Split Second

Split Second is a 1953 thriller film about escaped convicts and their hostages holed up in a ghost town, unaware of the grave danger they are in. It starred Stephen McNally, Alexis Smith, Jan Sterling, and Keith Andes. Sam Hurley and Bart Moore escape from prison, although Moore is seriously wounded in the breakout. They meet up with a confederate, a mute named "Dummy" , and hide out in a ghost town. Along the way, they pick up several hostages, Kay Garven and her lover Arthur Ashton , reporter Larry Fleming , dancer "Dottie" Vale , and the town's sole resident, Asa Tremaine . Larry tries... to warn the gangsters that the government is going to conduct an atomic bomb test nearby the next day, but Sam, their leader, does not believe him. When Arthur causes trouble, Sam kills him without a qualm. Meanwhile, Sam discovers that Kay's husband is a doctor. He phones Neal Garven and threatens to kill his unfaithful wife unless he meets them. To Kay's surprise, Neal still loves her enough to show up.
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