Sat 1 Apr 2023
An Archived Movie Review: THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE (1947).
Posted by Steve under Crime Films , Reviews[10] Comments
THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE. RKO Radio Pictures, 1947. Lawrence Tierney, Ted North, Nan Leslie, Betty Lawford. Based on the novel (McBride, hardcover, 1938) by co-screenwriter Robert C. duSoe. Director: Felix E. Feist.
A traveling salesman, a happy-go-lucky sort of guy, with a good job and a wife waiting home for him, makes a serious mistake. He picks up a guy thumbing a ride. They then pick up two girls who are hoofing their way to Hollywood, then stop and have a party.
A deadly one. Lawrence Tierney is perfect in the role of a killer on the run.With his cold and shifty eyes, he was made for the part. Everybody is fine in their roles, even the minor ones. I even recognized the voice of Arthur Q. Bryan as a local cop. (Among others, he played the role of Fibber McGee’s friend Doc Gamble on the radio.)
April 1st, 2023 at 2:20 pm
For Jonathan’s review of the film, posted several years ago on this blog, go here:
https://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=32679
April 1st, 2023 at 3:16 pm
I just received a new biography on Lawrence Tierney which looks good. Hope I can find time to read it.
April 1st, 2023 at 3:26 pm
This must be the book, and if it is, here’s a good review of it:
https://www.rogerebert.com/features/lawrence-tierney-bio-etches-vivid-portrait-of-hollywoods-real-life-tough-guy
April 1st, 2023 at 9:26 pm
Tierney had the unique ability to be sinister, sadistic, sociopathic, pathetic, and doomed all in the same role and command the screen even when you hated his character.
April 1st, 2023 at 9:29 pm
Has anyone read the novel by co screenwriter Robert C. DuSoe this was based on? I can’t recall ever seeing a copy.
April 2nd, 2023 at 12:12 am
The hardcover below in jacket has a listed price of $15,000
but it was reprinted in paperback by Avon in 1949. Copies are available in the $40 range. The good news is that it has a couple of recent trade paperback editions for even less than that.
But no, I don’t remember ever seeing a copy either.
April 1st, 2023 at 11:53 pm
Famous as ‘Doc Gamble’ yes indeed –Arthur Q. Bryan –but also the voice of WB’s Elmer Fudd. One of the few Merry Melodies characters not voiced by Mel Blanc.
April 2nd, 2023 at 10:38 am
Tierney does a nice turn as a romantic lead in the 1946 film Step by Step with Ann Jeffreys, fighting Nazis and charming Ms. Jeffreys. It’s too bad his personal demons got the best of him so often for so long.
April 2nd, 2023 at 5:54 pm
He also played Elaine’s dad on Seinfeld.
April 2nd, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Yes, once, in what could have led to a recurring role, but as it turned out, never again.