Detour

Plot

Al Roberts is a talented but cynical pianist working in a New York nightclub who becomes despondent when his girlfriend and singer Sue Harvey leaves for Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. Determined to join her, Roberts sets out on a cross-country hitchhiking journey that quickly descends into a nightmare when he accepts a ride from Charles Haskell, a wealthy businessman who mysteriously dies during their trip. In a moment of panic, Roberts assumes Haskell's identity and continues driving, only to pick up Vera, a venomous and manipulative woman who recognizes him and begins a systematic campaign of blackmail and psychological torture. Trapped in Vera's web of extortion and increasingly desperate to escape, Roberts's life spirals into a vortex of paranoia, violence, and moral compromise, ultimately leading to a fatal confrontation and his arrest for crimes that began as a series of unfortunate choices but ended as a tragic inevitability.

Historical Background

'Detour' was produced and released during the final months of World War II, a period when American cinema was beginning to reflect the growing disillusionment and psychological trauma of the war years. The film emerged from the 'poverty row' sector of Hollywood, where studios like PRC competed with major studios by producing films quickly and cheaply. The post-war period saw the rise of film noir as a distinct genre, characterized by its pessimistic worldview, moral ambiguity, and visual style influenced by German Expressionism. 'Detour' captured the zeitgeist of a nation transitioning from wartime unity to peacetime anxiety, reflecting fears about fate, identity, and the dark underbelly of the American dream. The film's themes of displacement and disorientation resonated with returning veterans and a society grappling with the psychological costs of war.

Making Of

The production of 'Detour' is legendary in Hollywood history for its extreme economy and creative problem-solving. Director Edgar G. Ulmer, working for the notoriously budget-conscious PRC studio, developed numerous techniques to create the illusion of a much more expensive production. The cross-country journey was suggested through minimal means: a few rear projection shots, stock footage, and clever dialogue. The infamous scene where Haskell dies in the car was accomplished by having actor Edmund MacDonald lie completely still while crew members rocked the vehicle and created wind effects with fans. Ann Savage's intensely aggressive performance was reportedly enhanced by her genuine dislike of co-star Tom Neal, creating an authentic tension that Ulmer capitalized on. The film was shot in chronological order, which was unusual but helped maintain narrative continuity given the rapid shooting schedule. Ulmer's background in German Expressionist cinema informed his use of shadows and camera angles to create psychological depth despite the limited resources.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Benjamin H. Kline is remarkable for its creative use of limited resources to maximum effect. Working with minimal lighting equipment and basic sets, Kline employed high-contrast lighting and deep shadows characteristic of film noir, creating an atmosphere of psychological unease and moral ambiguity. The visual style draws heavily from German Expressionism, with distorted camera angles and stark lighting that externalize the protagonist's tormented mental state. Kline utilized low-angle shots to emphasize power dynamics and claustrophobic framing to convey Roberts's entrapment. The famous diner scene uses reflective surfaces and strategic lighting to create a web-like visual pattern around the characters. Despite the budget constraints, the cinematography achieves a visual richness that enhances the narrative's themes of fate and paranoia, proving that artistic vision could triumph over technical limitations.

Innovations

Despite its minimal budget, 'Detour' achieved remarkable technical innovations through creative problem-solving. The film pioneered several cost-effective techniques that would become standard in low-budget filmmaking. Ulmer's use of rear projection for the driving sequences created the illusion of movement without expensive location shooting. The production developed innovative lighting techniques using minimal equipment to achieve the high-contrast noir aesthetic. The film's sound design, while sparse, demonstrated how selective use of audio elements could maximize psychological impact. Perhaps most significantly, 'Detour' proved that compelling narrative and visual style could be achieved through creative resourcefulness rather than expensive technology. These technical achievements have made the film a case study in efficient filmmaking, influencing generations of independent and low-budget filmmakers.

Music

Due to the extreme budget constraints, 'Detour' features a minimal but effective musical score primarily composed of stock music and library tracks. The limited original music was composed by Leo Erdody, who had to create atmospheric cues with minimal resources. The film makes strategic use of diegetic music, particularly the nightclub piano pieces that establish Al Roberts's background and profession. The soundtrack's sparseness actually enhances the film's tense atmosphere, with long stretches of silence punctuated by sudden musical stings that emphasize moments of psychological crisis. The absence of a lush orchestral score contributes to the film's raw, gritty quality, making the musical moments more impactful when they do occur. This economical approach to sound design has been praised by later critics for its effectiveness in creating mood and tension.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening narration where Al Roberts sits alone in a roadside diner, establishing the film's fatalistic tone and flashback structure
• The death scene in the car where Haskell dies mysteriously, forcing Al to make his fateful decision
• Vera's first appearance, emerging from the shadows with predatory intensity, immediately establishing her as a threatening presence
• The blackmail sequence where Vera systematically destroys Al's psychological defenses through manipulation and threats
• The final struggle in the hotel room, culminating in Vera's accidental death and Al's complete entrapment by fate

What Critics Said

Upon its initial release, 'Detour' received mixed reviews from mainstream critics, many of whom dismissed it as typical B-movie fare. The New York Times offered a lukewarm assessment, though some critics recognized the intensity of Ann Savage's performance and the film's atmospheric qualities. Over the decades, critical opinion has shifted dramatically, with modern critics hailing it as a masterpiece of low-budget filmmaking. François Truffaut and other French New Wave directors championed the film, helping to establish its reputation as a noir classic. Contemporary critics now praise Ulmer's directorial skill, the film's taut narrative structure, and its powerful expressionistic visual style. The film currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics consensus calling it 'a grim but masterful slice of film noir that demonstrates how style and performance can triumph over budget limitations'.

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience response to 'Detour' was modest, as was typical for PRC releases which primarily played in second-run theaters and as part of double bills. However, the film developed a strong cult following over the years, particularly among film noir enthusiasts and cinema scholars. Audiences were drawn to its raw intensity and the palpable chemistry between the leads. The film's bleak worldview and uncompromising narrative found resonance with later generations of viewers who appreciated its unflinching approach to dark themes. In the modern era, 'Detour' has become a staple of revival houses and film festivals, with contemporary audiences responding to its timeless themes and the authenticity of its performances. The film's reputation has grown through home video releases and streaming availability, introducing it to new audiences who continue to be captivated by its nightmarish journey into the heart of American darkness.

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