The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Ida Lupino

Writers:

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

Release Date:

16 October 1953 (France)

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:

Escaped Convict | Hostage | Fishing Trip | Murder | Road Trip

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:

In an interview Talman recalled an incident that happened shortly after the release of The Hitch-Hiker (1953), 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."

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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Wanderlust (2006) (TV)

An excellent suspense thriller that works!

Directed by Ida Lupino, this tension filled suspense movie is absolutely outstanding. Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy and William Talman star in a story about two companions, O'Brien and Lovejoy, heading out for a hunting trip only to be side tracked by a sadistic killer. Bill Talman's performance is especially effective as the bad guy in this film. Good luck trying to find it in video or on television. I have not seen it since the early 1950's. It was tied up in legal problems for many years and may still be.