Red Line 7000 (1965)

Marianna Hill is in the Film. Need I say more?

Noted director Howard Hawks would make only two more films after "Red Line 7000" before calling it a day.

"Red Line" is a soap opera racing flick from 1965 that tries a bit too hard to be hip (no doubt on account of Hawks' previous film "Man's Favorite Sport?" being criticized as "old-fashioned"). It's corny at times and melodramatic at others, but it's fun and highlighted by some truly bizarre dance numbers, including clever usage of public domain music (be on the look out for the rockin' rendition of "The Old Gray Mare").

The picture is generally considered to be one of Hawks' worst films, if not THE worst, but it's redeemed by the dynamic chemistry between James Caan and Marianna Hill, who plays a French girl. Caan displays the intensity and talant that would make him one of the better actors of the early 70s. And Hill's performance, on par with other memorable Hawks discoveries Lauren Bacall and Angie Dickinson, makes you wonder why she didn't become a bigger star before fading into obscurity. Particularly notable are Hill's two lusty dancing sequences, at the nightclub and later at the Holiday Inn Pepsi machine, as Caan observes her from afar.

If you're not familiar with the incredibly gorgeous Marianna Hill, she played Dr. Helen Noel on the original Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind" from 1966 (1st season). Believe it or not, Hill was arguably the MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN to appear on the series (which is saying A LOT in light of the fact that Star Trek is highly noted for it's over-abundance of stunning beauties). She appeared in NUMEROUS television shows throughout the 60s and 70s (e.g. Batman, Kung Fu, Bonanza, Mayberry RFD, etc.) and also quite a few films like Elvis' "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" (1966), Clint Eastwood's "High Plains Drifter" (1973) and even STARRED in the underrated atmospheric horror flick "Dead People" (aka "Messiah of Evil" 1973).

BOTTOM LINE: Hill and Caan redeem "Red Line 7000" and make it a mandatory purchase or viewing. The film should have focused exclusively on these two characters and gotten rid of everybody else (!), yet even with its weaknesses "Red Line" is still more intriguing than the more popular mid-60s race drama "Grand Prix."

Unfortunately the film is only available used on VHS for WAY too much money. Hopefully it will be released on DVD some time soon!

Allow me to close by repeating: MARIANNA HILL IS IN THE FILM!!!!!! September 23, 2007

Great Race Scenes

Rated 5 for the racing footage, story line is average. I also would love to add to my collection if and when it comes out on DVD. It's a must for lifetime Grand National/Winston-Nextel Cup fans such as myself. June 26, 2006

Please Put On DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please put this great classic racing movie starring James Caan on DVD so that humble people such as myself can afford it. Thanks!!!!!!!!11 May 31, 2005

Red Line 7000

This movie had special appeal to me as I was in college in Daytona Beach at the time this movie was made, and I have always been a fanatic for the cars of that era. Although the acting and story may not be the absolute best, I enjoy the cars and the nostalgia. I wish some studio would issue this as a DVD, but think that is unlikely. It remains one of my favorite all-time movies. July 17, 2003

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