Raw Timber (1937) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Forest Service officer confronts illegal logging, corruption, murder, and a conspiracy to exploit the forest.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Warning Against Overlogging

Tom begins his Forest Service appointment and discovers that the lumber company has exceeded its permitted harvest. His warning triggers physical retaliation and establishes the central conflict.

Key Events

• Tom Joins Forest Service — Tom begins his new appointment and becomes concerned about excessive logging. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest Service district
• Logging Exceeds Limits — Tom determines that the lumber company has harvested more timber than permitted. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Logging territory
• Tom Challenges Operations — Tom confronts the company's illegal overharvesting and threatens official action. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Lumber company
• Tom Is Knocked Out — The lumber boss strikes Tom, leaving him unconscious. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Lumber company
• Kentuck Carries Tom — Kentuck helps carry the unconscious Tom back to the lumber company. Characters: Tom Corbin, Kentuck Location: Logging camp
• Tom Strikes Back — After waking, Tom hits the lumber boss and threatens to report him. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Lumber company

Gunfire In The Forest

A hidden investigation exposes corruption within the Forest Service. Tom protects the suspected investigator, but repeated attacks reveal that the logging dispute has become deadly.

Key Events

• Tom Strikes Back — After waking, Tom hits the lumber boss and threatens to report him. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Lumber company
• Hidden Official Collusion — Tom does not know that the supervising official is secretly collaborating with Bart. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Forest Service office
• Investigator Arrives — The Forest Service sends an investigator to inspect the logging operation. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Logging area
• Mistaken Identity Plot — The supervising official suspects another man is the investigator and orders the lumber boss to shoot him. Characters: Tom Corbin, Kentuck Location: Logging area
• Tom Blocks The Bullet — Tom protects the suspected investigator from a gunshot. Characters: Tom Corbin, Kentuck Location: Logging area
• Second Shooting Attempt — The next morning, gunfire is directed at Tom and his companion again. Characters: Tom Corbin, Kentuck Location: Logging camp

Murder And False Blame

A murder enables blackmail, forged permits, and a plan to frame Tom for multiple crimes. Tom discovers a confession but is arrested before he can clear himself.

Key Events

• Threat To Report Corruption — The suspected investigator threatens to report the supervising official to the department. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest Service office
• Witness Is Murdered — The supervising official kills the man who threatens to expose him. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest Service office
• Blackmail Forces Forgery — Bart uses the murder to blackmail the supervising official into forging permits for unrestricted logging. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Forest Service office
• Murder Disguised As Evidence — Bart sends the lumber boss to kill the supervising official and frame Tom. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Forest Service district
• Tom Finds Dying Official — Tom discovers the dying official, who confesses his corruption before the sheriff arrives. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest Service office
• Tom Is Arrested — The sheriff arrests Tom as a suspect in both murders. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest Service office

Escape Toward The Truth

Kentuck helps Tom escape custody. A failed attack allows the sheriff to recognize the real murderer and reconsider the accusations against Tom.

Key Events

• Kentuck Enables Escape — Kentuck helps Tom escape while the sheriff pursues them. Characters: Tom Corbin, Kentuck Location: Sheriff's custody area
• Hideout Is Discovered — The lumber boss follows a woman bringing food and discovers Tom's hiding place. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Tom's hideout
• Failed Attack Exposed — The lumber boss shoots at Tom but misses, while the sheriff witnesses the failed attempt. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Tom's hideout

Confession And Renewal

Tom and the sheriff overhear the conspirators confessing and secure their arrests. The story ends with Tom's marriage and a promise of ethical management.

Key Events

• Sheriff Reconstructs The Crimes — The sheriff concludes that Tom is innocent and the lumber boss committed the murders. Characters: Tom Corbin Location: Forest road
• Guilt Is Overheard — Tom and the sheriff overhear Bart and the lumber boss admitting their guilt. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Lumber company
• Conspirators Arrested — The sheriff arrests Bart and the lumber boss after their confession is overheard. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Lumber company
• Ethical Company Promised — Tom marries the company's co-owner, who promises to manage the business ethically. Characters: Tom Corbin, Bart Williams Location: Lumber company

Story Breakdown

• Forest Service Arrival — Tom enters the logging region and recognizes that official limits are being violated.
  • New Appointment — Tom begins work as a newly appointed Forest Service member.
  • Excessive Harvest — Tom discovers that logging has exceeded authorized levels.
• Company Retaliation — Tom's attempt to challenge the logging operation provokes immediate violence.
  • Direct Warning — Tom confronts the company about unauthorized harvesting.
  • Knockout Attack — The lumber boss knocks Tom unconscious.
• Forest Investigation — An investigation brings hidden official cooperation and repeated attacks into view.
  • Investigator Arrives — The Forest Service sends an investigator to the logging area.
  • Bullet Intercepted — Tom protects the suspected investigator from a gunshot.
• Corruption Escalates — The conspirators use murder and blackmail to expand their control over the forest.
  • Witness Murdered — A threatened witness is killed before reporting the corruption.
  • Permits Forged — Blackmail forces the creation of permits for unrestricted logging.
• False Accusation — The conspiracy turns its violence into evidence against Tom.
  • Frame Tom — A murder is arranged to appear as though Tom committed it.
  • Arrested Suspect — Tom is arrested as a suspect in both murders.
• Escape And Pursuit — Kentuck helps Tom evade custody while the sheriff pursues the fugitives.
  • Kentuck Helps Escape — Kentuck assists Tom in escaping after the arrest.
  • Hideout Attacked — The lumber boss discovers Tom's hiding place and shoots at him.
• Truth And Renewal — The sheriff identifies the real criminals, and the company receives a promise of ethical management.
  • Guilt Overheard — Tom and the sheriff hear the conspirators admit their crimes.
  • Ethical Future — The conspirators are arrested and the lumber company is promised a more ethical direction.

Directed by

Ray Taylor

Key Cast

• Tom Keene — Tom Corbin
• Kathryn Keys — Dale McFarland
• Budd Buster — Kentuck
• Robert Fiske — Bart Williams
• Lee Phelps — Goss 'Bull' Riley