Difference between revisions of "Pit Stop/Review"
From The Grindhouse Cinema Database
< Pit Stop
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In Jack Hill's existential racing film PIT STOP, Dick Davalos (East of Eden, Cool Hand Luke) stars as Rick Bowman, a new hot rodder on the local drag racing scene. Rick is the classic rebel, saying little but proving that he's got the skills to win. Following a drag race gone awry, promoter Grant Willard (Brian Donlevy) bails Rick out of jail and asks him to be part of his team. Rick relents at first but when Willard takes him to see a figure eight derby in which the cars careen and crash into each other, Rick becomes intrigued and decides to join. | In Jack Hill's existential racing film PIT STOP, Dick Davalos (East of Eden, Cool Hand Luke) stars as Rick Bowman, a new hot rodder on the local drag racing scene. Rick is the classic rebel, saying little but proving that he's got the skills to win. Following a drag race gone awry, promoter Grant Willard (Brian Donlevy) bails Rick out of jail and asks him to be part of his team. Rick relents at first but when Willard takes him to see a figure eight derby in which the cars careen and crash into each other, Rick becomes intrigued and decides to join. | ||
<center>[[File:Pit1.png]]</center> | |||
The king of the figure eight racing is the cocky and boisterous Hawk Sidney ([[Sid Haig]]) who immediately takes a disliking to Rick since he's the new competition. Hawk's girl Jolene (Beverly Washburn) a fun loving teenager soon becomes attracted to Rick which only increases the tension between the two men. While they hash out their differences they must both attempt to beat the real champ of the track, Ed McLeod (George Washburn) someone both look up to and befriend. | The king of the figure eight racing is the cocky and boisterous Hawk Sidney ([[Sid Haig]]) who immediately takes a disliking to Rick since he's the new competition. Hawk's girl Jolene (Beverly Washburn) a fun loving teenager soon becomes attracted to Rick which only increases the tension between the two men. While they hash out their differences they must both attempt to beat the real champ of the track, Ed McLeod (George Washburn) someone both look up to and befriend. | ||
<center>[[File:Pit2.jpg]]</center> | |||
Rick starts from scratch, going to the local junkyard where he finds cars to use in the derby. His expertise as an auto mechanic helps him succeed in making the cars. As he and Jolene get deeper into their love affair, Hawk becomes extremely jealous. In one of the film's most memorable scenes he attacks Rick, destroying his car in a violent rage as Jolene watches on in horror. | Rick starts from scratch, going to the local junkyard where he finds cars to use in the derby. His expertise as an auto mechanic helps him succeed in making the cars. As he and Jolene get deeper into their love affair, Hawk becomes extremely jealous. In one of the film's most memorable scenes he attacks Rick, destroying his car in a violent rage as Jolene watches on in horror. | ||
<center>[[File:Pit3.jpg]]</center> | |||
During a desert getaway where all the hot rodders get together and have a wild time driving dune buggys over the sandy landscape, Rick sets his sights on Ed McLeod's cute wife Ellen, who is played by Ellen McRae. Film fans will know her better by her other name Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist, Alice Doesnt Live Her Anymore). Rick seduces Ellen but its clear that their relationship wont last and this fling is a bad idea for them both. | During a desert getaway where all the hot rodders get together and have a wild time driving dune buggys over the sandy landscape, Rick sets his sights on Ed McLeod's cute wife Ellen, who is played by Ellen McRae. Film fans will know her better by her other name Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist, Alice Doesnt Live Her Anymore). Rick seduces Ellen but its clear that their relationship wont last and this fling is a bad idea for them both. | ||
<center>[[File:Pit4.jpg]]</center> | |||
Pit Stop which originally went by the title "THE WINNER" is one of Jack Hill's earliest films and also one of his very best. The movie was promoted as just another exploitation genre film, but after watching it, I can say it's much more than that. Hill's precise direction along with the black and white cinematography by Austin McKinney (Fear Chamber, Hot Summer in Barefoot County) give it a quality that elevates it so much. | Pit Stop which originally went by the title "THE WINNER" is one of Jack Hill's earliest films and also one of his very best. The movie was promoted as just another exploitation genre film, but after watching it, I can say it's much more than that. Hill's precise direction along with the black and white cinematography by Austin McKinney (Fear Chamber, Hot Summer in Barefoot County) give it a quality that elevates it so much. | ||
{{Pete}} | {{Pete}} | ||
Revision as of 13:15, 10 September 2016
In Jack Hill's existential racing film PIT STOP, Dick Davalos (East of Eden, Cool Hand Luke) stars as Rick Bowman, a new hot rodder on the local drag racing scene. Rick is the classic rebel, saying little but proving that he's got the skills to win. Following a drag race gone awry, promoter Grant Willard (Brian Donlevy) bails Rick out of jail and asks him to be part of his team. Rick relents at first but when Willard takes him to see a figure eight derby in which the cars careen and crash into each other, Rick becomes intrigued and decides to join.
The king of the figure eight racing is the cocky and boisterous Hawk Sidney (Sid Haig) who immediately takes a disliking to Rick since he's the new competition. Hawk's girl Jolene (Beverly Washburn) a fun loving teenager soon becomes attracted to Rick which only increases the tension between the two men. While they hash out their differences they must both attempt to beat the real champ of the track, Ed McLeod (George Washburn) someone both look up to and befriend.
Rick starts from scratch, going to the local junkyard where he finds cars to use in the derby. His expertise as an auto mechanic helps him succeed in making the cars. As he and Jolene get deeper into their love affair, Hawk becomes extremely jealous. In one of the film's most memorable scenes he attacks Rick, destroying his car in a violent rage as Jolene watches on in horror.
During a desert getaway where all the hot rodders get together and have a wild time driving dune buggys over the sandy landscape, Rick sets his sights on Ed McLeod's cute wife Ellen, who is played by Ellen McRae. Film fans will know her better by her other name Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist, Alice Doesnt Live Her Anymore). Rick seduces Ellen but its clear that their relationship wont last and this fling is a bad idea for them both.
Pit Stop which originally went by the title "THE WINNER" is one of Jack Hill's earliest films and also one of his very best. The movie was promoted as just another exploitation genre film, but after watching it, I can say it's much more than that. Hill's precise direction along with the black and white cinematography by Austin McKinney (Fear Chamber, Hot Summer in Barefoot County) give it a quality that elevates it so much.
Peter Roberts is the co-founder/editor-in-chief of the Grindhouse Cinema Database (GCDb) and contributor to the GCDb's sister site Furious Cinema. A Massachusetts native, he is an avid film fan that has been immersed in the world of entertainment and pop culture his entire life. He is a professional digital media designer and educator.
