You'd think after writing a whole novel based around the 1945 film, Detour, that I'd be tired of watching it by now. But there are some great lines in this film that never get old. Here are a couple, just from the first 30 minutes or so:
"That tune! Why was there always that rotten tune, following me around, beating in my head, never letting up. Did you ever want to forget anything? Did you ever want to cut away a piece of your memory and blot it out? You can't, you know. No matter how hard you try. You can change the scenery, but sooner or later you'll get a whiff of perfume or somebody will say a certain phrase or maybe hum something. Then you're licked again!"
"You know Emily Post oughtta write a book about guys thumbing rides. Because as it is now, you never know what's right and what's wrong."
"It's amazing what a full belly can do to your imagination."
"So what else could I do but hide the body?"
That last line's a kicker. Come on, Al. You sure there are no other options? And as for the Emily Post book, we'll settle for a novel, shall we? And call it Detour to Murder.
