It’s all a matter of time. You hear about a film, you see it pop up (particularly if it’s in the public domain – so everywhere, public access TV, crappy DVDs, free on YouTube), and know that at some point you’ll eventually see it. The Hitch-Hiker (1953) was always beckoning on the side of the road, renowned as the first film noir directed by a woman, actor-turned-director Ida Lupino. A low budget, independently made thriller based on a real life ‘hitch-hiker’ killer, the story reshapes names and details. Two buddies played by Edmond O’Brien (White Heat) and Frank Lovejoy (In A Lonely Place) are heading towards a Mexican town for a fishing trip, aimable working slobs, who run into bad luck when they give a ride to a guy standing next to a broken down jalopy. Turns out this leather jacket wearing, sweaty-looking stranger (William Talman – TV’s Perry Mason) has been robbing and killing people as a hitch-hiker, and is currently on the run from the law. With a gun drawn on them, the two poor fools are stuck in this predicament and we’re stuck there with them as they keep trying to find an opportunity to escape or warn passerbys, but are constantly thwarted. Thankfully the run time is so tight (71 mins) because much like the poor schmoes who have the misfortune to give the title character a ride, I was getting antsy and sick of this sadistic psycho who continually mocks them for being soft. Tense and effective, The Hitch-Hiker still has an impact and I was bolted during one potential escape. I felt in particular the sense of powerlessness of the two guys – they’re not square-jawed, tough guy heroes and are eventually reduced by the exhaustion and fear they’re undergoing, the only warmth to be found in this film is their devotion to each other. Great performances, particularly William Talman’s sweaty, cock-eyed presence as the killer on the road. Shot on location in the outskirts of California and as a film noir, it does feature dark eerie night passages, but the image you walk away from it is the sun beating down on three guys stuck out in the sandy plains and mountainous desert. I’m looking forward to catching up with the other Ida Lupino directed films from this era; The Hitch-Hiker remains an effective thriller that helps define and expand the concept of film noir. Streamed from Amazon Prime but available widely. Recommended.
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