The Secret Cinema returns to the Woodmere on Tuesday, March 31, to present “The Hitch-Hiker,” a hard-as-nails 1953 thriller from the golden age of film noir, directed by Ida Lupino — the only woman director then working in mainstream Hollywood.

The film is one of the toughest, most suspenseful works in film noir. William Talman gives a terrifying performance as a psychopathic killer, given a lift by unsuspecting friends (Edmond O’Brien, Frank Lovejoy) on their way to a fishing vacation in Mexico. RKO’s ad campaign included the lines, “Have you ever picked up a hitch-hiker? We guarantee you won’t ever after seeing this picture,” leading to protest letters to the studio from hitchhikers, and an angry editorial in “Hobo” News, an early 20th century newspaper for migrant workers. Lupino and Collier Young’s script was adapted from an unpublished (and uncredited) novel by Daniel Mainwaring, screenwriter of “Out of the Past,” “The Phenix City Story” and other high-tension thrillers.

Lupino was a British-American actor, director, writer and producer who worked in Hollywood for over 50 years. As an actress, she starred in “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” (1939) with Basil Rathbone, “High Sierra” (1941) with Humphrey Bogart, and many other adventure and noir films. As a director, Lupino focused on issues facing women, including “Not Wanted” (1949) about unwed pregnancy, “Outrage” (1950), one of the first films tackling rape, and was the first woman to direct a film noir. The final film she directed was “The Trouble with Angels” (1966), a comedy starring Haley Mills. Lupino was also the only woman to direct for the original “Twilight Zone” television show, for the very well regarded episode “The Masks.”

“The Hitch-Hiker” will be screened on 16mm, presented by The Secret Cinema, Philadelphia’s premiere floating repertory cinema series. Drawing on its own large private film archive (as well as other collections), The Secret Cinema attempts to explore the uncharted territory and the genres that fall between the cracks, with programs devoted to educational and industrial films, cult and exploitation features, cartoons, rare television, local history, home movies, erotic films, politically incorrect material, and the odd Hollywood classic. As long as it exists on real celluloid, Secret Cinema screenings never use video/digital projection. While mainly based in Philadelphia, the Secret Cinema has also brought programming to other cities and countries.

The screening will be part of the regular Tuesday Nights at the Movies series, as presented by the Chestnut Hill Film Group, and like most Secret Cinema feature film programs, it will also include surprise short films. The screening begins at 7 pm. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. All Secret Cinema presentations are projected in 16mm film on a giant screen (not video).

Woodmere is located at 9201 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill.