Hot Rods in Classic Cinema: A Touch of Evil (1958)

Critics agree: Orson Welles' "A Touch of Evil" is arguably one of the greatest films ever made. It's got everything -- Orson Welles, alcohol, Orson Welles crane shots, dynamite, reefer, Mexico, murder, Mexican Chuck Heston, Janet Leigh, cantinas, Marlene Dietrich, mayhem, Dennis Weaver, dusty motels, greaser gangs. Best of all, a couple of brief (but important) hot rods scenes. Skip to around 2:40 in this sequence to see some nice roadsters.



Do yourself a favor - if you've never seen the movie, nuke some popcorn and sit down for the whole thing, which is available in 11 clips on YouTube.

 

I have never seen that movie. I will get it tonight, thanks.

 

Charton Heston as a Mexican makes this movie a little hokey (pun). Pedro Armendariz or maybe Gilbert Roland would have been way better. Otherwise it's reallly very good.

 

Great movie. Orson Wells was a genius of a director.

 

"a touch of evil" is the name i gave the 36 pickup im buildin. but i got it from the Judas Priest song. never saw the movie. now i gotta check it out!

 

He was basically blacklisted in Hollywood after Citizen Kane because it pissed off WR Hearst. Thank God for RKO, the only studio who would employ him (Howard Hughes didn't care if he pissed off Hearst).

Welles' character in A Touch of Evil, Quinlan, is one of the best villains ever. It's crazy to realize he was only 42 or 43 when the movie was made, he already seemed like he was in his 60s.

 

Excellent movie.....One of the best ever. The Henry Mancini song is very good too.

 

One of my favorites as well. They have cemetary screenings here in los angeles and they project movies on the side of the mausoleum. I got to see it again last summer. It was so cool to see it on a big screen.

 

One of my faves.

 

Touch of Evil is known as the movie that put an end to real Film Noir. I disagree and think that it's a great movie.

There's a scene in the moive "Crime Wave" (starring Sterling Hayden) where the main character pulls up in '31 roadster with a hopped up flathead. It's odd cause it's so out of the blue, he get's out witha bag of groceries.

 

A Touch of Evil (one of my favorites) breathes seedy decay and danger - just about perfect like much of what Orson Welles did. Dark back streets, corruput lawmen, shady characters, booze, threats of violence, and maby even *** with Janet Leigh!

 

never saw the movie. will check it out. thanks

 

this is a very good movie i have seen it about 3 times and i can still watch it over and over againif you like old movies you should watch it

 

Was it the Orson Welles version?

 

thanks Mike, will have to check it out. Will make some Mole grab the Patron Bottle and enjoy the cool flick!