''Crash Drive'' is a 1959 British racing car film directed by

Max Varnel Max Varnel (21 March 1925 – 15 January 1996) was a French-born Australian film director, film and television director who worked primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia. Biography Born Max Le Bozec in Paris, France, he was the son of the ...

and starring Dermot Walsh. It was produced by the Danziger Brothers. It was written by

Brian Clemens Brian Horace Clemens (30 July 1931 – 10 January 2015) was an English screenwriter and television producer. He worked on the British TV series '' The Avengers'' and created '' The New Avengers'' and '' The Professionals''. Early life Clemen ...

and Eldon Howard and produced by The Danzigers.

Plot

Paul Dixon is an international racing driver severely depressed after being paralysed from the waist down in a crash. He seems to have lost everything, including his will to live. His estranged wife Ann returns to him in the wake of the accident and attempts to cure him of his despair.

Cast

* Dermot Walsh as Paul Dixon * Wendy Williams as Ann Dixon *

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer, best known for his postwar ''James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his ...

as Dr. Marshall *

Anton Rodgers Anthony Rodgers (10 January 1933 – 1 December 2007) was an English actor and occasional director. He performed on stage, in film, in television dramas and sitcoms. He starred in several sitcoms, including '' Fresh Fields'' (ITV, 1984– ...

as Tomson *

Grace Arnold Grace Arnold (19 September 1894 – 26 February 1979) was an England, English actress. Selected filmography * ''Guilt (1931 film), Guilt'' (1931) * ''Men Without Honour'' (1939) - Mrs. Hardy * ''Crimes at the Dark House'' (1940) - Maid (uncred ...

as Mrs. Dixon * Ann Sears as Nurse Phillips * George Roderick as Manotti * Garard Green as Forbes *

Geoffrey Hibbert Geoffrey Hibbert (2 June 1922 – 3 February 1969) was an English stage, film and television actor. Biography He made his screen debut with the lead role in John Baxter's '' The Common Touch'' (1941) and appeared in two other Baxter films, '' ...

as Henry * Russell Cardon as boy pushing wheelchair *

Rolf Harris Rolf Harris (30 March 1930 – 10 May 2023) was an Australian musician, television personality, painter, and actor. He used a variety of instruments in his performances, notably the didgeridoo and the Stylophone, and is credited with the inventi ...

as Bart

Critical reception

Kine Weekly ''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971. Etymology The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...

'' wrote: "The picture has quite enough talk – its title is a bit misleading – and some rather naive by-play but, despite its shortcomings, clearly makes its point. Dermot Walsh occasionally overacts as the inhibited Paul, but Wendy Williams is a charming and understanding Ann, Grace Arnold scores as the strong-willed Mrs. Dixon, and lan Fleming cultivates the bedside manner as Doctor Marshall. Moreover, its ending is realistic, as well as happy." In ''British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959'' David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Excellent plot very indifferently treated, maudlin and disappointing."

Sky Movies Sky Cinema is a British subscription film service owned by Sky Group (a division of Comcast). In the United Kingdom, Sky Cinema channels currently broadcast on the Sky satellite and Virgin Media cable platforms, and in addition Sky Cinema on ...

wrote, "this very minor, modest and mostly mediocre British melodrama – partly written by ''The Avengers'' producer

– has a hard job getting into gear."

References

External links

* {{The Danzigers 1959 films British auto racing films British drama films Films shot at New Elstree Studios 1950s English-language films 1950s British films