Free for All (1949)

Christopher Parker, inventor, comes up with a formula that makes gasoline out of water. He goes to Washington to register his formula with the patent office and meets Mr. Abbott, who works there. Abbott invites him to come home with him, and he meets Abbott's daughter, Ann. She works for a large oil company and she takes Christopher to meet the company president, Blair. The latter has his scientists try to duplicate the formula mixture, but they fail. Christopher, without registering the formula (he has faith in the honesty of a BIG oil company, returns to Ohio, and Ann and Mr. Blair catch up with him via a helicopter. He is about to sign a contract with the oil company, but an escaped criminal, whom Christopher had earlier given a ride, holds them all up. Christopher falls down a well, loses his memory, and all appears lost.