This is a disturbing film, particularly since it not only is based on a true story but it shows a photo of the actual family at the beginning of the film. Billed as a B-movie noir, it is plays more like a straight crime-drama, although there is some beautiful tension built particularly when the hostage taking kidnappers are all in the family's home overnight.
The drama starts when Gene Courtier picks up a hitchhiker in the desert on his way home. The hitchhiker pulls a gun and drives him out into the desert, where he is joined by his two partners. Vince Edwards, John Cassavetes, and David Cross play the three criminals who initially are going to shoot Gene in the desert and leave him for dead, but get convinced by Gene himself to go with him to sell his car after only getting $10 off his wallet. They find out they can't get the money for the car until the next day which sends them all to stay the night at the Courtier's home in order to prevent them from going to the police. This is one of the most tense periods of the film as one of the violent criminals is pretty hands-y with Mrs. Courtier. I feel like the couple does several things right...sticking together, trying to make a deal with the sanest of the three, yelling out about the police radio. They did some things that probably saved their lives.
"What happened to the Courtier's could happen to you!"
The moral of this story is don't pick up hitchhikers. I loved the footage out in the desert amongst the cacti, the visuals were great in this film. I particularly liked the step by step process of tracking a phone call's location in the 1950's was great. If you like tough guys and crime drama...I think you should add this to your list. Not sure it stacks up to any of the real noir classics, it does have a story that's enjoyable to watch...especially since it's true. Soft recommendation for crime fans and really because the three hardened criminals really make this film worth the viewing.
The drama starts when Gene Courtier picks up a hitchhiker in the desert on his way home. The hitchhiker pulls a gun and drives him out into the desert, where he is joined by his two partners. Vince Edwards, John Cassavetes, and David Cross play the three criminals who initially are going to shoot Gene in the desert and leave him for dead, but get convinced by Gene himself to go with him to sell his car after only getting $10 off his wallet. They find out they can't get the money for the car until the next day which sends them all to stay the night at the Courtier's home in order to prevent them from going to the police. This is one of the most tense periods of the film as one of the violent criminals is pretty hands-y with Mrs. Courtier. I feel like the couple does several things right...sticking together, trying to make a deal with the sanest of the three, yelling out about the police radio. They did some things that probably saved their lives.
"What happened to the Courtier's could happen to you!"
The moral of this story is don't pick up hitchhikers. I loved the footage out in the desert amongst the cacti, the visuals were great in this film. I particularly liked the step by step process of tracking a phone call's location in the 1950's was great. If you like tough guys and crime drama...I think you should add this to your list. Not sure it stacks up to any of the real noir classics, it does have a story that's enjoyable to watch...especially since it's true. Soft recommendation for crime fans and really because the three hardened criminals really make this film worth the viewing.