Such an idiotic movie. You can tell after just the first five minutes that it was destined as the second feature in the drive-in theater, to be appreciated only by patrons whose absolute last purpose for being there was to actually watch a movie. How a serious actor like Dana Andrews ever allowed himself to be part of this garbage is beyond me. I suppose the "So bad it's good" saying can apply here, although one usually reserves that characterization for science fiction and horror movies. Nevertheless, a lot of scenes and lines are so moronic, they will make you burst out laughing.
For instance, in one scene, the terrorized family is being chased down a highway when they suddenly see a sign for a restaurant. Instantly, their terror turns to joy and relief. "People will be there!" they say, never bothering to think what exactly the restaurant's patrons would do for them in such a situation. But soon, their joy turns into disappointment when they find the restaurant to be out of business and long abandoned! But alas, the father (Dana Andrews) sees a glimmer of hope: a rusted- out public phone sign! "There may be a phone inside!" he yells to his wife, and desperately, he proceeds to break down the boarded up doorway, assuming, as I'm sure anyone would, that the phone company routinely maintains and collects money from phones left inside boarded-up, abandoned buildings. One of the stupidest scenes I've ever seen in any film at any time.
The moralizing Dragnet-style cop was also worth a few laughs, as well as the drunk to whom he gives both a ticket and a little lecture. And what the heck is it with that strange Tyrolian-like hat that one kid was wearing? Really weird film.
For instance, in one scene, the terrorized family is being chased down a highway when they suddenly see a sign for a restaurant. Instantly, their terror turns to joy and relief. "People will be there!" they say, never bothering to think what exactly the restaurant's patrons would do for them in such a situation. But soon, their joy turns into disappointment when they find the restaurant to be out of business and long abandoned! But alas, the father (Dana Andrews) sees a glimmer of hope: a rusted- out public phone sign! "There may be a phone inside!" he yells to his wife, and desperately, he proceeds to break down the boarded up doorway, assuming, as I'm sure anyone would, that the phone company routinely maintains and collects money from phones left inside boarded-up, abandoned buildings. One of the stupidest scenes I've ever seen in any film at any time.
The moralizing Dragnet-style cop was also worth a few laughs, as well as the drunk to whom he gives both a ticket and a little lecture. And what the heck is it with that strange Tyrolian-like hat that one kid was wearing? Really weird film.