American International Pictures led by cigar chomping Hollywood stereotype Samuel Z. Arkoff produced lots of these teen exploitation B Movies in the 50's and 60's and Hot Rod Gang is one of them. The formula was simple, hot rods, fights, drag racing, girls and rock and roll music. This film has all of that plus Gene Vincent! The story is about John Abernathy III played by Elvis sound alike John Ashley who is part of society's upper crust who has to keep his "hot rod gang" a secret from his family. He meets Lois Cavendish played by Jody Fair who also played the heroin junkie in "High School Confidential" and helps keep his secret safe and enjoys his hot rod gang. The '32 Ford roadster Ashley drives is the Bob McGee/Dick Sritchfield roadster. The '32 Ford roadster that Ashley's nemesis Steve Drexel drives is actually the famous Pete Hendersen roadster which is the car that had the famous race with a quarter horse that set the blueprint for quarter mile drag racing. These two have a "curb race" in the beginning of the film that will make any car buff cringe! By the way, the opening sequence was filmed on Santa Monica blvd in Hollywood. The other '32 Ford in this movie is Tony LaMasa's chopped and channeled green roadster that was the same car that was featured in an episode of Ozzie and Harriet where Ozzie raced it in a Model T. Gene Vincent plays himself and sings 2 songs and tries to help Ashley's singing career but Ashley declines because he can't risk a public appearance because the police(Russ Bender)are looking for Ashley for splashing the stodgy old man in the beginning of the film with his hot rod while racing through a puddle...for reals!!! If anything, it's worth seeing this just to see Maureen Arthur sing one of the corniest songs ever "Choo Choo Cha Poochie" in the pointiest bra known to man. The Ala-Kart, a show winning hot rod built by George Barris is also in the film but only in 2 scenes and for some reason, hardly noticeable.
20 Reviews
not great, but....
shu-222 January 1999
Better Than You Might Think
mrb198020 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, this movie is titled "Hot Rod Gang" and it was released in 1958, so a person's first instinct is that it's a horrible teen movie with little plot and atrocious acting. In reality, the film is pretty good, with decent music, good acting and some good touches of humor.
John Ashley plays John Abernathy III, who will inherit his grandfather's entire estate if he lives a virtuous life and stays out of trouble. Naturally, Abernathy wants to race fast cars, chase girls, sing with his "combo" and fight with his enemies. The film moves quickly to Abernathy's rock stardom, lots of music by Gene Vincent, several fistfights, and a final defeat of the bad guys, who want to ruin Ashley's dreams.
Ashley acquits himself well in the lead role, and croons several songs anonymously as "Jackson Dalrymple", who is disguised with a fake beard. He's supported by the wholesome Jody Fair, with comic relief by numerous adult actors, who of course behave like idiots. The movie's a notch above the usual late 1950s teen movies, with good photography, lots of action, the music of Gene Vincent, and some very good work by Ashley. It's not a bad way to spend your evening if you're feeling nostalgic.
John Ashley plays John Abernathy III, who will inherit his grandfather's entire estate if he lives a virtuous life and stays out of trouble. Naturally, Abernathy wants to race fast cars, chase girls, sing with his "combo" and fight with his enemies. The film moves quickly to Abernathy's rock stardom, lots of music by Gene Vincent, several fistfights, and a final defeat of the bad guys, who want to ruin Ashley's dreams.
Ashley acquits himself well in the lead role, and croons several songs anonymously as "Jackson Dalrymple", who is disguised with a fake beard. He's supported by the wholesome Jody Fair, with comic relief by numerous adult actors, who of course behave like idiots. The movie's a notch above the usual late 1950s teen movies, with good photography, lots of action, the music of Gene Vincent, and some very good work by Ashley. It's not a bad way to spend your evening if you're feeling nostalgic.
Prime Gene Vincent
mcdamsten20 July 2004
Lucky enough to catch and record this off of AMC a few years ago. The only thing about this movie that makes me want to view it again is to see what Gene Vincent was like at near the height of his fame. Gene, of course, does 'Be Bop A Lula' in color in 'The Girl Can't Help It' but he has some dialog in this one and does TWO songs with the Blue Caps in this one: 'Dance In The Street' and 'Baby Blue'. You get a good look at Gene's 2nd lead guitarist (after Cliff Gallup); Johnny Meeks and his greasy hair-do and dancer Tommy Facenda doing a frenzied shimmy. Also some Gene stage moves. Apparently his staring up into space and singing was something of a trademark. Anyhow, missing the 50's, this'll have to do for catching Gene. Oh yeah, the rest of the movie. Always nice to see the AIP logo and nice opening credits race scene down some street in the LA are in the 50's. A couple of fights, dances and less hot rod action that I expected. John Ashley apes Elvis the best he can and sings more songs than Gene (boo). ** out of *****. *** if you're a Gene fan.
They just want to rock and roll and work on their hot-rods.
bkoganbing3 February 2015
Followers of the late Gene Vincent, one of the pioneers of the Rock and Roll music genre will have lots of reason to watch Hot Rod Gang. For the rest I can say there's hot rods, but only a couple of bad apples among the teens, hardly enough to call it gang.
Actually the teens led by John Ashley just want to maintain their clubhouse where they dance, listen to rock and roll, and work on their hot rods. Ashley does all three but he has to keep it on the sly lest his maiden aunts who are straight out of Arsenic And Old Lace find out as they hold the key to his millions. They don't poison people, they're just plain dotty.
Can't touch those millions, but Ashley can cut a record or two as a new rock and roll sensation with the help of Gene Vincent to save the club from Dub Taylor the landlord. In the meantime the club is getting a bad reputation from those teens who are into stealing and stripping cars.
Some songs by Ashley and Vincent are the only reason to see this drive- in special from the Fifties.
Actually the teens led by John Ashley just want to maintain their clubhouse where they dance, listen to rock and roll, and work on their hot rods. Ashley does all three but he has to keep it on the sly lest his maiden aunts who are straight out of Arsenic And Old Lace find out as they hold the key to his millions. They don't poison people, they're just plain dotty.
Can't touch those millions, but Ashley can cut a record or two as a new rock and roll sensation with the help of Gene Vincent to save the club from Dub Taylor the landlord. In the meantime the club is getting a bad reputation from those teens who are into stealing and stripping cars.
Some songs by Ashley and Vincent are the only reason to see this drive- in special from the Fifties.
This movie is...like...gone, real gone.
bigdaddy-1224 January 1999
John Ashley is wanted by the law for driving recklessly through a puddle (no kidding). He is later framed for stealing hub-caps (no kidding). Incognito, he becomes a rock n' roll star with some help from 50's rockabilly legend Gene Vincent. In between, he meets a hip chick and gets into fistfights with some cool cats. Dig it, Daddy-o.
nice cars
SnoopyStyle29 June 2021
John Abernathy III is a street racer with his hot rod. He hides his rock-n-roll hot rod lifestyle from his rich conservative family.
This is a nothing movie but the cars are darn nice. I love the old hot rods. I wish that the movie would be in color to show off the cars more. The music is fine early rock and rockabilly although I don't recognize any of the songs. This is almost a time capsule. As a movie, it's of limited value and the comedic attempts are really annoying. It's more fascinating as an artifact of a certain time.
This is a nothing movie but the cars are darn nice. I love the old hot rods. I wish that the movie would be in color to show off the cars more. The music is fine early rock and rockabilly although I don't recognize any of the songs. This is almost a time capsule. As a movie, it's of limited value and the comedic attempts are really annoying. It's more fascinating as an artifact of a certain time.
Hot Rod Gang has some funny scenes and good Rock 'n' Roll music from Gene Vincent and John Ashley
tavm27 March 2017
The main reason I decided to watch this movie was because since I've been recently reviewing movies featuring '50s Rock stars, I had to check this one out after finding out Gene Vincent was in it. Unlike previously in The Girl Can't Help It in which he only sang, here he also has some speaking lines as he's a friend of the leading lady, Jody Fair. John Ashley is the leading man and he sings quite a bit of songs as well. Maureen Arthur is the only other singer here though she only has one number. While there are plenty of hot rod races, there's also an eccentric group of supporting characters related to Ashley's character that provide many laughs. To tell the truth, I couldn't keep up with the plot since so much was going on! Still, I very much liked Hot Rod Gang. P.S. Another reason I decided to watch this was because this was the only other movie in which Kay Wheeler did a dance, her other one was Rock Baby - Rock It.
An Old, Grade-B Movie Filmed in the 50's
Uriah436 July 2015
"John Abernathy III" (John Ashley) is about to inherit a large sum of money from the two aunts he lives with but all he wants to do is to race cars. He also likes rock and roll music and sings every now and then in the club house he and some friends have rented when they're not working on their hot rods. Unfortunately, the rent is due, and even more money is needed to build a car that his friends have been working on for some time. Not only that but his two aunts have set him up with a new girl in town named "Lois Cavendish" (Jody Fair) whose father is more than happy for the arraignment as well. Surprisingly, they both hit it off rather well which doesn't quite please his current girlfriend "Marley" (Maureen Arthur) but he has other things to worry about. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that for an old, grade-B movie filmed in the 50's this particular picture wasn't too bad. It had some good humor and a decent enough plot to make things enjoyable. That being said, I rate it as about average.
The Three Faces of Ashley
scsu197526 November 2022
Someone had the brilliant idea to make John Ashley stretch as an actor. Instead, I pulled a muscle trying to keep from tossing my cookies.
The film opens with Ashley in his hot road, challenged by Steve Drexel in his hot rod. Ashley goes through a puddle and splashes an old geezer, played by Lester Dorr as an old fusspot named Philpott. Dorr yells for a cop. Russ Bender, who usually plays a motorcycle cop, plays a motorcycle cop. Bender questions two other witnesses, a father and daughter played by Doodles Weaver and Jody Fair. Fair seems to think she can recognize the culprit. Somehow they end up in Ashley's hot rod hangout, and Ashley hides out in a closet. Had he stayed there, the film would have been mercifully over. Instead, he sings. And sings. And sings some more. His finger-snapping, head-wagging, faux-Elvis style of singing is the pits. So the charges against him rise from vehicular assault to impersonating an entertainer.
Ashley turns out to be a rich kid named John Abernathy III. He lives with his two aunts, dons a pair of glasses, and pretends to be the studious type. Coincidentally, Dorr, Weaver, and Fair show up at his house for some pre-arranged meeting to fix up Ashley with Fair. Ashley tries to impress everyone with his violin skills, but his wisecracking maid, played by Claire Du Brey, will have none of it.
"I've been wrestling with Mendelssohn's Concerto in E-flat minor," Ashley informs everyone.
"Mendelssohn lost," Du Brey responds.
Fair recognizes Ashley, but, of course, isn't going to turn him in. She wants to hear more of his singing, so they sneak off to the hangout where Ashley bores us some more.
In a subplot, Ashley's gang needs money to build a hot rod for the big race. Fair informs everyone she knows singer Gene Vincent, and offers to ask him to put on a show. Vincent is impressed with Ashley's singing ability (apparently Vincent was well-paid for the part). But Ashley doesn't want to go on television because he might get recognized. So Fair makes up him with a beard and a beret. If you ever wondered how Fidel Castro would look in Paris, this is your chance to find out. Ashley is an instant hit as singer "Jackson Dalrymple." If you are keeping score, that's three roles for Ashley. In a running gag, Ashley's aunts see him sneaking into the house with his beard on, and think it's the ghost of John Abernathy I. I say it's a running gag because every time it happened, I got the runs.
In another subplot, Drexel is stealing hot rod parts and trying to frame Ashley. There is the inevitable rumble at the end (which is really just a good excuse to interrupt Ashley singing yet again), Ashley is cleared, and everybody dances to a recording of Ashley.
If you fast-forward past the singing, you can get through this opus in about 60 minutes.
This is just a mishmash of comedy, music (mostly bad), racing, and non-action. Vincent sings a few songs, and he's better than Ashley, but that's not saying much. Fair is average. Character actor Dub Taylor has a few moments playing some part which escaped me. Maureen Arthur sings something called "Choo Choo Cha Poochie," which, I believe when translated, means "Hey boys, get a load of these." On the other hand, Ashley actually does a decent job with his multiple personalities. Usually, he's just dull; however, here, he manages to rise to the level of mediocrity. Perhaps this film should have been called "The Three Faces of Ashley." But then, it would be the members of the audience, and not the star, who would need psychiatric help.
The film opens with Ashley in his hot road, challenged by Steve Drexel in his hot rod. Ashley goes through a puddle and splashes an old geezer, played by Lester Dorr as an old fusspot named Philpott. Dorr yells for a cop. Russ Bender, who usually plays a motorcycle cop, plays a motorcycle cop. Bender questions two other witnesses, a father and daughter played by Doodles Weaver and Jody Fair. Fair seems to think she can recognize the culprit. Somehow they end up in Ashley's hot rod hangout, and Ashley hides out in a closet. Had he stayed there, the film would have been mercifully over. Instead, he sings. And sings. And sings some more. His finger-snapping, head-wagging, faux-Elvis style of singing is the pits. So the charges against him rise from vehicular assault to impersonating an entertainer.
Ashley turns out to be a rich kid named John Abernathy III. He lives with his two aunts, dons a pair of glasses, and pretends to be the studious type. Coincidentally, Dorr, Weaver, and Fair show up at his house for some pre-arranged meeting to fix up Ashley with Fair. Ashley tries to impress everyone with his violin skills, but his wisecracking maid, played by Claire Du Brey, will have none of it.
"I've been wrestling with Mendelssohn's Concerto in E-flat minor," Ashley informs everyone.
"Mendelssohn lost," Du Brey responds.
Fair recognizes Ashley, but, of course, isn't going to turn him in. She wants to hear more of his singing, so they sneak off to the hangout where Ashley bores us some more.
In a subplot, Ashley's gang needs money to build a hot rod for the big race. Fair informs everyone she knows singer Gene Vincent, and offers to ask him to put on a show. Vincent is impressed with Ashley's singing ability (apparently Vincent was well-paid for the part). But Ashley doesn't want to go on television because he might get recognized. So Fair makes up him with a beard and a beret. If you ever wondered how Fidel Castro would look in Paris, this is your chance to find out. Ashley is an instant hit as singer "Jackson Dalrymple." If you are keeping score, that's three roles for Ashley. In a running gag, Ashley's aunts see him sneaking into the house with his beard on, and think it's the ghost of John Abernathy I. I say it's a running gag because every time it happened, I got the runs.
In another subplot, Drexel is stealing hot rod parts and trying to frame Ashley. There is the inevitable rumble at the end (which is really just a good excuse to interrupt Ashley singing yet again), Ashley is cleared, and everybody dances to a recording of Ashley.
If you fast-forward past the singing, you can get through this opus in about 60 minutes.
This is just a mishmash of comedy, music (mostly bad), racing, and non-action. Vincent sings a few songs, and he's better than Ashley, but that's not saying much. Fair is average. Character actor Dub Taylor has a few moments playing some part which escaped me. Maureen Arthur sings something called "Choo Choo Cha Poochie," which, I believe when translated, means "Hey boys, get a load of these." On the other hand, Ashley actually does a decent job with his multiple personalities. Usually, he's just dull; however, here, he manages to rise to the level of mediocrity. Perhaps this film should have been called "The Three Faces of Ashley." But then, it would be the members of the audience, and not the star, who would need psychiatric help.
Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps gives this 10 stars
TeenVamp27 June 2021
Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps performing a few songs in this instantly makes it awesome. They rock! John Ashley also sings a couple of really great songs. This movie is fun and deserves better than a 5 rating on here.
A good film for drive-in audiences that want to laugh at all the adults.
planktonrules24 July 2021
It's difficult to rate this movie, as it's such a product of its times and the film was NOT intended to be wached in 2021 by a 57 year-old guy! Instead, it was made for the drive-in movie crowd of the day...teens and young adults who wanted some silliness and rock 'n roll. And, because of this, it's not surprising that much of the film makes fun of adults...the 'squares' who are more like cartoon characters than real adults.
John Abernathy III (John Ashley) is a young man who leads a double-life. To his matronly aunts and the other adults in his life, he's a respectful and stuffy guy. But when they aren't around, he's into rock 'n roll and his jalopy. Despite the title, this hot rod isn't a major part of the film...it's John's music and his relationship with a new girl in town, Jody. Additionally, some jerk tries to destroy John by framing him for crimes and exposing his double life. Along for the ride is the ill-fated Gene Vincent...there to provide a few songs along with John's.
The film is modestly entertaining...and John Ashley went on to do some Beach Films for AIP....although like so many of these 'teen stars' he was a LOT older....24 when he made "Hot Rod Gang" and 31 when he appeared in "Beach Blanket Bingo".
John Abernathy III (John Ashley) is a young man who leads a double-life. To his matronly aunts and the other adults in his life, he's a respectful and stuffy guy. But when they aren't around, he's into rock 'n roll and his jalopy. Despite the title, this hot rod isn't a major part of the film...it's John's music and his relationship with a new girl in town, Jody. Additionally, some jerk tries to destroy John by framing him for crimes and exposing his double life. Along for the ride is the ill-fated Gene Vincent...there to provide a few songs along with John's.
The film is modestly entertaining...and John Ashley went on to do some Beach Films for AIP....although like so many of these 'teen stars' he was a LOT older....24 when he made "Hot Rod Gang" and 31 when he appeared in "Beach Blanket Bingo".
Drive-In Goodie
dougdoepke7 July 2018
Hard to rate a movie like this. It really belongs with the popular teenage genre of the 1950's. But judged on that restricted basis, it's a goodie-- roaring hotrods, tight sweaters, poodle skirts, and a nice dash of Gene Vincent r&r. Even multi-talented actor Ashley does his own numbers without dubbing. Forget the plot, something about raising rent money for the clubhouse, and John (Ashley) acing out rival Mark (Drexel). Then too catch the many snappy lines from a better than usual script that plays up the laughs. Even the old gals are a hoot, and I still can't believe the elderly maid did her own acrobatic tricks. See what you think. Note too, how many of the street scenes were apparently filmed alongside the slab-like walls of the movie studio. Still, I'm glad there's some cop catch-up for the wild street racing that may be fun but really is dangerous. So how did I miss this little gem back in '58; I'm sure I would remember it if for nothing more than the bullet-busted Marilyn Monroe look-a-like. But I'm glad to have finally caught it thanks to IMDB. Hard to believe the surviving kids from the flick are as old now as we drive-in freaks. But it was fun while it lasted. And it will be for you too if you still like a can of soda pop now and then.
Thank goodness for the music
mollytinkers26 June 2021
When it's housecleaning day -- you know, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, the stuff you put off as long as you can stand -- I'll put on Turner Classic Movies and leave it there. It makes for great background noise, like Muzak for Chores Day. And boy, does this movie top the list for that.
The only reason I'm giving this a 4 is because of the fun music. Also, some of the choreography is actually cool. And the cars are awesome!
Otherwise, this is pretty much trash. I enjoyed the Gene Vincent performances. However, I was expecting his "backup singers" to break out into some guy-on-guy action any minute. Talk about homoerotic!
The only reason I'm giving this a 4 is because of the fun music. Also, some of the choreography is actually cool. And the cars are awesome!
Otherwise, this is pretty much trash. I enjoyed the Gene Vincent performances. However, I was expecting his "backup singers" to break out into some guy-on-guy action any minute. Talk about homoerotic!
"The first words I ever said were "Combustible engine."
morrison-dylan-fan8 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
For the final day of the 1958 best movie poll on ICM,I decided to look for one last title to view on YouTube. Looking down the YT page,I found a flick with a short & sweet run time,that led to me starting the hot rod up.
The plot:
Entering a street race, John Abernathy III runs into a puddle that splashes all over a man. Coming from the upper-class,Abernathy tries to hide as the police treat the puddle as a crime scene. As the police investigate the youth hang outs,Abernathy attempts to keep his driving and Rockabilly-singing identity secret.
View on the film:
Speeding by at 72 minutes, director Lew Landers & cinematographer Floyd Crosby give the flick an energetic slickness, with regular early Rock numbers being played with "happening" teen parties and limited Hot Rod racing. Kicking off all the trouble by John Abernathy III driving into a puddle (!) the screenplay by Lou Rusoff now has a sweet, sincere 50's innocence, due to the overreaction from the adults on Abernathy and the gang hanging out,now playing with a lightly comedic tone that sets the hot wheels off.
The plot:
Entering a street race, John Abernathy III runs into a puddle that splashes all over a man. Coming from the upper-class,Abernathy tries to hide as the police treat the puddle as a crime scene. As the police investigate the youth hang outs,Abernathy attempts to keep his driving and Rockabilly-singing identity secret.
View on the film:
Speeding by at 72 minutes, director Lew Landers & cinematographer Floyd Crosby give the flick an energetic slickness, with regular early Rock numbers being played with "happening" teen parties and limited Hot Rod racing. Kicking off all the trouble by John Abernathy III driving into a puddle (!) the screenplay by Lou Rusoff now has a sweet, sincere 50's innocence, due to the overreaction from the adults on Abernathy and the gang hanging out,now playing with a lightly comedic tone that sets the hot wheels off.
You know they're desperate when they throw in a bunch of old ladies to be "cute".
mark.waltz15 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's the typical tame the bad boy story where John Ashley finds out he is air tube on a stage, only he has to change his ways from fast cars and bad girls and walk a tightrope. Along with Jody Fair and Gene Vincent, Ashley provides really nothing in this American International b film that outside a few amusing bits with the old gals and some sardonic quips has little to recommend. There's some rock numbers thrown in for good measure, but this can hardly be classified as a rock musical. It really doesn't even have much going on as far as the cars are concerned, only a confrontation between Ashley and Vincent at the beginning and a car chase between the two at the end. They of course our hated rivals, pretty much for no reason other than they just want to be the king of cool. The result is neither gets the crown and this ends up in the trash heap where old cars go to be turned into liquid metal.
I fnd this movie insufferable
dmraci26 July 2017
OK, was this a spoof, documentary, parody, comedy?
I don't care, it's like some person 2 generations removed from the era used it for an excuse to write up every cliché for some subculture. It's just too hip, let's rumble, to cool Daddy O, to be cool, the moments of Father Knows Best revelations thrown in and you get vomit in the back of the throat.
There is really no character development other then moron, senseless, self absorption. More then likely this what the movie was meant to be, I just don't find in interesting, humorous, nor entertaining, the music isn't that good.
If you like the Beach Party movies you will like these series of movies, as for me, I kept watching my watch, wondering the run time.
I don't care, it's like some person 2 generations removed from the era used it for an excuse to write up every cliché for some subculture. It's just too hip, let's rumble, to cool Daddy O, to be cool, the moments of Father Knows Best revelations thrown in and you get vomit in the back of the throat.
There is really no character development other then moron, senseless, self absorption. More then likely this what the movie was meant to be, I just don't find in interesting, humorous, nor entertaining, the music isn't that good.
If you like the Beach Party movies you will like these series of movies, as for me, I kept watching my watch, wondering the run time.
Fast Cars and Music
Michael_Elliott2 June 2012
Hot Rod Gang (1958)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Fun teen stuff from AIP has John Ashley playing John Abernathy III, a cool teen who drives a fast car and even manages to get the pretty new girl (Jody Fair) in town. However, trouble happens when his gang of friends are about to be thrown out of the place they hang out so they decide to use their band to make some money and they also get some help from Gene Vincent. If you're looking for a film that will change your life or change your views on certain topics then HOT ROD GANG certainly isn't for you. If you're just wanting some cheap fun from the 1950s drive-in craze then this film offers up a pretty good time. I thought the story was actually one good enough to where you could get wrapped up in what was going on. Yes, it's pretty far-fetched and you could argue that it was silly but in a teenage guys life is there anything more important than a girl, a car and a place to hang out? I thought director Lew Landers (THE RAVEN) did a very good job at keeping the film running at a nice pace and he also added in some nice touches with the supporting characters. I really liked how eccentric, weird and rather silly all of the adults were. This is something that happened in most of these films but here it's done in a way that was pretty funny to watch and especially the two aunts. The performances really weren't all that bad with Ashley once again playing the type he's best remembered for and he even gets to sing a couple songs. Fair made for a good love interest even though she wasn't all that energetic. Future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gene Vincent gets to do a few tunes including his final hit Dance to the Bop. Again, HOT ROD GANG isn't going to change your life but it's fast and fun entertainment.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Fun teen stuff from AIP has John Ashley playing John Abernathy III, a cool teen who drives a fast car and even manages to get the pretty new girl (Jody Fair) in town. However, trouble happens when his gang of friends are about to be thrown out of the place they hang out so they decide to use their band to make some money and they also get some help from Gene Vincent. If you're looking for a film that will change your life or change your views on certain topics then HOT ROD GANG certainly isn't for you. If you're just wanting some cheap fun from the 1950s drive-in craze then this film offers up a pretty good time. I thought the story was actually one good enough to where you could get wrapped up in what was going on. Yes, it's pretty far-fetched and you could argue that it was silly but in a teenage guys life is there anything more important than a girl, a car and a place to hang out? I thought director Lew Landers (THE RAVEN) did a very good job at keeping the film running at a nice pace and he also added in some nice touches with the supporting characters. I really liked how eccentric, weird and rather silly all of the adults were. This is something that happened in most of these films but here it's done in a way that was pretty funny to watch and especially the two aunts. The performances really weren't all that bad with Ashley once again playing the type he's best remembered for and he even gets to sing a couple songs. Fair made for a good love interest even though she wasn't all that energetic. Future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gene Vincent gets to do a few tunes including his final hit Dance to the Bop. Again, HOT ROD GANG isn't going to change your life but it's fast and fun entertainment.
Oh My God !!!!
searchanddestroy-123 June 2023
I was terrified when I discovered the director's name on the opening credits. I did not believe it !!! I know that in the fifties, late fifties, teenage delinquency features were legions, it was the fashion during this period. Many directors tried it, more successful for ones than others. But Lew Landers.... He began his career in the thirties, and stayed in the B movies genre for the rest of his career. But I could not believe that he could make such a lousy, crap, even if you compare with the rest of his filmography. He had not really a style : horror, western, comedies, adventures.... But such a film for such a director is totally unbelievable. This film is from Lew Landers but that's not really him for me.
This Guy's Got A High Caliber, One Cylinder Mind!"...
azathothpwiggins14 July 2021
A group of hot rod-riding, rock-'n'-roll hooligans and hoodlums, headed by "teen" heartthrob, John Abernathy III (John Ashley), set about raising Cain. In between bouts of social mischief, the HOT ROD GANG engage in jumping jam sessions and singalongs.
Considering this movie's title, there's a distinct lack of action. There is, however, a great deal of chamber music, romance, and groan-inducing attempts at "zany" humor.
The story does eventually get back to the gang, and their drag racing, brawling ways, but first, John Ashley must sing! Thankfully, special guest, ene Vincent shows up to show these poseurs how it's really done!
Can a dance contest be far off? Nope.
Fans of Mr. Ashley will be glad to know that he's in almost every scene!
Co-stars Dub Taylor as the same southern character he plays in all of his movies.
An enjoyable enough bag of cheeeze-corn...
Considering this movie's title, there's a distinct lack of action. There is, however, a great deal of chamber music, romance, and groan-inducing attempts at "zany" humor.
The story does eventually get back to the gang, and their drag racing, brawling ways, but first, John Ashley must sing! Thankfully, special guest, ene Vincent shows up to show these poseurs how it's really done!
Can a dance contest be far off? Nope.
Fans of Mr. Ashley will be glad to know that he's in almost every scene!
Co-stars Dub Taylor as the same southern character he plays in all of his movies.
An enjoyable enough bag of cheeeze-corn...
See also
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