Thunder Afloat (1939): Cast & Plot
Thunder Afloat is a 1939 war drama directed by George B. Seitz, starring Jules Cowles as Man with Finch (uncredited), Wallace Beery and Virginia Grey. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- George B. Seitz
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Thunder Afloat About?
The premise of Thunder Afloat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Screaming adventure with fighters of America’s “Suicide Fleet!” A tugboat captain serves under his rival as a U-boat chaser in World War I.
Thunder Afloat Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- boat
- u.s. navy
- view through periscope
- sunk ship
- medal of honor
- underwater scene
- business competitor
- military deserter
- german navy
- based on story
- schooner
- german submarine
+38 more Show fewer
- tug boat
- boat captain
- ship captain
- admiral
- petty officer
- port city
- fisherman
- black eye
- military enlistment
- pushing someone into water
- enemy sabotage
- u.s. naval reserve
- submarine chaser
- navy lieutenant
- cannon
- y gun depth charge launcher
- radio telephone
- injured man
- demoted soldier
- ensign
- acr 6 uss san diego
- german mine
- undercover mission
- cantankerous man
- outer banks north carolina
- sinking a ship
- taken hostage
- historical drama
- political drama
- convoy
- reference to france
- interrupted kiss
- sea coast
- atlantic ocean
- east coast of the united states
- 1910s
- u boat
- torpedo
Thunder Afloat Cast & Characters
Jules Cowles leads the cast as Man with Finch (uncredited), with Wallace Beery as John Thorson and Virginia Grey as Susan Thorson. Directed by George B. Seitz; 61 actors are credited in all.
- Director George B. Seitz
- Jules Cowles as Man with Finch (uncredited)
-
Wallace Beery as John Thorson - Virginia Grey as Susan Thorson
-
Chester Morris as 'Rocky' Blake
Also Starring in Thunder Afloat
· 57 more- Robert R. Stephenson German Sailor (uncredited)
- Hans Schumm German Sailor Looking for Wireless (uncredited)
- Ferdinand Schumann-Heink German Operator (uncredited)
- Henry Victor German U-Boat Officer
- Walter Thiele Young German Sailor (uncredited)
- Carl Esmond U-Boat Captain
- Jack Rube Clifford Captain (uncredited)
- Hans Joby U-Boat Petty Officer
- Roger Moore Orderly (uncredited)
- John Qualen Milo
- Leon Ames Recruiting Officer (uncredited)
- Harry Strang Shore Patrol Sailor (uncredited)
- Emmett Vogan Junior Officer Standing by Map (uncredited)
- Addison Richards Admiral Ross
- Wade Boteler Recruiting Officer (uncredited)
- Milton Kibbee Fisherman (uncredited)
Show all 61 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Edgar Dearing Petty Officer (uncredited)
- Jonathan Hale Admiral Girard
- Forbes Murray Naval Aide (uncredited)
- Frank Faylen Recruiting Officer (uncredited)
- Regis Toomey Ives
- Claire McDowell Nurse (uncredited)
- Douglass Dumbrille District Commander
- Edward Hearn Fisherman (uncredited)
- Earle Hodgins Fisherman (uncredited)
- Syd Saylor Wireless Operator Sending Coded Message (uncredited)
- Frank Orth Old Sailor in Bilge Area (uncredited)
- Al Bridge Fisherman (uncredited)
- Lee Shumway Sailor (uncredited)
- Howard Hickman Surgeon (uncredited)
- Harry Semels Cook on Tugboat (uncredited)
- Clem Bevans 'Cap' Finch
- Lew Kelly Sailor (uncredited)
- Doodles Weaver Sailor (uncredited)
- Eddie Hart Fisherman (uncredited)
- Philip Morris Fisherman (uncredited)
- Rand Brooks Listener (uncredited)
- Joseph E. Bernard Fisherman (uncredited)
- Payne B. Johnson Boy (uncredited)
- Budd Fine Survivor (uncredited)
- Charles Jordan Signalman (uncredited)
- Larry McGrath Radio Operator (uncredited)
- Jack Kennedy Fisherman (uncredited)
- Don Castle Radio Operator (uncredited)
- Arthur Belasco Fisherman (uncredited)
- Joe De Stefani Fisherman (uncredited)
- Tom Chatterton Lieutenant (uncredited)
- Jack Chapin Sailor (uncredited)
- Hans von Morhart German Sailor (uncredited)
- Frederick Lee Sailor (uncredited)
- Allen Fox Lookout (uncredited)
- Henry Hunter Ensign Dyer
- Richard Elmore Lookout (uncredited)
- Harold Schlickenmayer Engineer (uncredited)
- Leigh De Lacey Mrs. Gill (uncredited)
- Clarke Jennings Wireless Operator (uncredited)
- Wolfram Von Bock German Officer (uncredited)
More from George B. Seitz
More films directed by George B. Seitz: Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble, Andy Hardy’s Double Life, Mr. Gardenia Jones and The Courtship of Andy Hardy.
Thunder Afloat Plot Summary
What happens in Thunder Afloat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a quiet New England port town, a deep-rooted rivalry between two tugboat operators sets the stage for a larger war drama. Pop Thorson [Wallace Beery], a self-made, widowed boatman who built his own vessel and lives aboard it with his adult daughter Susan Thorson [Virginia Grey], clashes with Rocky Blake [Chester Morris], the disciplined rival who believes in playing by the rules. The feud isn’t just about bragging rights or contracts; it’s a clash of styles, pride, and stubborn dedication to family loyalties. Susan adores her father but also cares for Blake, which complicates the tensions between the men and keeps their squabbles from spilling into open bitterness.
Full summary
The whole story of Thunder Afloat, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Thunder Afloat?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed Pop Thorson, the widowed tugboat operator?
Seen Thunder Afloat?
Movies Like Thunder Afloat
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Operation Pacific, We Dive at Dawn and Torpedo: U-235.
Thunder Afloat FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Thunder Afloat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Thunder Afloat?
Thunder Afloat runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Thunder Afloat released?
Thunder Afloat was released on September 15, 1939.
Who directed Thunder Afloat?
Thunder Afloat was directed by George B. Seitz.
More films by George B. Seitz Who is in the cast of Thunder Afloat?
Thunder Afloat stars Jules Cowles as Man with Finch (uncredited), Wallace Beery as John Thorson and Virginia Grey as Susan Thorson, among 61 credited actors.
Does Thunder Afloat have a post-credit scene?
No. Thunder Afloat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
