Strong and Moving!

One of my all time favorites.

Memorable, crazy movie

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

This is a near-legendary noir (but curiously rare – since it has not been issued on DVD or shown on Italian TV despite, respectively, the Warner Noir Box Sets and a comprehensive RKO retrospective!) due to the memorable title and the commanding presence of one of the major cult figures within its ranks, leading man Lawrence Tierney. It marks the fourth vehicle from his heyday that I have watched after DILLINGER (1945), BORN TO KILL (1947) and BODYGUARD (1948); I also own but have yet to watch KILL OR BE KILLED (1950), and another I might acquire soon is THE HOODLUM (1951). Truth be told, for all the film's reputation, the general consensus about its actual quality is quite mixed – with, for instance, the "Leonard Maltin Movies & Video Guide" awarding it a measly **! Still, not having indulged in this form of hard-boiled entertainment in some time (indeed, I plan on dedicating a good part of the month to some choice titles among the gazillion unwatched noirs in my collection), I was perhaps more willing to be responsive to even a 'minor' genre entry such as this! Anyway, the star is probably at his most cynical and ruthless here, being involved in a "stick-up" that turns into a "murder rap" within the first two minutes and, consequently, pursued all the way through by copper Harry Shannon (i.e. "Citizen" Kane's dad)! Incidentally, the plot unfolds in a very tight 62 minutes, with its first half taking on all the familiar characteristics of a 'road movie' and the rest transpiring in a beach-house (a favorite seedy spot for this type of fare). Another department where the film may be felt lacking is the supporting cast, as most of Tierney's fellow actors are kind of bland and strictly stock types. One young man is a newly-wed, who is forever being prevented from reaching his wife (to the consternation of her domineering mother); another is a balding middle-aged watchman with a weakness for alcohol. The characters of the remaining women, too, are easily delineated: one is pretty but reserved and, therefore, easy prey to the anti-hero's guile (though he eventually has no qualms about disposing of her when she interferes in his plans!), while her companion is spirited and chatty (unfortunately, the actress concerned has a rather masculine voice!) and even hooks up with Tierney, to her ultimate chagrin. In the end, Tierney – and director Feist – may have done better, but this film's cult status is certainly not undeserved in my book...

By all accounts, Lawrence Tierney was one mean customer. He got his break in Hollywood playing the titular gangster in 'Dillinger (1945),' and its success saw him typecast as the ultimate bad-guy. In Felix Feist's 'The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947),' Tierney gives a powerhouse performance as Steve Morgan, a scheming fugitive who hitches a ride with law-abiding salesman Jimmy Ferguson (Ted North). As a short, sharp low-budget thriller, the film has plenty to recommend, any weaknesses early on compensated for by a mounting air of tension that you could cut with a knife. Steve Morgan is a riveting character from the moment he appears on screen. For one, he's not afraid to speak his mind, even insulting the appearance of the gas station attendant's (Glen Vernon) baby daughter. When Morgan propositions a virginal runaway (Nan Leslie), his flattering advances sound more like threats than complements. Only fellow hitchhiker Agnes Smith (Betty Lawford) can rival his hardness, a callous tramp looking out for herself. Given the B-movie budget, the other performances as about as good as one could expect. Ted North is almost too amiable as the main character, constantly appearing smitten by the mere thought of his pretty wife. Betty Lawford is good, playing her role precisely as Claire Trevor might have – incidentally, Tierney would co-star with Trevor that same year in 'Born to Kill (1947).' Harry Shannon's San Diego police chief inhabits the quaint universe of B-movie law enforcement, playing poker between phonecalls and recruiting an enthusiastic boy-scout gas station attendant to come along for the ride. These idiosyncracies come with the territory, I suppose – very few low-budget noirs are without the occasional weak performance or dubious plot turn. More damning is that Steve Morgan is denied an ending that befits his mighty presence, the film cutting to the next scene without allowing his fate to sink in. At least the meagre finances allow greater freedom for risk-taking: certainly, no big-budget studio picture would have delegated the young, innocent beauty to lie face-down in a lagoon.

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.

I really need to see this little gem again. Tierney really is the whole movie.TCM runs "The Devil Thumbs A Ride" early in the mornings on rare occasions. On one of those I taped it several years ago, lent it to a brother and never got it back. GRR.Its plot is one those relentless, improbable stories with so many loose ends you cannot conceive of them all being tied up in 63 minutes.BTW, Tierney was the older brother of actor Scott Brady, who appeared in "He Walked By Night," "Johnny Guitar," "The China Syndrome" and many other films. More visible, but not as good an actor as his older bro. IMHO