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Australian Daybill for the 1966 film
"Fireball 500
". The movie blends the beach party genre popular in the 1960s with stock car racing action and a moonshine-smuggling plot.
Movie Details
Synopsis: A handsome stock car driver named Dave Owens (Frankie Avalon) travels south and gets entangled in a local moonshine operation while competing in races and vying for the affection of two different women, Jane Harris (Annette Funicello) and Martha Bryan (Julie Parrish).
Cast: The film stars Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, and Fabian, all popular teen idols and frequent collaborators in American International Pictures (AIP) films of that era. Other notable cast members include Chill Wills and Harvey Lembeck.
Director: The movie was directed by William Asher, who also co-wrote the script.
Production: It was an attempt by AIP to move into "youth rebellion films" as the beach party trend declined, featuring real racing footage with NASCAR legends like Richard Petty. The signature "Fireball 500" car itself was a heavily customized 1966 Plymouth Barracuda built by George Barris, the creator of the TV Batmobile. |
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