The late Robert Mitchum remains best known for his
heavy-lidded, laconic presence as a classic antihero in films noir from the
1940s and '50s, but Mitchum also showcased singing chops by handling his own
singing (instead of relying on the then-common practice of vocal doubles)
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such flicks as "River of No Return" and "The Night of the Hunter." He signed a contract with
Capitol Records in 1957, releasing an album of well-researched calypso. And, a
year later, he beat The Boss to "Thunder Road" when he recorded the title song to the
movie, in which he starred as a moonshiner. Springsteen himself is said to have
taken the title after seeing the movie poster. (Holland/Retna
Ltd.)Close