"Two Seconds" is one of Edward G. Robinson's earliest starring films, and it's also one of his best. Teetering on the edge of hamminess, but never falling in, Robinson believably conveys the downfall of a basically decent, trusting man victimized by circumstances beyond his control, and how those circumstances ultimately destroy him. He commands your attention every inch of the way in this solid, compactly told (67 minutes) story.
Robinson's is not the only noteworthy performance in the film, however. A young Preston Foster, as his co-worker and best friend, gives a good humored, energetic performance (Possible spoiler: The nature of that friendship, as revealed in the film, makes for an interesting gay subtext.). Vivienne Osborne, as the dime-a-dance gal whom the smitten Robinson marries, gives a good, if somewhat shrill, performance that makes you wonder why she didn't have a longer career. Guy Kibbee, here just at the beginning of a WB career that had him playing one Babbitty businessman after another, makes a good impression as a jovial bookmaker. Finally, William Janney, as a young, naive reporter, has a few memorable moments at the beginning and end of the film, and makes the most of them with a convincing performance.
The great Mervyn LeRoy, who guided Robinson through his breakthrough role in "Little Ceaser" a year earlier, handles the sure-footed direction here, and doesn't disappoint.
Good Robinson, good film. Highly recommended.
Robinson's is not the only noteworthy performance in the film, however. A young Preston Foster, as his co-worker and best friend, gives a good humored, energetic performance (Possible spoiler: The nature of that friendship, as revealed in the film, makes for an interesting gay subtext.). Vivienne Osborne, as the dime-a-dance gal whom the smitten Robinson marries, gives a good, if somewhat shrill, performance that makes you wonder why she didn't have a longer career. Guy Kibbee, here just at the beginning of a WB career that had him playing one Babbitty businessman after another, makes a good impression as a jovial bookmaker. Finally, William Janney, as a young, naive reporter, has a few memorable moments at the beginning and end of the film, and makes the most of them with a convincing performance.
The great Mervyn LeRoy, who guided Robinson through his breakthrough role in "Little Ceaser" a year earlier, handles the sure-footed direction here, and doesn't disappoint.
Good Robinson, good film. Highly recommended.