Thunder Road (film)
| Thunder Road | |
|---|---|
Theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Arthur Ripley |
| Produced by | Robert Mitchum |
| Written by | Robert Mitchum (story) James Atlee Phillips Walter Wise |
| Starring | Robert Mitchum Gene Barry |
| Music by |
Jack Marshall Robert Mitchum (song) Don Raye (song) |
| Cinematography | David Ettenson Alan Stensvold |
| Edited by | Harry Marker |
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Production
company |
D.R.M. Productions
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Thunder Road is a black and white 1958 drama–crime film about running moonshine in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee in the late 1950s. It was directed by Arthur Ripley and starred Robert Mitchum, who also produced the film, co-wrote the screenplay, and is rumored to have directed much of the film himself. He also co-wrote (with Don Raye) the theme song, "The Ballad of Thunder Road".
The film became a cult classic and continued to play at drive-in movie theaters in some southeastern states through the 1970s and 1980s.
Korean War veteran Lucas Doolin (Robert Mitchum) works in the family moonshine business — delivering the illegal liquor his father distills to clandestine distribution points throughout the south in his souped-up hot rod. However, Lucas has more problems than evading the U.S. Treasury agents ("revenooers"), led by determined newcomer Troy Barrett (Gene Barry).
Lucas is concerned that his younger brother Robin (James Mitchum), who is also his mechanic, will be tempted into following in his footsteps and becoming a moonshine runner. A well-funded outside gangster, Carl Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon), tries to gain control of the independent local moonshine producers and their distribution points, and is willing to kill anyone who stands in his way. The stakes rise when an attempt by Kogan to kill Lucas results in the death of a government agent as well as another moonshine driver (Mitchell Ryan).
In a romantic subplot, Lucas becomes involved with nightclub singer Francie Wymore (Keely Smith). He is unaware one of the neighbor girls, Roxanna Ledbetter (Sandra Knight), has a crush on him and fears for his life.
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Wikipedia