THE HITCH-HIKER (1952) - Great little film about a murderer who hitch-hikes to Mexico taking to unwilling people along for the ride. This was a captivating little b/w thriller set in the desert and some South of the Border locals. (probably shot in Southern California). Check it out as I really liked this film and I believe you will enjoy this unique film also. Anyone ever see it. Available on ALPHA DVD for around $6.
Nice mixture of film noir and modern horror. I found it surprising. Definitely not what I expected from a 1950s female director (Ida Lupino).
Yea, the director was female and notice that the captives are two males being captive by a male murderer. Your right that this is a surprise film filled with terror and isolation in the desert at the hand of a killer. The killer has one eyelid that is paralysed so as to give the appearance that he is always awake and watching.
I once read or seen a film were someone had their eyelids removed and went insane because he couldn't close his eyes. Imagine not ever being able to close your eyes. Now that is real terror. How would you sleep?
I've seen it, too. Actually, twice. First time, only part of it, then the second time, all of it. What makes this unique for its time, was that it was directed by a woman, Ida Lupino. It did well enough, that she went on to direct some other films, but, this is probably her best directorial effort.
Something else. If one is familiar with the television series, "Perry Mason," w/ Raymond Burr, then William Talman who plays the murderer in this film, played the District Attorney Hamilton Burger in the television series.
I liked THE HITCH-HIKER (1952) and other isolation type films.
What I forgot to add, was that the screenwriter based this film on a series of murders, which occurred about the time the film was made.