Customer Reviews

The Fast and the Furious (1954)

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was before the Corvette(the Best,America's Sportscar) was given a V8 and made proper, So you will be seeing the Jaguar as the star of the movie,a Nice little car but not my scene,plenty of Racing action from the "Sportscar" Crowd so no hot rodding,good story but a bit dull,the plus is all the cars racing Especially the Allards! Allards were Caddy Powered(Some-those are my favorites),this was Way before a Puny little Honda or Ugly Scion or RWD Nissan was the car of choice sadly for My generation.

Okay, so sometimes you think a Roger Corman production is generally a sign of cheesy or just plain weird. Well, in the case of this film, we actually have some quality actors and some generally well written dialogue.

Yes, there are improbable situations, but remember, it's Roger Corman. Yet, in watching this film, I found myself actually enjoying the interplay between Dorothy Malone and John Ireland, both of whom are very good actors. Yes, there was some groan moments. And the story is predictable. But that's not always a bad thing.

John Ireland co-directed, which is why he's involved (Corman couldn't afford his fees otherwise!). And the direction is quite good for this kind of film. I also felt some of the dialogue was fairly natural, too.

Hey, just forget the intellectual and sit back and enjoy the film. No bad language, a little suggestive commentary, a few good zingers, too (one by the announcer at the race that was quite amusing). It isn't all that long and it has some nice race footage, given the budget.

Great old B&W movie for those who like old sports cars, especially Jags of the XK-120 vintage. Good footage of races with Jaguars, Triumphs, MG TDs, Austin Healeys, Allards, and even a Nash-Healy.

The Fast and the Furious, 1954 film

The movie begins with a speeding truck that misses a turn and rolls over in a crash. Next we see sports cars racing along a country road. One car pulls into a café for a meal. The waitress complains about taxes. One customer pays and is questioned about a ride. There is action, and this driver falls to the floor. This stranger acts to drive the woman's sport car south. "Going someplace?" "He don't seem like the Jaguar type." The Nash police car arrives at that café, they get eyewitness identification. Frank Webster talks to his passenger. Frank will drive over the mountains to avoid the police. Frank knows how to start a car. Connie wants to be let alone. The car coasts down the hill. They pass the inspection on the road and proceed to the racing grounds.

Their car qualifies. The police are still searching for an unknown man. Can they find a house to hide in? Frank explains his past, and frame-up in that truck accident. They talk to the caretaker and leave. Some old cars race around the track. There is a Concours d'Elegance first. "You don't look like a sports car man." They go for a walk in the dark. "Exercise is good for your figure." Can Connie escape from that shed? [Burning down a locked shed is not a good escape method!] The race begins. Connie borrows another car. There is action from the car race. Frank stops to help Favor. He has made a new decision. [Or was it the Production Code?]

This is a low-budget production but not a bad story. It tells about the new motor sport of sports car racing in southern California. This is different from the other hot-rod movies of that era.

I bought this movie for my car loving husband...but I enjoyed it too. the main car is Jaguar, but it raced against Triumphs (which is the car my husband collects).