Thunder Road (1958) – After coming home from service in Korea, Lucas Doolin goes to work in the family “business”-running moonshine. Both the federal agents and big city criminals try to put a crimp in the works.
Directed by Arthur Ripley Starring Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry, Keely Smith
Why I Liked It: Good old fashioned fun at the movies!
The original story for “Thunder Road” was created by Mitchum. This was one of three movies the star made through his own production company. Designed as a star vehicle for Mitchum, it plays to all the traits associated with his career. Tough, but only on the people who deserved it. Caring for those weaker than he is. And as honest as the day is long, so long as that honesty doesn’t mess up his plans.
There’s a lot to like here, especially if you’re looking for an old fashioned “day at the movies”. You will find nothing surprising here, no directorial trademarks, no stunning performances. It’s solid, straight ahead adventure. Moonshiners racing through the backroads of Tennessee and Kentucky. The Feds are straight arrows trying to uphold the law, but with a grudging respect for those they chase. Meanwhile, the big city crook wants to bring all the moonshine running under his control. That would freeze out the family run businesses and increase the level of violence with the Feds. You know what the ending will be from the first minute of the film.
And that’s OK.
It’s the journey that matters, and this one is fun. Grab some popcorn and settle down for a good time kind of fun. Mitchum and the cast make that kind of fun from beginning to end. Don’t expect too much and you will be amply rewarded.
Two fun notes on this one:
First, this movie was the inspiration for the title of the Springsteen song of the same name.
Second, all the moonshiner cars in the movie were, in fact, moonshiner cars. The locals sold them to Mitchum’s production company. They took the money and bought faster cars!
Rating – *** Worth A Look
Stories Are My Life 
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