The second in John Travis' "Hitchcock Series," Hard Steel parallels its mainstream model, To Catch a Thief, even more closely than Undercover parallels its model, Rear Window. The plot is almost identical to Hitchcock's, with Rod Phillips giving a first-rate performance, both sexually and dramatically in the Cary Grant role of a retired thief working with a police detective (Jason Ross) to apprehend a cat burglar (I won't reveal his identity; find out for yourself). Screenplay and direction are exceptionally polished, with supporting performances that catch the eye and live in the memory, particularly from Joey Stefano as a college student hustling for tuition and Tony Erickson as a sleazy male madam. The sexual scenes are exceptionally well-integrated into the plot, with a climax that is both predictably "romantic" and unexpectedly realistic.

Travis seems to become more sophisticated with each new title, and Hard Steel is a major milestone in his already illustrious career.  None of his many fans, who assure a high rate of rentals and sales, will be disappointed, and the packaging (with coverboy Phillips) is a real eyecatcher. A far superior production in every aspect, with state-of-the-art videography by Josh Eliot and on-target editing from Chet Thomas.