George Wright
I was glad to catch this movie today on the Turner Classic Movies channel; it is amazing how these lost gems are hidden away and then just pop up in the middle of the day or night on this channel. The first part of the movie leaves us in suspense as the viewer awaits a hastily called Friday night meeting but the CEO does not arrive. His sudden death sets up a battle for control of the company. Grief soon gives way to infighting among the rivals. I was pleased with the quality of the cast in the movie, although some of them did not get a lot of time on the set. Nevertheless, it is a movie in the Frank Capra style with the board of a large furniture company divided against itself. The battle is not only over the next CEO but also the direction the company will take. William Holden and Fredric March are the main protagonists and March appears to be the heir apparent but his lust for making money loses him the support of key people on the board of directors. Holden, youthful, ambitious and idealistic, and Walter Pidgeon, who is the epitome of the elder statesman and mentor, are both superb. In an unusual role for him, Frederic March is outstanding as the ambitious and scheming Vice President with his cost analysis sheets and charts. Barbara Stanwyck is Miss Treadway, the daughter of the deceased CEO. I liked her performance as a bitter and disappointed young woman who experienced a change of heart. Dean Jagger, Paul Douglas and Louis Calhern rounded out the cast of share holders. Calhern personifies the Wall St. profiteer who sees an opportunity to profit from the company's misfortune when the stock price drops on the news of the CEO's death. Nina Foch as the executive assistant Erica Martin was a model of decorum and efficiency. June Allyson played Wm. Holden's wife. A great story that held my interest throughout, I would gladly see it again.
vincentlynch-moonoi
It seems that this is a little remembered film, but it's certainly one of the finest films you can watch dealing with corporate intrigue.Just think, to begin with, about the cast: William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Fredric March, Walter Pidgeon, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern, Dean Jagger, June Allyson, Nina Foch, and Shelley Winters. Add to that director Robert Wise ("Somebody Up There Likes Me", "West Side Story", "The Sound Of Music"). Add producer John Houseman (famous for his work with Orson Welles). Add to that writer Ernest Lehman ("Sabrina", "The King and I", "North by Northwest", "West Side Story", "The Sound of Music", "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". I mean...wow! The biggest criticism I can find for this film is that it sometimes has the taste of a stage play because it mostly takes places in just a couple of sets. But, it doesn't seem stiff, as some movies are when they are translated to the big screen.William Holden is superb as an executive who lives more on the manufacturing line than in the board room, but who decides to campaign for CEO. Barbara Stanwyck is appropriately hysterical, when needed. Fredric March is excellent as the board member ready to grab the CEO-ship. Walter Pidgeon is great as a board member who realizes time has passed him by. Paul Douglas -- not usually one of my favorites -- is excellent as the head of sales, whose private life is worming its way into his job performance. Louis Calhern is great as a board member who is just a little too slick for his own good. Dean Jagger isn't really given enough to do here, and that's a shame. June Allyson, as Holden's wife, is very good...treading the line between being a nag and being supportive. Nina Foch is superb as the cold secretary who actually has a heart.The story is intense, though some audiences today may find it a little slow. The script solid.A top notch film that I highly recommend.
MartinHafer
This is a story of a fictional corporation that makes furniture. It's apparently a huge one--with enormous sales. That's why when the president of the company dies that the board of directors is in a tizzy. Various men want to control the company and to do so, they need to create alliances and connive to get the majority of the board members to vote for them. However, despite the conniving and maneuvering, the film ends with a few surprises.This is a highly unusual film. The biggest difference is that it's an "actor's film" with little of the adornment you'd find in other films--forcing the writers and actors to carry the entire film. The first way you realize it's this sort of film is that the film is missing a sound track! Yes, when the opening credits roll and there is no music whatsoever, you know this is NOT your typical film! And, when you see the wonderful cast of leading men and women as well as noted supporting actors, you also know it's a film built around people--not action. Imagine being a director who's given the likes of Fredric March, Barbara Stanwyck, William Holden, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern, and the rest as a cast! The only film that immediately comes to mind with less adornment and an even better cast is "12 Angry Men"...and that's a truly great film.Overall, I liked this film a lot but also think that some may not appreciate all the machinations and the cerebral plot. If you want explosions, romance or comedy, this film certainly is not for you!
tamrons
I highly recommend this film. Great acting and a great story. Just one short comment. William Holden's character has dated ideals in that he wants to produce something of quality for the public not just answer to the share holders and raise the stock.Louis Calherns character (The bad guy) is really the one that is up to date, (at least since the late 1970's in terms of corporate ideals) in that corporations only concern is share holders and getting the cheapest merchandise. Read China, everything else be dammed. This is the only area that I saw that was dated. I love to see the old shots of New York and the typical fashions of the time.
AD
