Based on a Chilling True Story - Billy Cook (Links)
I saw this film about a decade ago, and it still haunts me. Excellent direction by Ida Lupino, and Talman was a relevation as Emmett Myers, the Hitch-Hiker. A few years ago, I was suprised to learn that this fine film was based on a true story. The real Hitch-Hiker was a young man named William Cook. The real life murder was a close match to the Emmett Myers character, even to the "eye that never sleeps". Here is a link to the full true story of Billy Cook, the inspiration for this movie.
http://www.crimezzz.net/serialkillers/C/COOK_william.php
and another
http://www.prairieghosts.com/peace.html
I also strongly reccomend a new book by John Gilmore, "L.A. Despair", which has a detailed account of Billy Cook's crime spree. Be aware that there are some unsettling crime scene photos of the Mosser Massacre (the family that Cook wiped out).
http://www.johngilmore.com/Books/preview_hard_luck.html