Thunder in Carolina

After getting injured at an event, a race car driver named "Mitch Cooper" (Rory Calhoun) loads his '57 Chevy onto a trailer and drives to see a friend who owns a garage, hoping to stay there for a while and work on his car. When he arrives, he's greeted by a young man named "Les York" (Race Gentry), who tells him that his old friend passed away a few years ago and that he now owns the garage and the house where he used to live. Disappointed by this news, Mitch starts to leave, but Les convinces him to stay after he shows an interest in racing and volunteers to help fix his car. Additionally, Les has an attractive wife named "Rene York" (Connie Hines), which certainly doesn't hurt. Eventually, after Les assists him in repairing his car, Mitch agrees to let Les demonstrate his racing skills, despite Rene's reservations. I won't go into more detail, but overall, this was an okay race car film with solid acting and a plot that kept my interest throughout. Although I would have liked a little more suspense here and there, I still thought it was worth the time, and I've rated it accordingly.

Easygoing drama about a stock-car veteran, Mitch Cooper (Rory Calhoun) who is down on his luck. He befriends a mechanic Les (John Gentry) who wants to be a pro race driver so Mitch teaches him. Les is keen to race but his wife, Rene (Connie Hines) is not. Meanwhile Mitch, always ready to romance the ladies, is drawn to Rene who is cool and unresponsive. (Really, what woman in her right mind would resist a handsome dreamboat like Rory?) Later an argument breaks out between Les and Mitch which results in Mitch having to drive a race car himself in the upcoming big event even though he has a bothersome leg injury.

Alan Hale Jr. takes on a supporting role as Buddy, a race car mechanic who stands by his friend Mitch when the going gets rough.

Events build up to the main attraction, the annual Southern 500 Labor Day race in Darlington, D.C. One gets to see several real-life race car drivers in action and some hair raising film footage too. The constant roar of the race -- this is where the movie title of "Thunder" comes in.

Good middle of the road entertainment. It reminds me of "The Big Wheel (1949)" with Mickey Rooney as a race car driver.

The scenes on the winding two-lane road involving a chase by the revenuers was filmed in North Carolina (on highway 16 in northern Alexander County and southern Wilkes County). The race car was driven by Junior Johnson, a well-known NASCAR driver of the day, who died in 2019. I was in high school at the time, and several of us were able to watch the filming. Met Rory Calhoun, got his autograph. A fun memory. (Side note: I overheard an NC State Trooper joke with a local known bootlegger that perhaps he should have searched his car to make everything look real.)

"Thunder in Carolina" is an early film about NASCAR and while it's far from great, it's a must-see for NASCAR lovers...particularly those interested in the history of the sport.

The film begins with hard luck driver, Mitch Cooper (Rory Calhoun) losing another race. He was in the lead but is car gave out just as he was about to win...and he's hurt in the process. Mitch now figures he needs a change...to get a job and settle down. So, he heads to a gas station where he worked long ago. Unfortunately, the old owner has died but fortunately the new owner hires him. But this creates problems, as the new owner's wife is worried that her husband might try NASCAR...which was much more dangerous back in the old days. Will her hubby end up a hero or worm food?

There is nothing all that original and wonderful about this film. But it is interesting to watch and the ending was satisfying. For me, a non-NASCAR lover, I still enjoyed it and put it in the time-passer category.

Not mentioned in the credits was the presence of the 2nd Marine Division Band from Camp Lejuene, NC. We (I was in the band, clanging the cymbals) appeared in two scenes. It was a great gig. Got to meet Rory and Connie.