John Chard
The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947)
The Tierney Terror.
The Devil Thumbs a Ride is directed and written by Felix E. Feist. It stars Lawrence Tierney, Ted North, Nan Leslie, Betty Lawford, Andrew Tombes, Harry Shannon, Glen Vernon and ...
The Devil Thumbs a Ride
1947Movie62 minEnglish
Steve Morgan kills a man in a holdup and hitches a ride to Los Angeles with Fergie. At a gas station, they pick up two women. Encountering a roadblock, Morgan takes over and persuades the party to spend the night at an unoccupied beach house. The police close in as one by one, the others learn that Morgan is a killer.
Insights
IMDb7.0/10
Director: Fletcher Markle•Genres: Film Noir, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Plot Summary
A desperate drifter named Steve is picked up by a seemingly kind mechanic, only to discover that the car contains the body of a murdered woman. As Steve tries to extricate himself from the unfolding crime, he finds himself entangled with the victim's suspicious husband and a police detective.
Critical Reception
The Devil Thumbs a Ride is a lesser-known but highly regarded film noir, praised for its taut suspense, gritty atmosphere, and strong performances, particularly from Lawrence Tierney. It's considered a prime example of the genre's efficient storytelling and dark themes.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its economical and suspenseful storytelling.
- Lawrence Tierney's menacing performance is a highlight.
- Effectively captures the bleakness and paranoia of film noir.
Google audience: Information not available.
Fun Fact
The film was originally intended as a "B" picture, but its quality and tight pacing led to it being well-received by critics and audiences alike.
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