This film is not to be confused with "Hells Angels on Wheels," "Hot Rods to Hell," or "From Hell It Came." It is also not to be confused with entertainment.
Country singer Marty Robbins plays a character named Marty Robbins. He drives stock cars, and, of course, sings. His mechanic-brother is played by John Ashley. While Robbins is getting all the glory for winning the races, Ashley is getting ticked off. Also, Ashley's girl, played by former child actress Gigi Perreau, seems to like Robbins, which doesn't help the situation.
Enter two sleazebags, played by Robert Foulk and Frank Gerstle. They hire Ashley to soup up some cars, but Ashley doesn't have any idea what he's getting into (like signing the contract to play this part). Robbins has another brother, played by future California congressman Robert Dornan. Dornan is a government agent, and is trying to break up a local moonshining operation. What the hell is this, Li'l Abner? Anyway, guess which sleazebags are running the operation?
In the anti-climax, Ashley races against Robbins, then finds out about Foulk and Gerstle. Robbins and Ashley are snatched, but manage to get away, while the bad guys don't. Then Robbins sings a song about a butterfly.
The film is too long and contains way too many dull songs. On the other hand, if you like John Philip Sousa, you'll be thrilled; several of his marches are played before and after the races. Unfortunately, in between, we have to watch the races.
This is just a crazy movie, with some of the weirdest casting ever. The woman playing Robbins' mother has blue hair. Ashley, as usual, looks like he needs a laxative. But at least we don't have to hear him sing. His 50's haircut is out of place, although his widow's peak/ducktail does seem under control for a change. Robbins is okay as an actor, and he really drove stock cars, so this might be the only person who was cast appropriately. Perreau doesn't have much to do except cheer and try to put up with Ashley's moping. I can't get a handle on Dornan. He doesn't show any emotion, which is in stark contrast to his fiery demeanor as a congressman. He does get to carry a gun and blow up some stills, so this prepared him well to be a co-host of CNN's now defunct Crossfire. Foulk and Gerstle are a Mutt and Jeff pair; Foulk towers over everyone, and wears a beat up shirt. Gerstle, for a change, actually wears a suit that fits his fire hydrant frame; the orangutan look was getting a bit old. In an unintentionally hilarious bit, Marvin Miller plays a race track announcer. In one sequence, his hat disappears, (cut to the track), then jacket (cut to the track). I fast-forwarded before the pants came off.
