Ten Minutes to Live
Cast & Crew
Oscar Micheaux
Lawrence Chenault
A. B. Comathiere
Laura Bowman
Willor Lee Guilford
Tressie Mitchell
Film Details
Synopsis
In response to Gary Martin's inquiry for a girl to appear in a cowboy picture, Bess suggests he contact Ida Morton at the Lybia Club. That evening, at the club, during the Primetime Revue's chorus girl dance, Anthony proposes marriage to young Letha Watkins, despite her godfather's disapproval. Two songs are performed, one formal, the other in exotic costume. When Martin learns that both the singers are named Ida, he chooses the latter girl, even though she was not the one whom Bess recommended. Meanwhile, the godfather tells Martin to expect to see a murder in the club and explains his prediction by telling him Letha's story: Fifteen years ago, Letha had a baby and was spurned by a philandering, jobless man named Morvis, to whom she thought she was married. After telling Letha that theirs was a dog license, not a marriage license, they had a struggle and he shot her. Morvis' fake alibi led to his acquittal, and today he continues to lure girls to their ruin. As the godfather is finishing the story, Letha approaches Morvis' table and shoots him, but only slightly wounds him. Afterward, Letha receives a note from Morvis which says that she has "ten minutes to live." Letha tells Anthony that Morvis has followed her across the country and is intent on killing her because he thinks that she had framed him earlier. While preparing to kill Letha, Morvis drinks with his mistress, Charlotte Evans. Morvis abandons his plans to kill Letha when a letter from his mother explains that it was Charlotte, not Letha, who betrayed him, and that Charlotte has mentioned his presence to the police for an anticipated reward. Morvis strangles Charlotte, and Letha and Anthony leave the nightclub safely.
Director
Oscar Micheaux
Cast
Lawrence Chenault
A. B. Comathiere
Laura Bowman
Willor Lee Guilford
Tressie Mitchell
Mabel Garrett
Carl Mahon
Galle De Gaston
George Williams
Lorenzo Tucker
William A. Clayton Jr.
Crew
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Although the onscreen credits contain a copyright statement, records show that the picture was not registered for copyright. Much of the film was shot silent. Willor Lee Guilford as the "Escape King" and Wm. A. Clayton, Jr. as "Morvis" are introduced in silent-film style titles. According to modern sources, one of the short stories on which the film is based was titled "The Father." On February 1, 1932, Film Daily announced that photography on Ten Minutes to Live had been completed, and noted that the film was the second in a planned series of six Micheaux Pictures Corp. features with an all-black cast. The first in the series was Veiled Aristocrats (see below). The film May also have been known under the title Ten Minutes to Kill.
