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Two Seconds

  • 1932
  • 1h 7m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
Two Seconds (1932)
A condemned murderer, in the process of being executed, relives the events that led to his being sentenced to die in the electric chair.
Play trailer2:18
1 Video
64 Photos
Psychological ThrillerCrimeDramaThriller

A condemned murderer, in the process of being executed, relives the events that led to his being sentenced to die in the electric chair.A condemned murderer, in the process of being executed, relives the events that led to his being sentenced to die in the electric chair.A condemned murderer, in the process of being executed, relives the events that led to his being sentenced to die in the electric chair.

  • Director
    • Mervyn LeRoy
  • Writers
    • Elliott Lester
    • Harvey F. Thew
  • Stars
    • Edward G. Robinson
    • Vivienne Osborne
    • Guy Kibbee
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mervyn LeRoy
    • Writers
      • Elliott Lester
      • Harvey F. Thew
    • Stars
      • Edward G. Robinson
      • Vivienne Osborne
      • Guy Kibbee
    • 36User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    Original Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Original Trailer

    Photos64

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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Edward G. Robinson
    Edward G. Robinson
    • John Allen
    Vivienne Osborne
    Vivienne Osborne
    • Shirley Day
    Guy Kibbee
    Guy Kibbee
    • Bookie
    Preston Foster
    Preston Foster
    • Bud Clark
    J. Carrol Naish
    J. Carrol Naish
    • Tony
    • (as J. Carroll Naish)
    Frederick Burton
    Frederick Burton
    • Judge
    Harry Beresford
    Harry Beresford
    • Doctor
    Dorothea Wolbert
    Dorothea Wolbert
    • Lizzie - Cleaning Lady
    Berton Churchill
    Berton Churchill
    • The Warden
    William Janney
    William Janney
    • Student Observer at Execution
    Edward McWade
    Edward McWade
    • The Prison Doctor
    Gladys Lloyd
    Gladys Lloyd
    • Woman
    Lew Brice
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    James P. Burtis
    James P. Burtis
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Jill Dennett
    Jill Dennett
    • Tart
    • (uncredited)
    Adrienne Dore
    Adrienne Dore
    • Annie
    • (uncredited)
    Charles E. Evans
    • Priest
    • (uncredited)
    Helena Phillips Evans
    Helena Phillips Evans
    • Mrs. Smith - Landlady
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mervyn LeRoy
    • Writers
      • Elliott Lester
      • Harvey F. Thew
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bud refers to a "Peggy Joyce" twice when talking to John about setting him up with dates. He is referring to Peggy Hopkins Joyce, a well-known actress, model, and dancer at the time, who had already married and divorced four (eventually six) wealthy men and led a lavish and scandalous lifestyle. At one point in 1928, she was so wealthy that she purchased the 127 ct. Portuguese Diamond for $373,000 ($6.58M in 2023). The diamond is in the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection.
    • Goofs
      When John is talking to Bud while sitting on the building beam, he starts to slowly take off his work glove on his right hand. On the next immediate cut, the glove is completely off. Then, on each successive cut after that as he smokes a cigarette, he alternates between holding the cigarette with his left and right hand.
    • Quotes

      College Boy at Execution: Look, Doctor, when that current's turned on, how long will it take before it's all over?

      The Prison Doctor: You mean before I'll pronounce him dead?

      College Boy at Execution: No, before he actually is dead. Will he pass out as soon as the current hits him?

      The Prison Doctor: No.

      Reporter: He won't? I thought it was all over just like that!

      [He snaps his finger]

      The Prison Doctor: Not with a powerful fellow like John Allen. His body will be paralyzed but his brain will continue to function for... maybe two seconds.

      College Boy at Execution: Gee, those'll be the longest two seconds he ever lived!

      The Prison Doctor: Long enough for him to relive his whole life!

    • Connections
      Referenced in Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Lucky Day
      (uncredited)

      Music by Ray Henderson

      Lyrics by Lew Brown and Buddy G. DeSylva

      Sung by Preston Foster

      Also played when Bud and John are waiting for the bookie

    User reviews36

    Featured review
    7/10

    Minor "Warner Bros" film given life by Robinson.

    "Two Seconds" is a relatively minor film by "Warner Bros." The story is fairly basic and low key. The cast is quite small and the entire film was made on soundstages. It is the performance of Edward G. Robinson that makes "Two Seconds" so memorable. He gives a truly in-depth performance that is a mixture of humour, tension and then despair. The film's plot is mainly a flashback, with Robinson looking back on the circumstances that led to his being incarcerated in the first place. He is unfortunate enough to be in the hands of a callous and vindictive woman and he can only tolerate her for so long..... I particularly enjoyed the scene where Robinson talks to the camera, to give the impression that he is addressing a person. His monologue lasts for a few minutes as the camera slowly draws closer to Robinson and the set goes dark apart from one light that is focused upon him. It is a powerful scene and captivating. The film isn't a long one and the time races by.
    • alexanderdavies-99382
    • Aug 29, 2017
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 28, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zwei Sekunden
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • First National Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $310,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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