Seconds (1966)

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

Lewis John Carlino (screenplay)
David Ely (based on the novel by)

Release Date:

14 November 1966 (Brazil)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Thriller | Mystery | Drama

Tagline:

Not for weak sisters! May not even be for strong stomachs!

Plot:

Want out of your life? Just pay the fee and we'll fake your death, change your face, and set up a new identity for you...

Plot Keywords:

New Identity | Surgery | Banker | Artist | Plastic Surgery

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Frank Campanella	...	Man in Station
John Randolph	...	Arthur Hamilton
Frances Reid	...	Emily Hamilton
Barbara Werle	...	Secretary
Edgar Stehli	...	Tailor Shop Presser
Aaron Magidow	...	Meat Man
De De Young	...	Nurse
Françoise Ruggieri	...	Girl in Boudoir
Murray Hamilton	...	Charlie Evans
Thom Conroy	...	Dayroom Attendant
Jeff Corey	...	Mr. Ruby
Will Geer	...	Old Man
Richard Anderson	...	Dr. Innes
Rock Hudson	...	Antiochus 'Tony' Wilson
Khigh Dhiegh	...	Davalo
John Lawrence	...	Texan
Wesley Addy	...	John
Salome Jens	...	Nora Marcus
Nedrick Young	...	Henry Bushman (as Ned Young)
Dodie Heath	...	Sue Bushman (as Dody Heath)
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Plump Blonde
Robert Brubaker	...	Mayberry
Dorothy Morris	...	Mrs. Filter
Kirk Duncan	...	Mr. Filter
Karl Swenson	...	Dr. Morris
William Wintersole	...	Dr. in Operating Room
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fritz Ford	...	Man at Party (uncredited)
Tina Scala	...	Young Girl (uncredited)

Directed by
John Frankenheimer

Writing credits
Lewis John Carlino		(screenplay)
David Ely		(based on the novel by)

Produced by
Edward Lewis	....	producer
John Frankenheimer	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith		(music)

Cinematography by
James Wong Howe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Newhouse		(film editor)
Ferris Webster		(film editor)

Art Direction by
Ted Haworth

Set Decoration by
John P. Austin		(set decorations) (as John Austin)

Makeup Department
Sydney Guilaroff	....	hairstyles creator: Miss Jens
Jack Petty	....	makeup artist
Mark Reedall	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Lloyd Anderson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Francisco Day	....	assistant director
Michael S. Glick	....	assistant director (as Michael Glick)

Art Department
Frank Agnone	....	property master
John Hunter	....	paintings (on loan fron the Ryder Gallery)

Sound Department
Howard Beals	....	sound effects editor
Joe Edmondson	....	sound recordist
John Wilkinson	....	sound recordist (as John H. Wilkinson)

Stunts
George Robotham	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Borland	....	key grip
Roy Clark	....	camera operator
John M. Stephens	....	camera operator (as John Stephens)
John A. Alonzo	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Martell	....	costumer (as Jack Martel)
Peter V. Saldutti	....	costumer (as Pete Saldutti)

Editorial Department
Stu Linder	....	assistant film editor (as Stewart Linder)

Music Department
Dan Goldwasser	....	soundtrack producer (uncredited)

Other crew
Saul Bass	....	titles
Thom Conroy	....	dialogue coach
John Franco	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Joel Productions (produced by) (as Joel Productions, Inc.)
• John Frankenheimer Productions Inc.
• Gibraltar Productions (in association with) (as Gibraltar Productions, Inc.)
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1966) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1967) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1967) (France) (theatrical)
• Lume Filmes (2010) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (video)

Other Companies

• La-La Land Records  score album released by (limited edition)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for some nudity (1996 re-release)

Runtime:

106 min | USA:107 min (re-release: 1996) | Australia:103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:X (1966) (cut) | West Germany:18 (nf) | Norway:16 | USA:TV-14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R (1996 re-release) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Joel Productions

Trivia:

Director Jonathan Mostow was set to direct a 'Seconds' remake.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Cameraman briefly visible during the grape stomping scene.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Man in Station:Mr. Hamilton?
Arthur Hamilton:Yes?
[Man in train station hands Hamilton a folded sheet of paper and turns to walk away; Hamilton stares after him, then opens the folded paper to find an address, with no explanation]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "That Girl: The Earrings (#3.17)" (1969)

Soundtrack:

Love Is Just around the Corner

Even though "The Manchurian Candidate" has it beat for entertainment value, "Seconds" is overall a superior film

"Seconds" is the other masterpiece of Frankenheimer from the 60s, the other being "The Manchurian Candidate". It manages to be even more underrated than that classic. The film was far to grim and depressing to find an audience when released, and its still unjustly ignored. This is a shame, because its one of the most stunningly original and uncompromising films to come out of Hollywood. Even though "The Manchurian Candidate" has it beat for entertainment value, "Seconds" is overall a superior film. The protagonist is fascinating and sympathetic. One of the most impressive aspects is how his personality and emotions manage to remain consistent despite being played by two different actors (John Randolph and Rock Hudson). Hudson is an actor who is considered by some to be simply a matinée idol, but occasionally he managed to turn in a good performance. This is easily his best work.

One of the most effective aspects of the film is that its science fiction that is both intelligent and not implausible. Its a shame that in the post "Star Wars" era, mature science fiction films are a rarity. It also works as a paranoia thriller but without the dark humor and satire of "The Manchurian Candidate". The only real flaw I felt was the hippie orgy scene in the middle. It stops the film dead in its track and I get the feeling its inclusion was simply to make the film more relevant. Its the only dated aspect. Outside of that blunder, this film is a masterpiece. The terrific supporting cast of character actors includes familiar faces such as Khigh Dhiegh ("The Manchurian Candidate"), Wesley Addy ("Kiss Me Deadly"), and Murray Hamilton ("Jaws"). (8/10)