Hot Rod Gang


Hot Rod Gang is a 1958 American teen drama film directed by Lew Landers and starring John Ashley. The working title was Hot Rod Rock with the film also released under the title Fury Unleashed. American [International Pictures] released the film as a double feature with High School Hellcats. The production includes performances by rock and roll musician Gene Vincent, and was the final theatrical feature directed by the incredibly prolific Landers, whose career dated to the mid-1930s.

Plot

John Abernathy III needs to lead a blameless life to inherit his father's estate, but he also engages in hot rod car racing.

Cast

The film was known during production as Hot Rod Rock.

Soundtrack

  • "Hit and Run Lover", performed by John Ashley
  • "Annie Laurie", performed by John Ashley
  • "Dance in the Street", performed by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps
  • "Baby Blue", performed by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps
  • "Lovely Loretta", performed by Gene Vincent
  • "Dance to the Bop", performed by Gene Vincent
  • "Choo Choo Cha Poochie", performed by Maureen Arthur

    Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it "a film of juvenile violence."
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."
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."