Hot Rod is a 1979 American made-for-television drama film directed by George Armitage and starring Gregg Henry and Pernell Roberts.[1]

Hot Rod
GenreDrama
Written byGeorge Armitage
Directed byGeorge Armitage
StarringGregg Henry
Pernell Roberts
Robin Mattson
Grant Goodeve
Music byMichael Simpson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerSam Manners
Production locationsAlviso, California
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
Baylands Raceway Park - 44333 Christy Lane, Fremont, California
CinematographyAndrew Davis
EditorsWilliam Neel
Carroll Sax
Camera setupPanavision Cameras and Lenses
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesABC Circle Films
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMay 25, 1979 (1979-05-25)

Production

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The film was made by ABC Circle, a division of ABC. Armitage says they just had a title, Hot Rod. In an interview with Nick Pinkerton, George Armitage stated, "And I went over there and talked to them, they said: 'Yeah, go ahead.' It was a street racer movie, that’s what I came up with, and we shot that in 15 days—TV was not generous with their time. We shot that up in Northern California, in Calistoga, wine country, and at the Fremont drag way."[2]

Armitage says the story is based on the life of a friend of his, Bob Edelson, who was a top mechanic and with whom Armitage used to race.[2]

Armitage used a number of actors who were under contract to ABC at the time.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Interview with George Armitage - Part One". Money Into Light.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Nick Pinkerton, "Interview with George Armitage", Film Comment 28 April 2015
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