Split Second (1953) | Directed by Dick Powell

Split Second is a tense American thriller set against the backdrop of a remote atomic testing site in Nevada. The story revolves around a group of hostages taken by two escaped convicts who unknowingly hide out in a ghost town scheduled for a nuclear bomb test. As the clock ticks down, the characters must contend with growing fear, shifting alliances, and moral reckoning in the face of impending annihilation. The film is a suspenseful race against time, blending crime drama with Cold War-era anxiety.

Genre: Thriller / Crime / Drama

Director: Dick Powell

Dick Powell was an American actor, singer, producer, and director. Born in 1904, he initially gained fame as a crooner in Warner Bros. musicals during the 1930s, but later transitioned to tougher roles in film noir classics such as *Murder, My Sweet* (1944). Powell eventually moved behind the camera, becoming a successful director and producer. His work often emphasized taut narratives and crisp direction. *Split Second* marked his directorial debut and showcased his talent for building suspense and directing ensemble casts.

Star Cast:

* Stephen McNally as Sam Hurley
* Alexis Smith as Kay Garven
* Jan Sterling as Dottie Vail
* Keith Andes as Larry Fleming
* Arthur Hunnicutt as Asa Tremaine
* Robert Paige as Arthur Ashton
* Frank DeKova as Bart Moore
* Paul Kelly as Sheriff Bill Maddox

Split Second was well-received upon release for its original setting, solid performances, and rising tension. Audiences appreciated the novel concept of a crime thriller unfolding within the looming threat of a nuclear detonation. Critics praised Dick Powell’s assured direction, especially impressive for a first-time filmmaker. The film tapped into the public's Cold War fears and added a fresh twist to the crime drama formula, making it both entertaining and relevant.

Fun Facts:

* The film was based on a story by Irving Wallace, who would later become a bestselling novelist.
* Split Second marked Dick Powell’s transition from acting to directing, launching a second successful phase of his Hollywood career.
* The abandoned town in the film was modeled after real ghost towns in Nevada, often used by the U.S. government for atomic bomb tests in the 1950s.
* The tension in the film is heightened by the use of real countdown-style pacing, giving the narrative a ticking-clock urgency.
* Jan Sterling, known for her sharp-tongued roles, brought added grit and realism to the ensemble.

Split Second is a tense American thriller set against the backdrop of a remote atomic testing site in Nevada. The story revolves around a group of hostages taken by two escaped convicts who unknowingly hide out in a ghost town scheduled for a nuclear bomb test. As the clock ticks down, the characters must contend with growing fear, shifting alliances, and moral reckoning in the face of impending annihilation. The film is a suspenseful race against time, blending crime drama with Cold War-era anxiety.

Genre: Thriller / Crime / Drama

Director: Dick Powell

Dick Powell was an American actor, singer, producer, and director. Born in 1904, he initially gained fame as a crooner in Warner Bros. musicals during the 1930s, but later transitioned to tougher roles in film noir classics such as *Murder, My Sweet* (1944). Powell eventually moved behind the camera, becoming a successful director and producer. His work often emphasized taut narratives and crisp direction. *Split Second* marked his directorial debut and showcased his talent for building suspense and directing ensemble casts.

Star Cast:

* Stephen McNally as Sam Hurley
* Alexis Smith as Kay Garven
* Jan Sterling as Dottie Vail
* Keith Andes as Larry Fleming
* Arthur Hunnicutt as Asa Tremaine
* Robert Paige as Arthur Ashton
* Frank DeKova as Bart Moore
* Paul Kelly as Sheriff Bill Maddox

Split Second was well-received upon release for its original setting, solid performances, and rising tension. Audiences appreciated the novel concept of a crime thriller unfolding within the looming threat of a nuclear detonation. Critics praised Dick Powell’s assured direction, especially impressive for a first-time filmmaker. The film tapped into the public's Cold War fears and added a fresh twist to the crime drama formula, making it both entertaining and relevant.

Fun Facts:

* The film was based on a story by Irving Wallace, who would later become a bestselling novelist.
* Split Second marked Dick Powell’s transition from acting to directing, launching a second successful phase of his Hollywood career.
* The abandoned town in the film was modeled after real ghost towns in Nevada, often used by the U.S. government for atomic bomb tests in the 1950s.
* The tension in the film is heightened by the use of real countdown-style pacing, giving the narrative a ticking-clock urgency.
* Jan Sterling, known for her sharp-tongued roles, brought added grit and realism to the ensemble.