The Hitchhiker

'The Hitchhiker' is a radio play written by Lucille Fletcher. The lead role was performed by Orson Welles, who was 23 when 'The Hitchhiker' was recorded.  'The Hitchhiker' was first broadcast in 1941  on CBS radio. 

The music for the play was written by Lucille’s husband, Bernard Herrmann. Lucille and Bernard were a power couple and rock stars of suspense radio and cinema in the 40's, 50's and 60's. 

Immediately after their marriage in 1939, Bernard Herrmann and Lucille Fletcher left New York for Hollywood, where Herrmann was to compose music for Orson Welles’ first feature film, 'Citizen Kane.'  They made the trip to Hollywood many times by car over the next two years. On one such trip, Lucille Fletcher noticed a strange-looking man hitchhiking along the road.  First she saw him on the Brooklyn Bridge, and later, on the Pulaski Skyway. 

How had he gotten in front of them? He was creepy looking and Lucille was struck by it. She didn’t know what to do with the idea initially but it percolated in her mind until she came up with 'The Hitchhiker.'  It is now considered a classic of suspense and has been retold many times in TV, animated films, radio and graphic novels. Listen now. 

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