Above Average Racing Flick
Fabian turns in a very good performance as a race car driver, much more convincing than Elvis ever was (though some may consider that faint praise.) Annette Funicello looks absolutely luminous, and is very good in a straight dramatic role. Fast-paced and entertaining, with one of the wildest party scenes ever put on film. Above-average AIP effort.

Annette's great BUT....Where is the DVD???
I am giving this movie 4 stars because Annette Funicello is an amazing actress and I love all her movies. I would however like to express my deep disappointment that MGM chose not to release this movie on DVD as they did with all the other "beach movies" they released (Beach Party,Pajama Party, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini). I hope that MGM will consider a DVD release of this movie so that we can all enjoy this film in the best possible sound and picture quality and also be able to choose between the widescreen and pana scan formats. I personally would rather watch a movie in widescreen format which is one of the main reasons I was disappointed in MGM not coming through on a DVD release. DVD offers quality,great extras,and the ultimate movie experience.

Annette's Swan Song for American International
"Thunder Alley" was Annette Funicello's final film for AIP and although it probably won't rank as one of her fans' favorites, it is nevertheless an entertaining and fast-paced story as well as something of a change of pace for Annette. When this was released in 1967, her successful series of beach party movies had finally run its course as times were changing and light-hearted movies with clean-cut teens frolicking on the beach had become passe. Movies were becoming more "risque" both in subject matter and in what could be shown on screen,i.e.,nudity, sex & violence. A rating system would soon be created to deal with this emerging frankness in the movie industry. Since this movie has never been on video before and is rarely even shown on television, I was thrilled when MGM released it as part of its "Midnite Movies" series of sell-thru titles. The box artwork is gorgeous (as are all of the titles I've purchased so far in this series)and the source print is acceptable though not as pristine as I would like. It would also have been nice if they had included the original theatrical trailer as they have on many of the other titles (one of my favorite parts of going to the movies as a kid was watching the "previews of coming attractions"). One word of warning to those of you who are Annette's beach movie fans: there's no slapstick comedy and Annette only sings one song (the soundtrack by Mike Curb is quite good). This is more of a drama and there's even a scene with Annette (as a stock car driver!) getting tipsy and driving drunk! Overall, this film is a nostalgic relic of its era and a must for fans of Annette and/or AIP.