Sweet young lass Nan Adams (a fine and appealing by the fetching Inger Stevens) finds herself being taunted by a mysterious hitch-hiker (nicely played with understated menace by Leonard Strong) while driving cross country.
Director Alvin Ganzer relates the absorbing story at a brisk pace, ably crafts a compelling enigmatic atmosphere, makes neat use of lonely back roads locations, and builds plenty of tension. Stevens really keeps this episode humming with her strong acting and sympathetic aura of vulnerability; she receives sturdy support from Adam Williams as a less than helpful sailor and George Mitchell as a cranky gas station attendant. Rod Serling's crafty script makes an interesting point about accepting one's fate and mortality as well as resolves the situation in a pleasingly low-key manner. The crisp cinematography by George T. Clemens rates as another significant asset. A ride that's well worth taking.
Director Alvin Ganzer relates the absorbing story at a brisk pace, ably crafts a compelling enigmatic atmosphere, makes neat use of lonely back roads locations, and builds plenty of tension. Stevens really keeps this episode humming with her strong acting and sympathetic aura of vulnerability; she receives sturdy support from Adam Williams as a less than helpful sailor and George Mitchell as a cranky gas station attendant. Rod Serling's crafty script makes an interesting point about accepting one's fate and mortality as well as resolves the situation in a pleasingly low-key manner. The crisp cinematography by George T. Clemens rates as another significant asset. A ride that's well worth taking.