There is a heightened interest in the career and work of George Reeves. Ever since last years production of HOLLYWOODLAND (2006) which details and offers suppositions about the Death of TV's Superman of the 1950's. THUNDERR IN THE PINES (1948) comes on a George Reeves Double Bill DVD along with JUNGLE GODDESS (also 1948). It is a VCI Entertainment release.
To begin with, the film does have heart. It manages to grab you, even if you have some preconceived notions about its Poverty Row origins. If you were to play it thinking to sort of half pay attention and pay your bills on line or something, you'll find yourself putting the other task to the side.
The film boasts of a highly talented cast of players, many having great screen recognizability,but lacking a corresponding name familiarity. To begin with we have Superman and Dick Tracy in a fist fight. That is, George Reeves and Ralph Byrd co-star as two buddies who seem to be constantly find themselves rivals in work,as loggers and at play,competing for the affections of the lovely Ladies.
Former Leading Man, Lyle Talbot, is cast in sort of a comic villain. Roscoe Ates,Greg McClure,Denise Darcel, Marion Martin, Vince Barnett, Tom Kennedy(yeah, Edgar's Brother) and Milicent Patrick makeup most of the remaining cast.
The Film makes generous use of stock footage from real logging camp operations. A good job is done in blending the studio shots. The sepia toned film provides a fine change of pace for the eyes and no doubt aids in making the films blend into a single screen image.
The spirit of the film and the characterizations of Mr. Byrd and Mr. Reeves, put one in mind of screen rivalries of some more notable players, such as John Wayne and Randolph Scott or Clark Gable and William Powell or even Rhondo Hatton and Tor Johnson. (just kidding about that last one!) With or without a big budget, this film does a great job of being entertaining. It has a definite comical overtones. And the Director knew how to wrap it up. They leave us laughing and kind of good inside. And we don't feel that we wasted our time.
So, go out and get this DVD. You'll really enjoy and remember, we we will never see their kind again.
