Directed by Will Zens and released by Crown International Pictures in 1967, Hell on Wheels is a low-budget action film that blends stock-car racing, moonshine smuggling, and country music performances into a Southern-fried spectacle. With a runtime of 97 minutes, the film stars Marty Robbins, John Ashley, and Gigi Perreau, and features appearances by several country-western artists. It’s a regional cult item that captures the spirit of 1960s drive-in cinema.
Plot Summary
Marty (Marty Robbins) is a popular stock-car driver admired by fans and pursued by women. His brother Del (John Ashley) is a brilliant mechanic who feels overshadowed and underappreciated. Their third brother, Steve, is a lawman investigating a local moonshine ring. Tensions escalate when Del begins building souped-up cars for bootleggers and becomes romantically involved with Marty’s girlfriend Sue (Gigi Perreau).
As the brothers clash over racing, romance, and legality, the film builds toward a high-speed showdown that pits family loyalty against personal ambition and criminal temptation.
Cast Highlights
- Marty Robbins as Marty
- John Ashley as Del Robbins
- Gigi Perreau as Sue
- Robert Dornan as Steve Robbins
- Frank Gerstle, Robert Foulk, Christine Tibbot, and Emmett Vogan in supporting roles
- Musical performances by Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, and The Stonemans
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
- Marty Robbins, a country music star and NASCAR driver, played a fictionalized version of himself and performed several songs in the film
- The movie was shot in Tennessee and Georgia, using real racetracks and local talent to enhance authenticity
- Director Will Zens was known for regional exploitation films, often combining action with musical acts to appeal to Southern audiences
- The film’s budget was estimated at $200,000, with much of it going toward location shooting and music licensing
- John Ashley, a veteran of teen exploitation films, later became a producer of The A-Team and other TV hits
- The moonshine subplot reflects the era’s fascination with outlaw culture, blending racing with rural rebellion
- The film was distributed to drive-ins and grindhouse theaters, often paired with other action or racing films
- Though critically panned, it has gained cult status among fans of vintage racing cinema and country music memorabilia
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