Chubasco (1967)

After he's arrested for assaulting a cop, a judge (Edward Binns) gives a delinquent (Christopher Jones, RYAN'S DAUGHTER) a second chance and sends him to work on a tuna boat. Meanwhile, he and his girlfriend (Susan Strasberg) must hide their romance from her disapproving father (Richard Egan). Written and directed by Allen H. Miner, a director better known for his work in episodic television rather than feature films, this potboiler combines a Romeo And Juliet romance with some high sea adventure. The romance is rather a cliche but if you ever wanted to know what life is like on a tuna boat hunting fish down the Pacific, this is the movie for you. Christopher Jones in his feature film debut can't help but come across as a James Dean wannabe. But the movie was never designed to be anything but a programmer and in spite of some good touches (the scene where Jones is told of his grandmother's death is nicely done), it's not a film that will stick with you. There are two performances that stand out: Ann Sothern as lusty madam and Joe De Santis as an old fisherman. William Lava's underscore adds some quality to the film. With Audrey Totter, Simon Oakland and Preston Foster.