Detour Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

Money - that little green stuff you never have enough of: Detour

Movie guru, Fan of Superb Productions, Lover of quirky, unique films, cult film connoisseur, Film noir guru, fan of clever plots, admirer of great storytelling, DVD collector

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Pros

Tom Neal, Ann Savage

Cons

Not more like this one

NOV

2008

Detour (1945)

This is one of the best little crime movies that has ever been made - and also one of the lesser known. The movie is perfect in its depiction of fate stalking a personable young man who is traveling to the West Coast to see his girl.

The movie starts out in NYC and Tom Neal is the piano player in a lounge combo with a beautiful blond singer (Claudia Drake). The two are planning on being something big, but Drake decides to move first and leaves for LA. Later on, Neal decides to go and join her but the only way he can get there is by hitchhiking.

The movie has a short running time yet the screenplay is ambitious and hints at many possibilities, having nightclub scenes that are very well made and worthy of an expensive film. The cast is unknown and there are only a handful of people. The other character is a 1941 Lincoln Continental - a classic car that Neal is transported in by a huckster named Haskell. When Haskell ends up dying, Neal assumes his identity and keeps the car and his wallet, besides. He notes via voiceover, that he had done only what the police would accuse him of anyway.

At a gas stop near California he picks up Vera (Ann Savage) and she fills him in on how unprepared he is to face life in the big broad world. If you have ever seen a strong woman portrayed before, I think that Savage's Vera will at least equal if not surpass her.

The movie is available on DVD on bargain basement brands because it has fallen into the public domain. My copy is from Alpha Video and is quite well preserved. Anybody who likes film noir at its most nitty gritty will appreciate this movie and will want it in their collection.

Very highly recommended.

Detour is recommended by GeorgeChabot

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Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

Vaguely, I remember hearing about this film but don't recall seeing it. You mentioned a short running time, which brings back memories. I don't know if anyone else is old enough to remember but not only did movies use to be changed two or three times a week at the neighborhood theatres but they were also nearly always viewed in double features (two movies for the evening). So you'll probably notice that some of the films made back then are shorter but just as entertaining. Thanks for another great review -- this sounds like another must-rent from NetFlix.

:~)

Another one to add to my list. ;-)

In response to LaurieM's comment from Nov 2, 2008 at 5:09PM:

This is one of the best. It was adopted by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as a key film to be preserved. I think it was a good choice. ;>

I love old movies like this!

Right. I meant the two movies you named are soap operas, not crime thrillers like this one. ;>

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Nov 2, 2008 at 2:27PM:

Oh, I know it is a movie. I was making reference to the classic TV stations because my Mom and Dad watch so many of the older movies on those cable networks.

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Nov 2, 2008 at 1:30PM:

I don't think this is a soap opera, by any means. It is film noir showing fate slowly gobbling a guy up bit by bit. ;>

Sounds like of late, you have come into some pretty good nostalgic movies. I bet these are the kind my parents love to watch on A&E and TMC. My Daddy is supposed to be getting me Peyton Place and Return To Peyton Place for Christmas :+)