Detour (1945)

Detour
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
Written by Martin Goldsmith
1945/USA
Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC)
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime Instant Video
#186 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Al Roberts: Oh, sure, Phoenix. You look just like a Phoenix girl.
Vera: Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?

This classic shows what a gifted director can do with six days and a shoestring budget.

Al Roberts (Tom Neal) narrates the story of how “Fate put the finger” on him.  Al was working as a accompanist to singer Sue, his girlfriend, in a dive.  One day, she announces she is going to try to make it in Hollywood and takes off.  Later, he impulsively decides to try to hitchhike cross the country to join her with only a ten dollar tip in his pocket.

He picks up a ride with a bookie who, like him, is on his way to Los Angeles.  The man is friendly and treats Al to a good meal. When the man tires, Al takes the wheel and, out of nowhere, the man dies.  Al can’t think of anything better to do than switch identities with the fellow and hightail it with his wallet and car to LA.  Continuing with this logic, Al can’t see any problem with picking up a hitchhiker himself.  Unfortunately, this turns out to be Vera (the aptly named Ann Savage), she-devil from Hell, who sizes up the situation in seconds and decides to start a new career as a blackmailer and dominatrix.

I’m of the camp that believes old Al is an unreliable narrator who is trying to lay the responsibility for a couple of murders on “Fate” when avarice seems to be the much more likely motive.  The story doesn’t hang together otherwise.

Ulmer, who got is start in Germany, had experience at just about every craft in movie making, including directing, and by this point had both the desire and the ability to tell a story vividly with masterful economy.  He was aided by a couple of heartfelt perfomances and a tight, colorful script.  This is roots noir with its look and feel dictated by a pulp sensibility and a small budget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFXQqEoNofA

Ann Savage talks about Detour many years later