Customer Reviews

Hot Rods to Hell

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I remember seeing this as a kid, double-billed with GOODBYE CHARLIE, at the McDade Drive-In. Maybe I'm just nostalgic for simpler times - the "juvenile delinquents" in this film are pikers compared to the drug-addled, sex-obsessed and gun-toting mutants that appear in films these days - but having seen it recently on Turner Classic Movies, I realized that it wasn't a bad little film. If I read correctly somewhere, this was originally one of the first made-for-TV films out of MGM studios that the powers-that-be decided to release theatrically. Anyway, if you long for the days when hot rods were good ol' American beauties, (unlike in the FAST AND THE FURIOUS series) you might enjoy this fast-paced little thriller.

The other reviewers really don't get the appeal. HRTH has been a favorite BAD movie of mine since I was a teenager in the 70s, when I first saw it on late-night TV. It was gloopy even then. Sure, Dana is awful, wooden and pedantic. But that is what fans of this movie really love. And how about Duke's immortal line when he tell's Laurie Mock's character that her father better not take over Dailey's Motel (which also contains the "cool kids" nightclub hangout) or "No one's going to have any fun...not even you." Heavens what a threat!


The movie is chock full of dopey lines and Jeanne Crain's overacting is a real hoot. Anyone who is buying this should be doing so with their eyes wide open, knowing that while the makers had no idea they were making a Camp Classic, that is just what this is. Filmmakers could not make it as unintentionally funny, if they tried. In fact, I've heard that someone is trying to remake the film under it's original title: "52 Miles to Terror." If they ever do, I'll probably see it, knowing that they'll update it and make it like the "Fast and Furious." And I'll probably be a little sad, as the original, for all its flaws has an undercurrent of naivite that is endearing. A modern remake will be brutal and remorseless, much like our world is today.

First let me start by saying I am not a movie critic, but I am a big fan of this movie. This is a movie to enjoy just for fun !!! Filmed in only 2 week's time in the desert outside of Palmdale,Ca. this low budget "B" movie was intended to be a "Movie of the Week". Made back in 67', it was a little racy (no pun intended), for the masses. It has become a cult movie for anyone who loves cars of the late 50's~early 60's. And what makes this movie so good you ask ? Well ,how about, bad acting, so-so plot, bad editing, low budget, Kool cars & Gloria. Did I mention Kool cars & Gloria? Dukes bad-to-the-bone '58 vette still looks as good as when I first saw the movie back in 1968. I still to this day want a straight axle corvette !!! Made in a time when these "Bad Seed Teens" seem mild to today's real life gun toting teen's of today. I believe if this was made into a video game today, teens would spend less time playing video games !! It's that bad in a good way. Sit back, relax & enjoy.The Fast & Furious has nothing on "HOT RODS TO HELLS". If you don't enjoy this movie , well, you probaly won't enjoy the 60's. I wonder why they never gave Elvis a shot at Duke's part? That would have been WAY TOO KOOL !!!! SEE YA DADDY O !

HRTH was shown on network TV in the sixties,I watched it as an 11yr old. Couldnt imagine a better way to live. Driving a fast,cool car with a sidekick and a pretty girl dangling off of the roll bar.The film was an overacting mess from the first scene,but the themes of redemption,self discovery and rising to the occasion like a true man has to are timeless and actually endearing.After forty yrs I saw it again last night. It is beyonddescribing to people not of that era. Just buy some pizza and beer and invite everyone.Almost every performance in the film is laughable,but there remains a thread of sincerity that wins you over in the end.The idea of evil young men terrorizing innocent americans to the tune of surf music is something everyone needs to experience. I feel it is a great way to show viewers how out of touch the hollywood people were with the fast changing times. The overbearing cop,the obnoxious drunk,the whiney teenage girl,the thoughtless playboy town brat,the ultimate insquare parents,the seedy hotel owner,it just manages to get better and better.You also get a glimpse at period hot rod equipment.The poor beaten 1958 Corvette used in the film is smoking so bad you wonder how they made it to the end of the film.Its an hour and a half look at another time,a far,far more innocent time. A time where clean cut kids threatened to dance,flirt,make some noise and,God forbid,drive over the speed limit out in the middle of nowhere. Seemed sosinister in 1966.Almost comforting,now.Buy the DVD,its wonderful.

This film is amazing. Originally made for NBC as one of TV's first color Movies Of The Week, it was deemed "too hot" for TV! The acting is so over the top, the script is beyond terrible, yet is all adds up to one of the most enjoyable nights at the movies you could ever ask for. Dana Andrews plays a man who's suffered a terrible automobile accident and although apparently physically recovered, is now riddled with self doubt.
Thankfully his high strung wife Jean Crain (in full co-dependent, full on denial mode) has all the faith in the world that he'll one day return to being a fully functional man (don't miss the final scene for the answer to this). Thankfully they have a Doctor who perscibes peace and quiet (and plenty of it!). So they buy a motel in he desert, as you do in this kind of film.
But there's no peace to be had when the local teens run WILD! WILD I TELL YOU!
The teens look a fast 25, speak like jazz heads from the 50's and are very, very rude!
But Crain and Andrews are the real show here, they don't leave any scene un-milked for maximum DRAMA!
A palatable sense of career desperation gently wafts between them, as if they both believe that by overacting to 11 they can somehow lift this turkey. They can't, they don't and let's all thank god for their bold, misguided attempt.
Highly reccomended.

The first time I saw this movie was on the TNT channel back in the early
1990's. I'm happy that it's now on DVD. I like these "old school" teenager flicks!

I saw this movie on TV in the mid/late 60's and can't believe that they edited out the single greatest line of the entire movie! Inside the Arena Duke finally has another shot at Tina on the dance floor. The band is playing a slow, steamy number and the two of them are getting into it! Duke, in his sexiest voice possible, slowly begs Tina to "Turn on, Baby!" My friends and I went wild laughing till it absolutely hurt! Funniest line ever, never to be forgotten. Imagine my utter disappointment when this movie finally gets released on DVD and they edit the line out! Just like TNT did when they aired it a few years ago. Can't believe they need to protect our ears from the horrible druggie language of the time. Very disappointing! All of you should be able to hear it. It was GREAT! Does anyone else remember hearing those three immortal words, or are my friends who were there with me the only ones to remember the line of a lifetime?

This movie is so unintentionally funny that you will literally scream with laughter. I mean Dana Andrews had so many outstanding roles such as in The Best Years of Our Lives and Laura it is hard to believe he ended up in this stinker. Jeanne Crane looks wonderful but spends the whole movie screaming and making faces meant to convey fear that are just hilarious. Just goes to show you how important a believable script and a good director are in making a movie. So the five star rating is given to denote a really campy cult movie that has to be seen to be appreciated.

Compared to todays terrorizing car movies, this one is mild. But it is a fun 50s teenage rebels scaring the daylights out of a plain vanilla family.

Yes here it is the cheap drive in b movie classic, Hot Rods to Hell! Despite the horrible acting you will find this entertaining. The annoying 60's music plays the whole time. After awhile you want to shoot yourself in the head it gets so annoying. The bad acting makes this movie hilarious. Dana Andrews career was definatley tumbling down the hill. He at the time was a huge drunk, you would be too if you were in a movie like this. Jeanne Crane has got to be the worst actress ever. She overacts way too much and way too often. Duke is an average 50's, 60's type punk that always has the girl and the car. His girlfriend is retarded and so is everything else about this flick. I love it because it's just, stupid! It is hilarious. A Sam Katzman production makes it even better. He is the famous producer of several classes drive-in b movies. You're going to want to pick this one up. You know, just for kicks!