The Devil Thumbs a Ride

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40%
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User Ratings: 162

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Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

Average Rating: 3.3/5

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Movie Info

The Devil Thumbs a Ride is a vintage film noir made by a director with something of a cult following as a director of atmospheric, extremely low-budget films such as The Man Who Cheated Himself. In The Devil Thumbs a Ride, a drunk salesman, Jimmy (Ted North) gives a ride to a hitchhiker Steve (Lawrence Tierney), an escaping murderer. He also picks up two young girls, and they all hide out in a beach house as the police close in. The ending is a surprise to even seasoned film noir fans. Lawrence Tierney one of the best of the hard-boiled, tough guy actors is great as the confident, menacing Steve. Considered a reliable director of "B" movies during his lifetime, Feist has become respected by film buffs everywhere for his ability to convey a unique, dark sensibility and mood.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Cult Movies, Drama
Directed By:

Felix Feist, Felix E. Feist
Written By:

Felix E. Feist
In Theaters:

Feb 20, 1947 wide
Runtime:

63 minutes
Studio:

RKO Pictures

Cast

Lawrence Tierney
as Steve Morgan

Ted North
as Jimmy 'Fergie' Ferguson

Nan Leslie
as Beulah Zorn, alias Carol Demming

Betty Lawford
as Agnes Smith

Andrew Tombes
as Joe Brayden

Harry Shannon
as Owens

Glenn Vernon
as Jack

Marian Carr
as Diane

William Gould
as Capt. Martin

Josephine Whittell
as Mother

Phil Warren
as Pete

Philip Warren
as Pete

Robert Malcolm Young
as Sheriff

Arthur Q. Bryan
as Mac (man with dog)

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Critic Reviews for The Devil Thumbs a Ride

All Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (1)

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 | Full Review…

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
It ends up as a ride to nowhere.

Feb 2, 2007 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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.

Jun 9, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies