- published: 05 Mar 2010
- views: 58605
Thunder Road is the title of a 1958 drama–crime film about running moonshine in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee in the early 1950s. It was directed by Arthur Ripley and starred Robert Mitchum, who also produced the film, co-wrote the screenplay, and is rumored to have directed much of the film himself. He also co-wrote (with Don Raye) the theme song, "The Ballad of Thunder Road".
The film became a cult classic and continued to play at drive-in movie theaters in some Southeastern markets through the 1970s and 1980s.
Korean War veteran Lucas Doolin (Robert Mitchum) works in the family moonshine business— delivering the illegal liquor his father distills to clandestine distribution points throughout the south in his souped-up hot rod. However, Lucas has more problems than evading the U.S. Treasury agents ("revenooers"), led by determined newcomer Troy Barrett (Gene Barry). Lucas is concerned that his younger brother Robin (James Mitchum), who is also his mechanic, will be tempted into following in his footsteps and becoming a moonshine runner.
Well, the screen door slams, Mary's dress waves
Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays
is singing for the lonely
Hey, that's me, I want you only
Don't turn me home again, I just can't face myself alone again
So don't you run back inside, darling, 'cause you know just what I'm here for
And you're scared and you're thinking that maybe we're not that young anymore
Well, show a little faith, 'cause there's magic in the night
You ain't a beauty, hey, alright
Oh, and that's alright with me
Now you can hide underneath the covers and study your pain
Make crosses from your lovers and throw roses in the rain
You can waste your summers praying in vain
For a savior to rise from these streets
Oh, I'm no hero, and that's understood
All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood
We got a chance to make it good somehow
Well, what else can we do now?
Except roll down the window and let the wind blow back our hair
This night's busted open, and these two lanes can take us anywhere
We got one last chance to make it real
To trade in these wings on some wheels
Climb in back, darling, now heaven is waiting down on the tracks
So, oh-oh, come take my hand
We're riding out tonight to case the promised land
Oh-oh-oh-oh, Thunder Road, oh, Thunder Road
Oh, Thunder Road
Well it's lying out there like a killer in the sun
And I know that it's late, but we can make it if we run
Oh-oh-oh-oh, Thunder Road
Sit tight, take hold, Thunder Road
Well, I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk
And my car's out back if you're ready to take that long, long walk
From your front porch to my front seat
The door's open but the ride ain't free
And I know you're lonely for things that I haven't spoken
But tonight we'll be free, all the promises will be broken
There were ghosts in the eyes of all the boys that you sent away
They haunt these dusty beach roads in the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets
And they scream your name at night in the street
The graduation gown lies in rags at their feet
And in the lonely cold before dawn
You hear the engines roaring on
But when you get to the porch they're gone
On the wind
So Mary climb in