Five Minutes to Live

This is a tough little movie. It would work quite well without names. But let's face it: The leading man is the draw. Johnny Cash, in 1961, looking a little like Elvis, as a ruthless killer. A killer, to be sure, who sings the title song and whom we see playing guitar.

Donald Woods is a dead ringer for the Darren character in "Bewitched." He is a complacent suburban dad. Cay Forrester is just right as his upwardly mobile blonde wife. Ron Howard is very cute as their son. (And Pamela Mason turns in a good acting job but is a little implausible as Woods's mistress.) Before he got the job cooking for Alice, Tayback was apparently a crook. A pretty mean one, at that. And here, he has hired Cash to hold banker Woods's wife hostage. (Before he takes the job, Cash has to dump his girlfriend, the greedy Doris, AKA Dory.) For an obviously low budget movie, this does its job neatly. And it holds up very well 45 years after it was released.

I had never heard of this flick before I discovered it at the dollar store. It was only a buck so i had to get it and I can definitely say it was worth the money. I almost feel as if i should go back to the store and insist they let me pay them so more(it was that worth it to me) Johnny Cash's hair is perfect it's almost another character altogether. When he gets mad it gets mad and when he's cool it stays cool. And it stays cool most of the films as Johnny Cash does a good job playing the well dressed bad guy. The guitar playing is really interesting and kind of creepy. Creepy because who wouldn't be a little freaked out by a guy whose been sent to kill you; singing and playing the guitar? I liked the story line, of course it's very dated being as it was a low budget film made in 1961; but it was still enjoyable. I also really liked Vic Tayback's performance. I know he's been in a lot of things but I only really remember him when he was fat and balding Mel Sharples on ALICE. Seeing him in this movie made me want to look for some other stuff he's in. Also, little Ronnie Howard is adorable!

Imagine that! A low budget film that feature Johnny Cash as a killer who serenades his victims! DOOR TO DOOR MANIAC (aka FIVE MINUTES TO LIVE) features then up and coming Johnny Cash as cold blooded killer Johnny Cabot. Johnny is talked into an unusual bank hiest, where Johnny has to hold a bank executive's wife hostage. Complications arise with the executive's mistress, son (Played by Ron "Grinch" Howard) and a couple of bank employees who think they can become heroes! The acting in this film borders community theatre, except for Cash, who is wonderfully cold-blooded as the villian. He has these wild, wild spurts, where he prances around his prey, spouts Tarantino-like tough talk with ease, and gives out with these wonderful eye gestures. Some of the more experienced supporting cast have their moments, such as Vic Tayback, as the accomplice. One of the true joys of my crazy video collection.

FIVE MINUTES TO LIVE/DOOR-TO-DOOR MANIAC is a modest little potboiler, but for all it's worth, it's not at all bad. Fact is, there's a tense and very cleverly thought-out idea at the crux of this, which, at a glance, would appear to be a rather ordinary, assembly-line B crime picture.

Something of a cult favorite today, chiefly for it's inclusion of Johnny Cash as a sociopathic thief/killer, one of a mottle who embark on a killing spree in a small U.S. town, ringing doorbells of random homes, then slaughtering whomever answers. Cash's performance has a neophyte charm, but is delightfully weird(and he even manages to sneak his musical talents in a few times). In my personal opinion, though, this is Vic Tayback's show all the way...a sadly underrated character player, he shines in his role as a joyless, hard-as-nails crook.

A worthy slice of vintage Americana, blemished slightly by a wispy finale. Still, this should be a rewarding watch for many, and especially so for trivia lovers who might be curious to see early appearances by Rue McClannahan and Ronnie Howard.

5.5/10

This film is best remembered for the fact that it stars country legend Johnny Cash is his first film role. This actually lowered my expectations for the film, as I'm not a massive fan of Cash and films that go down in history for the casting of a non-actor are often not very good...but this film has far more going for it than it's lead actor, and overall I've got to say that it's criminal that this hasn't won itself a more esteemed place in cinema history. It's clear that the film was shot on a very low budget as it features a very grainy black and white picture, a small central cast and some suspect acting from all corners; but all this stuff doesn't matter, as the screenplay is well written and there's a lot of fun to be had with this film. The plot follows a couple of guys who think they've discovered the perfect get rich quick scheme. One of them pretends to be a salesman in order to get into the house of the president of the women's association, while the other one pretends to be a customer at her husband's bank. After explaining the situation to her husband, they offer him a trade; his money or his wife.

Overall, it has to be said that this little thriller isn't very original as there have been a lot of films in this same vein; but Bill Karn's film approaches it's subject with a fresh view, and the way that the director continually ensures the tone is always bleak provides a major highlight. It's easy to believe that the central character is in danger through Cash's loose cannon performance, and the way that the action focuses on two central locations; the family home and the bank, ensures that the plot always takes centre stage, and it is made interesting through its memorable cast of characters. Even though Cash wasn't predominantly an actor, his performance is really good and the way that the director lets him play his guitar makes best use of him. And on a personal note, I think it's good of Cash to put himself at risk to play a sadistic maniacal character. The rest of the support cast play second fiddle to the musical genius, but each one gives a good turn and this ensures that the film is elevated above its low budget thriller status. It all boils down to an exciting and satisfying climax that both deals fitting comeuppance, and rounds it all off nicely. Overall, this film is well worth tracking down and comes highly recommended!