bold move
With Cannonball's help, Jimmy escapes custody, trusting no one enough to stay in place. He then seizes the town funds at gunpoint from Beasley and Emerson, determining to deliver them himself. Just as this takes place, Drago and his brother ride up, threatening a new holdup.
When:Immediately after escape Where:Rainbow's End
- 10
The Dragos close in and capture Jimmy, who hides the money
The Dragos pursue Jimmy and capture him, forcing him to reveal nothing about the money. He manages to conceal the cash under his saddle, keeping it safe against the gang's demands. The town's fate hangs in the balance as the chase intensifies.
When:During the pursuit Where:Rainbow's End outskirts
Show the other 4 events of Oklahoma Blues Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Oldring reveals Melody Kid ruse to Emerson and Beasley
Oldring informs Emerson and Beasley that Cannonball invented the Melody Kid as an undercover ploy to infiltrate the gang. He also asserts that Jimmy probably took the money straight to Walton for safekeeping, complicating everyone's suspicions. The truth tightens the web of deception surrounding Rainbow's End.
When:During the investigation of the missing funds Where:Rainbow's End
- 12
Emerson learns Jimmy didn't deliver the cash
Emerson phones to confirm the delivery of the town funds and learns that Jimmy has not delivered the cash. The misdirection fuels distrust among the town leaders and the would-be saviors of Rainbow's End. The lack of closure adds pressure to resolve the standoff.
When:During the phone call Where:Capital City / Rainbow's End
- 13
Cannonball and Oldring rescue Jimmy and capture Beasley
Cannonball and Oldring tail the fake sheriff to Jimmy's location and open fire in a shootout. They rescue Jimmy and capture Beasley and his gang, breaking the back of the conspiracy. The town breathes easier as order starts to be restored.
When:During the rescue sequence Where:Rainbow's End
- 14
Jimmy plans to resume wandering with Cannonball
After the confrontation, Jimmy declines to settle in Rainbow's End and prepares to take the funds to the commissioner as planned. Emerson and Judy plead for him to stay, but he and Cannonball decide to resume their wandering together. The film ends with a sense of frontier freedom and uncertainty.
When:After the rescue Where:Rainbow's End and road out of town
Who Are the Main Characters in Oklahoma Blues?
8 characters, among them Cannonball Taylor (Dub Taylor), The Melody Kid (Jimmy Wakely) and Beasley (I. Stanford Jolley): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Cannonball Taylor (Dub Taylor)
Played by Dub Taylor
A wily, public-spirited gunslinger who fuels Rainbow's End's drama by inventing The Melody Kid to boost the town's reputation. He uses deception to counter lawlessness but remains loyal to his friend Jimmy, helping to rescue him and expose the gang. His bold schemes drive much of the town's action and show a practical, if sometimes roguish, sense of honor.
- 🎭 Trickster
- 🗡️ Gunfighter
- 🤝 Ally
- TM
The Melody Kid (Jimmy Wakely)
Played by Jimmy Wakely
Jimmy Wakely plays a law-abiding cowboy who pretends to be The Melody Kid to attract trouble away from Rainbow's End. He navigates trust issues with the gang and the town, ultimately aligning with Cannonball to rescue hostages and secure the town's funds. His moral compass contrasts with the schemes around him, and he ultimately contemplates leaving Rainbow's End with Cannonball.
- 🤠 Cowboy
- 🗡️ Hero
- 🤝 Ally
- B(
Beasley (I. Stanford Jolley)
Played by I. Stanford Jolley
The local undertaker and leader of the gang, Beasley manipulates events from behind the scenes, aiming to control the county-seat location. He orchestrates the arrest of The Melody Kid and tries to keep the town in thrall through fear and corporate scheming. His plan collides with the town's defenders, revealing his ruthlessness.
- 💀 Villain
- 🕵️♂️ Mastermind
- SD
Slip Drago (George J. Lewis)
Played by George J. Lewis
A gunman who reports to Beasley and pursues Jimmy and the Melody Kid. He brings danger and physical threats to Rainbow's End, intensifying the town's crisis. His confrontation with Jimmy and Cannonball adds a tense, action-driven layer to the plot.
- 🗡️ Gunfighter
- ⚔️ Rival
- JJ
Judy Joyce (Virginia Belmont)
Played by Virginia Belmont
Owner of a restaurant in Rainbow's End, Judy provides home-style cooking and a safe space within town life. She becomes entangled in the drama as Jimmy's presence temporarily complicates her business, but she remains a steadfast part of the town's community.
- 🍽️ Home cooking
- 🏘️ Town anchor
- SS
Sheriff Sam Oldring (Steve Clark)
Played by Steve Clark
An aging, ailing sheriff who struggles to keep up with escalating lawlessness. His retirement plans drive his urgency to stabilize Rainbow's End, and he leans on partners like Cannonball and Jimmy to confront the gang.
- 🧭 Lawman
- 🕰️ Aging
- JE
Judge Emerson (Frank LaRue)
Played by Frank LaRue
The local judge who faces a choice between legal protocol and practical solutions to restore order. He contemplates hiring The Melody Kid to clean up the town, reflecting the tension between formal justice and street-level action.
- ⚖️ Judge
- 🏛️ Authority
- W-
Walton - State Commissioner (J.C. Lytton)
Played by J.C. Lytton
The state commissioner who drives the political machinery around Rainbow's End. He evaluates the town's prospects as a county seat and weighs the town's lawlessness against its fundraising efforts.
- 🏛️ Authority
- 🧭 Policy
Where and When Is Oklahoma Blues Set?
Oklahoma Blues is set in Rainbow's End and Capital City (Old West era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Old West era
Set in a Western frontier town, the period blends rapid gunplay with community ambition and frontier justice. The town's struggles reflect the era's rough justice, where outlaws, sheriffs, and local leaders shape the fate of Rainbow's End. Musical interludes and stagecoach travel situate the story in a classic Golden Age Western setting.
Where
Rainbow's End, Capital City
Rainbow's End is a small Western town on the edge of progress and trouble. The locals rally around a planned courthouse funded by over $40,000 raised by the townspeople, but lawlessness still clouds the town. The presence of a phony sheriff and a looming gang threat makes Rainbow's End a stage for deception, courage, and political maneuvering.
- 🏜️ Western town
- 🏛️ Lawless frontier
- 🏘️ Growing county-seat town
What Are the Themes of Oklahoma Blues?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Law vs Crime and Community & Trust.
-
01
Deception
Deception drives much of the plot: Cannonball invents The Melody Kid to bolster his town's reputation, and a fake sheriff is used to control Beasley's gang. Jimmy's double life as a supposed outlaw tests trust among friends and foes. The rescue and misdirection show how appearances can mask true motives.
-
02
Law vs Crime
The town's survival hinges on restoring order in the face of a ruthless gang. The Melody Kid is recruited to clean up Rainbow's End, while Oldring and Judge Emerson maneuver the town's politics. The confrontation with Beasley and the Dragos culminates in a shootout that determines who controls the town's future.
-
03
Community & Trust
Rainbow's End depends on collective effort: residents raise funds for a courthouse, and allies rally to protect Jimmy and Cannonball. Trust is tested as characters misinterpret motives, yet cooperation ultimately allows them to outsmart the gang. The story emphasizes cooperation, loyalty, and the fragile bonds of a frontier community.
What Kind of Film Is Oklahoma Blues?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
An energetic and humorous Western that combines musical numbers with a straightforward story of a cowboy posing as an outlaw to save a town, creating an upbeat and action-filled viewing experience.
- upbeat
- action-filled
- humorous
- hopeful
- energetic
- singing cowboy
- undercover operation
- town redemption
- outlaw impersonation
- land grab scheme
Quiz
How well do you remember Oklahoma Blues? Test yourself on the story.
