Hell on Wheels (1967)

Tepid family drama and conflict amongst the Robbins family boys: Oldest brother Marty (a sadly underwhelming performance by legendary country singer Marty Robbins) enjoys a successful duel career as a famous country singer and champion stock car racer, surly mechanic younger brother Del (decent work by the handsome John Ashley) aspires to be an ace race car driver himself, and other sibling Steve (insipidly played by Robert Dornan) works for the feds busting moonshine runners. Flatly directed by Will Zens, blandly scripted with a numbing emphasis on boring talk by Wesley Cox, further marred by draggy pacing, Leif Rise's plain cinematography, mostly stiff acting from a hopelessly wooden cast, and a painfully meandering narrative, this drab Edsel of a film proves to be a pretty rough slog to sit through. Worse yet, the racetrack footage is surprisingly tedious and unexciting, with even the expected inevitable metal-mangling automotive smash-ups failing to deliver any genuine thrills due to the general fun-sapping lethargy that hangs heavy over this movie like a dismal fog. To be fair, there are a few minor compensations: Fetching brunette Gigi Perreau provides some much-needed spark and sassy as Del's spunky gal pal Sue and the quaint country songs possess a certain folksy charm. A dreary wash-out.

Here's a "no-budget" independent production designed to showcase both the singing and racing skills of good ol' boy country crooner Marty Robbins. He's obviously a talented singer, and apparently a passable race car driver. But he should never have attempted acting, as evidenced here. He has absolutely no charisma, nor the good looks to let the viewer forgive him his stilted screen presence. Robbins could be reading off cue cards, judging by his performance in "Hell On Wheels." Fans of his music can enjoy the four songs he performs, even though the staging is dull as dishwater.Then we have the strange casting of hunky John Ashley as Marty's brother. They look like they came from different planets altogether. And Ashley's character is written in such a way to make him a spoiled and petulant brat, constantly jealous of his more successful brother. Add to that a nagging and self-pitying mother who would drive the most devoted son to move to a different state, and Ashley's clueless wife, who lavishes attention on Marty instead of her handsome husband.And they throw in an nearly almost completely unrelated subplot about another brother who works for the A.T.F. Department. This noxious sequence only exists to show how a backwoods moonshine still can be "blown up REAL good!" They even do it twice for good measure.What entertainment value can be gleaned from this grade-Z effort can be found in two ways. The first being the Cinéma vérité scenes of early Nascar racing and its "salt-of-the-earth" fans. There are extended scenes of these simple folk filing into the stands and watching the races with great interest. It's a Tennessee fashion show! The second element of enjoyment can be found in the music interludes by the one of the guest stars, The Stonemans, who were a family bluegrass group. The female guitar player kicks up her heels and dances in such an exuberant manner, that it's a riot. And her gold go-go boots are something! Connie Smith also sings two songs that are passable, but exceedingly dull in the staging. She deserved better.But, by all means, PLEASE stick around for the closing musical number where Marty croons a song about butterflies to his nine-year-old niece. The reaction shots of the little girl reach a fever pitch as she soon pokes her right index finger well up her nose! And it's a medium shot with only her in the frame! Now there's Cinéma vérité for sure!

This has to be the most boring, uninteresting, and stupid race car movie ever made. I mean usually in these really junky "B" films you can generally get a laugh or two out of the stupid dialog. However, in this case, there is nothing even to chuckle at.Marty Robbins is a nice enough guy and a decent singer and from what I gather a good racer. However, his abilities are wasted and lost in this boring stinker. I was passing out from the long, drawn-out, races. I mean it's slightly "neat" in the beginning to see the old style 60s stock cars, but there's just nothing to get excited about.Hell on Wheels is a hell to watch!

Hell On Wheels is a movie that combines the early days of NASCAR racing, moonshine, and country western music. You know that you are in for a treat! The film stars Marty Robbinson, who plays himself, and the film is essentially a show boat for his racing ability and musical talent. They try to make things interesting by including a plot about his jealous brother doing work for some moonshiners who fund his own racer so he can beat his brother. And his other brother is a member of the US Tobacco and Alcohol Tax Division, who helps shut down stilleries.Essentially, the movie in itself, loses it's flow with all the long and drawn out racing scenes with little interest, really bad country music, and it drives home Uncle Sams propaganda machine by reputedly stating that "Remember: Moonshine Kills" It's a lousy movie, but it has it's camp value, and definitely worth watching with a bunch of friends for the lone purpose of having a good laugh.THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Here are some things I found infinitely amusing about the film: 1.) Watch out in the second big racing scene, there is a cowboy in a red shirt and black hat. Very funny to watch. 2.) The little girl at the end, as Marty sings to her, she picks her nose right on camera.