This film reunites some of the actors from "Dragstrip Riot," which just goes to show that if at first you don't succeed, it's because you stink, so why are you wasting our time with another effort like this?
Gary Clarke (hero of "Dragstrip Riot")this time with darker hair, plays Danny Logan. He drives a hot rod and has a cutie-pie girl named Sue (Marlo Ryan, chick from "Dragstrip Riot "). Everything is fine and dandy for the first few minutes, until Brad (Richard Gering) shows up at the local hangout and wants to dance with Sue. It seems Brad has been "away" and doesn't like the idea that Danny has moved in on his territory. In short order, Brad pulls a shiv and he and Danny waltz a bit, before Brad's older brother Nico (Gabe DeLutri, scumball from "Dragstrip Riot") shows up. Accompanying Nico is another hood whose hair is apparently on loan from Jack Lord. Nico chastises Brad for getting into trouble so soon after "getting out." Of course, in true older brother fashion, Nico and his goon tail Danny, try to run him off the road, and eventually catch up to him and rough him up. The next morning, Danny tries to explain to his older brother, played by Steve Ihnat (goon from "Dragstrip Riot"), why he has a bruise under his eye. Ihnat is more interested in reading the newspaper. So am I.
Now Danny is off to pick up Sue for a barbecue. Sue's parents disapprove of Danny, and when they see he has been in a fight, Father of Sue orders him out of the house, while Mother of Sue clutches her hands in anguish. Despite their protests, Sue manages to sneak away and meet Danny at the barbecue. This is a weird barbecue. I did not see a single weenie, nor anything else edible.
Danny and Sue decide that the only way they can be together is if they get married. So it is off to Vegas. Sue's parents are horrified, and Father of Sue says he will get the marriage annulled. He also cites at least three laws that Danny violated, including impersonating an actor. Meanwhile, we discover Nico is dealing horse, while Brad, unbeknownst to Nico, is trying out the stuff himself. Nico puts the squeeze on a junkie who won't come across with the dough. The cops arrest Nico after the junkie drops a dime on him. Simultaneously, Brad, hopped up on heroin, grabs a gun and goes after Sue, who, along with another couple, is waiting for Danny. In one of the most ridiculous scenes in the film, the couple flee and their car breaks down. Danny drives past them, and they tell him about Sue. "Call the police!" Danny yells, and drives off. Right. The car is broken down, cell phones have not been invented yet - so I guess you have to holler "POLICE" real loud.
But don't worry. Everything turns out fine.
This movie is okay if you want to see a few fistfights, and watch some actors whose careers lasted 90 minutes or so. Clarke is adequate, as is Ryan, but it is downhill after that. The film does have a decent music score, except for the excruciatingly bad title track, "Date Bait Baby," sung by Reggie Perkins. If this doesn't make you try heroin, nothing will.
"Do wop boppa do do wop bop,
I know a girl that is really keen,
And she comes on like a teenage queen,
She got a smile that is oh so mean,
And when we're on a date she really makes the scene,
She's Date Bait ..."
