Hot Cars

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A salt-of-earth family man needs money for his sick son, and decides to keep a job at a used car lot despite realizing it is selling stolen cars.A salt-of-earth family man needs money for his sick son, and decides to keep a job at a used car lot despite realizing it is selling stolen cars.A salt-of-earth family man needs money for his sick son, and decides to keep a job at a used car lot despite realizing it is selling stolen cars.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

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YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos36

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Top cast16

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John Bromfield

Nick Dunn

Joi Lansing

Karen Winter

Mark Dana

Smiley Ward

Carol Shannon

Jane Dunn

Ralph Clanton

Arthur Markel

Robert Osterloh

George Hayman

Dabbs Greer

Det. Davenport

Charles Keane

Lt. Jefferson

Vic Cutrier

Bret Carson
(uncredited)

Marilee Earle

Betty Carson
(uncredited)

John Frederick

Hutton
(uncredited)

Paula Hill

Mrs. Davenport
(uncredited)

Kurt Katch

Otto Krantz
(uncredited)

Maurice Marks

Paul - the Bartender
(uncredited)

George Sawaya

Lt. Holmes
(uncredited)

Joan Sinclair

Miss Rogers
(uncredited)

Director
- Don McDougall
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The car being taken for a test drive at the beginning of the film is a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL convertible. MSRP was around $4,000 ($46,000 in 2024). In excellent condition, at auction in 2024 these cars can fetch well over $100,000.

Goofs
It is quite incomprehensible why Ward gets on the roller coaster. Gives the police and Dunn time to arrive on the scene. If he had gotten out alive, they would have had him served on a platter.

Quotes
Det. Davenport: There's a real cozy hot car racket working the state. Sooner or later, somebody's gonna get their neck barbecued.

Crazy credits
The following acknowledgment appears on screen at the end of the film: "The producers of 'Hot Cars' wish to thank Big John's used car lot and Johnny O'Toole's used car lot in Culver City, California, for their help in making this picture possible".

Connections
Referenced in Young, Hot 'n Nasty Teenage Cruisers (1977)

User reviews18

Featured review

10/10

Excellent late film-noir

I seem to have a soft spot in my heart or head for B movies of the 30's thru the 50's. I like their fast pacing, attention to the story line, the actors who for the most part are virtually unknown. Hot Cars, if it is known at all today lives on because of the lobby cards featuring the beautiful, and, talented Joi Lansing. This is a really good movie though with great performances by John Bromfield and Joi Lansing. Of course wherever Joi is there is delightful eye candy but make no mistake about it, Joi was a very good actress. This movie gives her a bigger role than just walking across the back drop. It's a real shame she didn't get better roles. John Bromfield is an ideal actor for the role of Nick Dunn who is caught in the middle of the hot car scam. The supporting cast works along with these two stars to form a cohesive ensemble. Something you don't always get in the "Bigger" movies. OK, it's not a lavish movie with a big budget and razzle dazzle special effects. Just a gripping story told in a late film-noirish manner. The actors make you care about what is happening on screen in a most convincing manner. This is a real gem! See it if you can. It needs to be released on DVD.