The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

Director:

Ida Lupino

Writers:

Robert L. Joseph (adaptation)
Ida Lupino (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 April 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir

Tagline:

When was the last time you invited death into your car?

Plot:

Two fishermen pick up a psychotic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.

Plot Keywords:

Car Radio | Road Map | Road Movie | Mexicali | Target Practice

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Edmond O'Brien	...	Roy Collins
Frank Lovejoy	...	Gilbert Bowen
William Talman	...	Emmett Myers
José Torvay	...	Captain Alvarado (as Jose Torvay)
Sam Hayes	...	Himself (Radio Broadcaster)
Wendell Niles	...	Himself (as Wendel Niles)
Jean Del Val	...	Inspector General
Clark Howat	...	Government Agent
Natividad Vacío	...	Jose (as Natividad Vacio)

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1953) | USA:Approved (PCA #15999) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Filmakers, The

Trivia:

The movie's poster was as #23 of "The 25 Best Movie Posters Ever" by Premiere.

Quotes:

Emmett Myers: I had a watch like this once when I was 17. Nobody gave it to me. I just took it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Wanderlust (2006) (TV)

Terrific creepy performance by William Talman

At one time actually thought lost, now this minor classic is on video (who says these aren't the good old days?). William Talman, who is mainly remembered as Perry Mason's dullish adversary/stooge on the TV show for years and years, gives a powerful and creepy performance as an insolent psychopath who holds two men hostage through a long road trip around the desert southwest and Mexico. Loosely based on a true story, there's not much more to it than that-- but it's tense and well-crafted all the way through, and deserves its reputation as Lupino's best movie.