The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Felix E. Feist

Writers:

Robert C. DuSoe (novel)
Felix E. Feist (writer)

Release Date:

20 February 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Film-Noir | Drama

Tagline:

NOT EVEN HER KISSES COULD HALT HIS FURY...when his evil brain cried "KILL!"

Plot:

Law-abiding Jimmy Ferguson soon regrets giving a ride to killer Steve Morgan.

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Psychotronic | Robbery | Cult Favorite | B Movie

Cast

Lawrence Tierney	...	Steve Morgan
Ted North	...	Jimmy 'Fergie' Ferguson
Nan Leslie	...	Beulah Zorn, alias Carol Demming
Betty Lawford	...	Agnes Smith
Andrew Tombes	...	Joe Brayden, Night Watchman
Harry Shannon	...	Detective Owens, San Diego Police
Glen Vernon	...	Jack Kenny, Gas Station Attendant
Marian Carr	...	Diane Ferguson
William Gould	...	Police Capt. Martin, San Diego Police
Josephine Whittell	...	Diane's mother
Phil Warren	...	Pete, Roadblock Motorcycle Cop
Robert Malcolm	...	Deputy Sheriff Grover

Runtime:

62 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #11953, General Audience)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Scenery Chewing At Its Finest...Pick This One Up!

Lawrence Tierney singlehandedly lifts this poverty row cheapie from lowbrow crime melodrama anonymity to the upper pantheon of low budget noir exploitation immortality. Bears some resemblance to other low budget limited set piece claustrophobic pics like THE DESPERATE HOURS or PETRIFIED FOREST, but don't dwell on that. There are a lot of strangled laughs given the tense set-up, but don't dwell on that, either. Ignore the implausibilities and wildly uneven acting and revel instead in young Tierney's charismatic menace and casual sadism. He so dominates the proceedings that any analysis of plot points (fairly lacking) or cinematography (surprisingly good) or direction (not so hot) really pales in comparison. One of those rare films that has such bad performances that it is an instant classic yet also featuring such a standout performance from Tierney that it is also an instant classic. Trust me on this one, brother... don't miss this obscure but vital piece of 50s Americrimedramacana. You will be amused and amazed, horrified and entertained, but most of all... you will not soon forget the experience.