The 1959 B-movie starring Dick Contino and Sandra Giles that inspired Ellroy's novella, "Dick Contino's Blues." Filmed in black and white. Running time: 74 minutes. Also released as "Out on Probation."
The teaser for Columbia Tristar's VHS version sets it up like this:
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK FOR DADDY-O
"Phil Sandifer (a.k.a. Daddy-O) has one eye on the road and the other on a top-of-the-line blonde named Jana Ryan.
"A race through the park showing Jana his stuff lands Phil's chassis in the clink. While cooling his jets behind bars, Phil learns of the murder of his best friend Sonny.
"Hell-bent on avenging Sonny's death, Phil and Jana go undercover, working in a night club at the edge of town. But when they look under the hood of their new employer, they discover dirty dealings and a motive for Sonny's murder.
"The action shifts into high-gear when Daddy-O burns rubber to trap the killers. With Jana's life on the line and guns blazing, Phil outmuscles the creeps and shuts them down, just in time for a pit stop in Jana's arms."
Cast includes Dick Contino, Sandra Giles, Bruno VeSoto, Gloria Victor, Ron McNeil and Jack McClure
Story and screenplay by David Moessinger
Music by John Williams (Yes, THAT John Williams)
Photographed by Perry Finnerman
Edited by Harold White
Produced by Elmer C. Rhoden, Jr.
Directed by Lou Place
• B-Monster Feature on Daddy-O
• B-Monster Profile of Contino
• Dick Contino — Accordion Man