Pace That Thrills, The (1952)*** (out of 4) Turner Classic Movies gives film buffs the chance to watch classic movies each and every day but they also do a greater good and that's show unknown and rather unseen movies. This RKO "B" picture is one not too many have heard of but it turned out to be quite a fun little movie. Motorcycle racer Dusty (Bill Williams) has a female reporter (Carla Balenda) write a few negative stories on him, which doesn't sit too well with the boss (Robert Armstrong) or his best friend (Michael St. Angel). Soon Dusty and the friend both fall for the reporter and all the triangle isn't going to do anyone any good. This film really comes off as a pro-motorcycle film because there seems to be a plea for people to give the sport a fair shake. The movie doesn't have anything special or great going for it but the 63-minute running time is short enough for the viewer to get into the drama and in the end this is a pretty fun movie. The motorcycle races are all excellently shot and they manage to have some nice tension as well. The leading cast is another reason to watch the film as both Williams and St. Angel deliver strong performances and make their characters very memorable. Armstrong is best known for his role in KING KONG but he too adds some fun as does Frank McHugh who is best known for being Cagney's sidekick in many films. Robert Mitchum's brother John plays the bad guy in the film. Fans of "B" movies will certainly want to check this one out next time TCM plays it during their "Underground" series as it's fast and fun throughout.

Early '50s low-budget "actioner" about motorcycle racing has some good, and at times exciting, racing footage interspersed with poorly written and (mostly) badly acted filler. Pros like Bill Williams, Robert Armstrong and Frank McHugh give a somewhat professional sheen to it and try to inject some life into the witless script--and the sight of beefy but big-chested '50s bimbo Cleo Moore jumping up and down helps somewhat--but performances by Steve Flagg as the somewhat shady Williams' clean-cut and goody two-shoes engineer and Carla Balenda as a "feisty" reporter who comes between them are poor (and in Flagg's case, downright embarrassing) and the leaden direction by "B" vet Leon Barsha doesn't help, either. A lot of footage of vintage bikes, cars and trucks will be a big plus for gearheads, and as mentioned the racing footage is for the most part quite well done, but the film overall isn't much to speak of.

In many ways, THE PACE THAT THRILLS looks like an hour-long commercial for the motorcycle industry. This is especially true during the segment that is set at a weekend cycle meet--where lots of fresh faced and wholesome young Americans cavort about on their bikes. This film is quite a contrast to WILD ONE--the biker gang movie that came out a year later.The plot involves two men, Dusty and Chris, as well as they lady (Eve) they inexplicably love. The film begins with Dusty winning a motorcycle dirt track race by playing fast and loose with sportsmanship--including kicking another rider off his bike. Eve is a reporter and her subsequent article berates Dusty for his wicked ways. Naturally, given that this film is chock full of clichés, you know that eventually this petulant 'dame' and Dusty will eventually fall in love. However, in the meantime, she runs to the arms of Chris--who, naturally, is Dusty's childhood friend. And, as a result, the two men are naturally at each other's throats...naturally.Now despite practically every racing cliché known to mankind being shoved into the film (and then some), the movie is actually decent and worth seeing. Part of it is because it's only 63 minutes long, so it's hard to get bored watching it--even though it's very predictable. In addition, the race scenes were especially well done. Despite being a low-budget film, the drivers looked like they were actually racing--none of the typical poorly done rear-projected scene where the drivers are obviously on a sound stage. I am sure some of the scenes were done this way, but you sure couldn't tell. Now I am NOT telling you to rush out to see it--the film is more of a decent time-passer. However, if you are into motorcycles, then this film will no doubt seem like a nice heap of nostalgia.

Howard Hughes' love of fast machines led to the production of this film, just one year after Marlon Brando starred in "The Wild One". Film centers around the rivalry of motorcycle racers, and the camaraderie of fellow employees of the Barton Motorcycle factory, who builds, and races motorcycles. "Daredevil" racing tactics (ride to win...at any cost!!) of Bill Williams character are questioned by female newspaper journalist who soon gets enlightened, and also does some enlightening of her own. A must see for early motorcycle fans as film is jam packed with vintage cycles! Also interesting to note: Howard Hughes penchant for having "busty" women in his films is made more than obvious in this film with cameras and women placed at strategic angles to fully accentuate the female bystanders shapes during crowd / spectator scenes in this film.