“She was a true pioneer; the six films she directed between 1949 and 1953 are remarkable chamber pieces that deal with challenging subjects in a clear, almost documentary fashion, and are a singular achievement in American cinema.” - Martin Scorcese
Only the second woman admitted to the Directors Guild of America, Ida Lupino was a Hollywood iconoclast, an actor-turned-director renowned for tackling complex and controversial subject matter.
In the 1953 film THE HITCH-HIKER, which she wrote and directed, Lupino tells the chilling story of two men on a fishing trip who are abducted by a murderous hitchhiker. Forced to help their captor evade the law, the men embark on a harrowing road trip across California and Mexico.
In this MMU Online seminar, we’ll discuss Lupino’s career and path to the director’s chair; the noir tradition she’s working in with THE HITCH-HIKER; and the film’s themes, production, and reception.
Your ticket provides you access to a pre-recorded lecture and a spot in our virtual discussion on Thursday, June 17 at 7:30pm. Please note that you will need to find and watch the film on your own.
About the instructor:
Ted Hurliman studied Theater Arts and Film at Boise State University before settling in Portland. As a playwright, Ted has seen his work produced on both coasts; however, his true love has always been film. For the last fifteen years, his work as a film curator and programmer has allowed him to indulge this love in a number of ways. He delights in researching and organizing film programs and retrospectives, and also writes, edits and produces various film and commercial projects. Ted spent six years on the board of the Hollywood Theatre, and programs both the Cinema Classics and Foreign Affairs series.
What is MMU Online?
MMU Online is a virtual education program from the Hollywood Theatre and Movie Madness, featuring lectures and discussions hosted by film experts.
How does it work?
- Purchase a ticket. With your purchase, you will receive access to a pre-recorded lecture to watch on your own.
- Find and watch the film. We are not providing access to this film, so you’ll have to find and watch THE HITCH-HIKER on your own. It’s available for free on Kanopy to Multnomah County Library card holders, as well as on a variety of other streaming services.
- Submit questions in advance. Email us any questions you’d like the instructor to answer! You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions during the seminar, but giving us some advance notice helps us better prepare. Send questions to education@moviemadness.org.
- Join us for a virtual seminar on June 17, where our instructor will discuss the film in more detail and answer your questions.
Scholarships:
We are committed to making our education offerings as accessible as possible. If cost is a barrier, please fill out this form to receive a full tuition waiver.