Hot Cars (1956)

A salt-of-earth family man needs money for his sick son, and decides to keep a job at a used car lot despite realizing it is selling stolen cars.

Director:

Don McDougall

Writers:

Don Martin (screenplay), Richard H. Landau (screenplay),

Stars:

John Bromfield, Carol Shannon, Joi Lansing

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Bromfield	...	Nick Dunn
Carol Shannon	...	Jane Dunn
Joi Lansing	...	Karen Winter
Ralph Clanton	...	Arthur Markel
Mark Dana	...	Smiley Ward
Charles Keane	...	Lieutenant Jefferson
George Sawaya	...	Lt. Fred Holmes
Dabbs Greer	...	Detective Davenport
John Frederick	...	Hutton, stolen car transporter (as John Merrick)
Kurt Katch	...	Otto, chop-shop supervisor
Joan Sinclair	...	Miss Rogers
Robert Osterloh	...	'Big John' Hayman
Maurice Marks	...	Paul the Bartender
Paula Hill	...	Mrs. Davenport
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vic Cutrier	...	Bret Carson (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Nick Dunn doesn't want to be mixed up in a stolen car ring operating out of a chain of car dealerships in Culver City, CA, but Nick Dunn's son needs an operation, and an operation costs money. When detective Davenport comes snooping around about some hot cars, and later turns up dead, Nick's fortunes take a turn for the worse.

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Taglines:

A Stop-at-Nothing Blonde ... A Buck-Hungry Guy ... A Red-Hot Racket ... Slam the Screen Head-On!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1956 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Ocean Park, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Schenck-Koch Productions, Bel-Air Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Nick Dunn: She is like a hardtop convertible.

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Connections

Referenced in Young, Hot 'n Nasty Teenage Cruisers (1977)

User Reviews

Excellent late film-noir

I seem to have a soft spot in my heart or head for B movies of the 30's thru the 50's. I like their fast pacing, attention to the story line, the actors who for the most part are virtually unknown. Hot Cars, if it is known at all today lives on because of the lobby cards featuring the beautiful, and, talented Joi Lansing. This is a really good movie though with great performances by John Bromfield and Joi Lansing. Of course wherever Joi is there is delightful eye candy but make no mistake about it, Joi was a very good actress. This movie gives her a bigger role than just walking across the back drop. It's a real shame she didn't get better roles. John Bromfield is an ideal actor for the role of Nick Dunn who is caught in the middle of the hot car scam. The supporting cast works along with these two stars to form a cohesive ensemble. Something you don't always get in the "Bigger" movies. OK, it's not a lavish movie with a big budget and razzle dazzle special effects. Just a gripping story told in a late film-noirish manner. The actors make you care about what is happening on screen in a most convincing manner. This is a real gem! See it if you can. It needs to be released on DVD.