Seems to have something in common with later films like Vanishing Point in story of existential road warrior who will deliver the moonshine come hell or high water, despite efforts of criminal Jacques Aubuchon and the FBI. Actually, we don't really understand Mitchum's motivation - and there's some back story about not being in the war which doesn't come over.
The cars are quite something, and the car chases are accompanied by really funny unusual music (Jack Marshall).
With Gene Barry, Keely Smith (Mitchum's singer girlfriend), Trevor Bardette, Sandra Knight and son James Mitchum.
Print on MGM DVD release is poor in image and sound.
To answer my own question, Mitchum was arrested in August 1948 in a small party at friend Lila Leeds' house at 8443 Ridpath Drive, Laurel Canyon with her and two other people. (It sounds like it wasn't even his own stuff). The press had already been alerted (by who? - some smell of corruption here) and were at the house with photographers. When asked for occupation at police station he replied 'Former actor'. Head of RKO Howard Hughes immediately acted to protect the star (he had lent Mitchum his office in the old days. don't forget). He got two year's probation including 60 days in jail.
Leeds' career was over (she had been a receptionist in Lady in the Lake, her most notable film). Ironically one of her last films was called Wild Weed, a film which exploited her experience (Source: Autobiography 'Baby, I Don't Care', 'Hollywood Death and Scandal Sites' E.J. Fleming.)
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