MovieChat Forums > The Hitch-Hiker (1953) Discussion > Not nearly as good as "Detour"

Not nearly as good as "Detour"

posted 9 years ago by waldenpond66
10 replies | jump to latest

I watched "Detour" last night and "Hitch-Hiker" today, because I kept mixing up the titles and finally wanted to know what's all the hype about.

"Detour" IMHO is a very innovative film noir with a forced by the Hays Code ending which doesn't fit and seems rather unlikely, but still didn't spoil the film for me.

"Hitch-Hiker" however was average. I've seen dozens of films with the same topic, for instance "Dragnet" with Joan Bennett and several newer movies, probably all inspired by "Hitch-Hiker". So for me it was same old, same old.
I gave "Hitch-Hiker" 3 stars and "Detour" 7 stars for it's very unusual plot.

I've seen better movies directed by Ida Lupino. To be honest, I expected more from Lupino. Something as good as "The Bigamist" and "On Dangerous Ground".

[–] namaGemo 9 years ago

I gave it 5 stars. I compared it to The Sadist, and the Sadist blows this away. I was worried about the people in the Sadist. There was actual tension. I felt nothing in this.

[–] waldenpond66 9 years ago

Thanks for your post. I definitely will try to catch "The Sadist".
If you have access to TCM, make sure not to miss "Detour". It's scheduled at least twice a year on TCM. Maybe it's even on Youtube.
Considering that "Detour" was filmed in 1945, it's very different from other film noirs. While watching it and basically sitting on the edge of my seat, I never got that same old, same old feeling. Will watch it again.

[–] namaGemo 9 years ago

I watch most of these classics on TCM. Sadist runs about twice a year also. Arch Hall Jr films, like Wild Guitar. He's really bizarre looking and almost to cannot to believe, but that's another thing that makes it good, is because there are people like this out there.

The antagonist in hitch hiker was too blah.

[–] namaGemo 9 years ago

Ugh, I can't even believe it. I dvred Hitch Hiker and Gun Crazy, and while I'm listening to Bill Hader explain the movies, he mentioned Detour which cane on before Gun Crazy and after Hitch Hiker. It's the ONE I didn't dvr. Now I'll have to wait another six months or so. Unbelievable!

[–] waldenpond66 9 years ago

Don't worry, it's on TCM several times a year. You will catch it eventually. Go to their website, search for the title (link below) and once it's scheduled again you can even get an e-mail reminder a week before it'll be aired and 24 hours before it'll be on.

And please let me know your opinion once you'll have watched it, o.k.?

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/72927/Detour/

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] waldenpond66 9 years ago

Are you serious?
"Detour" felt like a real film noir, but with an unusual plot.
"Hitch-Hiker" felt more like an indie movie to me.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] waldenpond88 8 years ago

Thanks! I'm very impressed with your answer and will watch it again. It might change my mind.

[–] FilmBoy (1084) 3 years ago

NO WAY!
I did the same as you 7 years later. You will never see this msg tho since it's from IMDB - lol.
I watched Detour yesterday and The Hitch-Hiker today.
Detour was better.