Monkey Business (1930)

Four stow-aways wreak havoc on an Atlantic cruiser. Hilariously funny movie though it lacks a bit towards the end which makes it perhaps one of the lesser of the Marx-brothers creations.

The Hitch-Hiker

Pressing on into the daunting mass of noir-flicks Ida Lupino's "The Hitch-Hiker" (1953) turned out to be a rather pleasant experience. It tells the story of two friends on a fishing trip that chances upon a hitch-hiker that they pick up. The audience have already been introduced to this murderous presence so it is no surprise that he takes the two hostage and takes them at gun point on a journey down Baja California for the town of Santa Rosalita.

The plot is stripped to say the least; the cast is limited almost entirely to the three and most of the dialogue consists of threats. Atmosphere and mood makes for this movie and it has an air of allegory about it. This hitch-hiker seems to be without motivation, it is never explained where he comes from or where he ultimately will go, he doesn't really seem to after money or anything else either really. It is not Cormack McCartney perhaps but certainly in that general direction.