Hot Rod Movies
HEART LIKE A WHEEL (1983)
Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.
Shirley Muldowney née Roque came by her love of driving fast cars naturally, after her father placed her behind the steering wheel as he was driving when she was a child, and as she and her then boyfriend Jack Muldowney (who would become her husband) participated in local street races when she was a teenager. As her mechanic and initial race car builder, Jack somewhat supported his wife's quest to drive in National Hot Rod races, although he saw her drag racing more as a hobby (her full time job being as wife and mother) while she saw it as her potential career. In the mid 1960's, Shirley, the type of woman who would not take no for an answer, fought through the stereotype that anyone involved in any type of motor sport had to be man, to get licensed in the National Hot Rod Association, with the help of fellow driver Connie Kalitta, who had more than a professional interest in her. Because of her female chutzpah, Connie gave her the moniker "Cha-Cha" (which she disliked), which would be widely used by the public and the media. As Shirley progressed in the sport, her relationships with both Jack and Connie would be tested, both personally and professionally.
Goofs
Anachronisms
Set in 1977, Shirley's crew drives a 1983 Dodge Ram. Share this
A sign for Pepsi's famous "Be Sociable/Have a Pepsi" campaign is visible in barroom scene set in 1956, two years earlier than that slogan was actually launched. Share this
When Shirley first meets Connie Kalitta in 1966 (and indeed in many scenes thereafter), his funny car is prominently featured - a 1971-73 Ford Mustang.
During the various racing scenes, the starting line "Christmas Tree" shown is the modern 3 amber bulb version, which replaced the previous 5 amber bulb equipped "Christmas Tree" which would have been correct for the period of time the movie took place. (You can see evidence of this in the climactic final race when they use actual television footage which shows in split screen, the dragsters staging and a closeup of the "Tree" which has 5 amber bulbs.)
Continuity
When she blows up at Pomona, she starts her pass in the left lane but the explosion takes place in the right lane.
In the pits, standing by her dragster, Shirley's cigarette changes sizes during shots.
Factual errors
When Shirley shows up at the race track with her first dragster, Jack Muldowney says he's going to work on the "carb". The engine has Hilborn injectors, not carburetors.
Some time after suffering an auto accident that left her hospitalized in autumn 1973 (established by the fact she is seen watching the Sept. 30 1973 Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs tennis match from her hospital bed), the recuperated Shirley Muldowney attends a racing event in Indianapolis where a trade show model is inviting people to take a look at the "new" 1973 Chryslers. That late in the season, the car manufacturer would actually be promoting its 1974 line, which traditionally are introduced several months before the next calendar year.
Directed by: Jonathan Kaplan
Written by: Ken Friedman, David E. Peckinpah (uncredited)
Actors:
Bonnie Bedelia - Shirley Muldowney
Beau Bridges - Connie Kalitta
Leo Rossi (II) - Jack Muldowney
Bruce Barlow - Bass Player, Tex's Band
Anthony Edwards - John Muldowney (age 15-23)
Format: Color, DVD, Special Edition, NTSC
Language: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Region: Region 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: August 15, 2006
Run Time: 113 minutes