Hell on Wheels (1967)

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