The Devil Thumbs a Ride Poster

The Devil Thumbs a Ride 1947

★ 6.521 votes62 min📅 1947-02-20

"He'll kill until he dies!"

In the sun-bleached, tension-charged landscape of 1947 crime cinema, *The Devil Thumbs a Ride* delivers a gritty, high-stakes thriller that keeps you guessing until the final frame. Directed by Felix E.

Director: Felix E. Feist

Cast

Lawrence Tierney
Lawrence Tierney
Steve Morgan
Ted North
Ted North
Jimmy 'Fergie' Ferguson
Nan Leslie
Nan Leslie
Beulah Zorn, alias Carol Demming
Betty Lawford
Betty Lawford
Agnes Smith
Andrew Tombes
Andrew Tombes
Joe Brayden, Night Watchman
Harry Shannon
Harry Shannon
Detective Owens, San Diego Police
Marian Carr
Marian Carr
Diane Ferguson
William Gould
William Gould
Police Capt. Martin, San Diego Police
Josephine Whittell
Josephine Whittell
Diane's mother
Phil Warren
Pete, Roadblock Motorcycle Cop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) about?

When a ruthless killer on the run hitches a ride to Los Angeles, he pulls an unlikely group of strangers into a deadly game of deception. As the night wears on and the police close in, each passenger slowly realizes they've been trapped with a monster.

Who directed The Devil Thumbs a Ride?

Felix E. Feist helmed this taut crime thriller, infusing it with noir tension and sharp pacing.

Who stars in The Devil Thumbs a Ride?

The film stars Lawrence Tierney as the dangerous Steve Morgan, alongside Ted North, Nan Leslie, Betty Lawford, and Andrew Tombes in pivotal roles.

Is The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) worth watching?

For fans of classic crime thrillers, *The Devil Thumbs a Ride* is a tight, suspenseful ride with standout performances—especially Tierney's chilling portrayal of a man who'll kill to survive. Its short runtime and noir atmosphere make it a hidden gem worth tracking down.

How long is The Devil Thumbs a Ride?

The Devil Thumbs a Ride runs approximately 62 minutes, a brisk runtime that packs a punch.

About The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) — Lawrence Tierney's noir thriller with a deadly twist

In the sun-bleached, tension-charged landscape of 1947 crime cinema, *The Devil Thumbs a Ride* delivers a gritty, high-stakes thriller that keeps you guessing until the final frame. Directed by Felix E. Feist, this compact noir unfolds like a coiled spring as escaped killer Steve Morgan (Lawrence Tierney) manipulates an unsuspecting group of strangers into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. With a runtime just over an hour, the film wastes no time, throwing Morgan into a night of escalating paranoia as he hitches a ride to Los Angeles, dragging his reluctant passengers along for the ride. The story crackles with claustrophobic dread, as each stop—whether at a gas station or a deserted beach house—brings Morgan closer to exposure while the net of law enforcement tightens around him.

The chemistry between Morgan and his reluctant companions, including naive Fergie (Ted North) and the sharp-witted women who join their journey, crackles with unease, turning a simple road trip into a psychological minefield. Feist's direction drips with noir atmosphere, using shadow and suspense to underscore the moral decay at the heart of this tale. *The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947)* is a masterclass in economical storytelling, where every glance and hesitation speaks volumes.