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IMDbPro

The Hitch-Hiker

  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 11m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
Watch ’Official Trailer’
Play trailer2:41
1 Video
53 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
Two fishermen pick up a psychopathic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.Two fishermen pick up a psychopathic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.Two fishermen pick up a psychopathic escaped convict who tells them that he intends to murder them when the ride is over.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ida Lupino
  • Writers
    • Collier Young(screenplay)
    • Ida Lupino(screenplay)
    • Robert L. Joseph(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Edmond O'Brien
    • Frank Lovejoy
    • William Talman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ida Lupino
  • Writers
    • Collier Young(screenplay)
    • Ida Lupino(screenplay)
    • Robert L. Joseph(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • Edmond O'Brien
    • Frank Lovejoy
    • William Talman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 128User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:41
    Official Trailer

    Photos53

    William Talman in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Frank Lovejoy, Edmond O'Brien, and William Talman in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'Brien in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'Brien in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    William Talman in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    William Talman in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'Brien in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    José Torvay in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Jean Del Val and Clark Howat in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
    Jean Del Val and Clark Howat in The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edmond O'Brien
    Edmond O'Brien
    • Roy Collinsas Roy Collins
    Frank Lovejoy
    Frank Lovejoy
    • Gilbert Bowenas Gilbert Bowen
    William Talman
    William Talman
    • Emmett Myersas Emmett Myers
    José Torvay
    José Torvay
    • Capt. Alvaradoas Capt. Alvarado
    • (as Jose Torvay)
    Sam Hayes
    Sam Hayes
    • Radio Broadcasteras Radio Broadcaster
    Wendell Niles
    • Wendell Nilesas Wendell Niles
    • (as Wendel Niles)
    Jean Del Val
    Jean Del Val
    • Inspector Generalas Inspector General
    Clark Howat
    Clark Howat
    • Government Agentas Government Agent
    Natividad Vacío
    Natividad Vacío
    • Joseas Jose
    • (as Natividad Vacio)
    Gordon Barnes
    • Hendricksonas Hendrickson
    • (uncredited)
    Rodney Bell
    • William Johnsonas William Johnson
    • (uncredited)
    Orlando Beltran
    • Salesmanas Salesman
    • (uncredited)
    Wade Crosby
    Wade Crosby
    • Joe - Bartenderas Joe - Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    June Dinneen
    • Waitressas Waitress
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Dominguez
    Joe Dominguez
    • Mexican Policemanas Mexican Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Henry A. Escalante
    • Mexican Guardas Mexican Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Albert Ferrara
    Albert Ferrara
    • Gas Station Attendantas Gas Station Attendant
    • (uncredited)
    Taylor Flaniken
    • Mexican Copas Mexican Cop
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ida Lupino
    • Writers
      • Collier Young(screenplay)
      • Ida Lupino(screenplay)
      • Robert L. Joseph(adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview, William Talman recalled an incident that happened shortly after the release of this film, in which he gave a chilling portrayal of escaped murderer and serial killer Emmett Meyers. He was driving his convertible in Los Angeles with the top down, and he stopped at a red light. Another driver in a convertible who was stopped next to him stared at him for a few seconds, then said, "You're the hitchhiker, right?" Talman nodded, indicating that he was. The other driver got out of his car, went over to Talman's car and slapped him across the face, then got back in his car and drove off. In recalling the story, Talman said, "You know, I never won an Academy Award but I guess that was about as close as I ever will come to one."
    • Goofs
      After the trio stops to disconnect their stuck car horn, further down the road they experience a tire blow-out. As the car comes to a stop, the car horn can be briefly heard.
    • Quotes

      Emmett Myers: My folks were tough. When I was born, they took one look at this puss of mine and told me to get lost.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits prologue: This is the true story of a man and a gun and a car. The gun belonged to the man. The car might have been yours-or that young couple across the aisle. What you will see in the next seventy minutes could have happened to you. For the facts are actual.
    • Connections
      Featured in Wanderlust (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Violin Concerto No 2 in E Minor, Op 64--Andante
      Written by Felix Mendelssohn

    User reviews128

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Lupino Genius - Hitchhiker
    Ida Lupino was a very good actress, but she was even a better director and movie executive. She really understood all the elements of film and film noir and put them into this masterpiece made for chump change. The twenty best films of the 21st century that feature suspense and tension (Speed and others), cannot come close to this film. Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy give outstanding performances; with Lovejoy doing his best work ever in this film. The real star of the film, however, is the underrated actor William Talman, in the best work of his career (and one that deserved an Oscar nomination) as the psycho killer. It was a shame that Hollywood at this time considered this genre subpar and not worthy of Academy Awards, when in fact, several mediocre films received much higher praise (like the sappy The Greatest Show On Earth and the corny An American in Paris). This is a perfect film for a film professor of Cinema 101 to use as an example of how to create suspense and hold it for an hour. How to keep tension for an hour is not an easy feat to achieve, and it is seldom found in the vast majority of films. But Lupino did it; not just once, but several times after this great effort. A film not to be missed by any serious film buff.
    helpful•15
    0
    • arthur_tafero
    • May 12, 2019

    FAQ1

    • Why is this movie tagged as 'film-noir' ? There is no femme-fatale, something atypical and essential of the genre?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 29, 1953 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • The Difference
    • Filming locations
      • Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
    • Production company
      • The Filmakers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 11 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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