Cruisin' With the Good Times

Classic car buffs in New Jersey share tales of romance about the deep relationship between a man (or woman) and his (or her) automobile. Intimate details about cylinders, cams, and exhaust manifolds are revealed as well as racy insights into pinstriping. Cruising in vintage 50s Chevys is apparently a big-time hobby in New Jersey, and the camera captures a wide range of snazzy autos, boomers dressed as if they were headed to a sock hop, and shops which cater to the members of the Jersey Classics Cruise Club. Car buffs would probably enjoy this, but the focus is so exclusive, it sometimes seems like a recruiting effort for the spotlighted car club. Beyond that, there's also a small copyright problem: the soundtrack is loaded with outstanding (and copyrighted) rock `n roll hits, including staples by Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Bobby Darin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and more. Although these are "credited" at the end of the tape, that's not the same as obtaining permission to use the songs. For copyright reasons alone, we cannot recommend the video. (R. Pitman)