Art or Pornography?

"Hot Rod Rumble handily qualifies for placement at the top of any speed film devotee's 10 best list. From its opening shot of tough guy Richard Hartunian lighting a smoke to the smouldering, sax-driven strains of Alexander Courage's music, Rumble consistently delivers on its promise of cheap thrills.

"Method-style scenery-chewer Richard Hartunian stars as a misunderstood dropout, hovering on the fringes of the teen in-crowd. Possessed of an oddball intensity, but little credibility, Hartunian does his best Brando, grunting and growling his way through what is, by all accounts, his only film appearance.

"Believably cast as the desire of every male on the premises, luscious Leigh Snowden brings an unlabored sensuality to the proceedings as Hartunian's girl. Snowden's non-cutsie presence was an invaluable attribute, unusual among starlets of the genre.

"Juvenile Delinquent film chicks fell consistently into one of two categories: snarling, kicks-hungry harpie, or squeamish daddy's girl yearning to test the waters. This can't be said of Snowden. She invests the sodden script with a degree of genuine humanity. Prior to this unusual turn as a teen, producers had sought to utilize her earthy maturity and natural beauty in more adult roles.

"She indelibly impressed cult-film fanatics, lending a much-needed note of sincerety to the final installment of the immortal Black Lagoon trilogy, The Creature Walks Among Us. Following the completion of Hot Rod Rumble, she sought to settle down, marrying accordion ace and Daddy-O star Dick Contino."


	9/3/2002:
"Hot Rod Rumble handily qualifies for placement at the top of any speed film devotee's 10 best list. From its opening shot of tough guy Richard Hartunian lighting a smoke to the smouldering, sax-driven strains of Alexander Courage's music, Rumble consistently delivers on its promise of cheap thrills. "Method-style scenery-chewer Richard Hartunian stars as a misunderstood dropout, hovering on the fringes of the teen in-crowd. Possessed of an oddball intensity, but little credibility, Hartunian does his best Brando, grunting and growling his way through what is, by all accounts, his only film appearance. "Believably cast as the desire of every male on the premises, luscious Leigh Snowden brings an unlabored sensuality to the proceedings as Hartunian's girl. Snowden's non-cutsie presence was an invaluable attribute, unusual among starlets of the genre. "Juvenile Delinquent film chicks fell consistently into one of two categories: snarling, kicks-hungry harpie, or squeamish daddy's girl yearning to test the waters. This can't be said of Snowden. She invests the sodden script with a degree of genuine humanity. Prior to this unusual turn as a teen, producers had sought to utilize her earthy maturity and natural beauty in more adult roles. "She indelibly impressed cult-film fanatics, lending a much-needed note of sincerety to the final installment of the immortal Black Lagoon trilogy, The Creature Walks Among Us. Following the completion of Hot Rod Rumble, she sought to settle down, marrying accordion ace and Daddy-O star Dick Contino."