Oil for the Lamps of China is a 1935 drama film starring Pat O'Brien and Josephine Hutchinson.

Ambitious, idealistic Stephen Chase goes to work for the Atlantis Oil Company and is sent to a remote outpost in rural China run by "No.

1 Boss, is callously transferred to a lesser position, the old man commits suicide rather than accept the insult.

Once there, he makes the agonized decision to go deal with a dangerous oil fire rather than stay and help the doctor deliver the baby.

Don works for Stephen, but he is so contemptuous of the Chinese that two important clients refuse to renew their contracts unless he is fired.

Despite a prolonged drought and an outbreak of cholera, Stephen ruthlessly collects payment from his customers, earning the best record of any branch in China.

In the meantime, he sends for Ho, a very well-connected Chinese customer and good friend, hoping he can use his influence.

However, when his boss outlines his plan to institute modern business practices, Stephen disagrees, explaining that, despite appearances, the "new" China is still run by the old ways.

Hester gives Stephen's boss a tongue-lashing and reveals that her husband holds the patent for a lamp the company uses to popularize the use of its product.