This is a terrific ultra low-budget film that hits its marks and offers a few surprises. Mickey Rooney stars as an orphanage kid no one wanted.
One of the early attractions of television was the Roller Derby, I well remember it though I certainly can't say I was any fan. And I doubt anyone became a fan after watching this average Mickey Rooney film.
If you are willing to suspend disbelief for 84 minutes and accept that someone who has never skated can become a roller derby champion in a matter of weeks or months, then you just might enjoy this movie. I watched it only to see Marilyn Monroe in one of her earliest roles and wound up actually liking the movie.
After the war, and the demise of the ANDY HARDY series, Rooney seemed to be trying to find his niche in Hollywoodland.From around 1949 to 1956, Rooney made some of the very best film noir ever put on celluloid: THE BIG WHEEL, MY OUTLAW BROTHER, QUICKSAND, and the classic DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD.
'm one of the sons of the man on whose life this movie is based. Here are a few points that were different in the picture: My father skated under the name Eddie Cazar.
This is a very fun and nostalgic film with Mickey Rooney doing his best with a familiar storyline. Rooney once again plays a rebellious teenager, Johnny, who lives in an orphanage run by Father O'Hara ( Pat O'Brien ).
A lot has been written about Marilyn Monroe. And a lot of people pride themselves on knowing all things Marilyn.
