Speedway (film)
Encyclopedia
Speedway is a 1968 action film
musical film
starring Elvis Presley
as a racecar driver and Nancy Sinatra
as his love interest.
Scenes were shot at the Lowe's Motor Speedway
in Concord, North Carolina
. The film features guest appearances by several of the top stock-car—better known now as NASCAR
-- drivers of the day.
This would be the final "formula" musical film of Presley's career. His later films would be less musical and more adult in tone.
Although the film was completed in the early summer of 1967, it was not released in theatres until the spring of 1968. It was a box-office hit, placing at #40 on the Variety weekly national box office list.
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
starring Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
as a racecar driver and Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
as his love interest.
Scenes were shot at the Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
in Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
. The film features guest appearances by several of the top stock-car—better known now as NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
-- drivers of the day.
This would be the final "formula" musical film of Presley's career. His later films would be less musical and more adult in tone.
Although the film was completed in the early summer of 1967, it was not released in theatres until the spring of 1968. It was a box-office hit, placing at #40 on the Variety weekly national box office list.
Cast
- Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
... Steve Grayson - Nancy SinatraNancy SinatraNancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
... Susan Jacks - Bill BixbyBill BixbyWilfred Bailey Everett “Bill” Bixby III was an American film and television actor, director, and frequent game show panelist.His career spanned over three decades; he appeared on stage, in motion pictures and TV series...
... Kenny Donford - Gale GordonGale GordonGale Gordon was an American character actor perhaps best remembered as Lucille Ball's longtime television foil—and particularly as cantankerously combustible, tightfisted bank executive Theodore J. Mooney, on Ball's second television situation comedy, The Lucy Show...
... R.W. Hepworth - William SchallertWilliam SchallertWilliam Joseph Schallert is an American actor who has appeared in many films and in such television series as The Smurfs, The Rat Patrol, Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Waltons, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Love, American Style, Get...
... Abel Esterlake - Victoria Paige MeyerinkVictoria Paige MeyerinkVictoria Paige Meyerink is an award-winning producer and former child actor. She was at one time the youngest female film producer in the film industry: she was 22 when Young Warriors was released....
... Ellie Esterlake - Carl BallantineCarl BallantineCarl Ballantine was an American magician, comedian and actor. Billing himself as "The Great Ballantine", "The Amazing Ballantine" or "Ballantine: The World's Greatest Magician", his vaudeville-style comedy routine involved transparent or incompetent stage magic tricks, which tended to flop and go...
... Birdie Kebner
External links
- LPM-3989 Speedway Guide part of the Elvis Presley discography at Megocollector
DVD Reviews
- Review by Bill Treadway at DVD Verdict, August 3, 2004.
- Review by Jeff Rosado at digitallyOBSESSED!, August 1, 2004.