Thunder Alley was released by American International Pictures on March 22, 1967.
Director: Richard Rush
Thunder Alley cast: Annette Funicello, Fabian Forte, Diane McBain, and Jan Murry
The film involves a stock car driver banned from the track who takes a job with an auto thrills show and is notable primarily for what it is not—a beach party film. It marked AIP’s solid break from the beach, as they moved on to their next exploitation targets, hippies and bikers. The only remaining link to the old days, save for a few background players, was leading lady Annette, who would never again make another film with AIP. This more adult oriented, drive-in special was not what she signed up for. Times were changing and teens were growing up fast, so the producers had the queen of the beach driving stock cars, and smoking, and drinking, and driving and drinking. She still delivered her usual lovelorn ballad, but in the midst of a drunken party scene with topless dancers. They even had the two un-married lead characters share a motel room. Innocence was lost. This was just the kind of stuff that happens in real life! Gone were the days of the terrycloth wall of Jericho, and gone was Annette along with the whole AIP beach party circus.
Featured Califormulants
Fabian rides in on a 67 Dodge “Thunder Charger” built by George Barris, and the racing scenes are filmed at the Saugus Raceway in Santa Clarita California.