Hot Rod Gang is a 1958 drama film directed by Lew Landers and starring John Ashley. The working title was Hot Rod Rock[2] with the film also released under the title Fury Unleashed. American International Pictures released the film as a double feature with High School Hellcats.[3] The production includes performances by rock and roll musician Gene Vincent,[4] and was the final theatrical feature directed by the incredibly prolific Landers, whose career dated to the mid-1930s.
| Hot Rod Gang | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster, 1958 | |
| Directed by | Lew Landers |
| Written by | Lou Rusoff |
| Based on | story by Rusoff |
| Produced by | Lou Rusoff executive Charles Buddy Rogers associate Lou Kimzey |
| Starring | John Ashley Jody Fair |
| Cinematography | Floyd Crosby |
| Music by | Ronald Stein |
Production company | Indigo Productions |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures (US) Anglo-Amalgamated (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $100,000 est.[1] |
Plot
editJohn Abernathy III needs to lead a blameless life to inherit his father's estate, but he also engages in hot rod car racing.
Cast
edit- John Ashley as John Abernathy III
- Jody Fair as Lois Cavendish
- Steve Drexel as Mark
- Scott Peters as Jack
- Helen Spring as Abigail Abernathy
- Lester Dorr as Dryden Philpott
- Doodles Weaver as Wesley Cavendish
- Dub Taylor as Al Berrywhiff
- Gloria Grant as Tammy
- Maureen Arthur as Marley
- Dorothy Neumann as Anastasia Abernathy (as Dorothy Newman)
- Russ Bender as Motorcycle cop
- Claire Du Brey as Agatha
Production
editThe film was known during production as Hot Rod Rock.[5]
Soundtrack
edit- "Hit and Run Lover", performed by John Ashley
- "Annie Laurie", performed by John Ashley
- "Dance in the Street", performed by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps
- "Baby Blue", performed by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps
- "Lovely Loretta", performed by Gene Vincent
- "Dance to the Bop", performed by Gene Vincent
- "Choo Choo Cha Poochie", performed by Maureen Arthur
Reception
editThe Los Angeles Times called it "a film of juvenile violence."[6]
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "the comedy misfires woefully, the performances are overstated to the point of caricature and the general level is decidedly moronic."[7]
Diabolique magazine wrote that "Ashley's limitations are exposed a little in this film – I don’t think he was a great comic actor – but it is entertaining and good-hearted."[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lamont, John (1990). "The John Ashley Filmography". Trash Compactor (Volume 2 No. 5 ed.). p. 26.
- ^ http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/78447/Hot-Rod-Gang/notes.html [bare URL]
- ^ Sanders, Don and Susan (1997). The American Drive-In Movie Theatre. Motorbooks International. p. 127. ISBN 0-7603-0425-4.
- ^ "Gene Vincent's rock' Hot Rod Gang", The Astounding B Monster Archive accessed 14 December 2012
- ^ "Pat suzuki paged for broadway". Los Angeles Times. Mar 27, 1958. ProQuest 167265849.
- ^ Warren, G. (Aug 22, 1958). "Teen-age problem 'solved'". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 167353103.
- ^ "FURY UNLEASHED". Monthly Film Bulletin. Vol. 26. 1959. p. 18. ProQuest 1305824181.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (December 2019). "A Hell of a Life: The Nine Lives of John Ashley". Diabolique Magazine. [permanent dead link]
External links
edit- Hot Rod Gang at IMDb
- Review of film at Variety
- Hot Rod Gang at the TCM Movie Database
- Review of film at Harrison Reports
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