"Two of a Kind" is a 75 minute black and white little thriller bolstered by it's impressive but small cast.
The story has snake in the grass lawyer (aren't they all?) Vincent Mailer (Alexander Knox) and his "assistant" Brandy Kirby (Lizabeth Scott) searching for small time hustler Michael "Lefty" Farrell (Edmond O'Brien). They have hatched a scheme whereby they will have Farrell impersonate the long lost son of millionaire William McIntyre (Griff Barnett). It seems that McIntyre's wife (Virginia Brissoc) is in poor health and he is in his seventies and not expected to live much longer. The plan is for Farrell as the son to inhereit McIntyre's considerable estate upon his death.
Farrell at first is not warm to the idea bit Brandy, in true film noire fashion, seduces him into agreeing to the ruse. In order to fully replicate the lost son, Farrell must agree to lose a part of the pinky on his left hand, which he reluctantly agrees to do.
Farrell is then hidden away by Mailer and Brandy to be properly fitted into the role and allow time for his finger to heal. Burly assistant Todd (Robert Anderson is left behind to "keep an eye on" Farrell. Brandy introduces Farrell to the McIntyre's flighty niece Kathy (Terry Moore) who vows to reform him. The plan is to convince Kathy that Farrell is the lost son and thereby introduce him to the McIntyres.
Mailer through his so called research, has convinced McIntyre that Farrell is the real McCoy. THe frail Mrs. McIntyre is also convince. Then McIntyre announces that he will not change his will to include Farrell. Taken by surprise by this development, Mailer hatches a plan to murder the old man before he can change his will. Brandy and Farrell however are against the murder and plan to stop Mailer and Todd and tell all to McIntyre. But.... McIntyre has a surprise for all of them and..................................................................
Edmond O'Brien and Lizabeth Scott both veterans of Film Noire, stand out as the small time hustlers in for the big score. Alexander Knox makes a formidable villain as well.
I would have thought that there would have been a couple of murders at least in such a story. But the film is a keeper nontheless.
The story has snake in the grass lawyer (aren't they all?) Vincent Mailer (Alexander Knox) and his "assistant" Brandy Kirby (Lizabeth Scott) searching for small time hustler Michael "Lefty" Farrell (Edmond O'Brien). They have hatched a scheme whereby they will have Farrell impersonate the long lost son of millionaire William McIntyre (Griff Barnett). It seems that McIntyre's wife (Virginia Brissoc) is in poor health and he is in his seventies and not expected to live much longer. The plan is for Farrell as the son to inhereit McIntyre's considerable estate upon his death.
Farrell at first is not warm to the idea bit Brandy, in true film noire fashion, seduces him into agreeing to the ruse. In order to fully replicate the lost son, Farrell must agree to lose a part of the pinky on his left hand, which he reluctantly agrees to do.
Farrell is then hidden away by Mailer and Brandy to be properly fitted into the role and allow time for his finger to heal. Burly assistant Todd (Robert Anderson is left behind to "keep an eye on" Farrell. Brandy introduces Farrell to the McIntyre's flighty niece Kathy (Terry Moore) who vows to reform him. The plan is to convince Kathy that Farrell is the lost son and thereby introduce him to the McIntyres.
Mailer through his so called research, has convinced McIntyre that Farrell is the real McCoy. THe frail Mrs. McIntyre is also convince. Then McIntyre announces that he will not change his will to include Farrell. Taken by surprise by this development, Mailer hatches a plan to murder the old man before he can change his will. Brandy and Farrell however are against the murder and plan to stop Mailer and Todd and tell all to McIntyre. But.... McIntyre has a surprise for all of them and..................................................................
Edmond O'Brien and Lizabeth Scott both veterans of Film Noire, stand out as the small time hustlers in for the big score. Alexander Knox makes a formidable villain as well.
I would have thought that there would have been a couple of murders at least in such a story. But the film is a keeper nontheless.