Directed by:
Edgar G. UlmerCinematography:
Benjamin H. KlineComposer:
Leo ErdodyCast:
Tom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald, Tim Ryan, Esther Howard, Pat Gleason, Don Brodie, Harry Strang, Eddie HallVOD (1)
Plots(1)
Low budget director Edgar G. Ulmer cemented his reputation with this downbeat film noir masterpiece. It has since inspired countless filmmakers. The use of minimal sets and rear-screen projection gives a feeling of a claustrophobic nightmare as Al (Tom Neal) a down-and-out piano player, hitchhikes from New York to Los Angeles in order to be with his singer girlfriend (Claudia Drake). Fate has other plans for Al when he steps into the car of a character named Haskel (Edmund MacDonald), who promptly dies in his sleep one night while Al is driving. Afraid the cops will never believe the truth, Al takes Haskell's money, car, and identity, and tries to make it to Los Angeles, only to have fate intervene again when he picks up a mean-spirited female hitchhiker (Ann Savage). (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Tom Neal
USA
Best movies:
The Last Hurrah (1958)
Detour (1945)
Air Force (1943)
Ann Savage
USA
Best movies:
Detour (1945)
The More the Merrier (1943)
Fire with Fire (1986)
Claudia Drake
USA
Best movies:
Detour (1945)
Reunion in France (1942)
Edmund MacDonald
USA
Best movies:
Texas (1941)
Destry Rides Again (1939)
Detour (1945)
Tim Ryan
USA
Best movies:
It Started with Eve (1941)
You'll Never Get Rich (1941)
The Stratton Story (1949)
Esther Howard
USA
Best movies:
Caged (1950)
Tales of Manhattan (1942)
Born to Kill (1947)
Pat Gleason
USA
Best movies:
Love Crazy (1941)
Gun Crazy (1950)
Detour (1945)
Don Brodie
USA
Best movies:
The Great Dictator (1940)
The Name of the Game (1968) (series)
Little Big Man (1970)
Harry Strang
USA
Best movies:
Edison, the Man (1940)
North by Northwest (1959)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Eddie Hall
USA
Best movies:
Double Indemnity (1944)
Action in the North Atlantic (1943)
Shall We Dance? (1937)