MovieChat Forums > Thunder Road (1958) Discussion > Thunder Road locations

Thunder Road locations

posted 18 years ago by benman3
13 replies | jump to latest

Being obsessed with this movie, I have done extreme amounts of research on Thunder Road and talked with older locals in Asheville and have verified many locations where it was filmed in Asheville and Weaverville and have recent photos to prove it. I have a program on my computer where i can actually capture a still scene from the DVD and print it. I've recently went to various locations where it was filmed and taken more photos and created an album with the "then and now" pictures to compare the changes. I do this every year i visit the area. The lady that plays Robert Mitchums mom in the movie is actually a resident of East Asheville and amazingly is still living. She is 94 now. Anyone wanting to know info, feel free to get in touch. I would suggest all to grab a copy of "Return to Thunder Road the story Behind the Legend". I could go on and on.....

[–] wblalock 17 years ago

Benman3:
I thought I was the only one obsessed with the movie to the extent I have recreated the 50 Ford used in the film. I have also gathered various shots of the filming available from newspapers and the internet. I would like to see your "now and then" photos. I also have talked to some of the people still living who were involved in or witnessed the filming in 1957. Hopefully next spring or summer I can organize some type of commemerative event to recognize the 50th anniversary of the filming. Let's chat.
WHB

[–] robpineault 9 years ago

the underpass where he is arrested is under park rd north Ashville sc

[–] PeterHoltHoffman 17 years ago

I would also like to see the before and after pictures you have created. It would not be hard for me to visit those locations for myself and the pictures would make planning the trip a lot more meaningful. Perhaps you could put them up on the web someplace?

If you don't feel like that, perhaps you could let us know where some of the specific locations are?

Thanks in advance for considering these ideas.

[–] benman3 17 years ago

E mail me at [email protected] and i'll forward the pics to you and the locations i'm aware of.

[–] wblalock 17 years ago

Thanks to Ben's and the help of others, especially the members of the Great Smoky Mt. Region chapter of the Antique Automobile Association (Hendersonville-Ashville), there is going to be held a three day "Thunder Road 50th Anniversary" event July 20-22, 2007, which will include a "Golden Anniversary Tour" of many of the locations where "Thunder Road" was filmed in 1957. It will be a great photo opportunity led by some of those individuals who were present during the filming. Tour Directors: Don and Jackie Wilson- 828 657-5021.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] robpineault 9 years ago

what happened on 50th annaversray. were old timers there please let me know. thanks rob. email [email protected]

[–] robpineault 9 years ago

the underpass where he is arrested for u turn is off Robert st Ashville nc under park rd north

[–] jondoe888 13 years ago

ha - I remember being 9, and trying to find the roads mentioned in the song - on a small-scale map that probably covered a couple of states! What a dope!

[–] rob-2423 12 years ago

The roads are in the East Tennessee area... matter of fact, Thunder Road runs straight through where I live. The route runs from Middlesboro, Kentucky, through Cumberland Gap (mentioned in the song, BTW), down Maynardville via HWY 33 (Maynardville Highway, which is also mentioned in the song), down highway 441, across Kingston Pike (mentioned in the song), into Bearden (mentioned in the song), Concord, and the Farragut area. This area is rich in Moonshine/Ridge Running history. Incidentally, Copperhead Road is also here in Tennessee, near mountain City, although it is now called Copperhead Hollow Road.

[–] fbm72751 8 years ago

A bit off topic but there were no interstates down there in 1957 (today I drive them as little as possible, if at all) The act was only signed into law the previous year and naturally the northeast was given priority with it's large population in their construction

[–] Bill-16 8 years ago

Did a search online and came up with a youtube video... maybe someone on here made it or already mentioned it. I link doesn't work, just search.. it was made 54 Yrs after movie and guy visits many spots from movie even inside the cabin.

https://youtu.be/2fQiBfYmVB0
....................
I have nothing to say... I've been such an arse already.

[–] 5J3174TN (1) 4 years ago

I too have been obsessed with Thunder Road since it was released in March 1958. Know most ALL location scenes and have taken current up to date pix and there have been a lot of changes from opening scene on Clayton Rd/Hwy 191 to closing scene on ole 64 in Brevard. I even have a black 1950 Ford with same licence number as in the movie. Also own 2 copies of the sound track released in 2018 after waiting 60 years for it. I've seen the movie way over 1000 timed