The Hitch-Hiker

Rating:
Summary: Riveting Noir Thriller
Review: "The Hitch-hiker" is a largely forgotten and overlooked gem in the thriller/film-noir genre. It is also Ida Lupino's best directorial effort for the big screen. For years, Lupino graced the silver screen as an actress, most notably in "They Drive by Night" and "High Sierra" (both with Bogart). In the late 1940s, Lupino formed her own production company, The Filmakers with producer/writer husband Collier Young.

The movie follows a pair of war vets, Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy who get some R and R from their wives to go fishing, and sneak off to Mexicali to troll for dames along the way. As you might well guess, they pick up even worse trouble in the form of hitchhiker Emmett Myers, played with a menacing edge by William Talman.

Myers forces the two to provide safe passage in their beat-up car down the Baja California peninsula to Santa Rosalia, where he can catch a ferry to the Mexico mainland.

The ride along the way is a harrowing trip, the suspense notched up by Young and Collier's excellent screenwriting. Daniel Mainwaring adds a lot of excellent noir dialogue in his uncredited contribution.

While O'Brien gives his usual competent good guy performance, Lovejoy and Talman really make this movie. Lovejoy gives this movie its heart: We sympathize with his character when he attempts to protect and reassure a little Mexican girl when the three stop at a dry goods store to stock up on groceries. Talman plays the killer Myers a bit off-kilter, his lean, elongated figure dominating the other two, his lazy, all-seeing eye holding them hostage while Myers yet sleeps. Talman's powerful performance looks forward to Rutger Hauer's portrayal in Robert Harmon's 1984 "The Hitcher" and Dennis Hopper in most everything he's been in since "Blue Velvet."

What most rings true with "The Hitch-hiker" is Lupino's use of actual shooting locations as opposed to set backdrops, and the cinema verite feel she gives in having her Mexican actors -- most importantly, the DF trooper who hunts down Myers -- speak in Spanish, without subtitles and without caricature. It almost has a documentary feel.

But what really makes this movie gel is RKO's sterling crew, which Lupino hired to put this movie together. One of the reasons this movie has more of a 1940s than 1950s feel is the unparalleled cinematography of Nicholas Musaraca, who was cameraman for many of RKO's best productions, most notably "Cat People" and "Out of the Past" (both directed by Jacques Tourneur). Who else but Musaraca could make a workaday Plymouth sedan appear so dominating and intimidating at it looms over the lonely dirt roads of the Mexican back country?

Musaraca's use of key lighting and deep shadows to heighten the tension really have you sitting on the edge of your seat, as does Leith Stevens' brass-heavy scoring, brimming over with trumpets as a counterpart to the car's horn and string basses portending doom with what legendary movie composer David Raksin called "fifthboding."

C. Bakaleinikoff, the great unsung conductor of RKO's soundtracks, directs with his characteristic Sturm und Drang he used in "Out of the Past" and Hitchcock's "Notorious" (1946).

Sound technicians Roy Meadows and Clem Portman mix the score, sound effects and dialogue superbly, employing a rich bass and a full, robust midrange. Characteristic of 1940s and 50s sound, you can identify every line of dialogue without any neck craning. Compare that with today's special effects extravaganzas, full of Foley effects and swoosh and clang aural graituity, in which most whispers are yet barely audible. Try as they might, today's Hollywood still can't produce a film comparable in technical consistency to the old studio system.

Personally, I rank "The Hitch-hiker" in my Top 10 favorite noir movies of all time. It belongs in such august company as "Double Indemnity," "DOA," "White Heat" and "Out of the Past."

Rating:
Summary: Do Not Pick Up Hitch-Hikers!
Review: A sadistic mass murderer (William Talman) is hitching his way to Mexico, robbing and killing any who dare to pick him up along the way. Enter two guys on a fishing trip (Frank Lovejoy and Edmund O'brien) who've just gotten away from the wives for some R&R. Well, they stop and give our traveling murderer a ride, and become his captives. The rest of the movie concerns the trio's journey through the desert of mexico. How can two normal joes possibly escape from a maniac, who not only has a gun, but sleeps with one eye open? How can they even hope to survive a man who has already killed everyone else he's come in contact with? I liked this one. It would make a great double feature with THE SADIST. They both have that nerve racking "if only we'd never met this guy" sort of vibe. Not bad...

Rating:
Summary: Don't Pick Up Hitch-hikers!!
Review: Frank Lovejoy and Edmond O'Brien go on a fishing trip, but end up the hostages of William Talman, a hitch-hiker who has already killed other drivers, on a trip to Mexico where Talman wants to escape the authorities. The film is short, at seventy minutes, but that keeps the action moving right along. It's tightly edited, and the viewer gets a very real sense of the confinement of the two men. A lot of credit goes to director Ida Lupino, who establishes a mood of tension and desperation, as well as to the fine trio of actors who are all memorable in their roles. It's a smart thriller that will grab your attention and keep it to the very end.

Rating:
Summary: When was the last time you invited death into your car?
Review: In The Hitch-Hiker, Ida Lupino presents a tense noir thriller that kept me engaged throughout. Released in 1953 as the second of a double bill, and not promoted as it should have been, this movie languished in movie land limbo for quite awhile.

Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy star as Roy Collins and Gilbert Bowen, respectively, two men embarking on a hunting/fishing trip. The trouble begins when they pick up a hitchhiker named Emmet Myers, played by William Talman. Turns out Myers is a sadistic killer who's being sought by numerous law enforcement agencies for a string of murders.

The tension and suspense start to build almost immediately, and are sustained throughout the movie as the men travel the southwestern deserts of California into Mexico. The men try to look for a means to escape, but Myers keeps a tight lease on the men, and due to his unpredictable nature and complete lack of remorse, they know he would kill without regard. Also, Myers has a paralyzed right eyelid which causes it never to close properly. This means he actually sleeps with one eye open, giving the appearance that he's always watching, even when he's sleeping. Very creepy!

As the manhunt for Myers increases, the pressure increases, and the men know that once Myers decides they are more of a liability than they're worth, he will dispose of them, as he tells them this every chance he gets. There was just enough character development provided for Myers in the tight script to give viewers a glimpse into what drives the man and his contempt for life in general. The three leading actors all play their parts very professionally, but Talman really sells his performance. He provided a brutal yet subtle picture of a remorseless, psychotic killer and reminded me of a coiled rattlesnake that could strike at any moment.

The oppressive desert locations, a well-written script, and taut directing work together nicely, creating a sense of anxiety and forboding right up to the end of the movie. I was surprised, but pleased with the outcome, as it didn't seem in line with other crime dramas of the time.

There were some minor flaws in the print, and I noticed the audio dropped out very briefly on two different occasions, but that took away none of my enjoyment of this film. And given the condition of the original prints, this restored version looks really great. Included is an interesting introduction by Robert Clarke, in which he details some of his experiences working with Ida Lupino.

Rating:
Summary: When was the last time you invited death into your car?
Review: In The Hitch-Hiker, Ida Lupino presents a tense noir thriller that kept me engaged throughout. Released in 1953 as the second of a double bill, and not promoted as it should have been, this movie languished in movie land limbo for quite awhile.

Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy star as Roy Collins and Gilbert Bowen, respectively, two men embarking on a hunting/fishing trip. The trouble begins when they pick up a hitchhiker named Emmet Myers, played by William Talman. Turns out Myers is a sadistic killer who's being sought by numerous law enforcement agencies for a string of murders.

The tension and suspense start to build almost immediately, and are sustained throughout the movie as the men travel the southwestern deserts of California into Mexico. The men try to look for a means to escape, but Myers keeps a tight lease on the men, and due to his unpredictable nature and complete lack of remorse, they know he would kill without regard. Also, Myers has a paralyzed right eyelid which causes it never to close properly. This means he actually sleeps with one eye open, giving the appearance that he's always watching, even when he's sleeping. Very creepy!

As the manhunt for Myers increases, the pressure increases, and the men know that once Myers decides they are more of a liability than they're worth, he will dispose of them, as he tells them this every chance he gets. There was just enough character development provided for Myers in the tight script to give viewers a glimpse into what drives the man and his contempt for life in general. The three leading actors all play their parts very professionally, but Talman really sells his performance. He provided a brutal yet subtle picture of a remorseless, psychotic killer and reminded me of a coiled rattlesnake that could strike at any moment.

The oppressive desert locations, a well-written script, and taut directing work together nicely, creating a sense of anxiety and forboding right up to the end of the movie. I was surprised, but pleased with the outcome, as it didn't seem in line with other crime dramas of the time.

There were some minor flaws in the print, and I noticed the audio dropped out very briefly on two different occasions, but that took away none of my enjoyment of this film. And given the condition of the original prints, this restored version looks really great. Included is an interesting introduction by Robert Clarke, in which he details some of his experiences working with Ida Lupino.

Rating:
Summary: Middle-class Nightmare
Review: Sure, the script seldom rises above potboiler status and the locations are familiar from a thousand Lone Pine cowboy shoots. Still, this unpretentious little suspenser really delivers the goods that will keep you on edge. The cast of three is outstanding. Was there ever a more low-key performer than Frank Lovejoy or anyone better at representing Joe Average. Edmond O'Brien calibrates as usual, making a credible companion to the laidback Lovejoy. Then there's William Talman in his pre-Perry Mason days, scaring the heck out of everyone with his bug-eyed psycho bit -- too bad he gave up the nuthouse for TV and a steady payday. Put a gun in Talman's hand and pack all three into a tight little car traveling to nowhere and you have a good view of 1950's middle-class nightmare. Hats off to pioneering woman director Ida Lupino for getting the most out of a boilerplate special. Potential buyers could do a lot worse.

Rating:
Summary: WARNING
Review: The DVD version of the film "The Hitch-Hiker" offered for sale by the Roan Group does not play on various DVD players. Roan is aware of this problem, but does not advertise it. I have (unfortunately) purchased two copies of this DVD and in each case, the DVD freezes after the first few seconds of the standard introductory warning.

The film itself is an important noir by an important actress and director, Ida Lupino. It is well worth seeing, but buying it from the Roan Group will not necessarily give you the opportunity to view it. Buy it from KINO if you want to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Which one to buy??
Review: The film itself is worth at least 4 stars and belongs on your shelf next to "D.O.A." and "Detour" but the Alpha dvd version of "The Hitch-hiker" leaves a lot to be desired. Very grainy, poor definition and the picture seems cropped at the sides varying from left to right. You can see it on the opening titles when half of the "The" is missing and later on in the car shots when the right half of Edmond O'Brien's head isn't there when he's speaking. The modestly-priced Roan disc would be the one to get if your player can handle it. Otherwise, Kino is the rather more pricey choice. The movie is well worth owning.

Rating:
Summary: Which one to buy??
Review: The film itself is worth at least 4 stars and belongs on your shelf next to "D.O.A." and "Detour" but the Alpha dvd version of "The Hitch-hiker" leaves a lot to be desired. Very grainy, poor definition and the picture seems cropped at the sides varying from left to right. You can see it on the opening titles when half of the "The" is missing and later on in the car shots when the right half of Edmond O'Brien's head isn't there when he's speaking. The modestly-priced Roan disc would be the one to get if your player can handle it. Otherwise, Kino is the rather more pricey choice. The movie is well worth owning.

Rating:
Summary: a great little suspense thriller
Review: The hitch-hiker is a story of two men kidnapped by a gun crazy escaped con who want them to drive him to mexico to escape the authorities. the film has a strong genuine feels of predicament and desperate urgency as the victims try almost in vain to outwit and escape their sadistic kidnapper. The film is engrossing from beginning to end. Highly recommended thriller.