THUNDER & LIGHTNING

Asheville has served as the backdrop for various films, but none have left as significant a mark on American culture as Thunder Road. Released in 1958, the movie gave new life to the terms “thunder and lightning,” symbolizing roaring muscle cars and the infamous mountain moonshine, also known as “White Lightning.” This film not only romanticized the perilous world of bootlegging but also catalyzed the muscle car era in the U.S., laying the groundwork for NASCAR, which has since become a major American sport. The thrilling image of fast cars navigating winding mountain roads with illicit whisky in tow remains an enduring legacy.

In the 1950s, the social hub of Asheville was the Sky Club, a lively supper club offering dinner, drinks, and dancing. Although liquor by the drink was illegal at the time, the Sky Club was known for its lenient enforcement—except when government revenuers were present, when they would restrict sales to ice and setups. According to local historian Jerry Sternberg, the most thrilling moment in the Sky Club’s history was when Robert Mitchum came to Asheville to star in Thunder Road. The town was star-struck, and one of the movie’s scenes was filmed at the Sky Club. Locals flocked to the set, with some taking time off work just to be extras in the nightclub scene.

During his stay, Mitchum lodged at the Battery Park Hotel, while rumors swirled that his mistress stayed nearby at the Vanderbilt. Mitchum spent most evenings at the Sky Club, captivating the ladies with his charm and dancing prowess. Jealous husbands and boyfriends occasionally confronted him, but Mitchum was more than capable of handling such encounters. Sternberg fondly recalls the excitement and drama Mitchum brought to Asheville during the shoot.

In Thunder Road, Mitchum plays a rugged Korean War veteran who returns to his Appalachian home to continue the family tradition of moonshining. His character embodies the Scotch-Irish heritage of fiercely independent mountain folk, who valued personal freedom and self-reliance. Mitchum’s character confronts federal agents determined to stamp out the moonshine trade while also fending off Memphis-based gangsters seeking a cut of the action. The film portrays him as a peace-loving man with unshakable principles and a long fuse, but one who retaliates decisively when pushed too far. His resolute commitment to living by his own rules resonated deeply with audiences, making Thunder Road a cultural touchstone that reflected the spirit of rebellion and individuality so emblematic of its time.