I am probably not the best person to review this film. That's because it's set in the swamps of Louisiana and I have little knowledge of this or its people. So, when I hear actors putting on Cajun accents and behaving like locals, I really don't know how good a job they are doing. I sure wish I could have sat down with a Cajun to get their input.
This is a very low budget B-movie that I chose to watch because of its very interesting casting choices. Johnny Weissmuller AND Buster Crabbe star in this one. Both played Tarzan (though Crabbe only in one film) and both were American Olympic swimming champs! Weissmuller plays a river pilot who has just returned from war. Unfortunately, his confidence is shot following the sinking of one of his boats in combat--now he's afraid to return to guiding boats through the treacherous rivers and bayous. However, in a pretty cool scene, Weissmuller is tricked into 'saving the day' and assuming command of a ship--thus regaining his pride and confidence. Things now look good--he gets a job with the Coast Guard and can marry his sweetheart. But, when another accident occurs, his confidence is once again shaken and a spoiled rich lady conspires to keep him for herself and separate himself his friends and fiancée. Can Weissmuller see the light or is he doomed to be a rich lady's new toy? Tune in, if you'd like, to see.
The film has several obvious strikes against it. Weissmuller has very little screen presence here. As Tarzan he was great but here his character just lacks energy and charisma. Crabbe is better. He does overact a bit but at least has tons of energy and personality (even though he's a baddie). The other main problem is that the film, despite its very unusual setting, is rather clichéd and quite predictable. It's not a terrible B-movie but it's also not a particularly distinguished one--and one you can easily skip.
This is a very low budget B-movie that I chose to watch because of its very interesting casting choices. Johnny Weissmuller AND Buster Crabbe star in this one. Both played Tarzan (though Crabbe only in one film) and both were American Olympic swimming champs! Weissmuller plays a river pilot who has just returned from war. Unfortunately, his confidence is shot following the sinking of one of his boats in combat--now he's afraid to return to guiding boats through the treacherous rivers and bayous. However, in a pretty cool scene, Weissmuller is tricked into 'saving the day' and assuming command of a ship--thus regaining his pride and confidence. Things now look good--he gets a job with the Coast Guard and can marry his sweetheart. But, when another accident occurs, his confidence is once again shaken and a spoiled rich lady conspires to keep him for herself and separate himself his friends and fiancée. Can Weissmuller see the light or is he doomed to be a rich lady's new toy? Tune in, if you'd like, to see.
The film has several obvious strikes against it. Weissmuller has very little screen presence here. As Tarzan he was great but here his character just lacks energy and charisma. Crabbe is better. He does overact a bit but at least has tons of energy and personality (even though he's a baddie). The other main problem is that the film, despite its very unusual setting, is rather clichéd and quite predictable. It's not a terrible B-movie but it's also not a particularly distinguished one--and one you can easily skip.