The Hitch-Hiker is the most distinctive of the independent, social-issue films produced by Ida Lupino’s company The Filmakers Inc. Lupino was a favorite actress of directors ranging from Raoul Walsh to Sam Peckinpah, and extensive studio experience helped her transform a low-budget thriller about a dangerous road trip into an innovative exploration of fractured subjectivity. The abundant noir elements are enriched by legendary cinematographer Nicholas Musuraca’s supple location shooting. Preserved by the Library of Congress.