The Devil Thumbs a Ride

1947

1h 3m

Crime

Drama

List

Reviews

42%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

A tipsy salesman (Ted North) picks up a killer (Lawrence Tierney) and two young women on his way home from a convention.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Lawrence Tierney's particular brand of sinister menace makes this "B" film one of the most jaw-dropping, startling examples of film noir I've ever seen.

May 15, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It ends up as a ride to nowhere.

Rated: C-

Feb 2, 2007

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

This programmer from RKO has most of the things you'd expect from a low-budget noir, and just enough innovation to please the casual fan.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 9, 2006

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john c

This is a nice Film Noir that takes on an unrealistic psychotic road trip.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This noir-ish B-movie quickie (only 62 minutes) coasts along on the personality of Lawrence Tierney - he's a tough guy and presumably the devil incarnate of the title. When a tipsy travelling salesman picks him up, Tierney is all smooth-talking (as the devil is wont to be) and convinces the hapless slub to do all manner of things to aid and abet Tierney's flight from the law. You see, he's on the lam after a hold-up turned murder. They pick up two gals also needing a ride (in the stretch between San Diego and L. A.) and wind up at the beach house of the salesman's colleague (out of town). All the while, the cops are closing in, assisted by a smart gas station attendant. Tierney alternates between smooth and merciless, trying hard not to show his true colours too often but soon everyone knows and the cops show up for the final showdown. It holds up pretty well for what it is but Born to Kill (also 1947) is the stronger Tierney vehicle. He never became a star (purportedly because of drink and off-screen punch-outs) but Tarantino did give him a final heyday in Reservoir Dogs.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

A somewhat silly, but tight and enjoyable little b-thriller from the golden age of Hollywood. Stars Lawrence Tierney of 'Reservoir Dogs'.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Lawrence Tierney is perfect as the devil in this fast paced noir that sustains an atmosphere of menace throughout.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

it's the most fun i've had since 'detour'! if you're a fan of lawrence tierney, u gotta see this. and it's on youtube!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

A nice film from a good director. It's just that the film doesn't leave much of an impression. It's nice to watch and you'll going to be entertained - especially by the mood and the charm of the era - but afterwards there's really nothing much to talk about. The themes, the plot and the characters are all pretty straightforward and the ending is a bit predictable. But is this a bad film? Not at all. It's a good example of a film noir film, and most of those are like this one: charming and mysterious, but in the end not overly ambitious. So if you're a fan of the genre and haven't seen this one, definitely give it a watch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Felix E. Feist

Director

Lawrence Tierney

Steve Morgan

Ted North

Jimmy `'Fergie'` Ferguson

Nan Leslie

Beulah Zorn

Betty Lawford

Agnes Smith

Andrew Tombes

Joe Brayden

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Synopsis

A tipsy salesman (Ted North) picks up a killer (Lawrence Tierney) and two young women on his way home from a convention.

Director: Felix E. Feist
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 3m