Wednesday, October 4, 2017

The Young Racers (1963)

Director: Roger Corman

Writer: R. Wright Campbell

Composer: Les Baxter

Starring: Mark Damon, William Campbell, Luana Anders, Patrick Magee, John McLaren, R. Wright Campbell, Milo Quesada, Anthony Marsh, Marie Versini, Margrete Robsahm, Christina Gregg, Beatrice Altariba, Jimmy Clark, Francis Ford Coppola, Bruce McLaren

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Actually Filmed at the Grand Prix Tracks of the World

Plot: A former race-car driver-turned-writer decides to expose a ruthless, womanizing Grand Prix race driver in a book. However, his scheme explodes when his life is saved by this man, who is actually sensitive and misunderstood.



My rating: 6/10

Will I watch it again?  No.

It was really wild because soon after Mark Damon opens his mouth he sounds just like William Shatner and it was killing me for the rest of the picture.  Then I read that it was Shatner who dubbed Damon.  Had Shatner been in the role it would've been a little better.  As it is, it's a pretty good movie.  The European location shooting elevates this above and beyond Corman's usual work.  In fact, this doesn't even feel like a Corman picture.  The acting is good, like in his best films.  It's heavy on the drama but then those scenes are broken up frequently with race action (which is well done) and the European scenery.  It's worth checking out for a few reasons but definitely for Corman fans looking to see something of his that's not horror. The MGM DVD delivers a great looking print but it's non-anamorphic widescreen and there are no extras.

No comments:

Post a Comment