Hot Rods to Hell

(1967) **


On route to his family on Christmas Eve, traveling salesman Tom Phillips is severely injured in a car accident. After a lengthy recovery period, Tom is much improved although he will most likely suffer from back pain for the rest of his life. His wife, Peg however, is more concerned about his mental state explaining to her brother-in-law, "It's his attitude about things. I'm afraid he's become a… a very frightened man." Given that Tom in no longer able to cover the large driving territory that his salesman job entails, he reluctantly agrees to a new business venture, owning and operating a desert motel. As the Phillips family slowly drive through the California desert in their station wagon, they encounter a group of hot roding teens. Tom, still smarting from his auto accident, is rattled and screams, "What kind of animal are those?"


Tom and his family are terrorized by "animals".

Apparently the type of “animals” that wear button down shirts and freshly pressed slacks. Only in 1967 could these kids, who look like young Republicans, be considered thugs. Following a tire blowout, Tom informs a gas attendant of his plans for the hotel he recently purchased (sight unseen I might add). One of the “animals” overhears Tom’s plans and becomes alarmed. Apparently the motel is the only place available for the wayward teens to hang out. When the other teens learn of Tom’s plans, they concoct a plan to terrorize the family as they drive towards their new home. For the next 15 minutes or so The Phillips family must endure the hotrodding teens as they zip back and forth past him on the highway (see above pictures for reminder).

The Law shares Tom’s disdain towards youth.

Arriving at Tom’s new hotel the family is alarmed when they realize that teenagers like to spend their weekends at the hotel partying, and by “partying” I mean,

Although alcohol is served at the hotel, the “animals” only drink root beer.

The rest of the film concerns Tom’s battle with the teens and his attempts to get out of his hotel purchase deal. After a close call while driving, the teens eventually learn that it’s not so bad to be square and that Tom’s not such a bad guy after all. In fact, Tom is kind of cool.

Hot Rods to Hell is certainly not the “horror/suspense” movie I assumed from the title. Instead it’s an unintentionally, uproarious battle between the “squares” and the “animals.” Tom’s character very closely resembles Joe Friday’s look and attitude. The squares prevail, of course, reminding us that dancing, drinking soda pop, and necking are the devil’s work and best left to married people.