In 1857 Edwin L. Drake is sent to investigate an oil seep in a creek near Titusville, Pennsylvania. Overcoming many other obstacles, Drake's innovation to shield the well from water entry by using a drive pipe finally allows drilling to proceed until striking oil in August, 1859. His perseverance yields many barrels of oil a day, and immediately brings about the start of the oil industry.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Vincent PriceColonel Edwin L. Drake | Colonel Edwin L. Drake |
 Andy ClydeUncle Billy Smith | Uncle Billy Smith |
 Alan Hale Jr.Crew Foreman | Crew Foreman |
 Thurston HallJames M. Townsend | James M. Townsend |
 Lloyd CorriganDoctor Brewer | Doctor Brewer |
 Will WrightJoel D. Angier | Joel D. Angier |
 Keith RichardsGeorge Henry Bissell | George Henry Bissell |
 Al BridgeHotel Desk Clerk | Hotel Desk Clerk |
| WWilliam PhillipsSam Brown | Sam Brown |
 William HaadeSalt Driller | Salt Driller |
 Jack IngramMan on Horseback | Man on Horseback |
 Frank HagneyFarmer | Farmer |