DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD

DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD (1954). Director: Richard Quine.

Mickey Rooney plays an auto mechanic with racing ambitions who falls under the spell of a woman (Dianne Foster) whose hood boyfriend (Kevin McCarthy) ordered her to get the guy to help them in a bank robbery. Unfortunately, Rooney thinks the gal is really in love with him. Although this holds the attention and is generally well-acted, it just doesn't amount to much. The robbery itself is none too thrilling, and the getaway just features some fast driving down winding roads (with absolutely no one in pursuit -- what's the hurry?) Jack Kelly is totally miscast as a supposedly nasty member of McCarthy's gang. Rooney gives a pretty good performance, however.

Verdict: Not much to this caper. **.