Hot Rods to Hell (1967)

Director:

John Brahm

Writers:

Robert E. Kent (screenplay)
Alex Gaby (short story)

Release Date:

27 January 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The motorcycle gangs take a back seat when these young animals clear the road for excitement !

Plot:

Tom Phillips, his wife Peg their teenage daughter Tina and little boy Jamie drive through the California desert heading for a new life running a motel...

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Motel | Harassment | Terror | Husband Wife Relationship

Cast

Dana Andrews	...	Tom Phillips
Jeanne Crain	...	Peg Phillips
Mimsy Farmer	...	Gloria
Laurie Mock	...	Tina Phillips
Paul Bertoya	...	Duke
Gene Kirkwood	...	Ernie
Jeffrey Byron	...	Jamie Phillips (as Tim Stafford)
George Ives	...	Lank Dailey
Hortense Petra	...	Wife at picnic
William Mims	...	Man at picnic
Paul Genge	...	Bill, Highway Patrol Officer
Peter Oliphant	...	Little boy at picnic
Harry Hickox	...	Bill Phillips
Charles P. Thompson	...	Charley (service station proprietor)
Mickey Rooney Jr.	...	Combo leader

Also Known As:

52 Miles to Terror (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

92 min | USA:100 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-12 (1991) | Norway:15 (video premiere) | USA:Approved (PCA #31549)

Filming Locations:

Antelope Valley, California, USA

Company:

Four-Leaf Productions

Trivia:

Originally made for television in 1966, but released first in theaters and drive-ins instead.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Crew and camera cranes visible in overhead shot of four "hot rods" chasing the family.

Quotes:

Highway Patrol officer: These kids have no place to go and they want to get there at 150 miles an hour.

Speed Freaks

When you're a middle aged film star past your prime years, Hot Rods to Hell is an example of what you get when you're anxious for work and just want a pay check.

Dana Andrews and Jeanne Crain star in this film about a middle-aged married couple who are starting life in a new town where Andrews has just bought a motel. Their daughter Laurie Mock isn't really crazy about the move.

On the road the family gets involved with some punks in some souped up hot rods. But their troubles really multiply when the punks discover Andrews is buying a motel which is a local hangout for them, it contains a bar where owner George Ives isn't too scrupulous about selling liquor to minors and then renting rooms for short stays.

If you're a fan of drive-in cinema I think I've given you enough information about where this film is going. I think that Dana Andrews might have been attracted to the project because he had a well known struggle with alcoholism and around this time did become a spokesperson for Alcoholics Anonymous.

I think Andrews's good intentions clouded his judgment and also because probably this was the best of film offers he was getting then. But for those who remember his performances in classics like Laura and The Best Years of Our Lives, Hot Rods to Hell is one painful experience.