Hot Money

Fasten your seat belts because actor Alexander is at warp speed as fast buck promoter Chick Randall. Restraint is not his game, as words and deeds fly by. In fact, the entire production appears over-the-top. Hook it up to a generator and our energy crisis is over. But then the story's premise invites exaggeration. Ex-con Randall needs start-up money to finance a sure winner—turning water into gasoline!! Trouble is the inventor wants a million for his formula. So Randall's hustling at warp speed using both fair means and foul. Sure enough, following product demonstrations, investors flock in, buying stock in a company that doesn't yet own the magic formula. Then disaster strikes, the weirdo inventor disappears leaving Randall holding the bag, and a humongous one it is. He better get the formula or he's back in the slammer.

Actually, the narrative's a pretty good intro to business start-up, capitalist style. That is, if you can overlook the load of nonsensical antics. Then too, the star-crossed Alexander brings off the role pretty convincingly. His career unfortunately was a short one, which I guess is why his top-billed name seems so unfamiliar. Too bad. Still, the casting was a big payday opportunity for short, bald geezer types, not something they usually get. Anyway, I recommend the movie as a lively intro to Econ. 101, and if not that, the sheer momentum of Alexander's performance may carry you through.