OUTSIDE THE LAW

Grant Williams, Ray Danton, Leigh Snowden

OUTSIDE THE LAW (1956). Director: Jack Arnold. 

Johnny Salvo (Ray Danton) was paroled from prison into the Army, and is now offered a chance for a complete pardon if he cooperates with the United States Treasury. A murdered soldier he knew overseas was involved with a gang of counterfeiters, and Johnny is told to go see the man's widow, Maria (Leigh Snowden), and find out what, if anything, she might know.  Complications include the fact that Johnny must report to his own father, Alec (Onslow Stevens of Sunset Serenade), whom he hates; and a sinister man named Don (Grant Williams), who has too tight a hold on Maria.

Ray Danton and Onslow Stevens

Outside the Law sets up an interesting situation but doesn't do that much with it. The stock music from a variety of composers does its best to work up what amounts to minimal excitement  even though there are fistfights, beatings and gunplay throughout. Danton, Williams, and especially Stevens give effective performances, but Leigh Snowden [Hod Rod Rumble] makes less of an impression even in her tight sweaters. Johnny went to jail because he "smashed an old woman to pieces" while driving drunk, but -- the victim being old and female -- this is completely glossed over and only mentioned once. You keep thinking this will come up again and Johnny might express some remorse, but apparently he's only angry at his father for not doing more for him. A major confrontation between the two never develops, and the situations that do develop -- such as a fairly well-handled fight between Johnny and Don -- are predictable. Danton was 25 when he made the film but looks older, while Stevens, who was 54, doesn't look that much older than Danton. Jack Arnold also directed the much zestier Tarantula. 

Verdict: Forgettable minor film noir with some decent performances. **. 

HOT ROD RUMBLE

Richard Hartunian as Arnie Crawford 

HOT ROD RUMBLE (1957). Director: Leslie H. Martinson. 

Arnie Crawford (Richard Hartunian) belongs to a racing gang called the Road Devils but is treated like an outsider, possibly because of his sullen nature or out of jealousy over his effect on women. His best buddy, Ray (Wright King), is an Arnie-wannabee who makes a play for Terry (Leigh Snowden), Arnie's girl, although the two are having a rough patch. Terry goes off for a drive with Hank (Larry Dolgin), and someone runs them off the road, killing Hank. Fellow Road Devil Jim (Brett Halsey of High School Hellcats) is convinced that Arnie is responsible, and the whole town turns against him, except, seemingly, for Ray, who may have his own agenda. Meanwhile Arnie hopes to raise the entry fee so he can race and win some cash ... 

Wright King and Hartunian

Hot Rod Rumble is an exploitative title for a melodrama that with a little more care and a more thoughtful screenplay might have emerged as an effective dramatic piece. With presence and sex appeal as well as genuine acting ability, Hartunian makes a solid impression as Arnie, and he gets good support from King and Snowden, among others. Hartunian certainly had all the ingredients for a major career, but he had only four credits, with his last being in 1961. He lived another ten years and died too young at 39. Wright King lived to 95 and amassed 114 credits. Also in the cast is John Brinkley [T-Bird Gang] as a gas station attendant and friend of Ray's. A strange aspect to Hot Rod Rumble is that in the climactic car race not a single car remotely resembles what one would call a "hot rod." Leslie H. Martinson also directed Hot Rod Girl.

Verdict: Some good acting makes this more compelling -- albeit in a minor way -- than you might imagine. **1/2.