Five Minutes to Live (1961)

In the chilling black and white flick from 1961, "Five Minutes to Live," later revisited as "Door-to-Door Maniac," an ill-fated suburban bank heist unravels. The tale is recalled through the eyes of Fred, the architect of the doomed operation. In his scheme, he enlists the services of Johnny Cabot, a down-on-his-luck crook, to kidnap the wife of the bank's vice president. Cabot, donned as a door-to-door guitar teacher, infiltrates the Wilson household, taking Nancy Wilson captive as her husband departs for work and their young son heads to school. Meanwhile, at the bank, Fred seizes the opportunity to access Ken Wilson's office, where he lays his trap—a personal check for $70,000, which he hopes Wilson will cash as a ransom for his wife. To authenticate Nancy's plight, he forces Wilson to call home, revealing the volatile Cabot as her captor, and setting a five-minute timer for Wilson to make a decision. If Fred fails to call the house back, Nancy's life is forfeit. Yet, in a surprising twist, Wilson discloses his plan to elope to Las Vegas with his mistress, Ellen, implying that Nancy's death would be a favor. However, as the minutes dwindle, Wilson falters, agreeing to give Fred the cash. The first call is made, sparing Nancy temporarily, but the clock resets—five more minutes for Fred to secure the money and escape. Back at the Wilson house, Nancy endures Cabot's increasingly erratic behavior—from physical abuse to a bizarre serenade—while awaiting the second call. But it never comes. Fred has been apprehended by the police, tipped off by the bank's silent alarm. As Cabot's anxiety mounts, unexpected company arrives—Little Bobby, home for lunch. The police close in, and in his panic, Cabot takes Bobby hostage and flees into the yard, where a police bullet finds its mark. Bobby fakes his death to escape, and Cabot falls. In the aftermath, a remorseful Ken decides to take Nancy to Las Vegas, and the distraught family attempts to piece their lives back together.

Five Minutes to Live is a crime movie featuring Johnny Cash and directed by Bill Karn.

Five Minutes to Live is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player, Public Domain Movies and Tubi TV and it's also available on Classix, Cultpix, FlixFling and IndieFlix.

It is also possible to buy Five Minutes to Live on FlixFling.