Review of The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) by Art S — 10 Apr 2016

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.