Search - D.O.A./The Hitch-Hiker on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 3/5/2021...

1/5 Rating - The Hitch-hiker - The video quality was poor in poor but if you like these old school cheesy plotlines, this film noir is for you!

"The Leader in Film Noir, B-Westerns & Serials...VCI Enertai

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 07/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"VCI Entertainment presents "D.O.A./The Hitch-Hiker - Edmond O'Brien" --- (Dolby digitally remastered)...featuring top performances by actors to die for from the '40s and '50s with outstanding drama and screenplays...from little known films we now refer to "film noir" that will leave you intrigued with all the suspense...so pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy the movie.

First up we have "D.O.A." (1950) (83 min. B/W)...under director Rudolph Mate, producer Leo C. Popkin, screenplay by Russell Rouse and Clarence Greene, music score by Dimitri Tiomkin ...the cast includes Edmond O'Brien (Frank Bigelow), Pamela Britton (Paula Gibson), Luther Adler (Majak), Beverly Campbell (Miss Foster), Lynne Baggett (Mrs. Philips), William Ching (Holliday), Henry Hart (Stanley Philips), Neville Brand (Chester), Laurette Luez (Marla Rakubian), Jess Kirkpatrick (Sam Haskell), Cay Forrester (Sue),Virginia Lindley (Jeanie), Michael Ross (Dave), Carolyn Hughes (Kitty), Jerry Paris (Bell Hop), Frank Gerstle (Dr. MacDonald), Beverly Garland (Miss Foster), Lawrence Dobkin (Dr. Schaefer). . . . . .our story is a strange one, never before were these words ever uttered on "I want to report a murder...mine."...from then on it's a roller coaster ride with flashbacks galore up to the present time...Edmond O'Brien is told he has received a deadly poison known as iridium...within 24 hours O'Brien must locate his murderer, not telling his fiancee Pamela Britton what is going she must help him trace the shipment of iridium...the suspense is almost unbearable and the acting in each scene is superb...with no antidote he has at most, a week to live...the question is who did this and why, this is a nail biter. . . . . .special footnote, Edmond O'Brien had a famous quote - "Versatility is a dangerous thing. It's very satisfying to portray many types of roles, but often your own identity gets lost. Seldom does a producer say, 'This is an Eddie O'Brien part.' On the other hand, while the rewards may be great in fame and financially for stars, the work becomes monotonous. No actor who plays himself is a happy person."...Mr. O'Brien was truly a great actor during his time on stage and in films.

BIOS:
1. Edmond O'Brien
Birth Date: 9/10/1915 - New York, New York
Died: 5/09/1985 - Inglewood, California
2. Pamela Britton (aka: Armilda Jane Owen)
Birth Date: 3/19/1923 -Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died: 6/17/1974 - Arlington Heights, Illinois
3. Rudolph Mate (aka: Rudolph Mayer)(Director/Cinematographer)
Birth Date: 1/21/1898 - Krakau (Kraków), Poland, Austria-Hungary [now Kraków, Poland]
Died: 10/27/1964 - Hollywood California

SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
1. Universal Newsreel 1949 in Review
2. Universal Newsreels 1953 Year of Catastrophes

Second on the double bill is "The Hitch-Hiker" (1953) (71 min. B/W)....under director Ida Lupino, producer Collier Young, screenplay by Robert L. Joseph, Ida Lupino, Daniel Mainwaring and Collier Young, musical score by Leith Stevens ....the cast includes Edmond O'Brien (Ray Collins), Frank Lovejoy (Gilbert Bowen),.William Talman (Emmett Myers), José Torvay (Capt. Alvarado), Sam Hayes (Sam), Wendell Niles (Wendell), Jean del Val (Inspector General), Clark Howat (Government Agent), Natividad Vacio( Jose). . . . . .our story has two good friends Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy going on a fishing trip only to have their plans changed by William Talman, who gives a terrific performance as the man they pick up "The Hitch-Hiker"...holding the men hostage and using them for target practice, the taunting never stops from the time they threesome meet...one interesting note though, Talman has a bum eye so you never know if he's awake or asleep...this tense thriller is skillfully directed by Ida Lupino, this maybe the only film noir she ever directed...the tension builds, unpredictable right up to the very end.

BIOS:
1. Frank Lovejoy
Birth Date: 3/28/1914 - Bronx, New York
Died: 10/02/1962 - New York, New York
2, William Talman
Birth Date 2/04/1915 - Detroit, Michigan
Died: 8/30/1968 - Encino, California
3. Ida Lupino (Director/Writer/Actress)
Birth Date: 2/04/1918 - Camberwell, London, England, UK
Died: 8/03/1995 - Los Angeles, California

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing "D.O.A./The Hitch-Hiker", featuring Edmond O'Brien, digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '40s and '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with a top notch "Classic Film Noir" that only VCI Entertainment (King of the Serials) can deliver...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 191 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video 5013 ~ (3/28/2006)"