Speed (1936 film)

Speed is a 1936 MetroGoldwynMayer action film starring James Stewart in his first starring role, and Wendy Barrie. Although only a lowbudget B movie, the film was notable for its realistic cinematography by Lester White, incorporating scenes from the Indianapolis 500 race and onlocation shooting at the Muroc dry lake bed, used for highspeed racing by hot rodders in the 1930s. Advance publicity trumpeted that Stewart drove the speciallyprepared Falcon to 140mph 230kmh.

Working out the bugs of the new carburetor proves to be troublesome for Terry and his fellow mechanic Gadget Haggerty Ted Healy. Jane, attracted to Terry despite his inferiority complex, arranges with company vice president Mr. Dean Ralph Morgan to have the work financed by Emery, on the condition that Frank be added to the team. Their car races in the Indianapolis 500 to test the carburetor despite Terrys hunch that something is still wrong with it. Fighting for the lead, it ends up crashing, injuring Terry and nearly killing Gadget. Terry blames Frank, who insisted the car was ready, until Jane reveals she pulled strings to have Frank included in the project. Thinking that she loves Frank and wanted him to get all the credit for success, Terry angrily sends her away.While Terry is recovering from his injury, Jane goes to bat for him. Emerys board of trustees have suspended further financing for the carburetor, but Jane gets their decision reversed, since she is secretly Jane Emery, the niece and heiress of the companys owner. In a new car designed to make a world speed record at the Muroc Dry Lake in California, Terry proves that his design works but nearly loses his life in the attempt. When a fuel pipe cracks, choking fumes are funneled into the cockpit causing the record run to end prematurely. Terry is severely injured. With only minutes to save his life, Frank places him in the car and drives it to the Muroc hospital at high speed, completing the world record run in the process. Terry is finally vindicated and wins the girl as well. ........

Source: Wikipedia