Boy! was Lawrence Tierney tough - both on screen and off. He had a very "don't mess with me" attitude. From the start of his career - even in uncredited parts - you wanted to see more of him. Unfortunately drink killed his career - he would have been a superb character actor but he did star in some very memorable noir films. This is one of his best.
Unsuspecting Jimmy Ferguson (Ted North) picks up a hitch-hiker, Steve Morgan (Lawrence Tierney) on his way home to Los Angeles. He soon regrets it as Morgan is edgy, rude and no wonder - he has just been involved in an armed robbery. When they pull into a gas station Steve invites two girls to ride with them while Jimmy is in the wash room and he immediately begins to try pick up lines on shy Carol (Nan Leslie) but she isn't having any of it. The ride becomes a nightmare with police chases, shooting - all to the horror of the unsuspecting passengers (Steve is now driving). Morgan then tells them the story of his sad childhood but when they stop at the beach house that Jimmy's boss owns things go from bad to worse. Jimmy tries to explain things to his wife when he rings her but she doesn't believe him. In the meantime Steve has flattened the tyres with a broken bottle and cut the telephone wires - then there is a murder!!!!
This is a really gripping little thriller, reminiscent of "Detour". Lawrence Tierney is the only name in the cast but everyone is perfect in their roles. Nan Leslie is sweet as the shy Carole - it was surprising she didn't become a bigger star. This was Betty Lawford's last movie and she makes an impression as Agnes. She had come to Hollywood as the female lead in "Gentlemen of the Press" (1929) but Kay Francis is the reason everyone remembers that movie. Marian Carr was Jimmy's wife Diane.
Highly Recommended.
Unsuspecting Jimmy Ferguson (Ted North) picks up a hitch-hiker, Steve Morgan (Lawrence Tierney) on his way home to Los Angeles. He soon regrets it as Morgan is edgy, rude and no wonder - he has just been involved in an armed robbery. When they pull into a gas station Steve invites two girls to ride with them while Jimmy is in the wash room and he immediately begins to try pick up lines on shy Carol (Nan Leslie) but she isn't having any of it. The ride becomes a nightmare with police chases, shooting - all to the horror of the unsuspecting passengers (Steve is now driving). Morgan then tells them the story of his sad childhood but when they stop at the beach house that Jimmy's boss owns things go from bad to worse. Jimmy tries to explain things to his wife when he rings her but she doesn't believe him. In the meantime Steve has flattened the tyres with a broken bottle and cut the telephone wires - then there is a murder!!!!
This is a really gripping little thriller, reminiscent of "Detour". Lawrence Tierney is the only name in the cast but everyone is perfect in their roles. Nan Leslie is sweet as the shy Carole - it was surprising she didn't become a bigger star. This was Betty Lawford's last movie and she makes an impression as Agnes. She had come to Hollywood as the female lead in "Gentlemen of the Press" (1929) but Kay Francis is the reason everyone remembers that movie. Marian Carr was Jimmy's wife Diane.
Highly Recommended.