Lutie takes the train for Brewton’s headquarters town of Salt Forks, New Mexico. During the long and tortuous ride she meets Selina Hall (Ruth Nelson). The women become friends and it is not until they reach Salt Forks that either realizes the social differences that separate them. Lutie is betrothed to Brewton, domineering head of the cattlemen. Selina’s husband (James Bell), is one of the small, timid group of farmers who are trying to fence the cowmen’s range.

Lutie’s introduction to western “law” is startling. She attends a “trial” involving the farmers’ rights and hears a jury of westerners return a verdict favoring the cattlemen. Here she meets Brice Chamberlain (Melvyn Douglas), altruistic lawyer who carries the farmers’ banner.

After a speedy dawn marriage, Jim takes Lutie over his vast range. She sees the mighty sea of grass for the first time. Swiftly but gently the woman’s touch creeps into the rugged ranch life. After young Sara Beth is born Lutie sees a widening chasm between her and Jim – a mental rift caused by Jim’s transcendent love of his “sea of grass.”

Selina and her husband file on Jim’s range, thanks to Lutie. During a storm Jim’s cattle stampede. Sam fires at the cattle and the enraged cowmen ride over him.

Following an argument with Jim over the Halls, Lutie goes to Denver. There she again meets Chamberlain who confesses his love for her. In a moment born of despair and confusion, she gives herself to Chamberlain, but realizes that it is best she return to Brewton.

In due time, a son is born – Brock Brewton. But Jim realizes the child is not his. After one more grim period of trying to make the marriage work, Lutie leaves Jim - for good.

Chamberlain is named Federal Judge. Thousands of farmer-settlers arrive, fencing, plowing, and destroying the sea of grass. Lutie through arrangements with one of Jim’s henchmen, Doc Reid (Harry Carey), returns to Salt Forks to see the children. They have forgotten her and she leaves brokenhearted. Before Doc dies, he explains Lutie’s great love to Jim, who knows now that Lutie had given up possible happiness with Chamberlain to return to him.

The children grow up. The sea of grass turns into a sea of dust – all except Jim’s few remaining acres. Lutie is informed of happenings in Salt Forks by Chamberlain. When she hears that Brock (Robert Walker), now grown into a young man, is involved in a shooting, she returns to Salt Forks to do what she can.

Brock, fleeing the law, is mortally wounded, dying in Jim’s arms. Lutie, learning the sad news, prepares to leave, but before her train departs she faces her daughter (Phyllis Thaxter).

Returning to the ranch following Brock’s funeral, Jim finds Lutie standing in the doorway. In tragic sorrow the three are reunited – Jim, Lutie and Sara Beth.

(Copyright MGM Production Notes 1947 Edition)

Sea of Grass

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