Rebel Highway was a short-lived revival of American International Pictures created and produced by Lou Arkoff, the son of Samuel Z. Arkoff and Debra Hill for the Showtime channel in 1994. The concept was 10-week series of 1950s "drive-in classic" B-movies remade "with a '90s edge". The impetus for the series, according to Arkoff was, "what it would be like if you made Rebel Without a Cause today. It would be more lurid, sexier, and much more dangerous, and you definitely would have had Natalie Wood's top off".
Rebel Highway (Season 1)
Roadracers (Episode 1)
Writer: Robert Rodriguez
Air date: 1994-07-07
Runtime: 95 min
Overview: In the 1950s, guitar-playing drifter Dude Delaney wanders into a quiet town looking to play music and generally cause trouble, much to the chagrin of the local sheriff, known as Sarge. While palling around with his B-movie-obsessed friend Nixer, Dude meets the beautiful Donna, and is offered a position in a rockabilly band, but the sheriff is intent on getting rid of him by any means necessary.
Confessions of a Sorority Girl (Episode 2)
Writer: Gigi Vorgan
Air date: 1994-07-29
Runtime: 82 min
Overview: Evicted from home and forced to live in a sorority house, Sabrina Masterson becomes attracted to Mort, who owns the hip bar on the beach, but he's involved with pretty overachiever Rita Summers. Sabrina befriends Rita, planning to break up the romance, but Mort still doesn't respond to Sabrina's advances. As she becomes progressively desperate, Sabrina resorts to increasingly dangerous and violent measures to win him over.
Motorcycle Gang (Episode 3)
Writer: Kent Anderson
Air date: 1994-08-08
Runtime: 84 min
Overview: On their way to California, the biggest decision Leann Morris and her family have to make is where to stop and sightsee. But their ill-fated fortune brings them face-to-face with a ruthless motorcycle gang and its rebellious but irresistible leader Jake. From there, Leann's trip turns into a wild journey down a dangerous road as Jake acts on his attraction and kidnaps her.
Runaway Daughters (Episode 4)
Writer: Charles S. Haas
Air date: 1994-08-12
Runtime: 83 min
Overview: After Mary tells her boyfriend she's pregnant, he enrolls in the Army and skips town, leaving her to fend for herself. With her friends Angie and Laura by her side, Mary steals a car, fakes a kidnapping and heads down to San Diego to chase her errant beau. It's a bumpy ride, however, as the girls are pursued by corrupt cops and homicidal hillbillies, not to mention their own flabbergasted parents.
Girls in Prison (Episode 5)
Writer: Samuel Fuller
Air date: 1994-08-19
Runtime: 83 min
Overview: In 1952 Hollywood, aspiring singer/songwriter Aggie O'Hanlon is sentenced to life after being found guilty of a murder she didn't commit. While incarcerated, Aggie befriends other inmates also serving life. However, Aggie soon finds herself the target of various 'hit girls'. Can Aggie survive life behind bars long enough to prove her innocence?
Shake, Rattle & Rock! (Episode 6)
Writer: Trish Soodik
Air date: 1994-08-26
Runtime: 83 min
Overview: In 1950s America, teenage rebellion comes easy when something like rock 'n' roll is viewed as sinful. Looking to have a good time while they're young, small-town teens Susan, Cookie and Tony start a nightclub where host Danny Klay introduces the newest rock 'n' roll talent, and everyone can dance the night away. Of course, not everyone in town is happy with the new establishment.
Dragstrip Girl (Episode 7)
Writer: Jerome Gary
Air date: 1994-09-02
Runtime: 82 min
Overview: Among the backdrop of 1950s Los Angeles, Johnny, a working-class hoodlum caught up with a ring of car thieves, is floored when he meets Laura, a rich girl riding in a hot set of wheels. But nothing can prepare these teenage lovebirds for the head-on collision of cultures that results from their passion-fueled, high-octane relationship.
Jailbreakers (Episode 8)
Writer: Gigi Vorgan
Air date: 1994-09-09
Runtime: 76 min
Overview: 15-year-old high school cheerleader Angel falls in love with Tony, a leather-clad, dope-smoking biker. When Tony robs two jewelry stores, Angel’s local reputation is soiled, and her parents move the family to Bakersfield for a new beginning. But Tony soon makes a desperate escape from jail and goes hunting for his girlfriend.
Cool and the Crazy (Episode 9)
Writer: Ralph Bakshi
Air date: 1994-09-16
Runtime: 84 min
Overview: High school sweethearts Roslyn and Michael, now in their twenties, co-exist in a deeply unfulfilling marriage with kids. Both embark on extramarital affairs, unaware of the violent repercussions that await.
Reform School Girl (Episode 10)
Writer: Bruce Meade
Air date: 1994-09-23
Runtime: 85 min
Overview: After being a passenger in a hit-and-run, Donna Patterson is sent to reform school, taking the rap for the driver, bad boy Vince. Inside, she makes friends and self-discoveries while trying to save her little sister from their abusive uncle.
Seasons
Episodes 10