Swamp Fire

Because they were produced for and distributed by Paramount, the B-films from William H. Pine and William C. Thomas (known as the Dollar Bills)have acquired,for the most part, an undeserved reputation for being little jewels among the "B" genre. Stick a PRC or Monogram logo on most of them and the same historians who are ga-ga over them behind the Paramount logo would likely write them off as just more dross from Poverty Row. Not me, Bucky...I'd still love them for what they really were; Saturday matinee double-feature fodder. Highlights in this one include a fist-fight between Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe (I won't give away the winner, but check the cast order); a cat-fight between Virginia Grey and Carol Thurston that the male cast of Sienfeld would pay to see and, just to keep things moving, Weissmuller wrestles an alligator, there are two mid-water collisions between small-craft boats, a big ship wreck and a blazing swamp fire finale. Toss in a plot that has Weissmuller as a psycho-neurotic war veteran who, because he piled up his Navy destroyer on the rocks, now dreads returning to his pre-war occupation of a pilot guiding ships through the channels at the mouth of the Mississippi. Throw in icy Virginia Grey as a spoiled heiress out to take Johnny away from his job, his friends and the girl he loves (who knows why), and you have enough plot and action for two Pine-Thomas jewels. Heck of a good deal.

SWAMP FIRE never aspired to be anything more than a low budget B-movie intended for the double feature trade that thrived in the 1940's. Oddly, 37% of the votes on IMDb are a "10" -- no more idiotic than the 10-scores given to so many rotten pictures of 2006-2006 -- but equally inaccurate.

The main asset is Johnny Weissmuller -- herein playing a rare non-Tarzan role during the time when he was still thriving in his Tarzan role. But it doesn't end there. This is a tidy little good story about the Cajuns (and others) living in southern Louisiana at the time just after World War II. Even in 2008 the narrative holds up well and the swamp atmosphere is a big plus.

Ignore the reference to 2 Tarzans. Technically Buster Crabbe did play Tarzan, but almost nobody saw that movie. Johnny Weissmuller was the only true Tarzan to most folks, although I also credit Lex Barker.

Here's the inside word: Weissmuller was ready to quit Tarzan -- after 14 years -- for just one reason. In Swamp Water, as in Jungle Jim, he was allowed to wear clothes; not just a loin cloth. The ravages of age get the best of us all.

For a cheap indie production, the movie does a pretty good job approximating Louisiana's bayous. Even the process shots are pretty well done. Getting Crabbe and Weismuller together was a casting coup. They make formidable rivals, especially in the water. The storyline sprawls a bit. But the main part has Duval (Weissmuller) trying to regain self-respect after piling up a couple of ships during the war and in the bayous. As a result, he's lost his commision. Also there's the problem of escaping spider woman Janet's (Grey) clutches and getting back to true love Toni (Thurston).

Weismuller's a little bland, which is likely why he preferred being called an athlete rather than an actor (IMDB). On the other hand, Crabbe's fiery as hot-headed bayou trapper, Mike. Sounds like writer Mainwaring gets in a leftist plug when he has Mike denounce rich man Hilton's purchase of the bayou which previously had been a commons. Unfortunately, the locals depended upon that commons for subsistence. The conflict sets up an interesting potential that unfortunately doesn't get beyond a quick plot device. It's also a general topic with a long history down to present day.

I guess I'd never considered how cargo ships navigated the Mississippi Delta to get to port New Orleans. Thanks to the movie, I have a new appreciation, though I wonder how much has changed in 70-years. Anyway, it's a rather unusual little feature, on the whole well done, with two of the biggest outdoor muscle men of the time.

At some time in studio boardroom had to have said "Let's put those 2 guys that played Tarzan together in one movie. This idea will sell itself to the distributors." He was probably right because SWAMP FIRE is a decently made, well paced movie that does not disappoint viewers.

Johnny Weissmuller starts as Johnny Duval, a war hero returning to his bayou home. He lost a ship he was in command of during the war and vows he will not take up his old position as bar pilot. This does not at all bother his old rival Mike (Buster Crabbe sporting a mustache and a Cajun accent) who sees this as a chance to make time with Johnny's old sweetheart Toni (Carol Thurston, who also appeared with Weissmuller in the Jungle Jim movie KILLER APE (1951)). Too bad but Toni only has eyes for Johnny. To make matters worse a spoiled rich girl (Virgina Grey) has set her sights on Johnny and coerces her dad (Pierre Watkin) to buy up a lot of bayou land and outlaw all trapping, which means the local folks can no longer hunt to feed their families. Is that enough plot for you? Wait, there is a lot more to come, and somehow it all fits into the 68 minutes running time without any of the resolutions seeming like a plot contrivance.

Johnny faces his demons while navigating rough waters one night but just when you think things are going to start going well he is piloting another ship through a dense fog and rams a smaller boat captained by Toni's father! Trying to drink himself to oblivion he is found Ms. Grey who uses this opportunity to poison his mind against Toni. Does it work? Does it ever? Don't forget the jealous Mike is still hanging around and think Johnny has sold out his own people to join the yacht club crowd. He plans a revenge where he plans to . . . oh well . . . you saw the title of the movie, right?

The cast is fabulous. Pierre Watkin had played Perry White in both SUPERMAN serials for Columbia Pictures. Ms. Grey would go on to encounter dinosaurs in UNKNOWN ISLAND in 1948. Mr. Crabbe found a home in B westerns and Mr. Weissmuller never really leave the jungle; starring as Jungle Jim in movies and TV for many years to come.

Budget restraints are pretty obvious. This movie must set a record for the number of rear screen projection shots used but it is still fairly believable and fun to watch.

What happens behind the scenes of "Swamp Fire" are much more interesting that the film itself.

Some time ago around 1973 I attended a Western Film Festival, and was provided the opportunity to ask Buster Crabbe a question. My question simply put was this, "I have often wondered if you and Johnny Weissmuller (both famous movie Tarzans and both Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming ever had the opportunity to compete in swimming one against the other? Mr. Crabbe was very gracious as he corrected me by saying that there was only one great movie Tarzan, and that was Weissmuller. He panned his portrayal of Tarazan and indicated he was best remembered as for being the movies first "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rodgers" of the cliff hanger chapter serials.

He then went on to tell me about his stormy relationship with Johnny Weismuller over the years. Apparently, Weismuller beat Crabbe's mentor, the legendary Duke Kahanomoku in the 1924 Olympics in the 100 Meter Free Style. Several years later while Buster Crabbe was preparing for his eventual victory in the 1934 Olympic 400 meter Free Style...the two met, and Crabbe challenged Weissmuller to a swim. Weismuller who by this time had gained a few pounds accepted the cocky Crabbe's challenge for a 100 Meter Free Style competition in a good natured way. Crabbe narrowly beat the older Weismuller, and joked..."Johnny...See you in the 400 Meter Free Style event.", all the while realizing this was his stongest swimming event, and that an out of shape Weissmuller had even a lesser chance than before of beating him. Weissmuller apparently didn't appreciate the comment responding, "Not me kid!". In 1933 Crabbe made two Tarzan type movies "King of the Jungle" and "Tarzan the Fearless" in an attempt to replace Weissmuller as Tarzan of the movies. The effort failed as neither film was memorable, but the fact remained that Crabbe had tried to replace Weismuller and this did not sit well with Johnny. Years later in 1946 the two great Olympic athletes signed for the William H. Pine film "Swamp Fire". Weissmuller was set to play the "good guy" and Crabbe signed to play the "heavy". Crabbe indicated that while making the film an out of shape Johnny Weissmuller liked to drink bourbon between scenes. The Director, William Pine, approached Crabbe about the films final fight scene, telling him he wanted to be very realistic....and he wanted a lot of bubbles during the underwater fight between him and Weissmuller. Crabbe complied and aggressively grabbed Weissmuller as he pulled him down into the water and held him. Bubbles were flaring up everywhere, as the intoxicated Weissmuller fought for a breath of air. Crabbe indicated he regretted doing that to Weissmuller...but the apology didn't seem to work as Weissmuller continued to be distant to him throughout the years.