Chubasco

After nearly 40 years of seeing the beginning of this movie which took place on a beach with the police arresting the leading man (Christopher Jones), I finally got to see most of this on a DVD that I borrowed from my local library. I said most because the disc I watched it on skipped some scenes at the beginning and in the middle taking place on an island with Ann Sothern as the bar owner. Susan Strasberg is Jones' girlfriend in the film and was married to him in real life at the time. They have a sweet chemistry throughout and Ms. Strasberg was perhaps at her most beautiful here (though the only other film of hers from this period I managed to watch was Psych-Out where she was also radiant there). Richard Egan was suitably aggressive as her father who isn't above punching some blows to Jones but eventually...well, watch the film if you want to know. So on that note, I say give Chubasco a look if you're curious enough.

Christopher George is Chubasco, a hot-blooded son of a son of a fisherman who takes a sock at a cop and gets a choice: jail, or a job on a fishing trawler. There, he turns out to be a good man, with a pair of eyes that can spot the porpoises that betoken tuna, but bad luck for those around him; one of his skippers drops dead and when he ships unknowingly with the father of Susan Strasberg, with whom he has eloped, sparks fly.

Mostly, it's an okay coming-of-age story with some old Hollywood hands to keep fans of old movies like me happy: Richard Egan, Audrey Totter, Preston Foster and Ann Southern all have good roles, and Paul Ivano offers some good documentary-style footage the first time we see the nets released. On the down side, William Lava, the bane of all cartoon lovers (no fault of his, really; he just had no budget) offers a syrupy and overwrought score that has aged very poorly.

Susan Strasberg does not look like she's in her late 30's (strange comment as she was a very youthful looking 29 in the film). She may look a few years older than a teenager (may--it's subjective) but she looks completely age appropriate to be with Christopher Jones and is completely believable as a young innocent woman. As for her "troubles at home," the only troubles at home were with Christopher Jones. As lovely as they are here, he wasn't a great husband. As for her character, yes "Bunny" is a woman who appears to live for her relationship with Chubasco but so does Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. There were not as many opportunities for a young woman in the 1960's especially as she's still living at home with very strict parents. We are meeting her before she lives as an adult and develops other passions. Hopefully, she will.

Christopher Jones and Susan Strasberg where married when they made this movie. Susan was going through the same hardships at home with her real life father (Lee Strasberg) as she was going through with her father in the movie Richard Egan, (another great actor). This movie is a most see for young lovers who have everything going against them; just as Susan and Christopher had in real life. If you are a fan of Susan Strasberg who recently died and/or of the struggling Christopher Jones from Wild in the Streets and Ryan's Daughter fame - you must see this move. You'll love it for being a timepiece.

While not as well-made, or as acclaimed, there were obvious similarities between "Chubasco" & "Rebel Without A Cause." Mainly due to its star, Christopher Jones, a self-admitted Dean fanatic who beared remarkable resemblance to Dean. Jones was soon hailed as the "next James Dean" of his generation. Unfortunately, his promising career never rose above expectations. Regardless, all the Deanerisms can clearly be seen in his seminal performance. It also didn't hurt to have the daughter of Lee Strasberg as his co-star. Ultimately lending further credence to the uncanny resemblance/career path of Jones. Can only recommend to Deaners and/or curiosity seekers. Hard to come by outside of commercial t.v.