Hitch Hike To Hell
From The Deuce
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Main Details
- Released in 1977
- Color
- Runtime: USA:87 min
- Rated: R
- Production Co: A.B.A. Film Corporation
- Distribution Co: Boxoffice International Pictures | Valiant International Pictures
Cast and Crew
- Directed by Irvin Berwick
- Cinematography by William DeDiego
- Produced by Irvin Berwick
- Written by John Buckley
- Starring: Robert Gribbin, Russell Johnson, Randy Echols, Dorothy Bennett, John Harmon
Film Review
After a great Grab-Your-Attention shot of a screaming victim falling dead to a freeze frame of the film's title, along comes a catchy country western tune as the credits play out. The lyrics provide for the motivating killings:
"But there's daaaaanger on the road
Danger on the road
When you go thumbing a ride
You can never tell
When you hitchhike to Hell
Travelling the road of life
Is lonesome at best
And you need all the loving
You can get
So don't leave your family
The things who care for you
Think twice, girl, before you go
And try not to forget"
Welcome to Crescent City, California. Home of the largest population of young highway hitchhikers (Seriously, even the local police captian says so!) On these roads, a nerdy laundry deliveryman named "Howie" (Robert Gribbin) often picks up the hitchhikers and takes them to their destination. It's always a safe drive with Howie....Just as long as you don't say that you're a runaway who hates your mother! You see, Howie has always loved his mom. Unlike his sister who hated his mother and ran away--Never to be seen again. So whenever Howie hears a hitchhiker say that they ran away because they hated their home, some brain-detonating wickedness erupts into Howie's mind as he rapes and strangles the hitchhikers to death. The kiilings leave a blackout effect on Howie and he never realizes what he's done. Only an occasional painful, subliminal image of his crime shows up randomly. Causing a headache to the poor, warped psycho afterwards. Someone has to put an end to this madness. Enter Police Captian Shaw (Russell Johnson, who we all know as The Professor on GILIGAN'S ISLAND) who will try to save the day.
This one was quite a surprise for me. Sure, you can giggle at some of the laughably bad acting and dialogue that these type of films are known for packing. But not only is there a good, overall pace on Hitch Hike To Hell, what I mostly admired was that this is one of those rare exploitation flicks where just about every character you see in the movie doesn't feel wasted. All the supporting characters get their chance to shine which includes Howie's Mom, Howie's boss, Shaw's lieutenant partner, Shaw's lieutenant partner's wife, and of course, the hitchhikers. The last two hitchhiker victims especially cause sadness and disbelief to the audience. Which is proof that this movie knows how to hit certain marks. Lastly, this movie seemed to have an erratic releasing pattern. Reportedly being filmed in the late 60's. Recieving a release in 1970. And a re-release in 1977. The fact that this movie was given multiple chances to be seen is a testament that Hitch Hike To Hell is certainly worth a viewing.
Reviewed by Laydback - 4/2/08