The Fast and the Furious1954

More than 45 years before Paul Walker pursued Vin Diesel through the streets of Los Angeles, a young John Ireland kidnaps a beautiful woman, steals her Jag and runs for the Mexican border. Despite his poor outlook on life and bad luck, he eventually wears her down and she starts helping him out.

The picture quality isn't great, and the film seems cobbled together in places. Occasionally the scene goes from day to night to day again in the time it takes to climb a west coast hillside. The acting is a bit over the top, especially the large man at the diner. He strikes out with the lady (trying to buy her lunch), but he does end up eating a knuckle sandwich a few minutes later.

Even though the ending is very predictable, the classic car chase scenes are exciting and fun.

One of Roger Corman's first writing credits.

Try not to laugh at the method Dorothy Malone uses to escape the cabin. Now that's true love!

One accused murderer on the run, one captured woman, one nifty independent crime flick. The twist here is that our desperate man (John Ireland) hides out in a racing competition to Mexico after he steals a beautiful white Jaguar owned by a pretty blonde (Dorothy Malone). The car looks to be worth about the half the budget of the film, which is full of rear-projection backgrounds and less-than-polished scenes that come off like one-take jobs. Directors Edward Sampson and John Ireland (one of only two films that actor Ireland directed) keep it simple. They just point the camera at the action and shoot and that's it. No fancy moves, not many close-ups, nothing clever, just raw meat. In other words, it's real pulp, cheap, dirty and quick. It's a minor film, but what makes it historically significant is that it's an early writing credit for Roger Corman as well as the first movie put out by the American Releasing Corporation, which eventually became drive-in legends American-International Pictures.

If you watched this film only to see all of the vintage race cars it would be worth it!! The movie is not that hot but the cars are hot. Predictable ending but most movies are.

Ridiculous, unbelievable plot and overacting make this one of the worst 1950s films I've seen; it's only the cars that are of any interest.

another predictable 50's film....BUT, even though I knew what was going to happen it was fun watching it go down...

I always love this movie but lot's of buffetting and possibly due to my connection this time.....great to see it here

Exciting!, Spine-Tingling, a thrill a minute! (Oh the sarcasum!) I think I'll escape by burning the building down now!

sure sounds like roger corman

very good film

Great cars!

Good movie for its day