“The Hitch-Hiker” is a classic film noir directed by Ida Lupino and released in 1953. The movie tells the story of two friends, Roy Collins (Edmond O’Brien) and Gilbert Bowen (Frank Lovejoy), who are on a fishing trip in Mexico. Along the way, they pick up a hitchhiker named Emmett Myers (William Talman), who turns out to be a dangerous criminal on the run from the police.
As they travel further into Mexico, Roy and Gilbert begin to realize that Emmett is not just a harmless hitchhiker, but a cold-blooded killer who has murdered several people. Emmett forces the two friends to drive him across the country, holding them hostage and threatening to kill them if they don’t do as he says.
Roy and Gilbert’s attempts to escape are repeatedly thwarted by Emmett’s cunning and ruthlessness, and they are forced to rely on their wits and resourcefulness to survive. The tension mounts as they drive deeper into the isolated and unforgiving desert landscape, with Emmett’s threats growing more and more ominous.
“The Hitch-Hiker” is a gripping and suspenseful film that explores themes of trust, survival, and the nature of evil. Ida Lupino’s direction and William Talman’s chilling performance as the remorseless Emmett Myers have made the movie a classic of the film noir genre.
Directors:
Ida Lupino
Writer:
Collier Young, Ida Lupino, Robert L. Joseph
Stars:
Edmond O’Brien, Frank Lovejoy, William Talman
