I’ll keep doing a Best Twilight Zone Episodes post every so often, writing a little bit about my favorite episodes and why. The Hitch-Hiker is another Rod Serling written episode (from a story by Lucille Fletcher) on the first season that I’ve loved ever since I saw it as a re-run when I was a kid. There’s an eerie feeling throughout as you watch this woman continually run from, but never get away from, the mysterious hitchhiker.
Synopsis
A woman on a cross-country drive to California constantly sees the same man hitchhiking no matter how far she drives or how much she tries to get away from him.
Why this Episode is Great
The Scene on the Railroad Tracks
Great tension as Nan tries to start her car while it is stuck on the railroad tracks and a train is headed straight for her. The hitchhiker is right in front of her and she’s trapped. This scene was done well before this type of thing became a cliche in movies and TV.
Nan’s Terror
Actress Inger Stevens does a fabulous job of looking terrified as Nan at all the right times. A vulnerable woman on the road alone with a mysterious hitchhiker tormenting her makes for great suspense. It truly makes the U.S. highways look like a terrifying and dangerous place in America.
Best Line
The Hitchhiker’s question, “Going my way?” is the best use of that line I can remember. His creepy bug-eyes and penetrating expression seem to pierce right through Nan.
Meeting the Sailor
I love the chemistry between the sailor and Nan. At first, you’re thinking that this sailor may have questionable motives and you feel like Nan may have just invited someone even worse than the hitchhiker into her car. Then when Nan sees the hitchhiker and the sailor can’t, the tables turn and suddenly the sailor is terrified of Nan. Great little switch.
Opening Narration
“Her name is Nan Adams. She’s twenty-seven years old. Her occupation: buyer at a New York department store, at present of vacation, driving cross-country to Los Angeles, California, from Manhattan…. Minor incident on Highway 11 in Pennsylvania, perhaps to be filed away under accidents you walk away from. But from this moment on, Nan Adam’s companion on a trip to California will be terror; her route–fear; her destination–quite unknown.”
I couldn’t find a link to watch the episode but both Netflix and Hulu have it as of this writing.
Other posts in this series:
Best Twilight Zone Episodes – Third from the Sun