Dragstrip Girl (1957)

Very well executed

recommended

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Wow, was I looking forward to this, a hot chick racing rods and dealing with the 50's male counterparts and the story surrounding that premise...but no..what we get is Drag Strip Girl races...once ..during the opening and in the poorest race ever staged on film. The rest of the story deals with a guy trying to race the local thug, then Gorshin takes the bait and pays for it by wrecking his sweet street rod. Also ,Gorshin was stuck with the supporting role, had the director been better, Frank would have been the lead instead of the wooden performance we saw from "what's his name". Listen, I am bashing the movie for what it's not, and that's kinda like being angry that Minnie Driver isn't the name of a small race car driver. This was an industrious film considering the budget, and it does deliver the goods for hard core fans of 50's culture and the "delinquent film" genre. But, it is totally misleading in it's cover art and story sell. It's like being stuck on a deserted island by yourself with nothing but a vial of Viagra.

"Louise Blake" (Fay Spain) is a new girl in town who loves cars and racing. Because of these interests she soon gets acquainted with others her age who have the same fondness for drag racing. In particular she meets two guys named "Jim Donaldson" (Steven Terrell) and "Fred Armstrong" (John Ashley) who both become attracted to her. However, rather than choose just one she decides to string both along which ends up being a huge mistake as Fred is insanely jealous of Jim and begins to provoke and undermine him at every opportunity. What nobody realizes is the depth of envy and how far he is willing to go to make Jim look bad. 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 this was a fairly average hot rod movie which could have been better with a bit more character development. Additionally, I didn't particularly care for the repeated taunts by Fred which became more than a bit annoying after a while. I also would have liked to have seen a little more of Judy Bamber (as "Rhoda") who was quite stunning. Be that as it may, in spite of the flaws and the fact that this film was definitely dated I still liked it and rate it as about average.

OK i'm a big fan of most movies made by the late American international movies,fun b-movies.my favorites being invasion of the saucermen and i was a teenage werewolf.but this movie dragstrip girl is very entertaining,it tells the story about a young pretty girl(Fay Spain)who drives a hotrod.and has two guys fighting over her,poor but honest nice guy(Steve Terrell)and rich snobby nasty dishonest guy(John Ashley)who both are also drag racers.there's much melodrama and fighting.but im not giving away any more of the plot.lets just say its a very good a.i.p. b movie from the fifties.also stars pre riddler(Frank Gorshin)and a.i.p. regular Russ Bender.heres a fact terrell and gorshin were in invasion of the saucermen soon after this.like i said this movie was enjoyable.8 out of 10.

How can you not like these films they are sooo bad they are good!!!Louise (Fay Spain), Fred (John Ashley) and Jim (Steve Terrel) meet at a set of lights and instantly have a drag race - a policeman follows them to Mama's Cafe Grill, which is the local hangout for kids. Typical of these J.D. movies, the local police pop up every 20 minutes with lectures about "wild and crazy kids".Louise is a "hot rod" freak, new in town from Salt Lake City. Her parents are "cool" - her dad bought Louise her hot rod - although he is now regretting it. There has been rivalry between rich kid Fred and Jim ever since they were kids in school. Jim is hoping to win the USA Regional Sweepstakes Race and get a scholarship to college but Fred is determined to win even if he has to cheat to do it. He buys a car from his friend Rick (Tommy Ivo) and modifies it so it will leave the rest behind.While racing in a grudge match Fred's partner Rick falls out of the car and breaks his leg. Fred's lack of concern shows up his callous nature. Fred secretly takes Jim's car out for a spin and kills a pedestrian. Of course when the police investigate they think Jim is the driver. He is then disqualified from the race - but Louise, who finds a piece of Rick's plaster in Jim's car and realises the truth, takes Jim's place in the big race. It is wild and exciting stuff as Fred tries to run and Jim tackles him to the ground.This film was one of many made for the drive-in circuit. John Ashley,who also sang in these films, made many of these J.D. movies. There doesn't seem to be much information on Steve Terrel, although he featured in many of these "hot rod" films. He also starred in that campy classic "Invasion of the Saucer Men". Frank Gorshin was at the start of his long career - he plays the zany Tommy Burns.Fay Spain was the drive-in movie bad girl - she also got her big break in this film, playing a blonde siren that has the boys falling at her feet. I will always remember her in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode entitled "The Last Dark Step".Recommended.