Paula Powers and Sam Freeman (Ron Howard) shock her rich parents with news of their engagement. Her father Bigby Powers is running for governor and they forbid it. She sneaks out from her room and steals the family Rolls-Royce driving off for Vegas. Her mother informs unrequited suitor Collins Hedgeworth who goes on the chase. After a couple of crashes, Collins offers a reward over the radio and the mad chase go into high gear.
This is Ron Howard's full length directorial debut. He's calling in plenty of favors including Marion Ross. The plot is only an excuse to put on a cross-country car chase like "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". The female lead Nancy Morgan is sufficient but nothing special. It's all about the car action. There are lots of crashes and destruction. Howard is doing a few good camera shots but it's nothing revolutionary. For a first time effort, this movie shows his professionalism and excellence before his years. It also shows that action is not going to be his forte. He can have some fun but he's not changing the way car chases are done.
This is Ron Howard's full length directorial debut. He's calling in plenty of favors including Marion Ross. The plot is only an excuse to put on a cross-country car chase like "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". The female lead Nancy Morgan is sufficient but nothing special. It's all about the car action. There are lots of crashes and destruction. Howard is doing a few good camera shots but it's nothing revolutionary. For a first time effort, this movie shows his professionalism and excellence before his years. It also shows that action is not going to be his forte. He can have some fun but he's not changing the way car chases are done.