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Don't listen to the negative reviews

Crappy film

A Masterpiece!

Steve Martin, a man pursuing a dream of finding oil in the Gulf of Mexico, had no idea what he would be getting into when he and his partner, Johnny Gambi arrived at the sleepy fisherman town in Louisiana to meet Kermit McDonald, the head of a firm at the brink of bankruptcy.The new arrivals are clearly not welcome by the small fishing community, suffering from bad years for the lack of shrimp, their principal source of income. Afraid of the way Martin will change the source of their livelihood, create an unforeseen animosity among the oil people and the locals. The situation escalates when Johnny Gambi falls in love with the daughter of a well liked man."Thunder Bay", a 1953 Universal picture, was seen recently on a cable channel. Directed by Anthony Mann, the film keeps the viewer involved, as the action keeps building up. The enactment of a storm in the Gulf area looks real, even though special effects then, were not what they are today. Thanks to Mr. Mann and his crew, things keep moving at a good pace, building on the strength of a dire situation and a deadline for finding the oil.James Stewart does not disappoint with his Steve Martin. After all, Mr. Stewart always delivered, as is the case here. Dan Duryea playing against type, is fun to watch. Joanne Dru has some good moments as Stella. Gibert Roland appears as a shrimp boat owner.

First I would like to say I liked this film. It deals in a simplistic way with a complex subject which is the impact of the search for oil in a fishermen's habitat. There are two moments in the film which show changes in attitudes which are too fast to be accepted by the spectator, first when Joanne Dru declares her love for James Stewart and second when the fishermen who came to fight with the men in the platform decide to go away after they strike oil. It is good to see three men who were responsible for the successful Winchester 73 together again. A beautiful and mature Joanne Dru is the woman trying to prevent her sister Marcia Henderson from falling in love with Dan Duryea, because she made a mistake in the past. Stewart and Duryea are desperately trying to find the oil before the money finishes. Even though this is a minor work by Anthony Mann he knows how to tell a story and keep you entertained.

Anthony Mann directs this drama based on a story by George W. George. An all-star cast keeps this film moving. Steve Martin(James Stewart)and his buddy Johnny Gambi(Dan Duryea)are wildcatters that have intentions of building an off-shore storm-proof oil rig off the shores of Port Felicity, Louisiana. There is strong resistance from the shrimpers led by Gilbert Roland. The shrimpers fear that the oil drilling will interfere with their livelihood. Joanne Dru and Marcia Henderson are headstrong beauties that provide love interest. Photography is crisp and vivid. Supporting cast includes: Jay C. Lippen, Robert Monet and Harry(Henry)Morgan. This adventure/drama was filmed in and near Morgan City, Louisiana.

Some of James Stewart's post war films are about a man following a vision. In Spirit of St. Lous it's about flight, in Strategic Air Command it's about air defense, in Carbine Williams it's about making a new kind of rifle.Here in Thunder Bay it's about oil under the ocean and how to get it out. Stewart and buddy Dan Duryea invest all their own money in the design of a platform for ocean drilling and think the delta country in Louisiana is where oil is to be found.Stewart and Duryea meet all kinds of opposition from the French cajun shrimp fisherman in the area. And complicating the picture is a pair of sisters Joanne Dru and Marcia Henderson who fall for our heroes.At the time of Thunder Bay's production and release, offshore oil drilling was a big controversy. Not over the environmental impact, but over whether the states or the federal government would get the revenue. The states involved with offshore oil fought for and got a 12 mile limit in terms of taxable revenue. Pocketed a lot of tax dollars because of it.Thunder Bay mentions the environmental impact as it relates to the shrimp fisherman. But it carefully skirts any conclusions either for the oil men or the fishermen. We've seen enough oil accidents at sea since Thunder Bay was made to know what the impact is. We also know how important oil is to our nation and the world. Anthony Mann as director provides us no answers. My guess is he was primarily interested in making a film that entertains more than enlightens. The cast is a gifted group of players who do just that. Gilbert Roland as one of the leaders of the shrimp fishermen is good as he always is.One thing that does surprise me. Dan Duryea has not always played bad guys in film, but he usually does. Usually when he gets involved with a woman she regrets it. I was expecting him to walk out on Marcia Henderson and do her wrong through out the film. Was I ever surprised when he actually marries her. Also in a key scene he gives Stewart a strong does of common sense medicine at a time he sorely needed it and proves to be someone who saves the situation for the oilmen at a critical point.You won't find any thought provoking questions raised about oil or the environment here, but Thunder Bay is decent entertainment if wishy washy on the issues.