"Dana Andrews made his mark in 1940s classics like 'Laura' and 'The Best Years of Our Lives.' Two decades later, he was struggling to keep his career alive in low-end 'B' movies like 'Hot Rods to Hell.' Frankly, this movie gives the 'B' label a bad name, because 'Hot Rods to Hell' just plain old-fashioned su**s. The plot is thin, the acting is wooden and the direction and pacing are rock-bottom. At 100 minutes, the movie is at least 10-15 minutes too long. Even worse, it's almost like watching an MGM-produced social engineering movie about youth gone bad and the dangers of driving recklessly.
If you're into camp, you'll probably enjoy 'Hot Rods to Hell' on some level. For every other movie viewer, it's a 100-minute sentence in hell."
"Not mentioned anywhere else in the description and cast, is that the introduction to each story by John Steinbeck. He didn't do many appearances on film, so this is a special surprise and pleasure."
"These 5 stories are based on O Henry's short stories about the lives of the average human being. Very heartwarming and insightful. Most have a 'message' about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Well acted and well written. Funny and poignant. My favorite is 'Gift of the Magi' and the true meaning of love. Best if viewed with your family."
"The asbolute best scenes of the movie are at the end, when Mr. Shunderson (Finlay Currie) tells the story of his past and then tells Professor Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn) off with some of the best lines ever...Short and to the point! I never knew of this movie and happened upon it late one night on AMC. See the film, it's one of those C.G. movies that sneak up on you, grab your attention and leave you smilling at the end, glad that you stuck with it."
"I've always enjoyed the warm and fuzzy 1945 version of State Fair as I'm a fan of Jeanne Crain and Dana Andrews. I found the 1962 musical remake just so-so with Alice Faye looking somewhat bored and it really being just a showcase for Pat Boone and Ann-Margret.
The releasing studio should have included the 1933 adaptation with Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers. This non-musical interpretation is almost a duplicate of the 1945 entry scene for scene and even includes some language rather suprising as this movie was made before the Hays Office censors got a solid foothold in the Hollywood scene.
So enjoy the 1945 and 1962 versions and try to catch the 1933 rendering on late night cable. It really is worth a view!"
"I have seen this movie many times. It is a good wholesome movie of the way a family used to be in the early years. It has humor. I like the way the father handles the situations that come up in this movie. I highly recommend it."