"Johnny Simpson" (Chuck Courtney) is an 18 year-old teenager who dreams of one day having his own automobile like many of the other high school students his age. Unfortunately, his father doesn't quite see things his way and as a result Johnny's emotional development is somewhat stunted. Then one afternoon a teenage girl named "Betty Palmer" (Melinda Byron) offers to let him drive her home from the local diner in her brother's car. However, after being passed by someone in a hot rod he decides to speed up and--as luck would have it--gets a ticket by the police for driving too fast on a city street. Needless to say, his father isn't too happy when the police bring Johnny home. But things get even worse for Johnny when the local bully named "Maurie Weston" (Robert Fuller) uses this event to provoke him into a game of "chicken" to prove his manhood. Although Johnny doesn't have a car he accepts the challenge and this is when things begin to really spin out-of-control for him. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a rather standard "hot rod movie" from a rather unique time in American cinema which had just begun to recognize a new and emerging market for films catering to a teenage audience. Yet, in spite of the novelty, this particular film didn't necessarily stand out and I have rated it accordingly. Average.
6 Reviews
Drive-In fodder from the 50s.
flint1949200129 July 2022
I had forgotten they made films just for the drive-in crowd. This is one of them. The budget is minuscule. This is pretty standard stuff disaffected youth AKA James Dean. Stick in the Mud Father. And the worst that Suburbia could provide Friday night Bridge or Pinochle games with the neighbors.
Things to look for in this film. Bing Russell who has 179 acting credits to his name plus and the owner of the Portland Mavericks. And is father of Kurt Russell. The Bully who dresses like Richie Cunningham. Well acted by a young Robert Fuller (Laramie, Wagon Train and Emergency). And those Hot Rods.
Things to look for in this film. Bing Russell who has 179 acting credits to his name plus and the owner of the Portland Mavericks. And is father of Kurt Russell. The Bully who dresses like Richie Cunningham. Well acted by a young Robert Fuller (Laramie, Wagon Train and Emergency). And those Hot Rods.
Typical teenage drag strip tale....
Johnboy122131 March 2015
This is one of those post Rebel Without A Cause rip-offs, when not much happens and ends on a happy note. The big draw in this is an early look at Courtney and Fuller, who would go on to much better things, particularly in the case of Fuller, who's very effect here as the egotistical bully. Why they cast Melinda Byron in the lead female role is a mystery, as she is neither pretty nor sexy.....and not a very good actress either. It's fun to see all those old cars and trucks, but other than seeing that, and the two staring actors, there's no real reason to watch it. It's been mentioned that the actors looked much older than high school kids, but I disagree. At my school, some of the guys and gals looked like they were twenty-five or older, and a few even looked like they were pushing thirty. One six foot-two football player (and a freshman, at that) even won the beard growing contest his senior year.
The movie itself is the least interesting part!
rooster_davis8 February 2009
Sure, I like those movies from the 50's showing teenagers and hot rods and soda shops with jukeboxes and kids dancing and all that. This movie has those things. Unfortunately the story itself is not as interesting as a lot of the peripheral stuff.
First, and this happens in a lot of these old movies, the 'teenager' hasn't seen his teen years in a lo-o-n-g time. The "kid" who plays the lead was already 26 or 27 when this movie came out. He may have crash-dieted his way down to teenager-skinny but there's no hiding that the face and voice just aren't in high-schooler territory. For that matter the other 'kid' - the antagonist - also seems to have left his teen years behind too.
I would like very much to get my hands on a hot-rod the likes of which the main character stole to race in, while allegedly taking it for a test drive. Something like $600 for a built up 50's hot rod? I'll take five. Put 'em on my VISA card, thanks.
The 'kid's' father seemed very hard to please. The kid wants to get a job and earn the money to buy his own car and that idea is met with complete rejection by ol' pops. How many people wish their kids were willing to work and earn the things they want to have? What I thought was the most blatantly funny part happens when the main character and his arch enemy 'the other kid' go up against each other at a drag strip. For one thing, the other kid is swerving all over the track at our 'hero', a move guaranteed to get you disqualified if not arrested at any drag strip anyplace. But the real laugh comes in with the fact that it takes these two speed demons in hot rods approximately 50 seconds to run the quarter mile. I could do that myself without a car! Even back then, a car could do a 1/4 mile in 16 or 17 seconds, and that hasn't been lightning fast for many years now. A 50 second quarter mile works out to about 18 miles per hour, an hilariously long time. You'd think they were driving to Cleveland, the race goes on so long.
Well it's an interesting period piece. Must have been lots of fun making these movies and making a living off them back in the 50's. However they aren't much to brag on. If you can see this one for free, go for it, but it you're thinking of buying it, do your best to buy it cheap.
First, and this happens in a lot of these old movies, the 'teenager' hasn't seen his teen years in a lo-o-n-g time. The "kid" who plays the lead was already 26 or 27 when this movie came out. He may have crash-dieted his way down to teenager-skinny but there's no hiding that the face and voice just aren't in high-schooler territory. For that matter the other 'kid' - the antagonist - also seems to have left his teen years behind too.
I would like very much to get my hands on a hot-rod the likes of which the main character stole to race in, while allegedly taking it for a test drive. Something like $600 for a built up 50's hot rod? I'll take five. Put 'em on my VISA card, thanks.
The 'kid's' father seemed very hard to please. The kid wants to get a job and earn the money to buy his own car and that idea is met with complete rejection by ol' pops. How many people wish their kids were willing to work and earn the things they want to have? What I thought was the most blatantly funny part happens when the main character and his arch enemy 'the other kid' go up against each other at a drag strip. For one thing, the other kid is swerving all over the track at our 'hero', a move guaranteed to get you disqualified if not arrested at any drag strip anyplace. But the real laugh comes in with the fact that it takes these two speed demons in hot rods approximately 50 seconds to run the quarter mile. I could do that myself without a car! Even back then, a car could do a 1/4 mile in 16 or 17 seconds, and that hasn't been lightning fast for many years now. A 50 second quarter mile works out to about 18 miles per hour, an hilariously long time. You'd think they were driving to Cleveland, the race goes on so long.
Well it's an interesting period piece. Must have been lots of fun making these movies and making a living off them back in the 50's. However they aren't much to brag on. If you can see this one for free, go for it, but it you're thinking of buying it, do your best to buy it cheap.
If I had a family like his, I'd be sullen, too.
mark.waltz29 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Sitting at home, night after night, watching dad listen to the stock news, Aunt Martha asking me why I'm not finishing my pie, and a lot of conversations about nothing. That would make me brood, too. I have to feel bad for the character that Chuck Courtney plays, a misunderstood mature looking teenager who loves cars and much to his father's dismay takes a summer job at a garage rather than helping pops down at his boring old real estate office. Courtney takes a car out on a test drive from a used car salesman and ends up in a race that gets him arrested.
At least, this opens up communication between father and son, and the sympathetic aunt begins to see the light as well. But totally clichéd dialog between the generations makes this unbelievable in the family aspect, especially when the father (Tyler McVey) claims that he recalls what it was like to be young and a scene between dad and Courtney's boss at the garage. That scene, actually, is quite touching in spite of its unbelievability, is is especially well acted by the spirited garage owner (Paul Bryar). Helene Heigh seems too good to be true as the Mrs. Hardy like aunt, adding to the fantasy world of adult/teen relationships that this is obviously trying to encourage.
A young Robert Fuller ("Emergency!") plays Cochran's rival, out to steal his thunder and his girl (Melinda Byron). When a fight scene erupts between Cochran and McVey after an apparent reconciliation, it seems to come out of nowhere. The original musical score by Walter Greene seems like it was written for another film, and while quite beautiful, is out of place with its classic themes not in touch with the teen-aged rebellion of this film. After all, this is pretty much teen exploitation, not "A Summer Place". A mixed bag for sure, but one with some good ideas that never seem to gel.
At least, this opens up communication between father and son, and the sympathetic aunt begins to see the light as well. But totally clichéd dialog between the generations makes this unbelievable in the family aspect, especially when the father (Tyler McVey) claims that he recalls what it was like to be young and a scene between dad and Courtney's boss at the garage. That scene, actually, is quite touching in spite of its unbelievability, is is especially well acted by the spirited garage owner (Paul Bryar). Helene Heigh seems too good to be true as the Mrs. Hardy like aunt, adding to the fantasy world of adult/teen relationships that this is obviously trying to encourage.
A young Robert Fuller ("Emergency!") plays Cochran's rival, out to steal his thunder and his girl (Melinda Byron). When a fight scene erupts between Cochran and McVey after an apparent reconciliation, it seems to come out of nowhere. The original musical score by Walter Greene seems like it was written for another film, and while quite beautiful, is out of place with its classic themes not in touch with the teen-aged rebellion of this film. After all, this is pretty much teen exploitation, not "A Summer Place". A mixed bag for sure, but one with some good ideas that never seem to gel.
Teenage Blunder would have been a better title
scsu197524 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Chuck Courtney stars as a 27-year-old teenager who just can't seem to do anything right. His father, played by Tyler McVey, is demanding, overbearing, and several other ings, which helps to explain why Courtney is such a wuss. McVey wears a suit around the house, even when he's playing cards. In one ridiculous scene, McVey tells Courtney to turn on the radio so he can catch the stock report. The sound comes on instantly, and the first thing we hear is "And now for the Wall Street news." Apparently, McVey is the master of space and time. By the way, this is the 50s. Forget Wall Street and build a bomb shelter if you know what's good for you. And stuff this film in it.
Courtney is constantly picked on by the town creep, well played by pretty boy Robert Fuller, who went on to fame in TV series like "Laramie," "Wagon Train," and "Emergency!" Fuller had already done several movies before this, but at least his character has a name this time. Unfortunately, it's Maurie, which is not appropriate for a bully - or any other character, for that matter. Fuller has a constant smirk on his face - my guess it's from gas.
Courtney has a job at a gas station owned by Paul Bryar. Bryar is building a hotrod, but won't say why, or who he expects to drive it. Bryar acts as a father figure for Courtney, since McVey has no parenting skills. The one time McVey does try to communicate with Courtney, they are using boxing gloves, and McVey puts Courtney on his rear end.
Courtney has no hotrod, so he "borrows" one from a car dealer, played by Bing Russell. Russell lets Courtney take the hotrod for a spin. IDIOT! What could go wrong here? This leads to the inevitable game of chicken between Courtney and Fuller. They both lay eggs.
Courtney eventually decides to run away from home, and steals Bryar's hotrod. Then his girlfriend tells him that Bryar was going to enter it in the big race and have Courtney drive it - this to honor Bryar's son, who has polio (insert watery eyes here). The girlfriend is played by Melinda Byron in her film debut - her career lasted three years. Courtney's lasted a lot longer, but nobody seems to care.
Courtney decides to face the music, and returns just in time to win the race and beat up Fuller. Now, if Courtney's father could just set him up with a cheap hooker, his ascent to manhood would be complete.
"RCA Victor Recording Star" David Houston sings "Teenage Kisses." The Desk Sergeant looks like Rodney Dangerfield. The film deserves no respect.
Courtney is constantly picked on by the town creep, well played by pretty boy Robert Fuller, who went on to fame in TV series like "Laramie," "Wagon Train," and "Emergency!" Fuller had already done several movies before this, but at least his character has a name this time. Unfortunately, it's Maurie, which is not appropriate for a bully - or any other character, for that matter. Fuller has a constant smirk on his face - my guess it's from gas.
Courtney has a job at a gas station owned by Paul Bryar. Bryar is building a hotrod, but won't say why, or who he expects to drive it. Bryar acts as a father figure for Courtney, since McVey has no parenting skills. The one time McVey does try to communicate with Courtney, they are using boxing gloves, and McVey puts Courtney on his rear end.
Courtney has no hotrod, so he "borrows" one from a car dealer, played by Bing Russell. Russell lets Courtney take the hotrod for a spin. IDIOT! What could go wrong here? This leads to the inevitable game of chicken between Courtney and Fuller. They both lay eggs.
Courtney eventually decides to run away from home, and steals Bryar's hotrod. Then his girlfriend tells him that Bryar was going to enter it in the big race and have Courtney drive it - this to honor Bryar's son, who has polio (insert watery eyes here). The girlfriend is played by Melinda Byron in her film debut - her career lasted three years. Courtney's lasted a lot longer, but nobody seems to care.
Courtney decides to face the music, and returns just in time to win the race and beat up Fuller. Now, if Courtney's father could just set him up with a cheap hooker, his ascent to manhood would be complete.
"RCA Victor Recording Star" David Houston sings "Teenage Kisses." The Desk Sergeant looks like Rodney Dangerfield. The film deserves no respect.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
