Two Seconds (1932): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Two Seconds is a 1932 crime drama directed by Mervyn LeRoy, starring Edward G. Robinson as John Allen, Vivienne Osborne and Preston Foster. It runs 1 hour 7 minutes. Stream it on YouTube TV.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 7m (67 min)
- Director
- Mervyn LeRoy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First National Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Two Seconds About?
The premise of Two Seconds without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A condemned murderer about to be electrocuted reflects on the chain of events that led to his sentence. In flashback, a manipulative dance‑hall woman (Vivienne Osborne) marries a high‑rise riveter (Edward G. Robinson) to live off him. When he loses his job and his confidence, she supports him with money from a lover, constantly reminding him of his emasculation. The growing hostility drives him to desperate, violent measures.
Two Seconds Themes & Keywords
· 26 tags- gold digger
- infidelity
- mental illness
- construction worker
- melodrama
- new york city
- psychological thriller
- condemned man
- drunkenness
- unfaithful wife
- bribe
- marriage of convenience
+14 more Show fewer
- housewives are leeches on their husbands
- married men are as sexless as incels
- mgtow men going their own way
- housewife leech
- men going their own way
- male marriage slavery
- male wage slavery
- male slavery
- leech queen
- blackpill
- male depression
- servant
- redpill
- marriage by trickery
Where to Watch Two Seconds
Stream it on YouTube TV. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
YouTube TV Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Two Seconds Cast & Characters
Edward G. Robinson leads the cast as John Allen, with Vivienne Osborne as Shirley Day and Preston Foster as Bud Clark. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy; 14 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mervyn LeRoy
-
Edward G. Robinson as John Allen - Vivienne Osborne as Shirley Day
- Preston Foster as Bud Clark
- Dorothea Wolbert as Lizzie, Cleaning Lady
Also Starring in Two Seconds
· 10 more- Harry Beresford Doctor
- J. Carrol Naish Tony
- Adrienne Dore Annie (uncredited)
- Guy Kibbee Bookie
- Berton Churchill The Warden
- Frederick Burton Judge
- Edward McWade The Prison Doctor
- Luana Walters Tart (uncredited)
- William Janney College Boy at Execution
- Gladys Lloyd Woman
Two Seconds Plot Summary
What happens in Two Seconds from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As John Allen, a condemned murderer, is led to the electric chair, a witness asks the prison warden how long it takes for the condemned to die. > “A strongly built man like John Allen? It’ll take two seconds” and the witness adds, “That’ll be the longest two seconds of his life.” As the switch is flipped, the camera pulls back from the chair and the story unfolds in a series of flashbacks that reveal the choices, temptations, and betrayals that led to this fateful moment.
Full summary
The whole story of Two Seconds, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Two Seconds?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the condemned murderer who faces the electric chair?
Two Seconds Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Zwei Sekunden” and “Две секунды”.
- Also known as
-
- Zwei Sekunden
- Две секунды
- 两秒钟的回忆
- Dos segundos
Seen Two Seconds?
Movies Like Two Seconds
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Seconds, The Second Woman and Two Against the World.
Two Seconds FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Two Seconds, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Two Seconds?
Two Seconds runs 1 hour 7 minutes (67 minutes).
When was Two Seconds released?
Two Seconds was released on May 28, 1932.
Who directed Two Seconds?
Two Seconds was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
More films by Mervyn LeRoy Who is in the cast of Two Seconds?
Two Seconds stars Edward G. Robinson as John Allen, Vivienne Osborne as Shirley Day and Preston Foster as Bud Clark, among 14 credited actors.
Where can I watch Two Seconds?
In the US, Two Seconds is streaming on YouTube TV (availability from JustWatch).
Does Two Seconds have a post-credit scene?
No. Two Seconds has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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