~ by Michelle Demaras ~
When someone mentions Jimmy Stewart, you’d likely think of films such as It’s A Wonderful Life, or his acclaimed Hitchcock films, Rear Window and Vertigo. However, you may not have even heard of his film, Speed, directed by Edwin L. Marin. You can buy a DVD from the Jimmy Stewart Museum, but no streaming services carry the movie, and no reuploads on any free-movie websites on the web. However, thanks to Turner Classic Movies running a day of vintage racing movies this week, we were able to catch the classic, almost forgotten flick. The IndyCar season can wait, I’ll be watching Jimmy race in the ’36 Indianapolis 500 instead!
The film follows test-driver / mechanic Terry Martin (played by a young Jimmy Stewart), who lacks the proper pedigree of his adversary Frank Lawson, but makes up for with raw skill and intelligence. Terry doesn’t allow others to interfere with his work, the design of a revolutionary new carburetor. Against his wishes, his employer Emery Motors forces Frank to team-up with engineer Terry on the development of the carburetor thanks to the influence of Jane Mitchell, their shared love interest With love, rivalry, and uncertainty of the carburetor’s readiness, Terry couldn’t be less confident when Emery Motors decides to enter a car in the Indianapolis 500. With a horrific crash leaving Terry and his co-driver ‘Gadget’ in the hospital, Terry’s reluctance was proven true.
Emery Motors terminated further development of Terry’s carburetor until next years’ Indy 500. But Jane had one more trick up her sleeve, convincing Emery Motors to continue testing Terry’s carburetor by attempting a land speed record at the Muroc dry-lake bed. You see, Jane is more than a pretty face; secretly she is also the president’s niece, and is set to inherit Emery Motors.
With Terry’s hope restored, and a Batmobile-esque car roaring to go, the race for the land speed record begins. The Emery Motors team arrives at Muroc to great fanfare. Media and spectators have lined the track to catch of glimpse of the Emery ‘Falcon’ make history.
During the speed trial, disaster strikes Terry again! Midway through the run, an exhaust pipe cracked in half, with the exhaust fumes choking-out Terry, who manages to stop the car and avoid a crash. With no time to waste, and Terry in desperate need of medical attention, his old opponent Frank jumps into the drivers seat, kicks the windshield out of the car and speeds back down the track. Not only does this help the Emery Falcon complete both legs of the land speed record requirement, but Frank drives the speedster directly to the hospital at breakneck speed. Terry proved his invention, set the record, got the girl and proved himself the greatest grease monkey around. Three cheers for a happy ending!
Jimmy Stewart has one of the most impressive filmographies of any actor. If you cry every Christmas while watching It’s A Wonderful Life you should check out the forgotten gem that is Speed. It may not be the most impressive movie from a technical standpoint, but the real footage of a vintage Indianapolis 500 is just as a mazing as how high Stewart can raise his right eyebrow.
So if you find yourself in Indiana on Memorial Day, make sure to run on over to the Jimmy Stewart Museum and catch a screening of this classic movie.
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