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.

Champion drag racer Jeff Northrup (amiable Jeff Smith) quits racing after his younger brother gets killed in a street race. However, Jeff receives pressure to get back into racing by cocky newcomer "Bronc" Talbott (essayed with spot-on arrogant swagger by Mark Andrews), who also makes a play for Jeff's girlfriend Lisa (an appealing portrayal by the fetching Lori Nelson). Director Leslie H. Martinson, working from a compact script by John McGreevey, relates the simple and straightforward story at a snappy pace while offering a nice slice of the 50's era complete with clean cut kids, shoddy obvious back screen projection, an engaging harmless tone, the inevitable chicken race, and a lively climactic brawl between Jeff and Bronc. The sincere acting by the solid cast helps a lot: Chuck Connors as the earnest Detective Ben Merrill, Frank Gorshin as flaky hipster Flat Top, Roxanne Arlen as the sweetly ditsy L.P., and Fred Essler as friendly diner owner Yo-Yo. Sam Leavitt's crisp black and white cinematography makes neat use of fades and dissolves. Alexander Courage's swinging jazzy score hits the groovy spot. A pleasant drive-in diversion.

I have to admit it. Why? Well it features a young Chuck Connors for one thing but even more importantly for me it stars Lori Nelson of REVENGE OF THE CREATURE fame. I have to admit there's just something about Nelson I adore, not sure what it is exactly but she has a certain quality that defies description. The film itself is an interesting piece of 1950s nostalgia, especially for anyone who remembers or actually lived through the hot rodding craze from that era. Now I'll admit this was before my time, yet it holds a certain fascination and appeal for me. The film, while being basically pro-teens (they are just mixed up kids in need of a place to go and have fun but who need the help and guidance of a responsible adult-Connors' Detective Ben Merrill), does send a mixed message with regards to hot-rodding...both positive and negative to the point that in the end we are left scratching our heads.

This film will take you back to the days of rock and roll, jukeboxes and of course, hot rods. Well acted (especially by John Smith) and Lori Nelson is real easy to look at (although you might prefer her cool '55 T-bird). It's also fun to watch a pre-Riddler Frank Gorshin in one of his early roles. Get ready to to roll up your sleeves and grease your hair back while you watch "Hot Rod Girl".