Thunder in the Sun

Thunder in the Sun is a 1959 American Western film directed by Russell Rouse and starring Susan Hayward and Jeff Chandler.

Thunder in the Sun
Directed by	Russell Rouse
Written by	Russell Rouse Stewart Stern
Based on	Story by James Hill Guy Trosper
Produced by	Clarence Greene
Starring	Susan Hayward Jeff Chandler
Cinematography	Stanley Cortez
Edited by	Chester W. Schaeffer
Music by	Cyril J. Mockridge
Production companies	Seven Arts Productions Carrollton Inc
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	April 8, 1959 (1959-04-08)
Running time	81 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.8 million (est. US/ Canada rentals)[1]

Jacques Bergerac as Pepe Dauphin

Plot

The film shows a family of French Basque immigrants pioneering into the Wild West in 1850 while carrying their ancestral vines. Hard drinking trail driver Lon Bennett is hired to lead them and he falls for the spirited Gabrielle Dauphin.

Cast

• Susan Hayward as Gabrielle Dauphin
• Jeff Chandler as Lon Bennett
• Jacques Bergerac as Pepe Dauphin
• Blanche Yurka as Louise Dauphin
• Carl Esmond as Andre Dauphin
• Fortunio Bonanova as Fernando Christophe
• Bertrand Castelli as Edmond Duquette
• Albert Carrier as Basque
• Felix Locher as Danielle
• Michele Marly
• Albert Villasainte
• Veda Ann Borg as Marie

Production

The film was made by Seven Arts Productions and acquired by Paramount for distribution.^[2] It was the company's third film, after Gunrunners and Ten Seconds to Hell.^[3] It was known during filming as Between the Thunder and the Sun and The Gun and the Arrow.^[4]

Filming started 21 July 1958 with location work in Mount Whitney.^[5][6]

Reception

The film is infamous among Basques for its misunderstandings of Basque customs, such as the use of the xistera (a device of the jai alai sport) as a weapon or shouting irrintzi ululations as meaningful communication.^[7]

Other commentators, though, have noted the well-staged action scenes, the absorbing story, and the excellent cinematography.^{[citation needed]}

Variety called it "leaden and mundane."^[8]

See also

• List of American films of 1959

References

1. "1959: Probable Domestic Take", Variety, 6 January 1960 p 34
2. "GOLDWYN NAMED FOR MOVIE HONOR: Producers Guild to Give Him Milestone Award -Jeff Chandler Gets Role". New York Times. October 21, 1958. p. 38.
3. "HOLLYWOOD VISTA: Three Authoritative' 'Reporters' Add Background to Production Picture". New York Times. October 26, 1958. p. X7.
4. Scheuer, Philip K. (May 25, 1958). "GRAHAM STORY FILMED: Slayer Role Taxes Susan A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD Susan Hayward Wrapped Up in Murderess Role". Los Angeles Times. p. G1.
5. "HEARTIER HORSE OPERA HEROINES". New York Times. August 10, 1958. p. X5.
6. "Hollywood Production Pulse". Variety. August 6, 1958. p. 20.
7. "Topicazos sobre los vascos en las pelis de Hollywood, de MacGyver a Chacal". Strambotic (in Spanish). Público. February 16, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
8. "Thunder in the Sun". Variety. March 25, 1959. p. 6.

External links

• Thunder in the Sun at IMDb
• Thunder in the Sun at the TCM Movie Database
• Review of film at Variety