The Hitchhiker (TV Series) Dead Man's Curve (1986) User Reviews

some sort of joke?

[zimbo_the_donkey_boy · 1/10 · 13 December 2009]

I know Michael Ironside can act, as I've seen him in other stuff, but he sure couldn't here and neither could anyone else. Was this ad libbed? I cannot believe there was a script written for this. What was the point of this show? This is the only episode of the series that I've ever seen. I was surprised to read here afterwards that this is part of a horror series. I had seriously thought, while watching the videotape of it I was given, that it was a cross between a softcore sex show (with no real nudity) and a nighttime soap opera (without actual exploration of the characters' personal lives). Who was this for? How on earth could anyone enjoy this? And I haven't even mentioned yet that close to nothing in this whole show made any sense. Had the director never seen how cars work? Do Hollywood directors believe that small towns across America are exactly like L.A. but simply smaller? But then I shouldn't be surprised from a work by Roger Vadim, eh? Do women who are assaulted by men really start by complaining but then switch to being attracted to the slimeballs for no reason? I'm male, not female, but even I was insulted by that crap. Multiply that stupidity by 100 and you've got an idea of how illogical this show is. Why did the citizens vote for such a stupid jerk to be their sheriff? People who'd do that would basically just ignore a sheriff beating up a man in the street for no reason right in front of them. Oh, they did. This show was scary but not as a horror show; it's frightening that a director would make something this stupid & jerky and that some people wish to see this. Next you'll be telling me that people pay to watch women in bondage.

Pretty interesting. Ghosts of the past can haunt you, but you must encounter them!

[blanbrn · 7/10 · 24 April 2007]

Susan Anspach(who had a son with Jack Nicholson named Caleb) stars in this episode of "The Hitchhiker" called "Dead Man's Curve". Anspach is Claudia a romance novelist who's all grown up with a little bit of fame and one day she decides to return to her small town and attend her high school reunion. Like anyone who moves away from town she has secrets hidden and must face ghost of the past. Upon returning and receiving greetings she meets the young town hunk named Lance(Michael Schoeffling) and they both start a hot steamy love affair. And just to mention Anspach is very sexy in a raw kind of way. Yet Claudia encounters a past love the now tough and in my opinion corrupt Sheriff Lee(played by veteran sci-fi character actor Michael Ironside). And finally the secrets come out that one of Claudia's novels is similar and based somewhat on the death of Lance's father! Really fiction starts to become real life! In the episodes end Claudia is living out her real novel only writing the final chapter with a happy ending in which she encounters and conquers her biggest ghost of the past the town sheriff Mr. Lee. Overall a fine episode that was well written with good acting.

Cool episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 17 April 2011]

Successful romance novelist Claudia (a fine and appealing performance by the lovely Susan Anspach) returns to her small town of Bolton to attend her high school reunion. Claudia gets involved in a steamy affair with hunky resident stud Lance (a solid and likable portrayal by the handsome Michael Schoeffling). However, trouble materializes in the form of jealous and sinister ex-boyfriend turned local sheriff Lee (the always reliable Michael Ironside in typically sturdy wicked form). Director Roger Vadim, working from an absorbing script by John Harrison, relates the interesting story at a steady pace and effectively creates a wistful nostalgic atmosphere that becomes darker and more unnerving as the narrative unfolds towards a tense and exciting climactic confrontation between Lee and Lance. Moreover, there's a genuinely erotic love scene between Claudia and Lance that delivers the sizzling hot goods and the central plot makes a sound and valid point about how one can't escape the seamy secrets of one's past. Reginald H. Morris' glossy cinematography gives the show a stylish and sparkling look. Michel Rubini's shivery and pulsating score likewise hits the rousing and shuddery spot. Worth a watch for fans of this series.