Author’s Note: This is a reworking of a piece I wrote a few years ago which seemed relevant for Season 5 of Mad Men.
Released in October of 1966, John Frankenheimer’s Seconds has an intriguing premise that Don Draper could certainly identify with. In fact, it would probably strike too close to home.
Wealthy, bored and middle aged, Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) is coerced by a secret organization to start a new life. A sort of witness relocation program on steroids, this organization, referred to as “the Company” (no relation to the CIA), sells its well-to-do clients the process of “rebirth” as a different person. This includes staging their death (complete with a corpse) and extensive physical alterations performed by a master plastic surgeon. The customer ends up with a new identity and the dream job of their choice. Thus, with the Company’s help, banker Arthur Hamilton “dies” in a hotel fire and becomes artist Tony Wilson (Rock Hudson).
Though not perfect, Seconds is a powerful film that was underrated (if not ignored) when first released. In fact, it got booed at a Cannes screening. The story is very bleak. And James Wong Howe’s innovative and unusual visual style may have been too off-putting for the masses. Also, moviegoers probably found it hard to accept Rock Hudson, best known for light, romantic Doris Day comedies, in a dark and depressing thriller. Even Frankenheimer did not want to cast Hudson as Wilson.
In retrospect, Hudson was the perfect choice... (Full Post At Basket of Kisses)