Movie Cosmos - Speedway

Description:

A race car driver tries to outrun the beautiful tax auditor out to settle his account.

Top Cast >

Elvis Presley

As Steve Grayson

Nancy Sinatra

As Susan Jacks

Bill Bixby

As Kenny Donford

Gale Gordon

As R.W. Hepworth

William Schallert

As Abel Esterlake

Victoria Paige Meyerink

As Ellie Esterlake

Ross Hagen

As Paul Dado

Carl Ballantine

As Birdie Kebner

Poncie Ponce

As Juan Medala

Harry Hickox

As The Cook

Christopher West

As Billie Jo

Beverly Powers

As Mary Ann

Richard Petty

As Himself

Buddy Baker

As Buddy Baker

Cale Yarborough

As Cale Yarborough

Dick Hutcherson

As Dick Hutcherson

Tiny Lund

As Tiny Lund

G.C. Spencer

As G.C. Spencer

Roy Mayne

As Roy Mayne

Harper Carter

As Ted Simmons

Bob Harris

As Lloyd Meadows

Michelle Newman

As Debbie

Dana Brown

As Billie

Patti Jean Keith

As Annie

Carl Reindel

As Mike

Gari Hardy

As Dumb Blonde

Charlotte Stewart

As Lori (as Charlotte Considine)

Sandy Reed

As Race Announcer

Dianne Stanley

As 3rd Waitress (uncredited)

Barbro Hedström

As 2nd Waitress (uncredited)

George DeNormand

As Hotel Guest (uncredited)

William Keene

As Taxpayer (uncredited)

Skip Martin

As Dancer in club (uncredited)

Claude Stroud

As Drunk (uncredited)

Courtney Brown

As Carrie

Dee Carroll

As Secretary (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Norman Taurog

Director

Reviews:

Wuchak (6/10)

Elvis as a stock car racer harassed by an IRS agent played by Nancy Sinatra

A successful racer is generous with his earnings and naïve about his best friend’s handling of his finances (Bill Bixby) when an IRS agent comes sniffing around (Nancy Sinatra).

“Speedway” (1968) was Elvis’ 27th movie of the 31 in his acting filmography.

How much you appreciate this one will depend on how much you like stock car racing and Nancy Sinatra. Presley looks his best and has his usual charisma; you wouldn’t know he was taking diet pills at the time to keep his weight down or struggling with his desire to put out more serious films. Nancy doesn’t do much for me physically, but I like her mane and she’s likable enough, plus her singing is great. Meanwhile Elvis and Bixby have great chemistry in their shenanigans.

It’s a fun and serviceable Presley entry highlighted by the swinging 60’s vibe and the generous naiveté of the protagonist, yet “Speedway” doesn’t stand out in Elvis’ oeuvre.

The film runs 1 hour, 34 minutes, and was shot at Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina; Riverside International Raceway, California; and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Culver City, California.

GRADE: B-/C+

2020-11-14