Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow (1959) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

A group of drag-racing fanatics move into an old deserted mansion.

Cast & Crew

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William Hole

Jody Fair

Russ Bender

Henry Mccann

Martin Braddock

Elaine Dupont

Photos & Videos

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Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- The Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow (1959)

Film Details

Also Known As

Drag Race, The Ghost of the Dragstrip Hollow

Genre

Comedy

Horror

Release Date

Jul 1959

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Alta Vista Productions

Distribution Company

American International Pictures

Country

United States

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 5m

Sound

Mono

Color

Black and White

Synopsis

In Los Angeles, Lois Cavendish, a member of the hotrod club the Zeniths, accepts a challenge to race in the dry river bed against outsider Nita. When a policeman notices the girls racing, he intervenes, but Lois roars away, unaware that Nita has skidded into a wall. Back at the Zeniths' garage, the club's leader, Stan, introduces members Dave, Rhoda, Bonzo, Tommy and Amelia to journalist Tom Hendry, who is researching an article on teenagers. Impressed by Tommy's detailed description of a car he has designed and built, Hendry asks whether the reputation of hot rodders as delinquents is true. Stan and the others laugh at the suggestion, but Stan reveals that the Zeniths are unusual in that they have rules that include no rumbles or "chicken" road races because their priority is working on cars. Joined by Lois, the Zeniths take Hendry to a café where several of their members sing in a rock and roll band. Stan explains to Hendry that the Zeniths hoped the band would earn enough money to allow them to pay rent on the garage, but unfortunately they have not earned enough and must vacate the garage in two weeks. During the evening, Nita, her boyfriend Tony and members of their gang arrive at the café, angry over Lois' behavior after the race. Stan insists that the Zeniths will not be goaded into a fight and orders Tony to leave. Later, Stan drives Lois home where her father Wesley expresses his concern that Lois' obsession with cars is unnatural for a young woman. Lois assures her father that she is happy, but Wesley shows her a newspaper article describing her race with Nita and her near-serious accident. Stating that one of his most important clients, the elderly eccentric Anastasia Abernathy, will be spending two weeks with them, Wesley regretfully tells Lois he must ground her for that period. Lois accepts her punishment, but asks Wesley and her mother Alice if she might have a party for the Zeniths at the house, and the Cavendishes reluctantly agree. Anastasia arrives soon after with her pet parrot Alfonso, who is able to speak and mimic unusual sounds. A few nights later, the Zeniths party enthusiastically at the Cavendish home and are happy to include Wesley, Alice and Anastasia in the revelry. Nita, Tony and their gang attempt to crash the party and Lois, fearing a brawl, agrees to dance with Tony. When Stan threatens Tony, Alfonso imitates the sound of a police siren and Tony and his gang flee. Several days later, Anastasia visits the Zeniths' club on their last day at the garage. Dismayed that the teens have no alternative place to go, Anastasia recalls her old family home, Dragstrip Hollow, which was abandoned when it was discovered to be haunted. Stan asks Anastasia if they might use it for their club headquarters if they can rid the house of its ghosts and the old lady agrees. The Zeniths, accompanied by Hendry and Anastasia, go to Dragstrip Hollow that night and despite hearing unusual shrieks and thumps, bravely settle in for the night. The lights go out soon after the group arrives and they are forced to light several candles. While Lois sits against the fireplace, she abruptly is whirled into another room, before ending up back in the living room. As the Zeniths begin dozing, most are unaware of a weird, monster-like figure, who has been hiding behind the fireplace, moving around the room. The next morning, Anastasia admits that since the Zeniths appear to have conquered any ghosts, they may have use of the house. The teens spend the day cleaning the house in order to throw a party that evening to celebrate their new club. That night, the Zeniths hold a "spook" party, where everyone dresses in costume. Tony and Nita arrive and are allowed to join in the party. Later, Stan and Hendry finish exploring several rooms, but remain unable to explain the continuing strange shrieks and knocking sounds. When Lois returns from a race, Stan chastises her for breaking club rules and after she promises to pay the club fine and to tell her father, Stan forgives her. Downstairs at the party, Dave unveils his latest car which he describes as a thinking car. Anastasia scoffs at the notion, but Dave has her sit in the car and give it a spoken command. The group is impressed when the car starts upon request and when Anastasia asks if there is a ghost in the house, the car drives toward the fireplace and presses a button, revealing a hidden room behind it. Stan orders everyone to remove their costume masks and when one figure, disguised as a monster, refuses, Stan and the others force him to take off his mask. Hendry recognizes the man as a former movie extra who frequently played monsters in low budget films. The man admits that the end of his career had made him despondent and he wanted to cling to his only talent by haunting the house. After his confession, the man abruptly flees and the party resumes minutes later. A little later, Anastasia sees the ghost of her uncle John exit from his portrait and, disturbed by the rock music, disappear into the night.

Director

William Hole

Cast

Jody Fair

Russ Bender

Henry Mccann

Martin Braddock

Elaine Dupont

Leon Tyler

Jack Ging

Nancy Anderson

Dorothy Neumann

Anastasia Abernathy

Sanita Pelkey

Kirby Smith

Wesley Cavendish

Jean Tatum

Alice Cavendish

Beverly Scott

Bill St. Johns

Tommy Ivo

Judy Howard

Roy Wright

Harrison Lewis

Paul Blaisdell

George Dockstader

Marvin Almars

Rosemary Johnston

Marilyn Moe

Crew

Samuel Z. Arkoff

Albert Bollinger

Karl Brainard

Charlotte Braser

Bart Carré

Associate Producer

Bart Carré

Production Manager

William Cary

John Ceniga

Marjorie Corso

Michael Doyle Jr.

Lloyd Garnell

Lou Germonprez

Assistant Director

Dan Haller

Judy Harriet

Judy Hart

Script Supervisor

Bruce Johnston

Truman Joiner

Doc Joos

Assistant Director

Frank P. Keller

Arthur Lane

Norman Maclain

Jimmie Maddin

Jimmie Maddin

Music Coordinator

Bob Marks

Robert Morrison

James H. Nicholson

Scotty Rackin

Harry Rief

Richard Rubin

Lou Rusoff

Lou Rusoff

Edward Sampson

Albert Shaff

Ronald Stein

Music score and Supervisor

Jimmy Thompson

Grant Tucker

Nick Venet

Joseph Von Stroheim

Gil Warrenton

Director of Photography

Videos

Intro Aired: Jul 2017

Ben Mankiewicz Intro -- The Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow (1959) Ben Mankiewicz introduces The Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow, 1959.

Film Details

Also Known As

Drag Race, The Ghost of the Dragstrip Hollow

Genre

Comedy

Horror

Release Date

Jul 1959

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Alta Vista Productions

Distribution Company

American International Pictures

Country

United States

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 5m

Sound

Mono

Color

Black and White

Articles

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow

April 19, 2016

You've got to give credit to American International Pictures for coming up with new ways to cash in on its drive-in hits. After the success of Hot Rod Gang (1958) on a double bill with High School Hellcats, a sequel was commissioned soon after and slated for release in 1959. The original film was a straightforward juvenile delinquent/drag racing tale with John Ashley, shot under the more appropriate title of Hot Rod Rock since it involves a teen joining a rock band so he can get enough cash to enter a drag race.

That sounds pretty straightforward, but things took a bizarre turn when the hot rod gang returned to screens with a supernatural comic twist in Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow. Returning from the first film are Lois Cavendish (Jody Fair), Dave (Henry McCann), and Aunt Anastasia (Dorothy Neumann), with Russ Bender graduating from a minor role as a cop in the first film to second billing here as Tom. Here the gang decides to set up home base at a spooky mansion and throw a Halloween bash, only for the revelry to be interrupted by the arrival of a supernatural party crasher.

Far more comedic than its predecessor, this was released on a double bill with Diary of a High School Bride, a completely forgotten study of a 17-year-old girl who turns into the title character against society's expectations. What's fascinating about Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow is that it's one of the earliest AIP titles to treat teenagers with a light and funny approach, emphasizing their cheerfulness and innocence. As a result many have cited it as a dry run for the Frankie and Annette beach movies that would become AIP's bread and butter in the '60s with titles like Beach Blanket Bingo and Beach Party. The comedy bits definitely feel like a beach party dry run, while AIP fans will have fun spotting some monster costumes from then-recent drive-in hits like Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957) and The She-Creature (1956) popping up in the background during the party scenes.

Oddly enough, all these connections may be attributable to the fact that this film's screenwriter, Lou Rusoff (brother-in-law of AIP co-founder Sam Arkoff), also penned Beach Party and The She-Creature. His penchant for hip '50s slang is in abundance here, showing the teen-pleasing tricks he'd learned on not only Hot Rod Gang but Dragstrip Girl (1957) and Runaway Daughters (1956) as well. Adding to the fun is some vintage hot-rod musical accompaniment provided by Nick Venet, a member of the group The Vettes, who contributes ditties like "Geronimo" and "Ghost Train." If ever there were a perfect '50s cinematic time capsule, this would be it.

Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow

You've got to give credit to American International Pictures for coming up with new ways to cash in on its drive-in hits. After the success of Hot Rod Gang (1958) on a double bill with High School Hellcats, a sequel was commissioned soon after and slated for release in 1959. The original film was a straightforward juvenile delinquent/drag racing tale with John Ashley, shot under the more appropriate title of Hot Rod Rock since it involves a teen joining a rock band so he can get enough cash to enter a drag race. That sounds pretty straightforward, but things took a bizarre turn when the hot rod gang returned to screens with a supernatural comic twist in Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow. Returning from the first film are Lois Cavendish (Jody Fair), Dave (Henry McCann), and Aunt Anastasia (Dorothy Neumann), with Russ Bender graduating from a minor role as a cop in the first film to second billing here as Tom. Here the gang decides to set up home base at a spooky mansion and throw a Halloween bash, only for the revelry to be interrupted by the arrival of a supernatural party crasher. Far more comedic than its predecessor, this was released on a double bill with Diary of a High School Bride, a completely forgotten study of a 17-year-old girl who turns into the title character against society's expectations. What's fascinating about Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow is that it's one of the earliest AIP titles to treat teenagers with a light and funny approach, emphasizing their cheerfulness and innocence. As a result many have cited it as a dry run for the Frankie and Annette beach movies that would become AIP's bread and butter in the '60s with titles like Beach Blanket Bingo and Beach Party. The comedy bits definitely feel like a beach party dry run, while AIP fans will have fun spotting some monster costumes from then-recent drive-in hits like Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957) and The She-Creature (1956) popping up in the background during the party scenes. Oddly enough, all these connections may be attributable to the fact that this film's screenwriter, Lou Rusoff (brother-in-law of AIP co-founder Sam Arkoff), also penned Beach Party and The She-Creature. His penchant for hip '50s slang is in abundance here, showing the teen-pleasing tricks he'd learned on not only Hot Rod Gang but Dragstrip Girl (1957) and Runaway Daughters (1956) as well. Adding to the fun is some vintage hot-rod musical accompaniment provided by Nick Venet, a member of the group The Vettes, who contributes ditties like "Geronimo" and "Ghost Train." If ever there were a perfect '50s cinematic time capsule, this would be it.

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The working titles of the film were Drag Race and The Ghost of the Dragstrip Hollow. The closing credit reads: "The Endest Man." Reviews of Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow noted that the sparse plot and numerous pop song numbers performed in the film made it little more than publicity for the tunes which, as noted in the opening credits, were released by American International Records. Modern sources add music coordinator Jimmie Maddin to the cast.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1959

Released in United States 1959

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