Dois Segundos

Interesting pre-Code programmer, though actor Robinson's eventual hysteria is more distracting than affecting. Told through flashback from Allen's (Robinson) execution chamber, we know how things turn out for him. But what's the story leading up to the electric chair. The smallish, homely Allen starts out as a repressed skyscraper worker whose out-going pal, Bud (Foster), wants to get the little guy into a social life. Soon, Allen meets blonde taxi-dancer Shirley (Osborne) at a seedy night spot. He's polite to her and the lonely girl soon hooks on to him and his good job. The pairing looks like it might work since each is lonely, even though she appears calculating at times.

The story plays out on the hard times of the Great Depression, when jobs and money are in short supply, to say the least. The fact that Allen's got a good job places him somewhat on a pedestal, and except for lack of a social life he's pretty well insulated from what millions of others are experiencing. Thus his story stands as something a tragedy, brought about indirectly by that same Depression that now seems inescapable.

The premise of a two-second flashback's an imaginative one. Another reviewer suggests the movie's too short for its threads, and I agree. The screenplay has some unexpected twists, so daring to think outside the box is not a problem, especially in that pre-Code year (1932). Happily, there's plenty bouncy music from that era along with dancing couples. Times may be tough, still folks need relief. For fans of Robinson, Allen is totally unlike any role I've seen him in. At first the character's poignantly reserved, but soon wobbles into a directionless paranoia and finally into florid hysterics. I suspect it's not a role the actor fondly remembered.

Anyway, the 60+ minutes remains an interesting oddity of the time, mainly for its twisty and revealing development.

Edward G. Robinson is practically the whole show, and what a show it is. This is Warner precode drama at its best, and why I never heard of it until I saw it on TCM is a wonder. It's got everything, from the seemingly mismatched roommates, thoughtful John (Edward G. Robinson) and gregarious Budd (Preston Foster), talking about scoring on a date in the most unsubtle of language while riveting on a tall skyscraper, to a barracuda in high heels, Shirley (Vivienne Osborne), who has her eyes on John's $62.50 a week from the start and tailors her act to suit his highest admiration - education and books. She tells John she's working in a dance hall to help support her folks so she can have time to study at night, and even the audience is not sure about her at first, so you're sympathetic with John for him not knowing either. However, it's not just John's steady paycheck Shirley's after. There was one true thing she told John before they were married - she has ambitions. As she tells a broken John later on - in wallet and spirit - "there are things a Mrs. can get away with that a Miss can't".

With Mervyn Leroy you'd expect superb direction, and that's what you get. This is so stylishly shot too. Even though there are no expensive sets - after all this is 1932 WB we're talking about - a lot is done with a little. Take the scene in the courtroom with only the sound of a fan at first, Eddie G. in what looks like a spotlight with the rest of the courtroom dark except for the judge's face - we're talking prototype noir here both in substance and style. From the baby face of William Janney that we see in the first frame to that same face full of wonder in the last, this thing is expertly constructed as the flashback of a man about to be executed who has "two seconds" to live his life over from the time the electricity floods his body until his brain stops functioning. Highly recommended.

Best precode moment:Shirley has dragged a drunken - but now married - John back to his apartment. Her first act as John's wife is to kick Bud out for good. Before Bud even has packed his stuff and left, Shirley is stripping down to her undies. Mind you, this is a one room flat. You can only assume she is going to consummate this marriage pronto before John has a chance to sober up and cry "annulment". As a parting shot of regard Bud finishes a cigarette he is smoking and tosses it on to her already bare back as she is raring to go as soon as Bud is out of the room...that is, I'd assume she'd wait until he left the room! Hot stuff from WB.

Two Seconds (1932)

*** (out of 4)

Interesting Warner drama about a man (Edward G. Robinson) about to be executed in the electric chair. Before the execution a doctor tells the people watching that he will live for two seconds after the switch is pulled and in those two seconds his entire life will flash before his eyes. His entire life doesn't but we see how he ended up in this situation, which is do to falling for a questionable lady (Vivienne Osborne). I was happy to finally get the chance to see this after hearing some nice things about it over the years. For the most part the film does live up to its reputation as being a pretty strong pre-code that has some nice performances wrapped around a downbeat story. I think the best thing the movie has going for it is the performance of Robinson who really digs deep in a role many won't expect to see from him. I was really surprised to see Robinson handle the role of an every day's man who simply goes to work and comes home without much fan fair. I thought the actor was very believable in the role and he certainly made you feel for the character especially after the certain events take place and change his life. Osborne is also very good as she too perfectly fits in the role and really delivers as being that "nice guy" Robinson falls for only to quickly change into a snake. Guy Kibbee has a brief supporting role as does J. Carrol Naish and Preston Foster as the best friend. I think the film does go a bit over the top towards the end in regards to everything plays out. I won't spoil anything but what takes place with Robinson was just a bit too much for me but the courtroom scene was quite effective.

I caught this movie last night when I couldn't sleep.Not being a fan of Edward G Robinson I decided to watch for the kitch appeal I guess I was expecting to see him play some world weary mob gut who would say funny things that I could repeat at work,well about 30 minutes in I was absolutely gob-smacked It was like watching a train wreck I could not take my eyes off it. I am not exaggerating when I say I will always remember this movie and be haunted absolutely haunted by the riviting almost painful job done by Mr.Robinson I thought I knew who this man was I thought I could judge his body of work with out ever seeing this movie I was wrong This movie will stay with me for a long long time

Here's a short but interesting pre-Code thriller about lonely riveter John Allen (Edward G Robinson) who lives with his pal Bud. John doesn't have much luck with the ladies; all his blind dates turn out to be duds. While escaping one particularly bad date, John ends up in a dance hall and meets the charming 10-cents-a-dance girl Shirley Day (Vivienne Osborne). She knows how to take care of herself (she slaps one groping guy, saying "you payed 10 cents for your feet, not your hands"), but when John helps her escape from another pesky patron she treats him like her knight in shining armor.

Well, a guy who looks like Edward G should know that the cutest girl in the room is not REALLY going to fall for him, but he takes the bait, and life goes downhill from there.

The film is told in an interesting fashion. It begins at the electric chair, and the events of the next hour are supposedly John Allen's flashbacks during the two seconds it takes to "fry."

Robinson does a nice job in the film, showing a lot of range from his usual swagger, to vulnerability, to sheer insanity. TWO SECONDS is fairly edgy in terms of content, coming two years before the Hays code cracked down on such things. It's worth a look to see Robinson doing something in the 30s besides playing gangsters.