Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
Al Roberts girlfriend leaves him to move from New York City to Los Angeles. They were about to get married. She felt that she had to do it for the sake of her career as a singer. He's heartsick without her and eventually decides to hitchhike his way across the country with the hopes of reigniting their relationship.
He makes it as far as Arizona before things turn sour. He gets a ride from a guy who identifies himself as Charles Haskell. Roberts impression of Haskell is that he's a rough character. Haskell tells him some stories that help to bolster that impression. The two men get along well enough as they continue to head for Los Angeles. Haskell has offered to take him the rest of the way there.
Haskell passes out and dies in the car while Roberts is driving. Roberts panics and dumps the body in a ditch on the side of the road. He takes all of Haskell's possessions, including his clothes. He picks up Vera, a woman who is hitchhiking. She recognizes the car as Haskell's. She rode with Haskell most of the way across the country. Haskell even told Roberts a little about her.
Vera insists that Roberts start taking orders from her or else she's will tell the police about what he did. Roberts is scared and agrees to do what ever she says. They later discover, from a newspaper article, that Haskell's father is worth millions and is dying. Vera suggests that Roberts could continue to impersonate Haskell and collect his inheritance. They get into a fight, Vera dies of consumption. Roberts panics again and makes a run for it.
I didn't love this movie. I thought it was interesting. I watched it because it is an old film noir, it was available on one of the streaming services to which I have a subscription, it is fairly short (67 minutes), and because it was discussed on an episode of a podcast (Out of the Past) that I like.
Podcast Link: Out of the Past - Episode 29: Detour
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