User reviews

I have to admit it. Why? Well it features a young Chuck Connors for one thing but even more importantly for me it stars Lori Nelson of REVENGE OF THE CREATURE fame. I have to admit there's just something about Nelson I adore, not sure what it is exactly but she has a certain quality that defies description. The film itself is an interesting piece of 1950s nostalgia, especially for anyone who remembers or actually lived through the hot rodding craze from that era. Now I'll admit this was before my time, yet it holds a certain fascination and appeal for me. The film, while being basically pro-teens (they are just mixed up kids in need of a place to go and have fun but who need the help and guidance of a responsible adult-Connors' Detective Ben Merrill), does send a mixed message with regards to hot-rodding...both positive and negative to the point that in the end we are left scratching our heads.

Believing that a drag strip will keep kids from racing their hot rods on the street "Detective Ben Merrill" (Chuck Connors) takes an active interest and encourages them to drive responsibly. Unfortunately, when a certain group's leader by the name of "Jeff Northrup" (John Smith) has his younger brother killed in a racing accident he decides to avoid the drag strip altogether. This results in the rest of the group also losing interest in the drag strip and instead doing the exact thing that Detective Bill Merrill feared the most. Soon the residents of the city become extremely upset with the way the kids are driving recklessly through town and the police are forced to begin taking action against those who own hot rods. Matters become even worse when a troublemaker by the name of "Bronc Talbott" (Mark Andrews) arrives in town and decides to make a play for Jeff's girlfriend, "Lisa Vernon" (Lori Nelson). Now, rather than reveal any more of the film I will just say that this was an okay grade-B picture which managed to pass the time more or less. Although it's not a great film by any means I didn't think it was that bad either and so I have given it a rating of about average. If nothing else it manages to capture the 1950's time-period pretty well and that might be of interest to some viewers.

Now here is a little 1950's JD film that I had a lot of fun watching! Kind of an off the wall affair that sends a mixed message but is certainly a hoot to check out. A young Chuck Connors plays a local cop who is trying to end illegal drag racing by getting the kids to participate in a sort of legalized form of racing at a drag strip he put together and supervises with some of the local youth. Things seem to be working fine, though Connors is constantly getting heat from his Captain who wants hot rodding banned altogether, until the local "hero" Jeff loses his brother in an illegal street race. Jeff goes brooding and decides he wants no part of Connors program anymore just as a typical 1950's hood comes driving into town for the first time trying to shake things up. I found the film to be oddly entertaining but I wasn't sure if the message was that kids shouldn't be drag racing or that it's ok, as long as it's done in a certain place. Anyway, a fun movie featuring pretty good performances by Connors, John Smith and a very young Frank Gorshin as "Flat Top". Also in the cast is the extremely attractive Lori Nelson who has the title role. It seems a little odd that the film carries the title HOT ROD GIRL as Nelson is clearly a supporting player and the only time she "hot rods" is very briefly in the beginning during the opening credits. Still, her 1955 T-Bird is a blast to look at as are some of the other cars featured in the film. Catchy 1950's music score also helps capture a nice feel. If you like these kinds of films, as I do, I think you'll find this one rather enjoyable.

A slow paced hot rod movie! The story was pretty average and the action was thin on the ground. The characters were weak and the fight sequence at the end is probably the worse I have ever seen. Haha.. other than that it isn't too bad.

Though there are plentiful exceptions, one doesn't generally expect much of cinema of the 50s. The faintest whiff of discrete genre predilections in any premise is routinely enough to accurately signal that one is looking at a title that will be cheaply produced, with lots of kitsch to go around, and with any more serious or darker elements notably diminished if not altogether sterilized. Heck, American International Pictures was prone to infusing some gay tidbits that would be rife in the frivolous "beach party" movies of the 60s. All that's to say nothing of the pale skin tone of every single person involved, with none but token diversity to be found (if any) amongst proliferate alabaster white. None of this is to say that such fare can't be enjoyable or worthwhile on their own merits, in some measure, but if you're looking for earnest, impactful storytelling and memorable, award-worthy film-making, you probably won't be stopping to give 'Hot rod girl' a second look.

Moreover, in 2024 the hot rods and drag racing of the 50s is about as alien as the flappers and hip lingo of the Roaring Twenties. Nevertheless, not giving 'Hot rod girl' all due consideration would be a mistake, for I'm taken aback here as meaningful themes and ideas are broached. Look at the small exchange of dialogue in which the hard-boiled police chief complains of all the additional roles he is expected to take on in addition to law enforcement, which as we still infuriatingly know all too well decades later means only that other social services that would make cops' jobs easier are being underfunded. Look at sympathetic Ben Merril, proponent of the sanctioned drag strip that keeps kids and hot rods off the streets where they can get into trouble, and providing a safe, healthy outlet for people to explore consensual recreation and natural impulses. Countless are those flicks across all decades that bemoan "reckless" teen behaviors that serve as a "gateway" to still more dangerous habits, concerned more about some regressive agenda than sincere storytelling or film-making, but in a world full of such propaganda and exploitation, it's gratifying to see a film be a little smarter about approaching such a hot topic.

To that end, I was pleasantly surprised by 1950's 'Hot rod,' which turned such demagoguery on its head to be unexpectedly progressive for the period, and 1958's 'Hot rod gang' treated its youthful lead characters as people with real intelligence and agency. Producer Norman T. Herman, screenwriter John McGreevy, and director Leslie H. Martinson play in tried and true territory with this picture as the plot dabbles with the lines between legal drag strips and the street racing that leads to accidents and outrage, and between young interest in hot rods and broad public skepticism, but I'm glad to say that they, too, are a tad more shrewd than one would suppose about the material. Yes, there is some ham-handedness, and the more dramatic moments aren't necessarily as vibrant as they could be (e.g., a key theme of grief that doesn't bear all due weight). Some instances of acting are more sure-footed than others; female characters are underwritten, if not outright treated chauvinistically. There is also, however, a bright narrative about a strong leader keeping the peace among the teens, and forced to put aside his reclusive grief when an aggressive outsider threatens to turn the town upside-down and usurp him. Even some major modern features can't claim writing that keen, but here we are, in what is ostensibly a teen movie of 1956.

The dialogue is sharp and flavorful, and the character writing is more attentive than I'd have guessed. Nitpick as we may Martinson's direction is honest and mindful, doing his utmost to give care to the solid foundations of the plot rather than to dress it up with the lightheartedness that characterized so many contemporaries. Despite how it initially presents and despite imperfections this is a real drama, and it does its best to keep pace with hardier brethren, including performances that strive to meet the underlying strength and potential (even a fresh-faced Frank Gorshin, best known as The Riddler in the 'Batman' TV series of the 60s. No matter how much we may scrutinize 'Hot rod girl' is fairly well made, including production design, costume design, hair and makeup, and the action sequences. And even as we can plainly recognize mores and norms that are now outdated, still the core lasting value here lies in the writing and direction as McGreevy, Martinson, and producer Herman strive to turn common, conventional, or stereotypical notions into something of greater substance. I'm inclined to think they succeeded.

Even at its best this movie isn't something one needs to go out of their way to see, and I won't begrudge those who check it out and take a harsher view. Yet I deeply appreciate the unusually thoughtful tack this adopts, and it's pretty tight relative to any nearest point of comparison. I see how the whole could have been stronger still, and it's unfortunate that the plot loses some fraction of cogency in the last ten minutes or so - but once again, for a 50s picture about hot rods, I really believe this is a cut above some others. It's no must-see, but if you're receptive to older titles like this then 'Hot rod girl' holds up reasonably well, and I'm pleased to give it a fair recommendation.

Filmed entirely in the San Fernando Valley, CA ... If you want to see what the Valley and early Hot Rodding was like, THIS is the movie for you!! The film opens at the old San Fernando Dragstrip and moves all around the Valley from Northridge to Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Van Nuys Blvd ... If you want a history of what the "Nifty Fifties" was like this is it! ... a forerunner to American Graffitti and Hollywood Knights ... You couldn't re-make this film today if you had 50 million dollars ... A TRUE CLASSIC !!

Greasy, gear shifting fun that capitalized on the post-war craze over cars n' such from the good folks at American International, producers of all those sci-fi and troubled teen flicks which helped to make the Eisenhower years just a bit more bearable for the young at heart. Stars Chuck 'Rifleman' Connors as a caring cop who puts his trust in the #1 couple played by Lori Nelson and John Smith, their circle of hot-rodders given notice by disapproving elders, then must contend with the new kid in town (Andrews), a gearhead goof who throws a monkey wrench into the works. A compilation of Jim Stark (Rebel), car king John Milner (Graffiti) and his own straight talking Slim Sherman (Laramie), Smitty and Nels are the eye pleasers, but watch for familiar faces Frank Gorshin, aka, the Riddler (Batman) and everyone's favorite local yokel, Dabs Greer in a story with continuity issues (McGreevy) but engaging, nonetheless on capable direction of Leslie Martinson (Mannix PT-109) and jazzy Alexander Courage score (Star Trek). And though the title misleads (Lisa don't drag but once), the ride will please (2.5/4).

This film will take you back to the days of rock and roll, jukeboxes and of course, hot rods. Well acted (especially by John Smith) and Lori Nelson is real easy to look at (although you might prefer her cool '55 T-bird). It's also fun to watch a pre-Riddler Frank Gorshin in one of his early roles. Get ready to to roll up your sleeves and grease your hair back while you watch "Hot Rod Girl".

This Attempted Cash-In on the Headlines Like "Juvenile Delinquency" and "Hot Rods",

Commits 2 of the No-No Sins...

Deliver On What You are Selling...Never be Boring.

This Lackluster, Lame, Message-Movie is Wrought with Wrong-Head Writing, Presentation and Remains an Embarrassing Entry in Mid-50's "Teen" Exploitation.

The "Rebels Without a Cause" had Good Causes Indeed.

Explore Life, Have Fun, and Express Yourself.

Following on Their Jitterbugging Foot-Steps were the "Establishment"...It saw and Opportunity...To Make Money Selling Books, Records, Movies, and More.

Juveniles, as a Generation, also had for the First-Time Ever... Disposable Money to Burn.

Their were Plenty of Cons in the Products that were Designed to Attract Audiences in the Newly Exploitable Generation.

This was One of Them.

Making a Movie that, through Advertising, would put Denim in the Seats in Droves. Then Gave Them a Sermon on the Evils of "Hot-Rods", "Drag Racing" and"Leather Jackets".

Yea, that's why They went to the Drive-Ins and Theatres...Not.

The Film Shows a Couple of Street Races in the most Luke-Warm Fashion.

The Drag Races at the Showcased Track are Mysteriously Absent.

That's Enough Examples. But there are Many More.

Hopefully more Fans of this Type will Speak-Out about its Ineptitude.

Skip this one to Avoid Suffering and Find Some other JD Movies that are...

Worth a Watch.... This One is NOT.

I just watched this with a buddy of mine and can't believe how thoroughly enjoyable it was. I paid a buck for it !!!!! And the DVD even had another hot rod flick which I haven't even seen yet (T-Bird Gang).

I think you'll enjoy this and find yourself longing for the good-old days of the 1950s All the old cars, nostalgia, hamburg joints, great scenery which includes the mountains of the San Fernando Valley and a great- looking Lori Nelson.

This is truly a good little movie, a gem ... if you can find this, buy it (it shouldn't cost hardly anything if you are a lucky enough to find it). Truly a gem. Enjoy !!

Filmed in the San Fernando Valley at the time hot-rods and cruisin' Van Nuys Blvd was really happening!

Shots of the San Fernando Drag Strip are priceless to anyone who was there.

Why isn't this availble on VHS?????

Filmed in the San Fernando Valley in the 50's, this A-typical Hot Rod movie visits old Hot Rodder haunts and even starts out at the San Fernando Drag Strip...a MUST SEE FILM~

I bought this movie on DVD.I am a Baby Boomer and a hot rod enthusiast.Although I liked the vintage drag strip shots I wanted to see more of the cars,especially under the hoods.I found the dialog campy even by 1956 standards.The "Hot Rod Girl" character contributed almost nothing to the movie,and I found myself asking why the movie even had her as part of the title.I also noticed they didn't even actually wreck a real car any where in the movie.One of the race scenes was "up hill" in the mountains and the cars looked as if they were doing about 20 m.p.h. I was disappointed but seeing the old cars was one redeeming quality of this movie.

A humane cop works at converting troublesome teens from street racing onto supervised dragstrips. But then a new guy, a street outlaw, comes to town and stirs the pot.

The movie's title is something of a misnomer. Actually, our hot rod girl operates a clipboard rather than a road racer. But that's okay, since Lori Nelson is—surprise, surprise—very pretty, and even a good actress, to boot. Focus shifts about half-way through from the teens to cop Chuck Connors as he tries to shift street racing to the less dangerous drag strip. At 6'6", he's clearly an imposing presence that commands audience attention. There's also a good look at young Frank Gorshin (Flat-top), who comes through with some badly needed snap. He's also a very distinctive presence and clearly on his way up the show-biz ladder; he even does a couple brief Cagney bits. Too bad he wasn't cast as the outlaw where he could have shown his talents as a sneering villain (e.g. The Riddler).

No doubt much of the theme is familiar to teens of the time when a guy's status could depend on how close he was to a fast car, preferably a 'hot rod'. The movie itself is fairly routine, longer than needed, and without much drag strip footage. Overall, the results lack needed drama, as when the two collisions are only implied and not shown. Maybe the staging was just too expensive for a budget outfit like Nacirema. Then too, actor Smith comes off as too bland to inject his nice boy Jeff with much personality. All in all, the movie's a drive-in programmer with a provocative title minus anything more.

I own this movie and after reading your comments etc. I felt the plot summary and some comments were incorrect. I just finished watching it again and it has absolutely nothing to do with kids stealing cars or a motorcycle cop being killed. It is however, a great piece of nostalgia.