American International Pictures was never shy about spoofing itself, and in the 50's was basically a studio that cranked out movies for teens. GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW was a comedy that acted as both a send up and a finish for the studio's popular monster, hot rod, and rock and roll pictures. It also helped to lay the foundation for AIP's 60's output, functioning as a bit of a prototype of the Beach cycle. In it, a local hot rod club (complete with it's own all-girl singing group) is forced out of it's public garage when one of it's members gets in trouble for drag racing a member of a rival gang. A relative gives the kids permission to use an old estate that's reportedly haunted, and the gang goes out there in order to clean the place up. As you might guess, there IS something lurking about! In the end, the monster is unmasked and the real culprit revealed to be Paul Blaisdell! The master monster maker has been unceremoniously let go from AIP and has taken up haunting houses! Although a good self-promoting gag, Paul felt hurt by the studio looping in a high squeaky voice instead of Blaisdell's own. He was subsequently released from the studio in real life as well. The GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW's monster was yet another re-dress of Paul's most durable suit, originally made for THE SHE CREATURE. Character actor Russ Bender gets a rare showy role as the reporter who thinks the kids are alright and tries to help them. The adorable Elaine DuPont is one of the girls. It's not a great movie, but it is fun in a breezy way. MGM issued the film on DVD, paired with the last film in the Beach cycle: GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI. Both films feature musical numbers titled "Geronimo"!
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