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.
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.