Money for Speed
| Money for Speed | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bernard Vorhaus |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Bernard Vorhaus |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Eric Cross |
| Edited by | David Lean |
| Music by | Philip Braham |
Production company | Hall Mark Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Money for Speed (U.S. tite: Daredevils of Earth[1]) is a 1933 British sports drama film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring John Loder, Ida Lupino, Cyril McLaglen and Moore Marriott.[2] It was written by Vorhaus|, Vera Allinson, Monica Ewer and Lionel Hale.
It features speedway riders Ginger Lees, Lionel van Praag and Frank Varey, and speedway promoter Johnnie Hoskins. The film's editor David Lean had a brief appearance as a newspaper reporter. It was one of the first feature films made by Vorhaus, who went on to have a notable career in British quota quickies and American supporting films. Along with Vorhaus' other Thirties work, the film was subject to a revival of critical interest from the 1980s onwards and is regarded as one of the most significant low-budget films of the era.
Preservation status
In 1992 the British Film Institute classed Money for Speed as a lost film.[1] Subsequently two prints resurfaced, one dubbed into French and the other with German subtitles.[3]
Plot
It is centered on the sport of speedway racing, which was at its peak of popularity at the time.
Cast
- John Loder as Mitch
- Ida Lupino as Jane
- Cyril McLaglen as Big Bill Summers
- Moore Marriott as Shorty
- Marie Ault as Ma
- David Lean as reporter
Production
The film was made by the independent company Hall Mark Productions at Wembley Studios and was distributed by United Artists.
Reception
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Unconvincing narrative redeemed by excellently photographed and highly thrilling motor cycle racing shots with machines crashing in flames. Wall of Death leap injects punch into climax. Noted speedway riders provide realistic atmosphere. Attractive performance by Ida Lupino as double-crossing heroine. Should appeal to popular patrons. It was a good idea to utilise the speedways as a talkie background, and although the film is not an over-ambitious production, it 'certainly carries a number of thrilling sequences."[4]
Picturegoer wrote: "Here we have that rara avis, a successful British action drama, and its producers are to be congratulated on bringing to the screen the thrills of a popular British sport – speedway racing – and linking them with a straightforward but convincing story. Authentic speedway sequences taken at Wembley are thrilling, excellently photographed, and give the film a slick momentum rare in our productions."[5]
Variety wrote: "Piffling stuff. ... As a hero Cyril McLaglen is not very effective. John Loder is an obvious heavy. The story is sluggish, sometimes silly and often incoherent. ... Plenty of library newsreel shots of crowds and racing scenes, not very clear but fair enough."[6]
References
- ^ a b Eyles, Allen; Meeker, David, eds. (1992). "Money for Speed". Missing Believed Lost: The Great British Film Search. British Film Institute. pp. 45–46. ISBN 0851703062.
- ^ "Money for Speed". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Angelini, Sergio. "Money for Speed (1933)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Money for Speed". The Daily Film Renter (1905): 3. 27 March 1933. ProQuest 2594674065.
- ^ "Money for Speed". Picturegoer. 3: 26. 0 September 1933.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Money for Speed". Variety. 121 (6): 15. 22 January 1936. ProQuest 1475947595.