Review of Executive Suite (1954) by Monsieur R — 22 Feb 2011

A black and white movie about transition: Corporate America changing from concern about quality and craftsmanship to one more about the bottom line. An insatiable appetite to get more return for the stockholders. Notably, the movie has no music soundtrack.

Executive Suite is a 1954 MGM drama film depicting the transfer of power in a corporation in trouble. As the movie begins, even before the title, we are greeted with a few words about how life at the top of a business is not as different from the middle and bottom of a business.

(just that the boys at the top have more money to play with).

Director Robert Wise has made a substantial film revolving around the lives of 8 or so characters after a controlling corporate president suddenly dies. Almost having a Twilight Zone, Rod Serling quality, everyone's lives are turned upside down when the character, whom we never meet or see, dies suddenly on the street and for several days has no identity.

The controller, an appropriately titled officer of Treadway Enterprises (of all things, a furniture manufacturer) immediately takes charge (played by Frederick March), issuing orders left and right to the dismay of all other directors in the company. Angling to become the new president, he bribes for votes at the soon to be held meeting of the directors.

The good guy in the film, William Holden, represents everything fine and decent in a person at the top of the corporate pyramid. June Alyson is the adoring, supportive wife.

Relectantly, Holden decides he is the only man with a concious that can take on the presidency and put the controller, played as Shaw by Frederick March, back in the bean counting role he belongs.

As one review commented:

"From the very moment I started watching Executive Suite until the very end, I was amazed at how accurate the producer and director and the stars of this film portrayed big business as it has always been and unfortunately as it always will be! Big business films are never dated! The same backstabbing political games were there then and are still there now!".

A first class production in every way. Suspense, drama, fine acting by all. The dvd disc comes with narration by director Oliver Stone, who gives a fascinating account of the entire film and more often his memories of other films and views. (he does stray from the movie quite a bit).

Juicy NOTES about the film:

1 The film received four Academy Award nominations:

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nina Foch).

Best Art Direction (Cedric Gibbons, Edward Carfagno, Edwin B. Willis, Emile Kuri).

Best Cinematography.

Best Costume Design.

2 The entire story takes place during the 24 hour period from Friday afternoon, June 19 1953 to Saturday afternoon, June 20 1953.

3 Producer John Houseman wanted Henry Fonda for the role of McDonald Walling, the lead actor. Fonda turned him down to star in a Broadway musical that never reached the stage.

Cast.

William Holden as McDonald "Don" Walling.

Barbara Stanwyck as Julia O. Tredway.

Fredric March as Loren Phineas Shaw.

Walter Pidgeon as Frederick Y. Alderson.

Paul Douglas as J. Walter Dudley.

Louis Calhern as George Nyle Caswell.

Dean Jagger as Jesse Q. Grimm.

June Allyson as Mary Blemond Walling.

Nina Foch as Erica Martin.

Shelley Winters as Eva Bardeman.

Directed by Robert Wise.

Produced by John Houseman.

Written by Ernest Lehman.

Based on Executive Suite by.

Cameron Hawley.

Distributed by MGM.

Release date(s) May 6, 1954 (1954-05-06).

Running time 104 minutes.