A group of men has come to witness the execution of John Allen (Edward G. Robinson). It's claimed that he would live for two whole seconds after the switch is pulled, enough to relive a lifetime. The movie recounts how regular risk-adverse working guy John Allen gets involved with dance hall girl Shirley Day (Vivienne Osborne).
The movie shows its cards from the very beginning. It's a slow steady downward drift for the story and the character. There isn't much surprise. It's a pre-Code crime noir based on a Broadway play. The subject matter is dark. It's more depressing than exciting. Edward G. Robinson is good although I do wonder if a more boy scout actor would fall further under the circumstances. I do like Robinson, but he has a gangster persona. It would be more tragic for a straight and narrow everyman to fall down this dark hole.
The movie shows its cards from the very beginning. It's a slow steady downward drift for the story and the character. There isn't much surprise. It's a pre-Code crime noir based on a Broadway play. The subject matter is dark. It's more depressing than exciting. Edward G. Robinson is good although I do wonder if a more boy scout actor would fall further under the circumstances. I do like Robinson, but he has a gangster persona. It would be more tragic for a straight and narrow everyman to fall down this dark hole.