Discuss The Hitch-Hiker
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William Talman is supurb as the creepy sociopathic killer
posted by Sixties HoldoutSTAFFMOD on November 22, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Talman, O'Brien and Lovejoy are all excellent, but this is a very disturbing film that is, at times, difficult to watch. Excellent direction by Ida Lupino, (who also contributed to the screenplay). Warning: this film might make you nervous about ever going fishing again. 
Reply by catmydogs
on June 28, 2020 at 9:52 PM
This is a great film. Lean, taut, suspensful, a superb effort from Ida Lupino. It’s more of a crime thriller than a film noir, but definitely a gem. The film is public domain now, so it’s easy to find.
Reply by catmydogs
on June 29, 2020 at 1:23 AM
Totally different films, despite the titles. But Talman is menacingly good like James Anderson in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Reply by znexyish
on June 29, 2020 at 5:21 AM
And what of Arch Hall Jr. in "The Sadist" (63)
Crazed killers aside it is never a good idea to hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker in a crime/noir film
Reply by catmydogs
on June 29, 2020 at 2:52 PM
Never heard of that one. But it is on youtube, so I’ll watch tonight.
I remember a creepy Twilight Zone episode about a ghostly hitchhiker that followed a driver all along the route.
Reply by znexyish
on June 29, 2020 at 3:11 PM
The ghostly hitchhiker is a genuine urban legend there's many tales of people who say they've picked up hitchhikers only to have them disappear in their car. Don't know if it's true but it's a good campfire story.
As for movies which tell of the perils of road travel there is the classic "Detour" and "The Devil Thumbs a Ride"
Reply by catmydogs
on June 29, 2020 at 9:35 PM
Detour is classic film noir with a helluva femme fatale. Ah, Anne Savage....
Reply by Sixties Holdout
on July 3, 2020 at 9:29 PM
That 1960 Twilight Zone episode was "The Hitch-Hiker," and it starred Inger Stevens. It was so creepy, and it had a great twist ending.