On this day in movie history - Duel (1971):

Duel

directed by Steven Spielberg,

written by Richard Matheson,

based on the short story by Richard Matheson,

was released in the United States on November 13, 1971.
Music by Billy Goldenberg.

Cast:

Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Eddie Firestone, Lou Frizzell, Gene Dynarski, Lucille Benson, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel, Shirley O'Hara, Alexander Lockwood, Amy Douglass, Dick Whittington, Carey Loftin, Dale Van Sickel, Shawn Steinman.

Recommended reading - Duel (1971):

Duel

By Richard Matheson.

Introduction by Ray Bradbury.

Publisher by Tor Books.

Published 1971.

Paperback.

ISBN 13: 9780312878269

ISBN 10: 0312878265

ASIN: B00A2M37ZG

Description:

“Richard Matheson is worth our time, attention, and great affection.” – from the Appreciation by Ray Bradbury.

The late Richard Matheson's classic tale of highway terror.

He was heading west, en route to San Francisco. It was Thursday and unseasonably hot for April. He had his suitcoat off, his tie removed and shirt collar opened, his sleeve cuffs folded back. There was sunlight on his left arm and on part of his lap. He could feel the heat of it through his dark trousers as he drove along the two-lane highway. For the past twenty minutes, he had not seen another vehicle going in either direction.

Then he saw the truck ...

Remember that murderous semi chasing Dennis Weaver down a lonely stretch of desert highway?

Duel, Steven Spielberg's acclaimed first film, was adapted by Richard Matheson from his unforgettable story of the same name.

However, "Duel" is only one of the classic suspense tales in this outstanding collection of stories by the Grand Master of Horror. It also contains Matheson's legendary first story, "Born of Man and Woman," as well as several stunning shockers that inspired memorable episodes of The Twilight Zone, including "Little Girl Lost," "Steel," and "Third from the Sun."

Like Matheson's previous collection, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, Duel is an indispensable treasure trove of terror from the New York Times bestselling author of I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come.