IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1.2K
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During the 1950s, a man's car trip from L.A. to Texas turns into a Cold-War espionage drama after his car breaks down and he accepts a lift from a stranger.During the 1950s, a man's car trip from L.A. to Texas turns into a Cold-War espionage drama after his car breaks down and he accepts a lift from a stranger.During the 1950s, a man's car trip from L.A. to Texas turns into a Cold-War espionage drama after his car breaks down and he accepts a lift from a stranger.
Karl Ludwig Lindt
- Kissel
- (as Karl Lindt)
John Frederick
- Sheriff
- (as John Merrick)
Leonard Bremen
- Collision Shop Owner
- (uncredited)
Sidney Clute
- Mechanic
- (uncredited)
Ken Curtis
- FBI Agent Jim Anderson
- (uncredited)
Harry Hines
- Motel Owner
- (uncredited)
Tom McKee
- Man from Sanitarium
- (uncredited)
Bert Stevens
- Motorcycle Cop
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe opening scene of the car being towed replicates the one in Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole (1951). Writer-director Henry Kesler acknowledged the hat-tip by naming the place "Wilder's Garage."
- GoofsIn the opening scene, Mrs. Nicholson's car passes the towed car, yet John Emmett's towed car gets to the garage before Ann Nicholson's Lincoln. However, it's quite obvious that John's car comes in from the left while Ann's car enters from the right, indicating that she passed the service station and then drove back. That is why John's car enters first, even thought Ann's car passed him on the highway.
Featured review
Sterling Hayden Taken for a Ride by Ruth Roman
Sterling Hayden, a guy stuck in the middle of the desert with a broken down car, agrees to help drive Ruth Roman, a nervous woman in a hurry, to Santa Fe. In doing so, he takes the first of FIVE STEPS TO DANGER.
A lot of movies made in the 40s and 50s, intentionally or not, end up celebrating the glories of the American Road, presumably because filming on the highway was cheaper and easier than building a set. This one, featuring views of mid 50s cars, gas stations, roadside dives, vacation lodges and hotel lobbies, is better than most at showing the real look of roadside America, 1955. Additionally, for the first half of the movie, the plot is pretty good, too, as the filmmaker does a decent job of sowing doubt as to whether female lead Ruth Roman is just a gal with a case of nerves, or a dangerous femme fatale. Unfortunately, as is the case with a lot of B films, the premise is better than the execution, and the ultimate implausibility and banality of the goings on makes the second half of the film less interesting. But the rather good start to the movie will probably keep you interested enough to stay to the end, where all is explained by the good-hearted CIA agent.
If you are a sucker for midcentury cool or low budget crime dramas, this one is for you. But don't expect a brilliant ending, or a good performance from Werner (Col. Clink) Klemperer.
A lot of movies made in the 40s and 50s, intentionally or not, end up celebrating the glories of the American Road, presumably because filming on the highway was cheaper and easier than building a set. This one, featuring views of mid 50s cars, gas stations, roadside dives, vacation lodges and hotel lobbies, is better than most at showing the real look of roadside America, 1955. Additionally, for the first half of the movie, the plot is pretty good, too, as the filmmaker does a decent job of sowing doubt as to whether female lead Ruth Roman is just a gal with a case of nerves, or a dangerous femme fatale. Unfortunately, as is the case with a lot of B films, the premise is better than the execution, and the ultimate implausibility and banality of the goings on makes the second half of the film less interesting. But the rather good start to the movie will probably keep you interested enough to stay to the end, where all is explained by the good-hearted CIA agent.
If you are a sucker for midcentury cool or low budget crime dramas, this one is for you. But don't expect a brilliant ending, or a good performance from Werner (Col. Clink) Klemperer.
helpful•185
- alonzoiii-1
- Aug 25, 2009
- How long is 5 Steps to Danger?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 21 minutes
- Color
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