THUNDER IN CAROLINA

Rory Calhoun at the wheel

THUNDER IN CAROLINA (1960). Director: Paul Helmick. 

Race car driver Mitch Cooper (Rory Calhoun) has an accident on the track, breaks his foot, and smashes his auto. He decides to cool his heels for awhile and looks up an old friend but discovers that he's passed away. The garage that friend used to own is now owned by Les York (Race Gentry) and his wife Rene (Connie Hines), who invite him to stay. Les helps Mitch fix his car and importunes him to let him race it as well, although Rene is not crazy about having to become the camp follower of a race car driver. Still she goes along with the idea, becoming as worried about other women as she is about Les being injured or killed. 

Race Gentry, Calhoun, Connie Hines

Despite the title, Thunder in Carolina is an awfully dull picture. Even the climax which employs real footage from a race track is put together in such a way as to minimize thrills. This was the second of only two films helmed by Paul Helmick, who isn't able to do much to save the film. The occasional provocative sequence -- Mitch thinking a woman in the motel shower is an old girlfriend when it's really Rene and an catfight that never really materializes -- are too minor to amount to much. Supposed to be a hell-raiser and lover boy, Mitch basically takes a back seat to Les York's activities, which would scarcely raise an eyebrow. Race Gentry was a handsome if limited actor who had a few credits, mostly on television; he makes a favorable impression in this. Connie Hines was introduced in this film but she had over a dozen television credits beforehand. This was her only theatrical feature and she is much better known for the TV series Mr. Ed. Alan Hale Jr. is fine as a mechanic on the track and a friend of Mitch's. Many of the cast members only appeared in this one movie. 

Verdict: Even an attractive cast can't save this stinker. **.