Meet Vera, Film noir's most vicious woman (Detour, 1945)

#filmnoir #classicmovies #classichollywood #femmefatale
Detour's (1945) Vera is film noir's most vicious woman.
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[@CinemaCities1978]

Ann Savage delivers a SAVAGE performance as Vera in the 1945 film "Detour." Directed by Edgar Ulmer for PRC Studios on a budget of just over $100,000 and filmed in a mere two weeks, "Detour" is a grimy, cheap low-budget B movie and a masterpiece of film noir. Vera is definitely the meanest woman in film noir.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

I can't wait to watch this. She makes "I don't LIKE you!" seem worse than the worst four-letter word.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

P.S. If you're looking for mean women in noir, check out Romeo Is Bleeding and The Last Seduction. Mean!

[@curiousworld7912]

I'm glad they allowed Ms. Savage to look the way she did. Thank you for pointing that out - I've seen too many films where the actresses had perfectly coiffed hair and makeup, incongruous of the setting. But Ann Savage's 'Vera' looked the part, wonderfully.

[@marcbergeron1750]

In Decoy (1946) you will find the most ruthless , soulless and disturbing femme fatale in Margot Shelby played by complete abandon by Ms. Jean Gillie. I'd be curious how you would do a piece on her.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

@@marcbergeron1750 Seconded. Mean to the end!

[@MothGirl007]

Yes! Vera so totally deserves an entire video devoted to her epic viciousness!

[@CinemaCities1978]

I just love how venomous Ann Savage sounds as she delivers her lines.

[@MothGirl007]

@@CinemaCities1978 She has such an ironically apt last name - I just love her so much!

[@MothGirl007]

Director Guy Maddin has been quoted as saying that Ann Savage "would have scared the pants off of Bette Davis" and cast her in the part of his mother in "My Winnipeg" (2007). I just recently found out that she earned her pilot's license when she was in her late 50s and loved to fly. She was just the coolest, imho.

[@GrandOldMovies]

Savage's (such an apt name!) performance as Vera, how she digs into her role, no holds barred, makes you wonder what she would have been like playing other fatal noir dames, such as Phyllis Dietriechson or Kathie Moffat - not that she would have been the same as Stanwyck or Greer, but what she herself would have brought to such roles. You have to admire her guts in Detour, how she responded to her director and took the opportunity given to her.

[@MothGirl007]

I would have loved to have seen her in more roles like that.

[@michaelstearnes1526]

Detour and Gun Crazy is my concept of the ideal double feature.

[@CinemaCities1978]

that would make for a perfect movie night

[@michaelstearnes1526]

Can't you just visualize Ann Savage and Peggy Cummins in a remake of "Little Women"?

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@michaelstearnes1526 ok, now that would be CINEMA 😂

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

Agreed. It’s almost as if she’s an amalgam of several Femme Fatales wrapped in one. With an extra dose of mean.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I feel Al's exhaustion with her through the screen. Her nastiness is unrelenting.

[@sarahalbers5555]

Great call on that!

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

I love all of the Film Noir classics but i have to admit that I've watched Detour more than any of those. It's a terrific film with great performances; especially from Ann Savage.

[@andrewehunt68]

Spot on analysis of one of the greatest performances in the history of film noir. The fact that she is so believable in this role, but by all accounts, was nothing like the character in real life, speaks volumes about her amazing acting chops. Thanks for another great video!

[@DanielOrme]

When I see Vera, I think of Phyllis Dietrichson's admission at the end of Double Indemnity "I'm rotten to the heart." But Phyllis had learned how to disguise it. Vera never learned that. Her rottenness is all out in its gloriously terrifying open! 😧

[@CinemaCities1978]

I get the feeling that Vera has had to be that way almost all of her life and her violent encounter with Charles Haskell definitely not the first time she's been in that situation.

[@suzimajor9532]

THANK YOU DO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS! Vera was one of my absolute FAVORITE characters in film history. Ann Savage’s performance was unforgettable..she was mean, vicious, and cruel, but at the same time she made you feel sympathy for her, especially when you realized that she was suffering from some fatal illness. The film becomes electric once she gets onscreen. Thanks again for posting this!

[@lawrencelewis2592]

That beautiful 1941 Lincoln Continental is one of my favourite cars! An all-time classic. So classic that Sonny Corleone drove one.

[@kirksworks]

Ann Savage gave one of the finest film performances in history. Just rewatching your clips of her scenes gave me chills all over again. Low budget master Ulmer is one of my favorite directors. He could pull off.greatness with no money. Another of his noirs I like is Murder is My Beat with the infamous Barbara Payton, Tom Neal’s once girlfriend. Not as good as Detour but it has an undeniable charm about it. Ruthless is another to see, sort of a one dollar budget Citizen Kane. Honestly. Ulmer, as you probably know, worked in many genres, and was particularly fond of cheap science fiction. His horror film The Black Cat, is a minor masterpiece. Really enjoying your comments. Ann Savage in Detour is one of your best!

[@MothGirl007]

He was always able to do so much, no matter what the budget was, and is one of my favorite directors, as well. There is a good interview with him in Peter Bogdanovich's excellent book "Who The Devil Made It?" - highly recommended!

[@kirksworks]

@@MothGirl007 yes, I read that great book!

[@VintageVera]

Even when I watch Ann Savage in a different movie, she still scares me -- that's how powerful this performance is.

[@CinemaCities1978]

This performance is so iconic I can't help but see Vera anytime Ann Savage appears onscreen.

[@JackWebb713]

"I invented it.". That line in reference to the Murphy bed has always intrigued me. When I was younger I lived in an old building in Oakland, CA where I had one. The Hill Castle Apartments. It is still there at 14th and Jackson though I would imagine the Murphy is long gone.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

My mother grew up in Brooklyn the 30s and said that she slept in a Murphy bed.

[@sarahalbers5555]

Oh my gosh, the Murphy bed! I was once on a layover in London that had 4 Murphy beds in it and no a/c in the summer. Now that was a nightmare, but I love London.

[@clintmesle7613]

Ann truly was a 'Savage' in that movie. She was great and I wish she had more success in films.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

Yes, I agree with this, for second place I'd put, Lily Carver played by Gaby Rodgers in "Kiss Me Deadly".

[@CinemaCities1978]

I think my second place is Bridget Gregory from The Last Seduction.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

@@CinemaCities1978 Good choice, I really like 'The Last Seduction'.

[@markbrookes6557]

I clicked on this because I thought the actress was Ann Sheridan. I never heard of Ann Savage and I like old movies and I'm 66. I definitely want to watch this film. This one escaped me!

[@lawrencelewis2592]

You will love it! I saw it in a theatre about ten years ago- awesome!

[@MoreMovies4u]

"She was a real B-I-T-C-H!" lol Those eyes! What amazing acting. Now I HAVE to check this movie for Ann's performance. It looks gripping. Thanks CC! Great vid as always!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes! You have to watch it! 68 minutes that will leave you feeling grimy and in need of a shower. What more could you want from a 1940s B noir 😂

[@MothGirl007]

It's fabulous and so impressive what director Edgar Ulmer was able to do on a shoe string budget!

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Al wasn't the sharpest tool in the box. Any woman who drank a bottle of whisky a day couldn't have been too hard to get away from . He stuck with her because he liked it. What was the last line? "Somewhere for no reason at all, fate puts out a foot to trip you." Classic!

[@juanbarraza1490]

Vera was a female Lawrence Tierney. She was the epitome of feral.

[@CinemaCities1978]

yes! feral is a perfect description.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

"a Female Lawrence Tierney"- Best comment yet!

[@Doll676]

Totally agree u say that perfectly

[@paulkitt-er9dr]

As you said Ann Savage is a true original from the femme fatales. I highly recommend the book Savage Detour which covers Ann's life and film career she acted right to the very end.

[@Chiller11]

“She is mean to a certain extent.” Haha it sounds like she’s mean to the maximum extent. Ann Savage seemed delighted to have played the meanest woman in film history.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Savage making a serious understatement 😂😂😂

[@lbbotpn5429]

@@CinemaCities1978...or Savage was holding back her performance... Now *that's* a scary thought!

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@lbbotpn5429 could you imagine if THIS was the restrained performance??

[@lbbotpn5429]

Al had such a simple plan.... but he didn't count on Vera. Who could?

[@rustynail766]

You made me want to watch this one again! Thanks!

[@CinemaCities1978]

You're welcome!

[@jasoncromwell4206]

"Detour" has always been on my list I have no good excuse why I haven't watched it yet. During this past Spooky Season I really got into the old Suspense Radio Show, a huge influence on "The Twilight Zone." Most of the shows can be heard here on KZbin. Most of the twists are worthy of TZ, but some can be seen a mile off. The shows are entertaining even when you can see the twist coming. There was one exception: one with Mary Astor that starts off as a combination of "Suspicion" and "Gaslight", but ends up with women be crazy sometimes. One of the best ones stars Gene Kelly called "Death Went Along for the Ride." Much like "Detour" Gene is a man trying to get from Nevada back home to New York with a lot of crazy things that happen to him along the way. Gene gives an amazing dramatic performance without any singing or dancing. He does so good it makes me wish he and Hitch had teamed up for a movie. I more than bet you Hitch got a lot of ideas for "North by Northwest" from this episode. And that still doesn't give anything away.

[@AJBell-dh6ry]

She is also terrific in My Winnipeg (2007). She gives a hilarious performance, and proves six decades did nothing to dull her spark.

[@peterhall5070]

YUP! From the femme fatales I've seen thus far, Vera DEFINITELY ranks as most vicious. She's IN control of the situation at hand but personally, she's OUT of control. She's desperate and at the end of her rope; borderline psychotic due the hand that she's been dealt in life. Good little film, despite technical faults.

[@betamaxblocker]

Ann Savage is the main reason to watch Detour! What a performance! "I liked Haskell even less than I liked you...."

[@davidpyott3710]

Brilliant film Once you've seen it you won't forget it

[@harpgal9950]

Love it! Edit: I had not seen this film, but it is available on YT, so I just watched it. Fantastic. She was really a piece of work.

[@marymitchell6257]

Seeing this in my recommended made me watch Detour. I’m glad I did. Vera is such a unique character for the era.

[@SirSmoldham]

Awesome! I met Ann Savage through a friend, Shirley Ulmer Cipes, who also introduced me to Tom Neal's son for a project of mine. Vera scared the shit out of me but Ann was a beautiful person. Her role is a testament to her amazing talent.

[@retiredguy7273]

Excellent presentation, that makes me want to go back and watch the film again. Thank you for your work

[@usmale49]

Great review of this masterpiece. I always thought Barbara Stanwyck was a real tough cookie in "Double Indemnity", but this Ann Savage takes the cake!! Wow, what a performance! Just went to the site where the movie is...will being viewing it. Thank you so very much!!

[@MothGirl007]

You will love it!

[@usmale49]

@@MothGirl007 I'm sure I will...thanks!!

[@kenharris2121]

It's time for me to watch Detour again

[@marymitchell8625]

Oh, I knew you'd get around to this one sooner or later! I discovered this one in the 80s, I think. Some of the best Film Noirs I discovered in questionable prints late at night on ... like the A&E Channel or the old USA channel. I found The Stranger and Scarlet Street on A&E! This one is indestructible. I love the twists in the plot, but it might not be quite as fascinating as Tom Neal's off screen life. Why hasn't that become a movie?

[@jtcbrt]

Since the competition is fierce, that's saying a lot. But, I think you 're dead on. You're a good man, sister.

[@user-nq5hf5ti2o]

I mean, the actress who plays her has the last name Savage, Vera is the savage part of Ann

[@jamesallard7223]

Well: that was wonderful. Thanks again!

[@nobudgetshortfilms5510]

This is one of the few 'perfect' noir films, in my opinon. A true masterwork.

[@frederickcombs8661]

There is a good interview of Ann Savage when she was on Skip E Lowe on the Alan Eichler channel. I say this because her performance leaves you so undone.

[@CinemaCities1978]

the real Ann Savage is such a contrast to Vera It's almost jarring. She's a very pleasant and sweet lady

[@sarahalbers5555]

Just look at the way she is smoking that cigarette. You just know she is a genuine bad ass hot chick. It's a great look for her. Check out the side eye. She could vaporize you with that look!

[@CinemaCities1978]

To answer Haskell's question, this is the kind of dame that thumbs rides.

[@CuriousGrace818]

Meanest woman in film history? I mean have you seen Bette Davis in Of Human Bondage? The scene where she tells Leslie Howard ( who was also great in this movie) that she used to wipe her mouth after he kissed her was BRUTAL.

[@marymitchell8625]

Joan Greenwood in Kind Hearts & Coronets (1949?) would be my pick, actually. I love In Human Bondage, but Joan is a lot more deadly. This is the film where Alec Guinness plays several characters? To me, that is Victorian Noir.

[@RoHo.3]

Loved it. I think though that Mona Demarkov in Romeo Is Bleeding gives a very good run for the money.

[@mac2phin]

Detour is existential like Elevator to the Gallows is. That quality of things being beyond one's grasp.

[@classiclife7204]

Delivered as promised - Saturday morning! 😉 Very nice tribute! I can only add, for those who haven't seen "Detour", then please do so. It was so far ahead, I'd estimate about 20 years ahead. The non-Code ending. Ann Savage's eponymous performance! Always loved this movie.

[@aguynamedscott11]

I love that film location. Lancaster CA is Hollywood's little secret. The hitch hiking seen was filmed right across the street from the church used in Kill Bill. The gas station was actually the same one used in the terminator. That location has been used in dozens of movies.

[@Argonaut121]

Detour was way ahead of its time.

[@denisefreitas6727]

B.I.T.C.H., loved it! Ann Savage is really awesome in Detour. Great video!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Thank you!

[@colinr0380]

Amazing to think that she would be unstoppable in the modern day with cordless phones.

[@bennyshambles]

Yep, Vera (Ann Savage) is absolutely frightening.

[@MatthewDLDavidson]

Thanks for this great review. I had heard of this film, but never seen it. It looks excellent!

[@kathleencunningham6236]

Thank you so much for the videos.

[@Hogtownboy1]

Thank you again.

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

Ulmer famously directed The Black Cat with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. I was amused to find this video because there was a poet from Seattle in the 1980s called Vera Detour. I think everyone thought it was her real name.

[@CinemaCities1978]

oh that's funny! 😂

[@63mckenzie]

I wonder if B movies had more leeway to portray the female character's viciousness.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes, B studios didn't have established stars with established screen personas that had to be maintained. Also, the sensibilities and tastes of the studio bosses would never allow them to make a film like this. When they did they held their noses. Mayer at MGM despised the "The Asphalt Jungle," and Zanuck HATED "Nightmare Alley," two big studio films with some very unlikable characters.

[@63mckenzie]

@@CinemaCities1978 Yes, I remember reading the novella Double Indemnity is based on, and Stanwyck's character in the movie seemed to be more restrained.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

I would say ONE of the most vicious since she didn't actually kill anyone. But her acting is really incredible and yes, she is a mean one for sure. My review from a few years ago. "Saw DETOUR on Noir Alley last night. If you usually root for the underdog as I do, it's easy to like Edgar Ulmer. Like Joseph Lewis, he frequently had to work with small budgets and that brought out the best in his creativity. Detour is a testament to this--how a director can make gold out of rocks. Just about the most bleak, claustrophobic, downbeat, nightmarish, fatalistic noir ever made. And in the midst of all this is one of the most riveting female performances in American cinema of the 40's. Watch her hidden soft side in a scene at the apartment. Ann Savage's tour de force performance should have at least been nominated for an Academy award. But fat chance of the Academy even giving a thought to a movie such as this. The abrupt, downbeat, complaining ending is perfectly fitting for this low budget masterpiece. Here are three different views 1. " Using unknown actors and filming with no more than three minimal sets, a sole exterior (a used-car lot) to represent Los Angeles, a few stock shots and some shaky back-projection, Ulmer conjures up a black, paranoid vision, totally untainted by glamour, of shabby characters trapped in a spiral of irrational guilt." .2. " Detour remains a masterpiece of its kind. There have been hundreds of better movies, but none with the feel for doom portrayed by Ulmer." 3. From Roger Ebert. "Do these limitations and stylistic transgressions hurt the film? No. They are the film. “Detour” is an example of material finding the appropriate form. Two bottom-feeders from the swamps of pulp swim through the murk of low-budget noir and are caught gasping in Ulmer's net. They deserve one another. At the end, Al is still complaining: “Fate, for some mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me, for no good reason at all" I found these facts about the film interesting.----In 1972, Ulmer said in an interview that the film was shot in six days. However, in a 2004 documentary, Ulmer's daughter Arianne presented a shooting script title page which noted, "June 14, 1945-June 29. Camera days 14." Moreover, Ann Savage was contracted to Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) for the production of Detour for three six-day weeks, and she later said the film was shot in four six-day weeks, with an additional four days of location work in the desert at Lancaster, California. While popular belief long held that Detour was shot for about $20,000 Noah Isenberg, in conducting research for his book on the film, discovered that the production's final cost was closer to $100,000. As detailed in Savage Detours: The Life and Work of Ann Savage, great care was taken during the post production of Detour. The final picture was tightly cut down from a much longer-shooting script, which had been shot with more extended dialogue sequences than appear in the released print. The soundtrack is also fully realized, with ambient backgrounds, motivated sound effects, and a carefully scored original musical soundtrack by Leo Erdody, who had previously worked with Ulmer on Strange Illusion (1945). Erdody took extra pains to underscore Vera's introduction with a sympathetic theme, giving the character a light musical shading in contrast to her razor-sharp dialogue and its ferocious delivery by Ann Savage. With reshoots out of the question for such a low-budget movie, director Ulmer put storytelling above continuity. For example, he flipped the negative for some of the hitchhiking scenes. This showed the westbound New York City to Los Angeles travel of the character with a right-to-left flow across the screen, though it also made cars seem to be driving on the "wrong" side of the road, with the hitchhiker getting into the car on the driver's side. The car owned by the character Charlie Haskell and later driven by Al Roberts is itself an integral part of the film's plot and is certainly the most memorable prop item in the production. The automobile is a customized 1941 Lincoln Continental V-12 convertible, a base model of a "Cabriolet" but one that features bolted-on rear wheel-well covers and some exterior components added later from Lincoln's limited 1942 version of the same model Reportedly, the production budget for Detour was so tight that director Ulmer decided to use this car, his "personal car", for the cross-country crime drama. Detour was generally well received on its initial release, with positive reviews in the Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety in other major newspapers and trade publications. Contemporary screenings of Detour were also not confined to grindhouse theaters; they were presented at top "movie houses". For example, in downtown Los Angeles in May 1946, it played at the 2,200-seat Orpheum in combination with a live stage show featuring the hit Slim Gaillard Trio and the Buddy Rich Orchestra. Business was reported to be excellent despite a transit strike. The film was released to television in the early 1950s, and it was broadcast in syndicated TV markets until the advent of mass cable systems. TV reviewers casually recommended it in the 1960s and 1970s as a worthwhile "B" movie. Then, by the 1980s, critics began citing Detour increasingly as a prime example of film noir, and revival houses, universities and film festivals began presenting the crime drama in tributes to Edgar G. Ulmer and his work. The director died in 1972, unfortunately before the full revival of Detour and the critical re-evaluation of his career occurred. Tom Neal died the same year as Ulmer, but Ann Savage lived long enough to experience the newfound acclaim. From 1985 until just two years before her death in 2008, she made a series of live appearances at public screenings of the film."

[@iainmelville9411]

Great video ! Looks like a great if, for its time, somewhat unconventional film. I’d like to see it. Thanks for all your work on this, I really enjoy your content.

[@CatSharkie]

Such a great video. My only complaint is that I’ve never had the chance to see the movie but I will be in the lookout!!!

[@CinemaCities1978]

If you want to watch it, I've linked it in the description box.

[@CatSharkie]

@@CinemaCities1978 Thanks so much: I know how I will be spending my Saturday night!!

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@CatSharkie wonderful! I hope you like it!

[@actioncom2748]

I remember when I first saw this movie. When I first saw Vera I remembered that She looked like somebody I would keep my distance from. She looked like a rough customer and it was a big mistake for Al to let her into his life. And Yikes, Almighty! Did I call that one.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Charles Haskell warned him when he said, "What kinds of dames hitchhike?"

[@BMcCue7]

I look forward to watching this movie tonight with my wife. She's not a fan of film noir, or of old movies in general. I hope she likes this one. I know I always have. This movie is my number two, right below Scarlet Street.

[@commonsensethecynosure1639]

I could fall for her, Vera.

[@Chiefkahuna2]

Al should have given her some affection. Mean women need love too!

[@bb1111116]

I just saw “Detour” because of the video. It was a decent noir. ***SPOILERS*** In the film Al has some of the worst possible luck. Not only does Haskell die on Al from possibly a heart attack, but the dead Haskell hits his head on a rock by accident making it look like murder. Then Al picks up the woman (Vera) that Haskell it seems previously tried to rape! On top of that Vera is dying from a disease and wants to cash in fast by blackmailing Al. When Al rebuffs Vera’s sexual advances, and she finds out that Haskell’s father is a dying millionaire, she pushes her money making schemes on Al to ridiculous levels and gets to a point where she just wants to bring Al down. What a nightmare!

[@nickimontie]

Oooh can't wait to watch this one!

[@HootOwl513]

Admittedly, Ann Savage knocked it out of the park as the Queen of the planet Bitch. I've seen this film. Re-seeing it scares me still. However, from the thumbnail, I thought the image was one of Stella Adler. Strangely, Adler's only excursion in near-Noir was a bit part in ''Shadow of the Thin Man,'' [1941] as Claire Porter, a dame suspect with the faux posh Mid-Atlantic delivery of, ''Rea-uh- lah, I haven't killed a Jockey in weeks.'' Strikingly beautiful, Adler only was in 4 pictures. She spent most of her time on stage: Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Europe. [Originally debuting in Yiddish theatre at the age of 4.] When she did sign with MGM, they changed her name to 'Stella Ardler ' -- adding a superfluous R. Her brother Luther Adler -- Joe Napoleon in ''Golden Boy'' -- quipped, they should have changed her name to Beverly Wilshire. Her life and talent was mostly devoted to teaching acting. She actually went to Moscow and studied the *Method* under Konstantin Stanislavski himself in the '30s. With Lee Strasburg and Elia Kazan, she founded the Actors' Studio in 1947. Having travelled to Russia, she was automatically Blacklisted, and so missed a lot of Film Noir work, as its heyday coincided with the McCarthy era. She was Brando's muse. Adler would have been a Natural in Noir, had she condescended to do so. Like Dana Andrews in ''Laura'' I am posthumously fixated by Stella Adler.

[@marionmarino1616]

I’m a noir fan, this film gets mentioned by all of us. Buy WHY does he do everything she wants?? Guilt, weakness, some Mother thing??

[@coelhocointech9841]

Amazing performance

[@Hogtownboy1]

Thanks!

[@CinemaCities1978]

thank you so much!!!!!!

[@lynneshapiro4179]

I can't see that film anymore, it is the emotionally scariest noir second after "The Hitchhiker." Fate, bad luck, and terrible choices for sure.

[@dk60ish]

For the top 2 film noir femme fatales, IMO it's Vera first, Kathie from "Out of the Past" 2nd!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Kathie is also a femme fatale MVP

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

#300! I watched this today because I saw you uploaded this essay - and found Vera strangely modern looking, could not put me finger on it - and of course! 'Perfect hair' not!

[@AngelsBerry-et5qn]

she's so awful but I love her character

[@glw2088]

same!

[@MothGirl007]

We all do.

[@quester09]

and then in real life, Tom Neal was involved with Barbara Payton

[@CinemaCities1978]

and then murdered his third wife 😮

[@ricardolorrio8228]

oh, Vera is horrible... I watched it for the first time yesterday. Sadly I knew the end, as this movie has been reviewed so many time, however, it did not spoil the film at all .. this must be the best B movie ever... loved every minute of it... btw, I am writing a noir novel set in the 1950s, so I am watching every film noir known to man, good and bad...

[@budspencer7530]

Theory #1 Vera is dying. Maybe more sad, broken & angry than vicious. She wants to be loved and tries to make an emotional connection with Al. If I had your troubles I'd stay sober - Before you wake up and find it's the ninth innings - Plenty of people dying this minute would give anything to trade places with you, I know what I'm talking about - you got a mean cough you oughta do something about it- That's what Camille said... Wasn't she the dame that died of consumption? - What could they do to me? But I'm on my way out all I'd be doin would be rushin it. Theory #2 Al killed Sue, Haskell & Vera. He's an unreliable narrator. Always seemed odd that he never actually talks with Sue on the phone. Only a theory.

[@patm4727]

And it’s not even close!

[@zetectic7968]

The opposite of a "damsel in distress".

[@CinemaCities1978]

Damsel that causes distress

[@aisforapple2494]

The most savage femme fatale is Ann.

[@raymundotorres6905]

Poor Al Roberts, I still feel sorry for the guy, totally dragged down by a scheming femme fatale!

[@nickbovi]

Its the best film Tom Neal ever did, its bad he had a mean violent, he did have some decent acting skills, he could have carved a nice career as a character actor, instead of a string of really bad films.

[@ronniecozzi8385]

This was the greatest film noir. No gloss. Just the bare bones here, all excess fat and meat chewed off and spit out. Anne Savage deserved an Oscar. She was an ex-wife in family court demanding more alimony on steroids.

[@Hi-jw7oq]

I dnt know much about 1940's autopsy results, but i am pretty sure since there were no weapons used and he had no poison in his body, the police wouldve known first guy died of natural causes, my point is the main character shouldve just gone to the police in the first place but maybe im in the wrong

[@jtcbrt]

I'm no kibitzer, but where's the link to the femme fatale playlist?

[@CinemaCities1978]

I forgot to paste it. It's there now.

[@jtcbrt]

@@CinemaCities1978 Good job, angel.

[@pangorban1]

After a rollicking good amoral ride, the moralistic ending of this story infuriated me. Stupid, obsequious submission to the Production Code. But to be fair, maybe they had no choice, given the times.

[@Doll676]

You said that right about the way she was reading him his character was very dum and stupid

[@danthsmith]

Great video. Tom Neal was pretty mean himself as he shot his wife in the head and nearly got the gas chamber

[@CinemaCities1978]

yeah Neal was a tough customer. He pretty much ruined his career when he beat up actor Franchot Tone up and left him in a coma.

[@trexinvert]

Funny. I felt sorry for Vera when I first watched this movie. She looks a bit edgy and dirty, but she is beautiful and proud. Upon, later watch, yes I can clearly see the monster. Those crazy eyes and her sudden explosive rage filled stares.

[@actioncom2748]

I am so glad that you caught that. That this movie might be a lie. a self-serving flashback. That Al Roberts killed Charlie Haskell for his car and is rewriting reality in his head. The biggest hint of this is when Al is having that dream and the dialogue does not match what "really happened."

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Roger Ebert's review of the film is along your lines.

[@leonhayes188]

This is the "noirest" of the noir films. It's as if they distilled all the other films and strained them through an acid soaked nylon hose and "Detour" was the result.

[@Em-os9yj]

i love her bad girls are the best

[@CinemaCities1978]

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