CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : DRIVE HARD DRIVE FAST! .. UNIVERSAL TELEVISION .. USA 1969 / 1973 ..

 

UNIVERSAL TELEVISION
Presents
A UNIVERSAL/PUBLIC ARTS PRODUCTION

DRIVE HARD .. DRIVE FAST!

Starring

BRIAN KELLY as Mark Drsicoll

JOAN COLLINS as Carole Bradley

HENRY SILVA as Deek La Costa

JOSEPH CAMPANELLA as Eric Bradley

KAREN HUSTON as Ellen Bradley

TODD MARTIN as Fielder

CHARLES H GRAY as Blonde Man

JOHN TRAYNE as Gerald Ives

FRANK RAMIREZ as Comandant Morales

BUDD ALBRIGHT as CIA Man & Chase Driver

MICHAEL CARR as Second Man

JACK DENBO as Mechanic

HAL HOOPER as Doorman

SOCORRO SERRANO as Maria

Director of Photography - Gene Polito

Edited by John J Dumas

Music by Pete Rugolo

Costumes by Charles Waldo

Teleplay by Matthew Howard  Story by John Thomas James

Produced by Jo Swerling & Roy Huggins

Directed by Douglas Heyes

(c) 1969 (Released 1973)   UNIVERSAL   88 MINS  COLOUR

Racing pilot, Mark Driscoll agrees to drive a beautiful lady, Carole Bradley home to New Orleans, from Mexico City, in her husbands sports car. Soon after they depart, they are constantly followed by psychopatic Deek La Costa. As well as tailing them, he can hear their every word, via a bugging device in the car. A dangerous cat and mouse game ensues, on a never-ending road! There is only one thing left to do ..... Drive Hard!  Drive Fast!!

Joan with Brian Kelly & Karen Huston

This TV movie was filmed in 1969, but was shelved by Universal until 1973 and even then it was rarely screened. Soon after filming, it's star Brian Kelly, who is synonymus with the classic TV series "Flipper", was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. The accident ended his film career, as he remained paralysed in his right arm and he developed a speech impediment. However he did go on to produce films, including the cult "Blade Runner."

The producer Roy Huggins and director Douglas Heyes had previously worked on the classic James Garner series "Maverick".

Lifes a Boa for Joan!

The film although interesting, is choppily edited and jumps from one scene to another, although this may be intentional! Joan looks wonderful in a variety of outfits and although always on the move, she manages to look elegant throughout. Henry Silva who plays the psycho in the film also appeared in "The Bravados" with Joan and Gregory Peck. There is not very much information on the production and other than a handful of rare TV screenings, the film is not available on DVD.. I managed to get a copy some years ago..

Joan with Brian Kelly