''The Devil On Wheels'' is a 1947 American

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

directed by

Crane Wilbur Crane Wilbur (November 17, 1886 – October 18, 1973) was an American writer, actor and director for stage, radio and screen. He was born in Athens, New York. Wilbur is best remembered for playing Harry Marvin in ''The Perils of Pauline (1914 s ...

and starring

Darryl Hickman Darryl Gerard Hickman (July 28, 1931 – May 22, 2024) was an American actor, screenwriter, television executive, and acting coach. He started his career as a child actor in the Golden Age of Hollywood and appeared in numerous television seria ...

. In addition to being the first film about

street racing Street racing is an illegal form of motor racing that occurs on a public road. Racing in the streets is considered an ancient hazard, as horse racing occurred on streets for centuries, and street racing in automobiles is likely as old as the a ...

youth, it is also notable for being one of the first films to feature actresses ( Terry Moore and

Noreen Nash Noreen Nash (born Norabelle Jean Roth; April 4, 1924 – June 6, 2023) was an American film and television actress who after working as a model had a two-decade long career during the Classical Hollywood Cinema, Classical Hollywood Cinema era. In ...

) wearing

bikini A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit primarily worn by women that features one piece on top that covers the breasts, and a second piece on the bottom: the front covering the pelvis but usually exposing the navel, and the back generally covering ...

tops. A few scenes from one of the street races depicted were later reused in the opening of the 1950 film ''Hot Rod'', also about street racing in Southern California.

Plot

Michael "Micky" Clark (Hickman) turns his Ford roadster into a

hot rod Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimized for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and ma ...

with his friend Todd ( Robert Arthur), advised by Michael's older brother Jeff ( James Cardwell), who learned about engines as a combat pilot. Todd (who has his own custom Ford hot rod) thinks Michael talks about his brother too much, but encourages him to soup up his car. Michael's and Jeff's father John is on his way home in a brand-new convertible when he witnesses a fatal car accident, caused by reckless driving. Arriving home with the new car, Todd appreciates how the speedometer goes up to 120MPH, which causes John to give a lecture about the dangers of street racing. John has his own

reckless driving In United States law, reckless driving is a major moving violation related to aggressive driving that generally consists of driving a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is usually a more serious o ...

habits (which he refuses to admit), on full display to the family when he gives them a ride in the new car. Michael's girlfriend Peggy (

Sue England Sue England (July 17, 1928 – March 19, 2018) was an American actress. Early years England won beauty titles as a youngster -- "Miss Tulsa" when she was 6 years old and "Oklahoma's Sweetheart" when she was older. Career England's professional ...

), his friend Todd and Todd's girlfriend Rusty ( Terry Moore) all make fun of Michael for wanting to be cautious behind the wheel. Upset by this, Michael decides to participate with Todd in a street race. Despite the police intervening, Michael doesn't give up reckless driving, taking Todd for a ride in his father's new convertible, driving recklessly through the streets and evading the police. Despite close calls with police as well as the death of a fellow racer, they continue speeding, in part because of the encouragement from their girlfriends. Michael and Todd eventually push their luck to the point of fatal consequences. Michael's father John still possesses hotheaded driving habits, at least until he hears a police siren.

Cast

as Michael 'Micky' Clark * James Cardwell as Jeff Clark *Damian O'Flynn as John Clark *

Lenita Lane Lenita Mary Lane (December 16, 1901 – March 15, 1995) was an American stage and film actress. She appeared in several Broadway plays before turning to movies. Her more than two dozen movie appearances include '' The Mad Magician'' (1954) ...

as Mrs. Clark *

as Peggy Andrews * Robert Arthur as Todd Powell * Terry Moore as Rusty Davis * William Forrest as Judge Roger Tanner *

as Sue Tanner

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devil on Wheels, The 1947 films 1947 drama films American drama films Films directed by Crane Wilbur American auto racing films Producers Releasing Corporation films American black-and-white films 1940s American films