Detour
Seen it?1945 | 68 min | Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1945: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $30K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 83K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
- Tom NealAl Roberts
- Ann SavageVera
- Claudia DrakeSue Harvey
- Edmund MacDonaldCharles Haskell Jr.
- Tim RyanDiner Owner Gus
- Esther HowardHedy
- Pat GleasonJoe
- Don BrodieUsed Car Salesman (uncredited)
- Roger ClarkCop (uncredited)
- Eddie HallUsed Car Mechanic (uncredited)