Films/DVD Asylum

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"The Hitch-Hiker:" yes, the original film

Posted by tinear on February 13, 2008 at 04:49:21:
of that name and not some silly torture epic.
Directed by England-born Ida Lupino, the only Hollywood female at a helm, it features a mesmerizing performance by William Talman (later to strike a goldmine as the never-winning, frustrated DA opposite the invincible Raymond Burr in tv's "Perry Mason") as the serial killer who kidnaps two friends out on a fishing trip. Frank Lovejoy and Edmund O'Brien find themselves forced to drive a man they know is a ruthless killer, a man that toys with them, letting them know their end is inevitable and fast approaching when he decides they no longer are useful to him.
So, such a bleak story... why watch it, at all?
Lupino doesn't invest Myers with any redeeming qualities. He is fierce, unapologetic, and clever, having thought out beforehand all the possible moves his captives might make in attempting to overwhelm him or escape. Lupino doesn' weigh the story of Myers attempted escape to Mexico with any extraneous side-plots or superfluous story lines: a vicious murderer is close to escaping justice and the only two people that possibly could stop him seemingly don't have a chance.
There is considerable attention paid to the hard working authorities, busily tracking Myers on both sides of the border.
One thing which stands out in this film is the lack of stereotyping of the many Mexicans here portrayed: a gas station attendant, a bartender, a rural cop, a guy recruited to translate--- you will look in vain among these individuals for the lazy, dumb Mexican character which embarrassingly was the Hollywood norm.
If a bare-bones, non-romanticized and therefore original take on noir sounds like the slap-in-the-face your viewing needs, look no further.
You'll be seeing the screen's most under-appreciated depiction of a cold-blooded killer.