Truly Dreadful Film

People are voting emotionally.

Gripping story with well-crafted characters

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Believing that a drag strip will keep kids from racing their hot rods on the street "Detective Ben Merrill" (Chuck Connors) takes an active interest and encourages them to drive responsibly. Unfortunately, when a certain group's leader by the name of "Jeff Northrup" (John Smith) has his younger brother killed in a racing accident he decides to avoid the drag strip altogether. This results in the rest of the group also losing interest in the drag strip and instead doing the exact thing that Detective Bill Merrill feared the most. Soon the residents of the city become extremely upset with the way the kids are driving recklessly through town and the police are forced to begin taking action against those who own hot rods. Matters become even worse when a troublemaker by the name of "Bronc Talbott" (Mark Andrews) arrives in town and decides to make a play for Jeff's girlfriend, "Lisa Vernon" (Lori Nelson). Now, rather than reveal any more of the film I will just say that this was an okay grade-B picture which managed to pass the time more or less. Although it's not a great film by any means I didn't think it was that bad either and so I have given it a rating of about average. If nothing else it manages to capture the 1950's time-period pretty well and that might be of interest to some viewers.

This is a preachy film about the evils of hot rod racing up our city streets. I say preachy because the film lacks subtlety and comes off as a film made by oldsters to warn the youngsters of this. In the process it tries to be hip, but the film is tragically un-hip and a bit silly.The film begins with some young folks having a lovely time at the race track. This is good, clean, safe and wholesome--and heartily endorsed by the cool and with-it cop (Cuck Connors). However, some teens don't want to get their kicks at the track and still challenge each other to impromptu street races--a sure recipe for DEATH!! In fact, shortly after this good, clean and non-communist fun time, one dumb-butt DOES choose to race on the public streets...and DIES!!! Well, his older brother blames himself (why, I dunno) and spends much of the film racked with angst.A bit later, a major jerk comes to town and does everything he can to make the other young folks hate him. So what do they do? Yep, they have a road race and almost get killed. But the major jerk isn't scared off by this and later does worse...and a little boy dies!!! But, and this made no sense at all, despite ample proof this happened, the angsty boy (who did nothing wrong) is blamed for this death. Only at the end does the truth come out--and Connors and the angsty boy beat the snot out of this no-good trouble-maker (and I bet he was a communist, too!).The acting was generally pretty lame as was the dialog. While it was not terrible, it wasn't good and the film came off as bit too preachy and obvious. Clearly a sub-par film--and actually about average for American-International Pictures. And by the way, there is no 'hot rod girl' despite the title!!

HOT ROD GIRL is one of the many American-International teen oriented films that flickered at the drive-in and equally was part of those Saturday triple features in the ice cold theaters during the duck-tail days. A decent flick that has Chuck Connors playing a concerned cop that helps organize a drag strip to keep illegal drag racing to a minimum making the city streets safer. John Smith is a former champ who has quit racing and is happy to keep his friend's rods tuned. But he is forced to race again in order to avenge his little brother's death and win his sweetheart(Lori Nelson)back. The cast also includes: Frank Gorshin, Mark Andrews, Roxanne Arlen and Dabbs Greer.

I just watched this with a buddy of mine and can't believe how thoroughly enjoyable it was. I paid a buck for it !!!!! And the DVD even had another hot rod flick which I haven't even seen yet (T-Bird Gang).I think you'll enjoy this and find yourself longing for the good-old days of the 1950s All the old cars, nostalgia, hamburg joints, great scenery which includes the mountains of the San Fernando Valley and a great- looking Lori Nelson. This is truly a good little movie, a gem ... if you can find this, buy it (it shouldn't cost hardly anything if you are a lucky enough to find it). Truly a gem. Enjoy !!