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.
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.