Detour (1946)

Tom Neal plays a musician who hitchhikes west to see his girlfriend. One driver has a fatal heart attack. He changes identities with him. Later he gives a ride to a girl (Ann Savage) who is hitchhiking. But she had earlier had a ride with the man who died, so she knew Neal was not he. She blackmails him into insisting that he sell the car, which he had intended to ditch, and to try to pawn himself as the missing son of a wealthy man. She is accidentally strangled with a phone cord, which would look like he did it on purpose. A surprise, and very unsatisfying ending.

The song, "I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me," is the theme of the movie, and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is also woven into the sound track.




Ann Savage and Tom Neal