Hot Rod Gang | |
---|---|
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] |
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.
John Abernathy III needs to lead a blameless life to inherit his father's estate, but he also engages in hot rod car racing.
The film was known during production as Hot Rod Rock.[5]
The 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]