Still from “Seconds” (1966)
David Ely’s spellbinding novel “Seconds” became a Paramount film that failed miserably at the box office. Since then, it has gained respect amongst science-fiction fans. Additionally, Criterion has issued a blu-ray version with a few minutes of added footage.
So, what went wrong? Why didn’t “Seconds” connect with ’66 audiences? Several reasons…
- Grim storyline.
- Filmed in black & white, then considered “old”.
- Audiences not ready to accept Rock Hudson in this type of role.
- Too ahead of its time.
Today’s audience understand because…
- Far-out freaky cinematography by James Wong Howe.
- John Frankenheimer’s tight direction – an expert at realism.
- Considered to be one of Rock Hudson’s best roles.
- Black & white gives it that “classic” look.
- Jerry Goldsmith’s score.
- Superb supporting cast, some formerly blacklisted during the McCarthy era. (Will Geer, Jeff Corey and co-star John Randolph.)
- Story is more plausible today, then in the past.
WARNING – REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!
From the nightmarish opening credits by Saul Bass, we realize we are in for something different.
Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) is a middle-aged businessman trapped in a lifeless marriage, a boring job and a desperate desire to change it. He receives phone calls from a friend named Charlie – someone he believed to be dead – telling him about a second chance at life.
This secret organization will transform its members into “reborns” or “seconds” – men physically transformed by plastic surgery, ready to begin a new life.
Hesitantly, Mr. Hamilton visits the company, unsure of what to expect. While there, Mr. Ruby (a very funny performance by Jeff Corey) explains things: how his duplicate body will be discovered, etc. (“The question of death selection may be the most important decision of your life!”)
Arthur H. is still not ready to sign until he is shown a film of what looks like him raping their secretary. This company takes no precautions, having drugged him earlier by putting him in this compromising position. At last, he speaks with the founder (Will Geer known as the “old man”), a benevolent-looking soul who convinces him that “Seconds” is the way to go.
Following extensive plastic surgery, he is congratulated as the doctors “masterpiece”. Arthur Hamilton is now Antiochus “Tony” Wilson, (Rock Hudson), a painter, already established with a place to live and a butler. (Wesley Addy as John.)
While walking on the beach, Tony conveniently meets Nora Marcus (Salome Jens), who becomes his new girlfriend. But all is not well. Those who work for “Seconds” can see their client is not happy. Nevertheless, Nora introduces Tony to a hedonistic lifestyle – parties, sex, new people, until…Tony in a drunken state, inadvertently begins telling the party guests who he was. Carrying him off to another room, he looks up and is told by John that the others are like him. “Reborns.” Nora enters, screaming, “Who the hell do you think you are?!!”
The next morning, Charlie phones again warning “Arthur” to stay there. Instead, Tony visits his old home and former wife (Francis Reid.) Under the guise of being a recent friend of her departed husband, Tony asks for a painting as a keepsake. His “wife” informs him that all his paintings have been “cleared out”. Tony/Arthur realizes that she has moved on, especially when she describes him as “a stranger in his own house,” “a quiet man who never let anything touch him.”
Walking out, John drives up saying, “I’m sorry, Mr. Wilson,” which says a lot.
Tony Wilson is taken back to the company. Mr. Ruby asks if he’ll sponsor any new clients. He is able to put him off.
After extensive photography of his body, he is taken to “the room”, where a number of men wait, are given desk work and sedatives. There, he meets Charlie (Murray Hamilton), his sponsor, who thought he’d “make it.”
Once again, Mr. Ruby asks Tony for sponsorship. After turning he down, the die is cast.
The next morning, Tony is awakened by the old man.
“I sure hope’d you’d make it. Make your dream come true.”
“Maybe, I never had a dream.”
The old man explains that the company has had a high rate of failures. Unfortunately, the organization has grown too big and the board won’t let him end it.
Doctors enter and Mr. Wilson believes it’s for new plastic surgery…until he’s given his last rites.
The same doctor who performed his transformation apologizes, saying, “You were my best work, Mr. Wilson. Cranial drill.”
Tony Wilson’s body is to be used for another “reborn”.
As his consciousness fades, the “dream” appears. On a beach, a man carries his child on his shoulders, a dog running in the background. The dream ends when the drill bores itself into his brain.
Text (C) 2018 – EricReports
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