Thunder in the Sun (1959) DVD-R

Starring Susan Hayward, Jeff Chandler, Jacques Bergerace, Blanche Yurka, Carl Esmond
Directed by Russell Rouse

Print: color
Runtime: 81 min.
Genre: drama

A somewhat wooden rendition of an improbable western, this tale of Basques crossing the
U.S. in 1847 with a load of grapevines has stock characters in slightly different guises.
Susan Hayward is Gabrielle, a member of the Basque party who inexplicably speaks with a
French accent (Basques speak their own unique language, and secondarily either Spanish
or French.) She and her husband Andres (Carl Esmond), along with the others, are hoping to
start a wine-growing industry on the West coast. Jeff Chandler is Lon Bennett, the
lascivious-minded guide of the wagon train who openly chases after Gabrielle. Even after
Gabrielle's husband is accidentally killed and she is married off, by custom, to his younger
brother, Bennett does not relinquish his ardor. Their problematical relationship continues as
several adventures befall the group, including the requisite battle with Native Americans.