Brilliant but arrogant Formula 1 racing champion Joe Machin (William Campbell) steals the fiancée of writer Stephen Children (Mark Damon) only to use her and toss her away.
In revenge, Children joins the Lotus team as a test driver (he had been a promising driver but gave it up because he thought the sport too unsafe) in order to write a book exposing Machin as a brainless womaniser (while pretending he’s writing a novel using the race champion as inspiration).
Children’s plan for revenge becomes complicated by a growing friendship with Machin as they compete on the racing circuit.
Luana Anders plays Steve’s loyal secretary Henny, while Marie Versini appears as Joe’s equally loyal wife Sesia.
The great Patrick Magee pops up in the final quarter of the film to play a pivotal role. Mark Damon’s dialogue was dubbed by an uncredited William Shatner.
The film was shot at races during the 1962 Formula 1 season at Monaco, Rouen, Spa in Belgium, and Aintree in England.
Francis Ford Coppola was assisting Roger Corman on the movie set in Ireland. Corman allowed Coppola to use the same set, crew and actors Luana Anders, William Campbell and Patrick Magee for the filming of The Haunted and the Hunted (released in some markets as Dementia 13) if he could shoot around the schedule of this film.
Coppola made his film (his directorial debut) in just two weeks for $22,000.
Stephen Children
Mark Damon Joe Machin
William Campbell Henny
Luana Anders Sir William Dragonet
Patrick Magee Lotus Team Manager
John McLaren Robert Machin
Robert Campbell Sesia Machin
Marie Versini Lea Anderson
Margrete Robsahm Daphne
Christina Gregg Monique
Béatrice Altariba Italian Driver
Milo Quesada Announcer
Anthony Marsh Jimmy Clark
Himself Bruce McLaren
Himself
Luana Anders plays Steve’s loyal secretary Henny, while Marie Versini appears as Joe’s equally loyal wife Sesia.
Stephen Children
Lotus Team Manager
Lea Anderson
