"Raymie" is a family film with a plot that, frankly, wouldn't appeal to most folks today. Perhaps it was a better idea for a movie back in 1960. This is because most people would probably not care about a film about a kid who fishes at a fishing pier and is obsessed with catching a huge barracuda. And, most fishermen would probably be more interested in catching fish than seeing movies about catching fish.
The title character is played by David Ladd, one of Alan Ladd's sons. He loves to hang around the pier and watch folks fish. When he hears the regulars talking about a legendary barracuda, he's determined to one day watch it...even though he's just a kid. So, using thrift and determination, the boy manages to upgrade his equipment in the hope of catching this monster. He is very good...a natural actor.
Like you'd expect in an A. C. Lyles production, this film features some aging actors whose careers were mostly behind them, such as Richard Arlen and Charles Winninger. Another familiar character actor, Frank Ferguson, isn't so lucky however, as his character is VERY poorly written. I don't understand this, as most of the characters are believable and decent...but Ferguson is more like Pete from the old Disney cartoons than a real person!
So is it any good? Well, it's not bad...but not a must-see. It's more like a pleasant time-passer than anything else.
By the way, if you do watch the film, pay attention during the opening credits. I am NOT talking about the overly sappy song...but that the fish is listed in the film's credits! Now that is unusual!! Also, when the shark is caught, watch the stock footage they use. A decent fisherman (or woman) would recognize that the film clips are of several DIFFERENT species of shark. I also think some of the shots of the barracuda were actually a king mackerel...but it wasn't obvious one way or the other.
