Wonderland Burlesque's Let's Go To The Movies: It's A Real Drag Edition, Part II

Wonderland Burlesque's

Let's Go To The Movies

It's A Real Drag Edition, Part II

This is the stuff of NASCAR celluloid dreams.

Action fast as the eye can see.

So make a pit stop and check out these roaring titles. It's all chrome, steel and wheels. 

And don't forget about the ladies. Yes, it seems women are what really keep these guy's wheels spinning.

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Fireball 500

"The live from spinout to crack up... and they love as fast as they can get it!

(This is the first racing film which starred Annette and Fabian. It proved so successful that there was a sequel, which we took a look at last week. Not sure what happened to Frankie Avalon's character but he's not in the sequel.)

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Red Line 7000

"Here comes the speed breed!"

"Any-night girls and overnight glory... they press 'em all to the limit in the wild racing world!"

(This was Caan's fourth film. That same year, he was nominated for a Golden Globe award as New Star Of The Year, for his work on The Glory Guys.)

"Overnight fame, overnight fortune and any night girls... they press 'em all to the limit in the wild racing world."  

(Director Howard Hawks enjoyed a long, distinguished career during the golden age of Hollywood, directing such films as Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, To Have And Have Not, The Big Sleep, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, to name just a few.) 

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52 Miles To Terror

"One way ride to excitement!"

"Fast cars... faster girls... the faster the better!"

(This film was also marketed under the title, Hot Rods To Hell.)

(Jeanne Crain was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress for her work in 1949's controversial Pinky. Other works of note include State Fair, A Letter To Three Wives, and Cheaper By The Dozen. She also appeared opposite Jane Russell in But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes - a sort of sequel to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, also written by Anita Loos.)

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Johnny Dark

(Heartthrob Tony Curtis gets behind the wheel as Johnny Dark, with icy beauty Piper Laurie at his side. Piper's career in pictures spans 70 years and includes three Academy Award nominations, one each for her work in The Hustler, Carrie, and Children Of A Lesser God.)

"A great new world of thrills sweeps across the screen!"

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Corky

"Corky's comin': smell the rubber burn. Hear the women scream."

(I have to question the wisdom of that tagline. I think we can guess why 'the women scream,' but it makes it sound like Corky is a serial killer.) 

(Starring former child star and future murderer Robert Blake, who started his film career as Mickey Gubitosi, and incredibly talented Charlotte Rampling. Rampling, a fearless actress, was set to star in The French Lieutenant's Woman, however author John Fowles' objected because of her work in the controversial film The Night Porter. The objection was later withdrawn, but by that point Rampling lost all feeling for the film and turned down the role.) 

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The Lively Set

"Romance and racing are in their blood!"

"...and the faster the action... the more the fun!!!"

(Marilyn Maxwell had a habit of dating married men. She was the other woman for a time when Frank Sinatra was married to wife, Nancy. A scintillating mix-up involving a diamond bracelet at the Sinatra's annual Xmas party ended that affair once and for all. Then, during the first half of the 1950's, Marilyn Maxwell was openly referred to as 'Mrs. Bob Hope,' even though Hope was actually married to Delores Reade at the time. The two had a torrid affair that was the talk of Hollywood. In addition, for a time she served as romantic beard for the not-so closeted Rock Hudson.)  

(The character of Troy McClure on The Simpsons was modeled after Doug McClure and Troy Donahue.)

(The movie was originally scheduled to be released in July of 1964, but was delayed until October, out of respect for race driver Dave McDonald and Eddie Sachs who were featured in the film. The pair died in a fiery crash at The Indy 500 in May of that same year, leading to major editing and the elimination of some scenes.) 

"They live these thrills!"

"Joanie sings Bobby Darin's latest hit tunes!"

(Joanie Sommers, who was once called 'The Voice of The Sixties,' was a recording artist whose biggest hit was Johnny Get Angry. Bobby Darin was hired to write three songs for the film, but Universal was so pleased with the results, they enlisted him to write the entire score.) 

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T-Bird Gang

(This was one of the first films B-movie king Roger Corman produced. Actor Ed Nelson would find fame on television's Peyton Place, and Vic Tayback, who plays a cop in the film, would become part of the ensemble of the popular television show Alice.)

"The one year out of high school crowd - fast cars, girls... and no place to go!"

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The Big Wheel

"It's restless, reckless Rooney in the most exciting thrill-a-minute role of his career!

(Poor Mickey Rooney. Once he he returned to films after having served in the military, he tried to put his days as Andy Hardy behind him, but it was rough going. They tried putting in everything from film noir to gangster pictures to vehicles like this, but it was a hard sell. At 5'2", he was simply too short to be taken seriously as a leading man.)

"Roaring at you with mile-a-minute thrills!"

"Mickey Rooney in a great, new thrill story!"

(This film features the final appearance of Hatti McDaniel.)

(This film is also now in the public domain!)

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The Crowd Roars

(Another Howard Hawks picture, this time with Cagney and Warner Bros. go-to girl, Joan Blondell. Cagney was in love with Blondell, but married to another, so it was a love which remained unrequited.) 

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Roar Of The Crowd

(Helen Stanley is primarily remembered for serving as a live model for Disney's Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and 101 Dalmatians.)

"Danger-packed romance!" 

"Whirling across America's thrill-scorched speedways!"

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Burnout

"The fastest dragsters... the wildest women... and the driver who had to have them both!"

(Check out those babes! I tell you, what a pair of denim cut-off's can't do for a girl!)

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And that's all for now.

Be sure to tune in next week.

Same time, same channel!

It's Intermission Time!