Don't mistake this for other films that have "Hot Car" in the title from the 1950's. Most of those involved teenagers in hot rod races, and 99.9% of those films are just absolutely dreadful. This is a film noir about the hot car racquet, meaning stolen cars that have been repainted and given new titles and then sold to various top notch car lots around the country. John Bromfield is the owner of one of those lots who finds himself in a spot when his son becomes ill and must make some quick cash. Along the way, he becomes involved with femme fatale Joi Lansing who refuses to give him an alibi when he is accused of murder.
Fans of "Little House on the Prairie" will be delighted to recognize Dabs Greer who plays the police detective investigating the stolen car racket. Carol Shannon plays Bromfield's wife who seems far too perfect and understanding, the one teeny misstep in the story, claiming to be flawed but even sickeningly sweet in that scene. Ralph Clanton is discreetly sinister, suave and sophisticated but downright vile as he manipulates Bromfield every step of the way.
Another highlight is the Southern California beach locale, taking you to the boardwalk in Santa Monica and giving you an indication of what it looked 60 something years ago. Lansing is a terrific femme fatale, and Bromfield the perfect noir hero, not motivated by greed or lust, but a noble hard-working man who gets in over his head, especially when he has to climb up a moving roller coaster to escape the police in the sensational finale.
Coming a little late in the genre of noir, this would be a definite classic had it been made on a higher budget with major noir stars like Burt Lancaster and Jane Greer in the leads. But being a mid 50's entry into the genre, this deserves to be given a second look where it truly could gain cult status.
Fans of "Little House on the Prairie" will be delighted to recognize Dabs Greer who plays the police detective investigating the stolen car racket. Carol Shannon plays Bromfield's wife who seems far too perfect and understanding, the one teeny misstep in the story, claiming to be flawed but even sickeningly sweet in that scene. Ralph Clanton is discreetly sinister, suave and sophisticated but downright vile as he manipulates Bromfield every step of the way.
Another highlight is the Southern California beach locale, taking you to the boardwalk in Santa Monica and giving you an indication of what it looked 60 something years ago. Lansing is a terrific femme fatale, and Bromfield the perfect noir hero, not motivated by greed or lust, but a noble hard-working man who gets in over his head, especially when he has to climb up a moving roller coaster to escape the police in the sensational finale.
Coming a little late in the genre of noir, this would be a definite classic had it been made on a higher budget with major noir stars like Burt Lancaster and Jane Greer in the leads. But being a mid 50's entry into the genre, this deserves to be given a second look where it truly could gain cult status.